This 39,000-acre reservoir in Central Alabama provides some of the best fishing in the entire state. Bham Now has pulled together this handy, dandy guide to give you a glimpse of what its really like. The jig of a jig and pig is usually a lead head jig with a fairly big hook. But fishs stomachs are , Use large-sized baits such as dead bluegill, live chubs, water dogs, crayfish and frogs when seeking larger catfish. Where is the best catfishing in Alabama? , Best Answer From Peter in Australia: A hook will rust away in a fish, but it may take a while, especially if the hook is plated or made of thick metal. HUGE, actually! What is the largest catfish ever caught in Alabama? Lay Lake is a 12,000-acre reservoir fed by the tailwaters of the Logan Martin Dam. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The Tombigbee produces excellent catfish angling along its path, which includes five dams and locks before joining the Mobile River and emptying into Mobile Bay, where the attention turns to redfish and other saltwater fishing. The blue catfish caught by Mullenix weighed in at 121.5 lbs, which was not only a Texas state record but also a world record. Home to striped bass and catfish, this area is rich with shad and features a stiff current over plenty of deep holes where anglers can hook into some truly impressive fish. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. caught in 2000 from below the SML dam in Leesville Lake. Mike slowly pulled the rod straight down to about a half-bend. This 45,180-acre reservoir straddles the Georgia and Alabama line and is rich with angling opportunities for blue and channel catfish. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. In addition to studying fish, he listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists. This bluegill weighed in at a whopping 4 pounds 12 ounces and came in at 15 inches long with an astounding girth of 18- inches. Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off Smith Lake Dam Road, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking. Anglers can make their way to the R. F. Henry Lock and cast from the rocky shoreline on either side of the lake with heavy tackle and bottom rigs to catch these monster catfish. They just take the bait and go.. Like any other trophy trip, the route to trophy catfish takes some planning and arranging for success. On the Alabama River, some of the best catfishing occurs on the William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir, better known as Millers Ferry Lake, near Camden. . Fishing for striped bass can be even better in the hours before a major cold front or rain event arrives. Evidence of an Alabama sea serpent does exist in the fossilized bones of the zeuglodon, a prehistoric whale that grew to about 70 feet in length. A number of guides on the major north Alabama lakes can put anglers on these monster catfish. Cappy's Boats What is the best bait for freshwater striped bass? Youve probably been to a friends weekend home on Smith Lake just north of Birmingham. According to IGFA records, the largest fish ever caught was a great white shark that weighed an unbelievable 2,664 pounds (1,208.389 kg.). Hogan, a biologist and host of the show Monster Fish, recently spent time at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga and with fishermen and scientists around the South, searching for answers to the legend of the Volkswagon-sized catfish, a tale passed among fishermen from Wilson Dam in Muscle Shoals to Lake Guntersville Dam in Marshall County. We used my Hummingbird 1198 to locate the fish, Captain Brian says. How big catfish commonly found in North American waters can actually get is widely disputed. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. See ARC Realtys huge inventory of stunning homes for sale on Smith Lake. Gloves are necessary equipment for handling mega-catfish. Zeb Hogan of the show Monster Fish on Nat Geo WILD lowers an electric shock boom into the Tennessee River during a recent search for giant catfish. We asked the experts. Some are big and others are small. Smith Lake Public Boat Launch Ramp We rode over the area several times and located a few fish there. release when captured). Filled with brush piles and submerged trees, Pickwick Lake also has multiple deep water holes and is rich in minnows, shad, and crawfish. Bring your pleasure or fishing boat or find boat rentals locally. Bait & Tackle: NEARBY These locations usually have a current and are best angled with a bottom rig, such as a Carolina or Texas rig baited with the cut bait or liver. Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 108, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with roadside parking. "At end of the day, there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling stories. Some truly monstrous catfish are living in the rivers and lakes of Alabama; fish in the 100-pound range are caught on rod and reel every year. A favorite location of crappie anglers, the lakes stump field is best known for producing solid slabs consistently. . White Oak Creek is another spot where anglers can trace its tributaries far past the campground and into murky, structure-filled water perfect for flatheads and largemouths. Channel catfish are stocked into state-owned public fishing lakes on a put-grow-and-take or put-and-take basis as indicated by biological monitoring and lake catch records. For the past 10 years, Hogan has been working to find, study and protect the worlds largest freshwater fish. Bankhead Lake is dotted with log jams, creek miles, points, and thick weeds, perfect cover for ambush predators like the flathead catfish. Sunrise the big flatheads are most abundant. Dont be surprised if it takes some time to hook into a catfish, which scatter throughout the lake. This has led to more and larger fish in the entire Tennessee River system. WE ARE YOUR SOURCE FOR FISHING DESTINATIONS IN ALABAMA! Here is a preview of the July 5 episode of "Monster Fish" on Nat Geo WILD. Most trophy cat anglers use either a whole skipjack or a really large chunk of cut shad. Like most lakes in the region, the lake comprises multiple offshoots and branches rather than one big body of water. Blue, bullhead, channel, flathead, and white catfish inhabit Alabama's inland rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. The best thing for us anglers who want to catch a monster like this is to know lots of them are in the big lakes. Is The Flathead Catfish An Invasive Species In Pa? Here, the mouth of Yellow Leaf Creek and the shoreline north of Dry Branch towards the dam are both easy-to-access locations you can fish at Lay Lake. Captain Brian advises us about appropriate equipment. Fish must be identified by a Fisheries Section biologist or other certified fisheries biologist. It sat motionlessly. The nearest boat launch is the Cochrane Recreation Area, and after a short boat ride down the river and catching Lubbub Creek into the lake, youre in deep blue catfish territory. However, the possibility of landing one of these monster catfish on typical catfish rigs is minimal. I weigh big catfish while they are still in the net, and then I give them time to settle down before we take pictures, Captain Brian says. "My job as a scientist is to separate fact from fiction but 'fact' is already amazing and unbelievable enough," Hogan said. Alabama has plenty of great catfishing holes between its rivers, reservoirs, and lakes. Here, anglers will find a heavily flooded forest that shelters catfish from the stiff current of the river but is still deep enough water to rip into some big cats. High, dingy water always makes for a better catfish bite. There are two dozen species of freshwater fish larger than 6 feet and weighing more than 200 pounds, which is as big as a person, and some weigh up to 600 or 700 pounds.. Also known as Walter F George Lake, is a bass angler's dream with almost 600 miles of shoreline to fish. Click here to see the full listing. Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. It was caught out of Lake Neely Henry. Lewis Smith Lake fishing for big striped bass and a host of other species in north-central AL. Largemouths | Lake Eufaula. A fresh mega-catfish is very strong, and these fish come with very stout and dangerous spines on several of their fins. When it comes to shore fishing from the Alabama side, the Waterloo Boat Ramp and Second Creek Recreation Area offer anglers easy access to deep water from shore. At Smith Lake dam you have water over 200 ft. in places. However, boat anglers can moor out of the main river flow by ducking behind the small concrete structure on the dams right side and casting into the stronger current. Of course, when the mega-catfish decides that playtime is over, it will apply plenty of pressure to the angler. Read the story of the Alabama State Fossil here. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. We need to gear up right if were going trophy catfish hunting. This oxbow is another solid choice for anglers looking for a giant catfish. 55 Marina Drive Nat Geo WILD describes the episode on giant catfish in a press release: Lured by stories of catfish the size of Volkswagens, Zeb is on a mission to find out if the legendary giant catfish of the South really exists.. Fish must be identified by an Alabama Fisheries Section biologist or other certified fisheries biologist. In the mid-1900s, the most popular legendary river creature became catzilla, a species of catfish that reportedly grew to the size of Volkswagon Beetles at several dams along the Tennessee River. Actress and singer, Miley Cyrus and actor, Liam Hemsworth have been spotted in Cullman. Alewives. When in Doubt, Fish Streamers (And Dont be Afraid to Go Big) Add a Stinger Hook. Plus, it makes catching striped bass a lot more fun. For instance, the water between the twin spans between Eufaula, Alabama, and Georgetown, Georgia, is a prime catfish location. Head to cover early morning for the most hits. In the low light and during the frenzied feed, they hit just about anythinga zig-zagging Spook is a good starter, but sometimes its necessary to downsize a bit to some of the smaller floater divers like the Rapala or Rebel. By boat, anglers should also try the rocks lining Bumpass Creek Road, where they may find the occasional blue or channel catfish lurking amongst the boulders or near the underpass. No matter what species of catfish you hope to catch at Lake Martin, your best bet is to stick with a bottom rig baited with live shad, minnows, or small sunfish. The best time of day to catch striped bass is early morning from dawn until about 2 hours after sunrise and late afternoon from 2 hours before sunset until dusk. April. Located between Lake Martin and Thurlow Lake along the Tallapoosa River, Yates Lake has earned a reputation for big striped bass, but its hidden gem is its quality catfish population. April and May are the prime time. Arley, AL 35541 While size matters in a lot of things, this smaller reservoir proves that good things can come in small packages. In Alabama, we have three residents: the Alabama sturgeon, the Gulf sturgeon and the Lake sturgeon. The typical recommendation is to fish about 2-3 hours before high tide to about 2-3 hours outgoing tide. Large catfish like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures will get their attention. Are you looking to sell your home or shopping around for a new one? Further into the creeks, angular should target structure with a deep cork or work the cut or channel mouths with bottom rigs baited with small live crappie, shad, or crawfish. Lick Creek Boat Launch Ramp The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Career highlights include introducing innovative recycling systems and achieving a point where households throw out trash just once a month. The results of his research will appear in the first episode of a new season of Monster Fish at 9 p.m. Central time on July 5. The runner-up spot went to Wayne and Travis Bodine. Line matters and Captain Mike recommends sticking with 10-pound or 12-pound test. What is the slot limit on bass on Smith Lake? Sherril Harris, Sylacauga, Lake Martin, Tallapoosa Co. Fishermen tell tall tales.". Preview Alabamas first GreenWise Market at Lane Parke in Mountain Brook Village (Photos), ASC and ASO Present John Paul White with Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Alys Stephens Center, Jemison Concert Hall, NOW OPEN: New trail connects schools, parks and midtown communities in Montgomery, Alabamas first KPOT, a Korean BBQ and hot pot joint, coming soon to Tuscaloosa, Food Network named Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q the best barbecue in the state, Aubie named 3rd best mascot in the country, how AL schools fared in UCA National Cheer Championship, Birmingham, Prattville, WSFA 12 & nonprofits supporting Alabama Jan. 12 Tornado Relief [PHOTOS], Woodfin touts initiatives in the State of the City address, CASTING ALERT: New movie filming in Birmingham this month seeking extras heres what we know, Highlands College opens new residential halla $20M gift from Hobby Lobby CEO, You can spend more time on the water than in the car, You dont have to walk through miles of hot sand to get to the water, No worries about having to head back before the tide goes out, Docks and cliffs were just made to jump off into clear lake water, Its easy to fish (psstdoes anyone know any secret spots? 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