Page 50 - Sports Planner Guide 2018

TOURNAMENT FISHING

LAY LAKE SMITH LAKE DAM TAILRACE

(P) 205.669.1515 (P) 256.287.0050
(W) OUTDOORALABAMA.COM/FISHING/FRESHWATER/
WHERE/RESERVOIRS/LAY The Smith Lake Dam tailrace is the top‑rated spot in
Alabama for fly fishing for feisty rainbow trout. The icy‑cold
The host lake for the 1996 and 2002 BASS Masters Classics, waters below the dam are stocked annually with hundreds
this haven for largemouth and spotted bass is one of the of thousands of rainbows, and catches of up to 2 pounds
most popular sites for Alabama fishermen. The lake boasts are common. The tailrace record is over five pounds. It was
standing timber, stump‑filled pockets and miles of grass here that the world‑record 23‑pound hybrid striped bass
beds, enabling anglers a multitude of fishing techniques. was caught. The Smith Lake Dam tailrace is located north
Floating worms, floating lizards and scum frogs tossed of Birmingham off I‑65. A full‑service fly fishing store,
in the grass result in explosive strikes that are not for the complete with fishing guides and the hottest flies, is located
faint of heart. It was from this grass that the lake‑record less than half a mile from the prime fishing areas.
13‑pound, 2‑ounce largemouth was reeled in. The lake,
with 245 miles of shoreline, has numerous guides available ACRES FISH TYPE MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN
to put visitors onto the big one. Paradise Point is the 21,000 Rainbow 60
most‑popular launch site on the lake. Trout

ACRES FISH TYPE MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN
12,000 Largemouth 35
Bass
Spotted Bass

LEWIS SMITH LAKE

(P) 256.734.0698
(W) OUTDOORALABAMA.COM/FISHING/FRESHWATER/
WHERE/RESERVOIRS/SMITH

This mountain lake, heavily stocked with striped bass,
has a current lake record of 45 pounds. In fact, 20‑pound
fish no longer even raise eyebrows with locals. The deep,
cool water found in Smith Lake is the perfect habitat
for the rapid‑growing striped bass. When the summer
heat becomes unbearable, stripe fishing becomes a
nighttime endeavor. Smith Lake also has a healthy
population of spotted bass, producing through the years
eight world‑record spotted bass. Located an hour north
of Birmingham off I‑65. A number of spotted bass fishing
guides are available. Speegle’s Marina and Smith Lake Park,
both in Crane Hill, are the lake’s most popular launches.

ACRES FISH TYPE MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN

21,000 Striped Bass 60
Spotted Bass

50 | SP ORTS PLANNERS GUIDE