Need Suggestions On Birmingham Al And Surrounding Area!

[David228]

I am from south mississippi and just moved to birmingham alabama on the 26th of january. I was raised bass fishing tide water and fishing the occasional farm pond here and there. I have access to a boat back home but now find myself without. Any suggestions on where I may be able to fish from the shore or possibly rent a boat for a day of fishing? I am willing to travel as far as guntersville but would like to find something closer for some quick afternoon trips too. Thanks in advance!

 

-David

[Jsnider88]

I live in Bessemer, and there are some really good spots around our area just in general. I fish a lot of neighborhood lakes and ponds in the mccalla area, some private, some not. But, the way the weather is right now, I would say wait until it gets warmer though. Because with the cold front that's here right now, they won't bite anything for a good little while. I would say wait until it gets warmer. And there are several places that you can bank fish, or even rent boats. You can go to lake purdy, oak mtn, and places like that and bank fish, or rent boats. At lake purdy, you can rent flat bottom boats, or put your own boat in there. But you can only use their motors because that's a main water supply for our area. You can rent boats with live wells, outboards, trolling motors, electronics, etc. or you can just get a flat bottom with one motor. At oak mtn you can do kayaks, canoes, or paddle boats, and I think flat bottom boats there too. They both have some good fishing. Just wait until it gets a lot warmer. Like high 50's and low 60's for the bite I turn on good.

[Red Shad]

I moved the B-jham recently too. No boat, access. I have rented a boat on Lake Purdy and had pretty good success out there. Looking for more spots. Thinking about buying a boat next year to fish Bankhead and other nearby lakes.

[E. Guido Soda]

I live in Bessemer, and there are some really good spots around our area just in general. I fish a lot of neighborhood lakes and ponds in the mccalla area, some private, some not. But, the way the weather is right now, I would say wait until it gets warmer though. Because with the cold front that's here right now, they won't bite anything for a good little while. I would say wait until it gets warmer. And there are several places that you can bank fish, or even rent boats. You can go to lake purdy, oak mtn, and places like that and bank fish, or rent boats. At lake purdy, you can rent flat bottom boats, or put your own boat in there. But you can only use their motors because that's a main water supply for our area. You can rent boats with live wells, outboards, trolling motors, electronics, etc. or you can just get a flat bottom with one motor. At oak mtn you can do kayaks, canoes, or paddle boats, and I think flat bottom boats there too. They both have some good fishing. Just wait until it gets a lot warmer. Like high 50's and low 60's for the bite I turn on good.

 

Just a point of clarification - you cannot put your own boat in at Lake Purdy.  You have it backwards - you can't put your boat in, but you can bring your own motor, up to 10hp. 

 

http://www.lakepurdyfishing.com/rules.php

 

With that said, it can be pretty good fishing; better than any of the "lakes" at Oak Mountain.  Try Texas rigged lizards with contrast - black / sapphire, watermelon / chartreuse and the chartreuse / pepper all work well out there.  Good luck!

 

-EGS

[LApanic]

If your willing to travel as far as G'ville, but want to do a afternoon, I'd suggest the Coosa Chain.  I live in Dothan and fish a local club that travels to Lake Mitchell, Lay Lake and this past March on Logan Martin.  Big ole spotted bass w/ Good Largemouth as well.  Easy access from Bham, south on 65 and your first Clanton exit, go east about 18-20miles and "Beeswax Landing" (Columbiana, AL) is the best ramps and creek IMO (and KVD and others) to fish in especially spring. 40-50miles east on the same Clanton exit is the best ramps/rentals/rv at Lake Logan Martin (Pell City, AL). Again if your going south the 2nd Clanton exit (Shoney's Inn & Loves), take that east for 10-15 miles is Lake Mitchell (Clanton, AL)...is my favorite of the the coosa chain...all 3 have a lot to offer and one turn off the interstate, 45min south of Bham.  As far as boat rentals and marinas, the only one that im "familiar" with is Mitchell's Point on Mitchell.  Again, we always stay at the Shoneys Inn when were fishing either Mitchell or Lay and at The Big Bull (70's roadside motel turned fish camp...HIGHLY RECOMMEND!) at Logan-Martin