Bass Life

Alabama boat ramp tour: FishSmart

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Since the impact of COVID-19, and many local stay-at-home ordinances that actually allow for fishing, we thought it would be interesting to make a loop around many of Alabama's most popular boat ramps.</p> <p>There are certainly a few we weren't able to get to, but the following aerial gallery is an overhead look at how anglers are fishing smart during this health crisis in America. Even on a Tuesday, most ramps we visited were busy.</p> <p>This first image is from the dam at Lewis Smith Lake near Cullman, Ala. Since the sun had just come up, and it was a weekday, the ramp doesn't look very busy. But, there is a bunch of construction taking place, and by the time I left, seven or eight additional boats had launched.
Since the impact of COVID-19, and many local stay-at-home ordinances that actually allow for fishing, we thought it would be interesting to make a loop around many of Alabama’s most popular boat ramps.
There are certainly a few we weren’t able to get to, but the following aerial gallery is an overhead look at how anglers are fishing smart during this health crisis in America. Even on a Tuesday, most ramps we visited were busy.
This first image is from the dam at Lewis Smith Lake near Cullman, Ala. Since the sun had just come up, and it was a weekday, the ramp doesn’t look very busy. But, there is a bunch of construction taking place, and by the time I left, seven or eight additional boats had launched.
Smith Lake is a deep, clear water reservoir that is known for big spotted bass and a healthy supply of blueback herring as the primary food source.
Smith Lake is a deep, clear water reservoir that is known for big spotted bass and a healthy supply of blueback herring as the primary food source.
Another look at the primary Smith Lake boat ramp.
Another look at the primary Smith Lake boat ramp.
Moving to the northeast, the famous Goose Pond boat ramp on Lake Guntersville is the home to many a derby throughout the year, including a Bassmaster Elite event in June of 2019 when pro Jamie Hartman claimed the title.
Moving to the northeast, the famous Goose Pond boat ramp on Lake Guntersville is the home to many a derby throughout the year, including a Bassmaster Elite event in June of 2019 when pro Jamie Hartman claimed the title.
Goose Pond is on the upper end of Guntersville, but provides easy access to many of the lake's best spots. It's really a spectacular view from the sky.
Goose Pond is on the upper end of Guntersville, but provides easy access to many of the lake’s best spots. It’s really a spectacular view from the sky.
Moving back towards the town of Guntersville, the Mink Creek launch is a well-known location to drop a boat in the water.
Moving back towards the town of Guntersville, the Mink Creek launch is a well-known location to drop a boat in the water.
Another view of Mink Creek.
Another view of Mink Creek.
Waterfront is another popular launch at Guntersville. As you can see here, this site is pretty busy.
Waterfront is another popular launch at Guntersville. As you can see here, this site is pretty busy.
Here's a different view of Waterfront, and the gas station/store that's across the highway.
Here’s a different view of Waterfront, and the gas station/store that’s across the highway.
Guntersville State Park has a beautiful ramp facility. It's harder to get to when compared to the other ramps across the lake, but it's a great place to launch from if you want to fish Town Creek or even Spring Creek or Browns that are nearer to the community of Guntersville.
Guntersville State Park has a beautiful ramp facility. It’s harder to get to when compared to the other ramps across the lake, but it’s a great place to launch from if you want to fish Town Creek or even Spring Creek or Browns that are nearer to the community of Guntersville.
Another look at the state park ramp.
Another look at the state park ramp.
Moving south to the town of Gadsden and Neely Henry Lake, one of the upper lakes along the Coosa River. This is the renowned Coosa Landing Launch where most of the derbies go out of.
Moving south to the town of Gadsden and Neely Henry Lake, one of the upper lakes along the Coosa River. This is the renowned Coosa Landing Launch where most of the derbies go out of.
Another look at Coosa Landing.
Another look at Coosa Landing.
This is the Rainbow Landing further south on the Neely Henry along the 77 Bridge.
This is the Rainbow Landing further south on the Neely Henry along the 77 Bridge.
Another view of Rainbow Landing.
Another view of Rainbow Landing.
Moving to Logan Martin, the next lake down on the Coosa River, here is a shot of Poor House Marina, which is a relatively popular pay launch site on the upper end of Logan Martin.
Moving to Logan Martin, the next lake down on the Coosa River, here is a shot of Poor House Marina, which is a relatively popular pay launch site on the upper end of Logan Martin.
There are a few trucks and trailers in this parking lot, but this ramp can only handle a handful of rigs.
There are a few trucks and trailers in this parking lot, but this ramp can only handle a handful of rigs.
Moving down Logan Martin, here is a view of the Town & Country ramp. There are still a good number of tournaments going out of this launch, including afternoon and evening events.
Moving down Logan Martin, here is a view of the Town & Country ramp. There are still a good number of tournaments going out of this launch, including afternoon and evening events.
Here you can see boats beginning to trickle in from a weekday tournament.
Here you can see boats beginning to trickle in from a weekday tournament.
Literally, right next door is Lakeside Marina, which is a pay launch site and RV park, but it appears to be closed for the time being.
Literally, right next door is Lakeside Marina, which is a pay launch site and RV park, but it appears to be closed for the time being.
Another look at Lakeside, and you can see Town & Country in the background.
Another look at Lakeside, and you can see Town & Country in the background.
Moving down the river to Lay Lake, here is a look at Beeswax Creek launch. This is a fantastic facility, home to multiple Bassmaster Nation, Opens and a Classic in 2010.
Moving down the river to Lay Lake, here is a look at Beeswax Creek launch. This is a fantastic facility, home to multiple Bassmaster Nation, Opens and a Classic in 2010.
Here's another look at the Beeswax launch, and beyond that you can see Beeswax Creek where Kevin VanDam won the 2010 Classic.
Here’s another look at the Beeswax launch, and beyond that you can see Beeswax Creek where Kevin VanDam won the 2010 Classic.
Nearly all the way down to the Lay Lake Dam is another public launch site across the lake from Paint Creek.
Nearly all the way down to the Lay Lake Dam is another public launch site across the lake from Paint Creek.
Another angle of the same launch.
Another angle of the same launch.
Then moving down the Coosa River to Mitchell Lake, Higgins Ferry Public Boat Launch is the primary launch used on this lake.
Then moving down the Coosa River to Mitchell Lake, Higgins Ferry Public Boat Launch is the primary launch used on this lake.
Here you can see anglers gathering for a Tuesday Nighter four-hour tournament.
Here you can see anglers gathering for a Tuesday Nighter four-hour tournament.
This ramp has plenty of parking in front of the main ramps, but there is an over-flow ramp up the hill. There were quite a few boats at this ramp at this time, but the anglers were practicing social distancing and being respectful of health awareness.
This ramp has plenty of parking in front of the main ramps, but there is an over-flow ramp up the hill. There were quite a few boats at this ramp at this time, but the anglers were practicing social distancing and being respectful of health awareness.

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