Never fished Ryan but you have my attention.
Anyone know anything about Ryan Creek in Cullman??Was talking to a guy at wal mart while we were waiting on tire work. He said there was good crappie fishing and it would be safe for a kayak.
Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com
I've never heard of Ryan Creek, but two areas are always of interest for me in a kayak on/near a big lake.
1) Feeder creeks. Best ones are always at least 8 to 10 feet deep with laydowns. I look for creeks that have something to block big boat traffic much of the time. Limestone with the winter drawdown causes the low water at the mouth. 8 Mile creek is blocked by the county road. These features limit angler traffic, but not fish movement.
2) I love finding borrow pits behind or adjacent lakes (typically near the dam). No one drives miles to big water just to fish the 10- or 15-acre borrow pit behind the dam. Many borrow pits only connect to the lake or river during high water and aren't accessible by road but are on public land. If they don't go dry in the summer, they can be epic!
flintcreek LIKED above postDamion Kidd thanked you for this post
So I guess this leads me to a question about 8 mile creek, the road runs between the lake and the creek, are there pipes or something under the road that allow the fish to move back and forth? And if so is 8 mile creek considered a separate body of water from Catoma? Thanks I have always wanted to ask this question.
Damion Kidd LIKED above post
IMO depends on where he was talking about. Ryan Creek gets wide, deep and popular the closer to the dam you get. From Smith Lake park/Spiegel's back away from the dam, I would agree. This time of year would be ideal for a kayak. Not many big boats gonna risk it and if they do they will probably not be on plane and sticking to the creek channel. Along 222 I see lots of stumps and trees sticking out of the water. We are 10' below summer pool so most of that is usually covered....but not all. Full disclosure.....I drive by it every day and tell myself Imma try it.....but I never have.
PS - there are no crappie in Smith Lake.....barren.....striper ate'em all...lol
2004 Sea Pro SV1900CC
115HP Yamaha
Humminbird Helix 12 G3N
Humminbird Helix 10 G3N
Garmin 1242 w/LivescopeDamion Kidd thanked you for this post
I’d like to find a put in a little farther on upstream though.
Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com
Across from Cappys boat rentals just past the four way at whitsons is where I see people put in. Not sure the process for doing so. They got a pay box for people that launc small boats in the summer but they are closed for the season currently.
2004 Sea Pro SV1900CC
115HP Yamaha
Humminbird Helix 12 G3N
Humminbird Helix 10 G3N
Garmin 1242 w/Livescope
There's a large pipe where 8-mile creek goes under County Road 1422.
I haven't seen the pipe (it's under water) but the current was obvious while jigging.