One of the great joys of living in Alabama is the outstanding fishing available year 'round. Our state's aquatic habitat supports the best combination of freshwater and saltwater species in the nation. From largemouth and smallmouth bass to grouper and redfish, the Cotton State's rich diversity is an angler's dream come true. Whether it's world-famous freshwater lakes or world-class manmade reefs, we have such an abundance of species and locations that it could take a lifetime to experience everything.

To help narrow the opportunities for the coming year so you can create your list of adventures, here's a plan for the best fishing year of your life.

JANUARY
Blue Catfish/Tennessee River
The Tennessee flows across northern Alabama for 202 miles; its habitat grows blue catfish weighing more than 100 pounds. In 1996, William McKinley pulled from the river a then-world record weighing 111 pounds. Successful anglers report catching their largest cats in the coldest months of the year. January river blues frequently exceed 25 pounds, with an occasional 60-pounder.

Target these massive fish by drifting bait along steep dropoffs on the main river channel, especially at the mouths of feeder creeks. Control drift speed with a trolling motor to slowly drag baits across the bottom on a three-way rig. Without question, fresh skipjack herring cut into steaks is the best bait for trophy catfish on the Tennessee.

To book a winter guide trip, call Mike Mitchell at (256) 673-2250.

Other Hotspots
For faster action, fish for spotted bass in the current breaks below the Mitchell Dam. Also in January, offshore anglers catch limits of hard-fighting grouper hiding in the reefs off Gulf Shores.

FEBRUARY
Spotted Bass/Jones Bluff Lake
Fishing for spotted bass in February on Jones Bluff is phenomenal, as it's the only time of the year that knowledgeable anglers catch 5- to 7-pound spots. The big spots seem to disappear when water temperatures moderate.

The Alabama River's flooded banks and current create excellent habitat for spotted bass. Productive locations for trophy spots this month are gravel bars 6 to 15 feet deep on the river. To fish gravel bars, find any hump or point that causes a current break and slow-roll a heavy spinnerbait on the edge of the break. Tube lures and curlytail grubs also attract hard-hitting strikes.

The best fishing for big spots is from Swift Creek to the dam.

For current fishing information, call Big Bass Bait & Tackle at (334) 365-0600.

Other Hotspots
Opening day for Escambia County Lake for 2009 is on Feb. 1. This 167-acre lake offers the best opportunity to catch a largemouth weighing more than 10 pounds. At Wheeler Lake, saugers are hitting jigs tipped with minnows at depths of 40 to 60 feet.

MARCH
Largemouth Bass/Guntersville
Mark your calendar and let the boss know you're fishing Guntersville this month: Life's too short to miss another spring of this world-class bass fishing. Anglers report that this fishery is on an up trend, with routine catches of 10 to 15 bass a day weighing 4 to 7 pounds; on a good day, they double those numbers.

Look for groups of big females migrating to their spawning areas in the backs of North and South Sauty creeks. Start at the first point next to a spawning flat and work toward the mouth of the creek until you connect. Work these grassy points by ripping a red Rat-L-Trap through the weeds.

For current fishing information, or to book a guide, call Waterfront Grocery & Tackle at (256) 582-6060.