I have fished and floated almost the entire length of the cahaba ( with the exception of Trussville to county road 10 and from US 80 to the junction with the Alabama River. ) My personal opinion is the best fishing is above the Hwy 82 bridge in Centerville due to the diminished flow which occurs below the " falls of the Cahaba " which is just above this bridge. Some of the best fishing is from the Caldwell Mill Bridge down to the old hwy 31 bridge ( bains bridge ) . The problem with putting in here is the lack of access. If you tough it out and put in here in the summer , be prepared to deal with " stinging nettle ". Part of the reason the fishing here is so good is because very few folks fish this stretch. I recommend using a #5 floating rapala shad rap in the walleye pattern . This is a gold minnow imitation and mimics the natural bait in the water.
Another good stretch is from the County 10 Bridge near Irondale ( Roper Rd. ) down to Lovick ( take out is easy at a trailer park just above US 78. The US 78 take out is hard ). A few years back Irondale announced they would develop a canoe take out just below 78 - but it hasn't happened yet.
Another good float is from the " old Marvel slab " down to Bibb County 24 ) If you are interested in this float and would like some privacy ( always a good thing if you are fishing ) you better hurry because Shelby County is developing a massive canoe facility ( access from Shelby County 13 ) which I think will open Spring 2019.
This report in memory of Forrest Murphy Seale - a float fishin' fool.
See you on the river !
DB