Knoxville Overnight Fishing Trip
Private Trip
River Fishing
Two-day overnight trip targets Striper and Catfish in East Tennessee watersAccommodates up to five guests with camping setup included overnightRuns 9am to 7pm next day with light tackle fishing techniques
Picture this: you and your crew settling in for two full days chasing trophy fish on some of East Tennessee's most productive waters. This overnight adventure gives you exactly what serious anglers dream about – enough time to really dial in the bite and experience the water like locals do. Starting at 9am on day one and wrapping up at 7pm the next day, you'll have plenty of opportunities to adjust tactics, explore different spots, and put some serious fish in the boat. We'll set up camp streamside so you can swap stories around the fire before getting back after it at first light.
This trip is built for groups who want the full East Tennessee fishing experience without rushing. We're targeting hard-fighting Stripers and monster Catfish using whatever techniques are working best – could be live bait, cut bait, or light tackle depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. The beauty of an overnight trip is flexibility. If the Stripers are schooling up in the afternoon, we'll stay on them. If the Cats start feeding heavy at dusk, we'll be ready with fresh bait and heavy enough tackle to handle whatever comes up from the depths. Your guide knows these waters inside and out, so expect to hit multiple productive areas and learn why certain spots produce at different times. The camping setup is comfortable but keeps you close to the action – no long drives back to hotels when the fish are biting.
We'll match our approach to what's working, but expect to throw everything from live shad under floats to heavy bottom rigs loaded with cut bait. For Stripers, we might pull umbrella rigs in deeper water or cast topwater when they're busting baitfish on the surface. The light tackle approach lets you really feel these fish fight – a 20-pound Striper on medium action gear will give you a workout you won't forget. Catfish tactics usually involve anchoring up on structure with multiple rods out, using circle hooks and fresh cut bait. Your guide will handle the heavy lifting on rigging and bait prep, but you'll learn the why behind each setup. We carry backup gear for everything, so don't worry if you break off on a big fish or snap a rod tip. The overnight format means we can adapt quickly – if one technique isn't producing, we've got time to switch gears and find what's working.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of East Tennessee waters, and for good reason. These silver rockets can push 30+ pounds and fight like freight trains once hooked. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods, making early morning and evening prime time. What makes Stripers special here is how they school up to feed – when you find them, you can often catch multiple fish before they move on. The key is staying mobile and reading the electronics to stay on the schools.
Blue Catfish are the heavyweight champions that keep anglers coming back. These bottom-dwellers can exceed 40 pounds in East Tennessee waters and provide the kind of steady, powerful fight that tests your drag and your patience. They feed most actively at night and during overcast conditions, making them perfect targets for an overnight trip. Blues prefer deeper holes and channel structure, and once you hook into a big one, you'll understand why catfish anglers get so passionate about their sport.
Smallmouth Bass bring the acrobatics to this fishery. Pound for pound, they're some of the hardest fighting fish in freshwater, known for their aerial displays and never-give-up attitude. Smallies love rocky structure and current breaks, and they'll hit both live bait and artificials aggressively. In East Tennessee, they're active year-round but really turn on during spring and fall transitions. A 3-pound smallmouth will give you a better fight than most fish twice its size.
Rainbow Trout add a different dimension to the fishing, especially in the tailwater sections below dams. These colorful fighters prefer cooler water and will readily take both flies and small lures. Rainbows here can surprise you with their size – don't be shocked to hook into a fish pushing 20 inches. They're most active during cooler parts of the day and respond well to natural presentations that mimic their preferred food sources.
Brown Trout are the wary veterans that challenge even experienced anglers. These fish grow large and smart in East Tennessee waters, often requiring more finesse and patience to fool. Browns are notorious for feeding during low-light conditions and can be extremely selective about what they'll eat. When you do connect with a good brown, expect a powerful fight and maybe some head-shaking that'll test your knots. They're the fish that keep guides humble and anglers coming back for more.
This overnight fishing adventure gives you something most day trips can't – the time to really connect with the water and dial in successful patterns. With camping gear provided and your guide handling the logistics, all you need to focus on is fishing and enjoying East Tennessee's top-rated waters. Groups of up to five anglers can experience this customer favorite together, creating memories that last long after the trip ends. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before committing. Ready to experience what keeps serious anglers talking about East Tennessee fishing? Book your overnight adventure and see why Fish Knoxville's extended trips are becoming the trending choice for groups who want more than just a few hours on the water.
This 22-foot Canyon Bay center console cuts through East Tennessee waters with the power of a Yamaha 250, giving you plenty of speed to reach the best fishing spots for your overnight Striper and Catfish adventure. The stable platform handles river currents like a champ while providing room for up to five anglers to work the water comfortably. Whether you're casting light tackle for hard-fighting Stripers or settling in for trophy Catfish, this boat delivers the reliable performance you need for a successful two-day trip. The spacious deck gives everyone room to fish without getting tangled up, and the smooth ride means you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time fighting rough conditions on Knoxville's rivers.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue catfish are the giants of the catfish world, commonly reaching 25-46 inches and weighing 20-80+ pounds in our Tennessee waters. They're opportunistic feeders that'll eat just about anything - crawfish, shad, mussels, even smaller fish. You'll find them in deep holes and channels, especially near mud bottoms where they can scavenge. Night fishing is prime time, though they'll bite during the day too. What guests love is the sheer size potential - these fish can provide trophy memories and excellent eating with firm, mild white meat. They're strong fighters that'll test your tackle. Here's my go-to method: use fresh cut bait like skipjack or shad, let it sit on the bottom in those deep channel bends, and be patient - when a big blue picks it up, you'll know it.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout in our area typically range 12-20 inches, with their golden-brown coloring and distinctive black spots. These smart fish prefer cool, clear water with plenty of cover - think undercut banks, fallen trees, and deeper pools. They're most active during fall when they feed aggressively, but spring and early summer can be productive too. What makes browns special is their wariness - they're challenging to catch, which makes landing one really satisfying. The meat is excellent with a mild, sweet flavor. They're strong fighters that'll use every bit of cover to their advantage. Local secret: browns often feed at night or in low light, so try working streamers or live bait along those shaded bank areas where overhanging trees create cover - patience pays off with these educated fish.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout in our Tennessee waters typically run 8-16 inches with those beautiful pink stripes and black-spotted bodies. They need cold, clean water with good oxygen, so you'll find them in deeper pools during summer and shallower areas in cooler months. Spring and fall are peak seasons when water temps hit that sweet spot between 55-65°F. These fish are popular because they're scrappy fighters that'll jump and run, plus they make excellent table fare with that mild, slightly nutty flavor. Early morning and late evening are prime feeding times when they're hitting insects near the surface. Local tip: in our stocked waters, try drifting a small spinner or live worm near creek inlets where fresh, oxygenated water flows in - that's where they stage to feed.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass around here average 2-4 pounds with that classic bronze coloring and dark vertical stripes. They love rocky bottoms, points, and structure in our clearer lakes and streams. These fish are absolute scrappy fighters - they'll jump, run, and fight way above their weight class. Spring through fall are your best bets, especially early morning and evening when they're feeding actively. Cool thing about smallmouth is they're super aggressive, so they'll hit a variety of lures and baits. The meat's firm with a mild flavor that's really good eating. Here's a local trick: in summer when they go deeper, work a weighted jig along those rocky drop-offs slowly - they can't resist a crawfish imitation bouncing through their territory.
Morone SaxatilisThese hard-fighting landlocked stripers in East Tennessee waters typically run 20-40 pounds, though we've seen some real trophies push past that. Originally saltwater fish, they've adapted perfectly to our freshwater lakes and reservoirs. You'll find them around structure - drop-offs, points, and creek channels where they ambush shad. Spring and fall are prime time when they're actively feeding, but summer evenings can produce great action too. What makes stripers special is that powerful fight - they'll make long runs and really test your drag. The meat is excellent eating with a sweet, firm texture. Pro tip: when you're working deeper water, keep your bait just off the bottom near those creek channel edges where they like to patrol.
undefined, undefined