Knoxville Six Hour Fishing Trip
Private Trip
River Fishing
Sixhour guided fishing trip accommodates up to three guestsTarget Striper, Smallmouth Bass, Trout, and Catfish speciesMorning and afternoon departure times available daily
East Tennessee's waters are calling, and this six-hour guided fishing adventure puts you right where the action happens. Whether you're bringing the family for their first taste of angling or you're a seasoned fisher looking to dial into local hotspots, this trip hits that sweet spot between having enough time to really get into the rhythm and not burning a whole day on the water. Your guide knows these waters like the back of their hand and will put you on Stripers, Smallmouth Bass, Trout, and Catfish using whatever tackle matches the conditions and your skill level.
You've got two solid options for start times that cater to different fishing moods. The 7am departure gets you out there when the fish are most active - that early morning bite window when Stripers are pushing baitfish to the surface and the Smallmouth are aggressive in the shallows. If you're more of a laid-back angler or traveling with kids who don't do dawn wake-up calls, the 1pm start works perfectly for a relaxed afternoon session. The guide will adjust techniques based on what's working that day, and you'll have plenty of time to try different spots if the fish aren't cooperating at your first stop. Groups of up to three fit comfortably, but if you've got a bigger crew, there's room for two more. The beauty of six hours is you're not rushing - there's time to retie rigs, switch techniques, and actually enjoy the process of figuring out what the fish want.
Your guide comes prepared with both light tackle and fly gear, so the approach depends entirely on conditions and what you're comfortable with. If the Stripers are schooling and feeding aggressively, you might find yourself throwing topwater plugs or working soft plastics through the water column. When targeting Smallmouth in rocky areas, finesse techniques with jigs or tubes often do the trick. Fly fishers will love the opportunities here - whether you're stripping streamers for bass or working nymphs in trout water, East Tennessee offers diverse fly fishing scenarios. The guide reads the water and weather to determine the best approach, but they're also happy to let you stick with techniques you want to practice or learn. Light tackle keeps the fights fun and gives smaller fish a chance to show their personality, which is especially great when you've got newer anglers in the group who need to build confidence.
Striped Bass are the heavy hitters of East Tennessee waters and the fish that gets most anglers' hearts pumping. These silvery fighters can range from schoolie-sized fish around 15-20 inches up to true trophies pushing 30+ inches and double-digit weight. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action as Stripers move shallow to feed, often creating surface explosions that you can see from hundreds of yards away. They're aggressive feeders that will hit everything from live bait to artificials, and their initial run when hooked is something every angler remembers. The guide knows where to find them based on water temperature, baitfish activity, and seasonal patterns.
Smallmouth Bass might be pound-for-pound the best fighting fish in these waters. They're scrappy, acrobatic fighters that jump, dive, and use every trick in the book to throw your hook. Most range from 12-16 inches, but the bigger ones approaching 18-20 inches are genuine trophies that veteran bass anglers respect. They love rocky structure, points, and anywhere crawfish are abundant. Summer finds them in deeper water during the heat of the day, but early morning and evening sessions can produce explosive topwater action. These bass are perfect for anglers who appreciate technical fishing - they can be picky about presentation and require you to really think about your approach.
Rainbow Trout bring a different kind of excitement to the mix, especially for anglers used to warm-water species. These beautiful fish are available year-round but really shine during cooler months when they're most active in the water column. They average 12-16 inches but can surprise you with their strength and endurance. Rainbows are perfect for fly fishing but also take small spinners, jigs, and live bait presentations. Their colors are stunning - bright silver sides with that distinctive pink stripe and spotted backs. They're also excellent eating if you decide to keep a few for the dinner table.
Blue Catfish round out the target species list and offer a completely different angling experience. These bottom-dwellers can range from eating-sized fish around 2-3 pounds up to true monsters that will test your drag and your arms. They're most active during warmer months and provide steady action when other species are less cooperative. Cat fishing is often about patience and reading subtle bites, making it a great learning experience for newer anglers. The guide knows the best cat holes and what baits are producing, whether that's cut bait, live offerings, or prepared baits.
Brown Trout are the wildcard species that can make any trip memorable. These fish are known for being selective and challenging, but when you connect with a good Brown, you'll understand why they have such a devoted following. They tend to be larger than Rainbows on average and are incredibly strong fighters that use current and structure to their advantage. Browns are most active during low-light conditions, which makes them perfect targets for early morning or late afternoon sessions. Their golden-brown coloration with distinctive spots makes them one of the most beautiful freshwater fish you can catch.
This six-hour trip delivers exactly what most anglers are looking for - enough time to get into fish without committing your entire day to being on the water. The flexibility in start times means you can work it around your schedule, and the species diversity keeps things interesting no matter what time of year you visit. Whether you're introducing someone to fishing, looking to dial in techniques, or just want to experience what East Tennessee fishing is all about, this trip covers all the bases. Your guide's local knowledge takes
This 22-foot Canyon Bay center console cuts through East Tennessee waters like it was built for these rivers and lakes. The Yamaha 250 gives you the power to reach those prime fishing spots where the Stripers are running or the Smallmouth Bass are holding tight to structure. With space for up to five anglers, there's plenty of room to work your lines whether you're throwing light tackle for Trout or setting up for big Catfish. The stable platform makes it easy to fight fish and move around safely, while the center console design keeps your gear organized and accessible. Perfect for those long six-hour trips when you want to cover water and find where the fish are biting.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue cats are the heavyweights of Tennessee catfishing, and they'll give you a battle you won't forget. These slate-blue bruisers commonly run 20-40 pounds in our bigger rivers and reservoirs. They're opportunistic feeders that patrol deep channels, creek mouths, and muddy flats where the current brings food their way. Summer nights and early mornings are prime time, though they'll bite year-round if you put bait where they're feeding. What makes them special is the combination of size and fight - they'll peel drag for minutes on end. The meat's mild and flaky, perfect for a fish fry. Here's what works: fresh cut herring or shad on the bottom in 15-30 feet of water. Let it sit still and wait for that slow, steady pull. Don't set the hook too early - let them load up on it first.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the wary old-timers of our trout waters - they didn't get big by being careless. These golden-brown beauties with black spots typically run 12-20 inches, but the smart ones can get much bigger. They prefer deeper pools, undercut banks, and any structure that gives them cover and a feeding advantage. Fall is absolutely prime time when they get aggressive before winter, though spring can be excellent too. Browns are notorious for their cunning fights - they'll use every piece of cover to try breaking you off. The meat has a slightly richer flavor than other trout. What makes them challenging is they're often more selective about what they'll eat. Here's a tip that's served me well: target them late evening or very early morning near deeper water. A weighted woolly bugger stripped slowly through the shadows often does the trick.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout are the perfect fish for anglers wanting classic trout action in Tennessee's cooler waters. Most of ours run 10-16 inches and show off those beautiful pink stripes that give them their name. They stick to the cleaner, colder sections of streams and the thermocline in deeper lakes. Spring and fall are your best bets when water temps stay in that 55-65 degree range they love. Rainbows are known for their spirited fights - they'll jump, run, and keep you honest on light tackle. The pink flesh makes for some of the finest eating you'll find. They're also great for fly fishing if that's your thing. Local tip: focus on deeper holes and undercut banks during summer heat. Cast upstream and let your bait drift naturally with the current - they're suckers for a good dead drift presentation.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth are pound-for-pound the hardest fighting bass you'll tangle with in these Tennessee waters. They average 12-16 inches but don't let size fool you - they fight like fish twice their weight with acrobatic jumps and strong runs. Look for them around rocky points, boulder fields, and gravel bars in 8-15 feet of water. They love current breaks and ledges where they can ambush crawfish and minnows. Spring through fall fishing is solid, but early summer mornings and late evenings are prime time. The cooler months can be great too if you slow down your presentation. These bronze-backs have excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: when you're fishing rocky areas, bounce a tube jig or soft plastic crawfish right along the bottom - that's smallmouth candy right there.
Morone SaxatilisStripers in East Tennessee waters are landlocked from their ocean migrations but thrive in our lakes and reservoirs. These silver fish with distinctive black stripes typically run 15-30 pounds, though bigger ones cruise the deeper channels. They're structure-oriented, so we'll find them around points, drop-offs, and creek mouths. Spring and fall offer the best action when water temps hit that 60-65 degree sweet spot. Stripers are serious fighters - they'll make long runs and put a real bend in your rod. The meat's excellent eating too, with firm white fillets. Here's a local trick: watch for diving birds in early morning. They'll show you where the baitfish are schooled up, and that's where the stripers will be feeding underneath.
undefined, undefined