3 Hour Cherokee Lake Striped Bass Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Target striped bass and hybrid bass on Cherokee LakeThreehour guided morning trip accommodates up to five guestsAll fishing equipment and tackle provided by experienced guides
Picture this: it's just past sunrise on Cherokee Lake, the water's glass-smooth, and you're about to experience some of the best striped bass fishing Tennessee has to offer. This top-rated 3-hour guided trip with StriperXtreme Guide Service puts you right in the heart of the action, targeting Cherokee Lake's renowned striped bass and hybrid populations. What makes this trip special isn't just the fish – it's the whole package. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with all gear provided, you can focus on what matters: putting fish in the boat.
Your day kicks off at 6 AM sharp, though you'll want to touch base with your captain the evening before to lock in the exact meeting spot and any last-minute conditions updates. Cherokee Lake's a big body of water, and the fish move around depending on weather, water temperature, and what the baitfish are doing. That's where having a seasoned guide pays off – they're already tracking patterns and adjusting tactics before you even step aboard. The boat's rigged and ready with quality rods, reels, and a tackle box full of proven lures and live bait. You're looking at a comfortable ride for up to 2 anglers at the base price of $400, but they can accommodate up to 5 total if you want to bring the crew along for an extra $60 per head. Don't forget your Tennessee fishing license – it's required, and you'll need to grab one before launch day.
Cherokee Lake's striped bass respond to different techniques throughout the season, and your guide's going to match the approach to current conditions. Early morning often means working topwater lures around points and creek mouths where stripers push baitfish to the surface. You might find yourself throwing spoons, umbrella rigs, or live shad depending on what the fish are telling you. The beauty of a guided trip is having someone who knows when to switch from trolling the main lake to working shallow flats where hybrids are busting schools of threadfin shad. Your captain's got the electronics to locate fish and the local knowledge to predict where they'll be before the sonar even marks them. When largemouth and smallmouth bass are in the mix, expect to see some finesse tactics come into play – drop shots, jigs, and soft plastics that tempt these bottom-hugging fighters.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of Cherokee Lake, and these silver bullets can absolutely light up your drag. These lake-run stripers typically range from 3 to 15 pounds, with the occasional trophy pushing into the 20-pound range. Spring and fall are prime time when they're actively feeding and schooling up, but summer mornings can produce explosive topwater action. What makes Cherokee's stripers special is their fighting ability – in open water, they'll make blistering runs that'll test your tackle and your patience. The hybrid bass here are equally impressive, often mistaken for pure stripers but with their own aggressive personality. These cross-bred fighters hit hard and don't give up easy, making them a customer favorite for their pound-for-pound strength.
Largemouth bass call Cherokee Lake's coves, creek arms, and shallow structure home year-round. These green fish love the lake's abundant cover – submerged timber, rock piles, and weed lines where they ambush unsuspecting prey. Spring spawning season brings them shallow and aggressive, while summer finds them relating to deeper structure and shade lines. Don't overlook the smallmouth bass population either – Cherokee's rocky points, gravel bars, and deeper ledges hold some quality bronze-backs that'll jump and fight with everything they've got. Blue catfish round out the mix as opportunistic feeders that can show up anywhere, often surprising anglers with their size and strength when they inhale a bait meant for bass.
White bass, though smaller than their striped cousins, make up for size with sheer numbers and enthusiasm. When you find a school of whites feeding, it's often fast-paced action with multiple hookups and plenty of bent rods. These scrappy fish typically run 1 to 3 pounds but fight like they're twice that size, and they're excellent table fare if you're planning a fish dinner.
Cherokee Lake's fishing action stays consistent throughout the year, but the best trips fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. This world-class fishery combined with StriperXtreme's local expertise creates the kind of day on the water that keeps anglers coming back. Whether you're after your first striped bass or looking to add to your personal best, this trip delivers the goods. Your guide handles the details – location scouting, gear selection, and fish cleaning services if you want to take your catch home. All you need to bring is your license, some snacks and drinks, and maybe a camera for the grip-and-grin shots. With the suggested gratuity of 20-25% for your captain's hard work, you're investing in not just a fishing trip, but a day of learning from someone who lives and breathes Cherokee Lake fishing. Book now and get ready to see why this lake has earned its reputation as a premier striped bass destination.
Your Cherokee Lake striped bass adventure starts aboard a reliable 24-foot Sea Ark center console that's built for serious fishing. This spacious boat handles Cherokee's waters with ease, powered by a smooth 200hp Suzuki that gets you to the bass quickly and quietly. The wireless trolling motor lets your captain position the boat without spooking the fish, while the fish finder pinpoints exactly where those stripers are holding. Modern GPS keeps you on productive water, and the built-in livewell maintains fresh bait throughout your trip. With comfortable seating for your group and an icebox to keep drinks cold during those early morning starts, this setup gives you everything needed for a successful day chasing Cherokee Lake's famous striped and hybrid bass. The stable platform makes casting easy and landing fish even easier.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue catfish are Cherokee Lake's gentle giants, averaging 25-40 inches but capable of reaching true trophy size in these waters. They're distinguished by their slate-blue color and forked tail, often hanging in deep holes and channels during the day. Summer through early fall provides consistent action, especially at night when they move shallow to feed. What draws anglers to blue cats is the potential for a fish of a lifetime - they can live decades and grow massive. They're also some of the best eating catfish with firm, mild meat. These opportunistic feeders will take cut bait, live shad, or chicken livers fished on the bottom. They prefer areas with current and structure like creek bends and drop-offs. Here on Cherokee, the deeper river channels hold the biggest fish, particularly where the old riverbed makes sharp turns. My best tip is to use fresh-cut skipjack or shad on a Carolina rig and let it sit still on the bottom - blue cats will find it.
Micropterus SalmoidesCherokee Lake's largemouth bass run 12-24 inches and typically weigh 1-4 pounds, though bigger ones cruise these waters. They love hanging around submerged timber, weed beds, and creek channels where they can ambush prey. Spring and fall are prime times when they're more active in shallower water, but summer finds them deeper where it's cooler. What makes them special is that famous fight - they'll jump and shake trying to throw your hook. Plus, they're excellent eating when handled right. These fish have that oversized mouth that extends past their eyes, and they'll hit everything from plastic worms to topwater plugs. My go-to tip for Cherokee Lake: work those Carolina-rigged worms slow along the bottom near drop-offs. The rocky structure here holds fish year-round, and patience pays off when you feel that telltale thump.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are Cherokee Lake's pound-for-pound strongest fighters, typically running 12-18 inches with that bronze-green coloration and red eyes. They stick to rocky structure - bluff walls, boulder fields, and gravel points where they can ambush crayfish and minnows. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're more active, but early morning and evening bites happen all season. What sets smallmouth apart is their aerial show - they'll jump repeatedly and fight harder than any bass their size. They're also excellent eating with firm, white meat. These fish prefer cleaner, clearer water and you'll often find them deeper than largemouth during hot summer days. On Cherokee Lake, focus on the rocky main lake points and creek mouths with good current. My secret here is dragging a brown jig with a crayfish trailer along those rock transitions where deep water meets shallow - that's where the big ones hunt.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are Cherokee Lake's premier gamefish, running 15-30 inches with those distinctive dark horizontal stripes along their silver sides. These powerful fish cruise open water and gather around creek channels, points, and submerged structure where they hunt schools of shad. Early morning and late evening during spring and fall provide the best opportunities, though they'll bite year-round if you find them. What makes stripers special is their incredible fight - they'll make long runs and test your drag like no other fish in the lake. They're also outstanding table fare with firm, flaky white meat. These fish prefer cooler water, so they'll move deeper during summer heat but come shallow to feed when conditions are right. The key on Cherokee Lake is finding the bait - stripers follow the shad schools, so your electronics are crucial. Look for suspended fish over deep water, then work live bait or heavy spoons through the school.
Morone ChrysopsWhite bass are scrappy little fighters that school up on Cherokee Lake, running 10-18 inches and weighing 1-3 pounds on average. You'll recognize them by those dark horizontal stripes along their silver sides. They roam open water and gather near points, humps, and creek mouths, especially where baitfish are thick. Spring through fall gives you the best action, particularly during low-light periods when they push bait to the surface. What guests love most is the non-stop action once you locate a school - these fish are aggressive and will hit small jigs, spoons, or live minnows without much coaxing. They're also some of the best eating fish in the lake with firm, white meat. When you find one white bass, there are usually plenty more nearby. Here on Cherokee, watch for diving birds or surface activity - that's your cue to get over there fast with small white or chartreuse jigs.
Cherokee Lake