5 Hour Cherokee Lake Striped Bass Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fivehour evening trip targeting striped and hybrid bassAll fishing equipment and tackle provided by guideMaximum five guests with optional fish cleaning service
Cherokee Lake's evening bite is something special, and this 5-hour striped bass fishing adventure with StriperXtreme Guide Service puts you right in the thick of it. Starting at 4 PM when the water starts cooling and the fish get active, you'll be targeting some of Tennessee's hardest-fighting gamefish. The lake's deep channels and submerged structure create perfect habitat for stripers, hybrids, and both species of bass. Captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with all gear included, you just need to show up ready to fish.
This top-rated evening trip kicks off when the afternoon heat starts breaking and fish begin their feeding patterns. Cherokee Lake transforms as the sun gets lower – what might look quiet during midday suddenly comes alive with baitfish activity and predators moving shallow. You'll cover productive areas where stripers school up, often marked by diving birds or surface action that gets your heart pumping. The Captain uses live bait, cut bait, and artificial lures depending on what the fish are telling him that day. Don't worry about bringing anything except your Tennessee fishing license – rods, reels, tackle, and bait are all provided. The boat accommodates up to 2 anglers comfortably, though you can bring up to 5 people total for an extra $60 per additional angler. Fish cleaning service is available if you want to take your catch home, and most folks tip the Captain 20-25% when they've had a great day on the water.
Cherokee Lake fishing requires reading the water and adapting your approach throughout the evening. Early in the trip, you'll likely be working deeper structure with downriggers or heavy spoons to reach stripers holding in the thermocline. As evening progresses and baitfish move up, the action often shifts to topwater and shallow-running lures. The Captain runs quality gear – medium-heavy spinning setups and baitcasting combos that can handle everything from finesse presentations to pulling big stripers away from cover. Live threadfin shad is often the go-to bait, but cut bait produces consistently when fish are being picky. You'll also throw artificials like umbrella rigs, swimbaits, and topwater plugs when conditions are right. The lake's rocky points, creek channels, and standing timber all hold fish, so expect to move around and try different techniques as the evening unfolds.
Striped bass are the stars of Cherokee Lake, and these silver rockets will test your drag system. These fish average 3-8 pounds but can push into the teens, especially during fall when they're feeding heavily before winter. They're most active in low-light conditions, making evening trips prime time. Stripers fight hard with long runs and head-shaking jumps, and they school up in Cherokee's deeper waters before making feeding runs into the shallows. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but summer evenings produce consistent action as fish chase shad in the cooler water.
Hybrid bass, a cross between stripers and white bass, are pound-for-pound some of the hardest fighters in the lake. These aggressive feeders hit lures with authority and fight like fish twice their size. Most Cherokee Lake hybrids run 2-5 pounds, but their aggressive nature and aerial displays make every hookup exciting. They school heavily and when you find them, multiple hookups are common. Hybrids feed throughout the year but really turn on during the spring spawn and again in fall.
Largemouth bass love Cherokee's abundant cover – fallen trees, rocky banks, and grass beds all hold quality fish. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish averaging 2-4 pounds and occasional 5+ pounders keeping things interesting. They're most active during low-light periods, making evening trips perfect for connecting with a good largemouth. These fish fight differently than stripers – more cover-oriented with powerful surges toward structure.
Smallmouth bass in Cherokee Lake are bronze beauties that prefer the rockier areas and deeper structure. They're incredible fighters, known for their acrobatic jumps and determined runs. Most smallmouths here run 1-3 pounds, but their fighting ability makes them feel much bigger. They're most active in spring and fall when water temperatures are moderate, and they often suspend around points and ledges where the Captain knows to find them.
Blue catfish are the lake's gentle giants, often caught while targeting other species. These whiskered fighters can reach impressive sizes in Cherokee Lake's fertile waters, with fish over 20 pounds possible. They're most active during warmer months and provide a different kind of fight – steady, powerful pulls that test your endurance. While not the primary target, hooking into a big blue cat adds excitement and variety to any trip.
Cherokee Lake's evening bite is consistently productive, and Captain's local knowledge puts you on fish when others are struggling. At $400 for up to two anglers with all gear included, this customer favorite offers serious value for a world-class fishing experience. The 4 PM start time is perfectly timed for the evening feeding period, and you'll be fishing prime water when conditions are optimal. Make sure to contact the Captain ahead of time to confirm your exact meeting spot and start time – lake conditions and seasonal patterns sometimes call for adjustments. Bring your valid Tennessee fishing license, dress for changing evening temperatures, and get ready for some of the best striper fishing Tennessee has to offer. Cherokee Lake's combination of deep water, abundant baitfish, and diverse structure creates perfect conditions for memorable fishing, and this renowned guide service knows exactly how to put you on them.
Hit the waters of Cherokee Lake aboard our 24' Sea Ark center console, perfectly rigged for chasing striped bass and hybrids in Tennessee's prime fishing grounds. This stable fishing platform runs on a reliable 200hp Suzuki and comes loaded with everything serious anglers need - GPS navigation to find the hotspots, fish finder to locate schools, and a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches when the fish are finicky. The spacious center console design gives up to 5 anglers plenty of room to work, while the onboard livewell keeps your bait fresh and active all evening long. Pack your drinks and snacks in the icebox and get ready for some serious rod-bending action as we target the lake's famous stripers during prime feeding hours.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue cats are the giants lurking in Cherokee Lake's deeper holes - these prehistoric-looking fish can reach 30-50 pounds or more here. They're slate blue to gray with a deeply forked tail and that signature catfish underbite. You'll find them in the deepest parts of the lake, especially around the old river channels, creek bends, and any structure in 20+ feet of water. They're most active during cooler months and at night, making them perfect targets during our evening trips. What's cool about blue cats is they're opportunistic feeders, often picking up scraps under feeding stripers. They're incredible table fare too - firm, white meat that's some of the best eating in freshwater. The fight is more of a bulldogging pull than jumps, but their size makes up for it. My Cherokee Lake trick: use cut shad or skipjack on the bottom near those deep creek channels. Let it sit still - they'll find it with those sensitive whiskers and give you a slow, steady pull you won't forget.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouths are the classic bass everyone knows - those olive-green bruisers with the massive mouths and dark horizontal stripes. Around Cherokee Lake, they typically run 12-24 inches and 1-4 pounds, though bigger ones lurk in the deeper structure. You'll find them hanging around submerged timber, weed beds, and drop-offs, especially in the coves and shallow areas during warmer months. Spring and fall are prime time when they're more active in shallower water. What makes them special is that fight - they'll jump, run, and give you everything they've got once hooked. Plus, they're excellent eating when prepared right. My local tip: focus on the creek channels where they meet the main lake. Cast a plastic worm along those transition zones where the bottom changes from rock to mud. That's where the big ones ambush their prey.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouths are the scrappy fighters of Cherokee Lake's bass family. These bronze-backed beauties typically run 12-18 inches here, and pound-for-pound, they're the strongest fighters you'll encounter. They love the rocky structure - think bluff walls, chunk rock banks, and gravel points where crawfish live. Unlike their largemouth cousins, smallmouths prefer cleaner, cooler water and stay deeper during hot summer months. Spring and fall are prime time when they're more active in shallower water. What makes them special is that fight - they'll jump repeatedly and never quit pulling. They're also excellent eating with firm, flaky meat. The cool thing about Cherokee is you might pick one up while targeting stripers around the same rocky structure. My tip for smallmouths here: focus on 45-degree rock banks with a good drop-off nearby. A tube jig bounced down those rocks imitates a crawfish perfectly.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the main attraction on Cherokee Lake - these are the fish that bring people from all over Tennessee. They're built like silver torpedoes with those classic black stripes running down their sides, and they can get big here, with fish in the 10-20 pound range pretty common and some pushing 30+ pounds. They cruise the main lake following schools of shad, often holding near points, humps, and creek channels in 15-30 feet of water. Evening trips work great because they feed more actively in low light, especially during summer when they move up from deeper water. What guests love is the fight - these fish make long, powerful runs and don't give up easy. Plus, they're fantastic table fare. The key on Cherokee is watching your electronics for baitfish schools and staying mobile. When you mark fish suspended over deep water, drop down with live bait or heavy jigs to get their attention.
Morone ChrysopsWhite bass are the silver bullets of Cherokee Lake - fast, aggressive, and they travel in schools. These guys typically run 10-12 inches and weigh 1-2 pounds, with their distinctive dark horizontal stripes along bright silver sides. They're roamers, constantly moving through open water chasing baitfish, but you'll often find them near points, humps, and creek mouths. Spring spawning runs are incredible when they push up into tributaries, and fall feeding can be just as hot. What makes them fun is their aggressive nature - when you find a school, you can catch them one after another. They're also some of the best eating fish in the lake with firm, white meat. My go-to technique here is watching for surface activity and bird action, then getting small jigs or spoons down to them quickly. Once you locate a school, work fast before they move on.
Cherokee Lake