What to bring
Tackle for Athens
Three picks from the largemouth bass checklist that work for the fish here. Affiliate links: buying through them pays this site a small commission at no extra cost to you.
RodUgly Stik GX2 7 ft medium-heavy casting rodStiff enough to set a hook in grass, tough enough to live in a truck bed.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
ReelAbu Garcia Black Max baitcasting reelAn inexpensive baitcaster that casts cleanly once the brakes are set.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
Soft plasticZoom Trick WormThe Tennessee standard on a Texas rig or weightless along docks and grass edges.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
Spending more? The bigger purchases, compared side by side:
Closest first
Bait and tackle shops near Athens
The nearest bait, tackle and marina stores to Athens, each with its own page, directions and phone number.
Tellico OutfittersFly shop and outfitter. Flies, leader, licences and local water advice.Directions and phone →FishTales Bait and TackleLive bait, so this is the stop for minnows, crickets and nightcrawlers.Directions and phone →Lane’s Landing Bait & TackleLive bait, so this is the stop for minnows, crickets and nightcrawlers.Directions and phone →Hog Farmer Bait CompanyLive bait, so this is the stop for minnows, crickets and nightcrawlers.Directions and phone →Talkin’ Tackle Outfitter & LodgeFly shop and outfitter. Flies, leader, licences and local water advice.Directions and phone →Dunmore Bait & TackleLive bait, so this is the stop for minnows, crickets and nightcrawlers.Directions and phone →Academy Sports + OutdoorsChain sporting goods. Rods, reels, line, terminal tackle and a licence counter.Directions and phone →Meadow Park Lake park officeLive bait, so this is the stop for minnows, crickets and nightcrawlers.Directions and phone →Jack’s Bait & Tackle ShopLive bait, so this is the stop for minnows, crickets and nightcrawlers.Directions and phone →
Buy it at the ramp
Marinas and bait near Athens
Access points within reach of Athens that TWRA records as carrying bait, rentals or marina services.
Launch fee5 out of 5facilitiesB&B MarinaHiwassee River · 15 mi from Athens1 ramp, 2 lanesrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.32714, -84.82864Fee not listed1.5 out of 5facilitiesAgency Creek Campground MarinaChickamauga Lake · 18 mi from Athens1 rampDirections and detail →35.37439, -84.90696Launch fee3.5 out of 5facilitiesPiney Point ResortWatts Bar Lake · 20 mi from Athens1 ramp, 1 lanefishing pierrestroomsrentalsDirections and detail →35.68060, -84.81240Fee not listed3 out of 5facilitiesBayside MarinaWatts Bar Lake · 22 mi from AthensHwy 58 South, turn right onto 304, go approx. 6miles, Marina on rightfishing pierrestroomsDirections and detail →35.75020, -84.65870Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesBlue Water Resort and MarinaChickamauga Lake · 22 mi from AthensFrom 30, take Double S Road, right onto Shaver Loop1 ramp, 1 lanerestroomsDirections and detail →35.47960, -84.97590Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesEuchee MarinaWatts Bar Lake · 18 mi from Athens1 ramp, 1 lanerestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.68277, -84.71234Free4 out of 5facilitiesTN State Park at RelianceHiwassee River · 18 mi from Athens1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingrestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.18774, -84.49712
What it looks like
The water around Athens
What you are buying gear for. Drag or swipe through. Every picture opens that water’s own page.
Hiwassee RiverOpen the Hiwassee River page →ChristopherM at English Wikipedia / CC BY 2.5
Chickamauga LakeOpen the Chickamauga Lake page →George Green, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / Public domain
Watts Bar LakeOpen the Watts Bar Lake page →ChristopherM / CC BY 2.5
Tellico RiverOpen the Tellico River page →ChristopherM / CC BY 2.5
Tellico LakeOpen the Tellico Lake page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0
Chickamauga LakeOpen the Chickamauga Lake page →Tennessee Valley Authority / Public domain1 public boat launches in McMinn County, counted from TWRA’s own access database.