What to bring
Tackle for Jefferson County water
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 in and near Jefferson County
The nearest bait, tackle and marina stores to Jefferson County’s water, each with its own page, directions and phone number.
Bucks N BassTackle and bait for Jefferson County water. Call ahead out of season, winter hours are short.Directions and phone →Nathan Mountain OutdoorsSporting goods. Rods, reels, line and a licence counter.Directions and phone →Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s at KodakFull outdoor superstore. Rods, reels, boats, licences and a tackle wall.Directions and phone →Lakeview Market & DeliSmall local store carrying bait, ice and the basics.Directions and phone →Cherokee Bait & TackleLive bait, so this is the stop for minnows, crickets and nightcrawlers.Directions and phone →Mobile Bait StoreLive bait, so this is the stop for minnows, crickets and nightcrawlers.Directions and phone →Cherokee Boat DockLakeside operation with a dock store, bait and often boat rental.Directions and phone →Gilmore Boat DockLakeside operation with a dock store, bait and often boat rental.Directions and phone →Greenlee Campground & MarineTackle and bait for Grainger County water. Call ahead out of season, winter hours are short.Directions and phone →
Buy it at the ramp
Marinas and bait at the water in Jefferson County
Access points in Jefferson County that TWRA records as carrying bait, rentals or marina services. Buying where you launch is the cheapest way to avoid a wasted trip.
Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesBlack Oak DockCherokee LakeI-40, exit 417, North on HWY 92 for 6.6 mil, right on Russell Ave for 1.2 mi, right on E Rhoten St, 1 mi, right on Black Oak Rd, marina is 1.3 mi on left1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingrestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.15400, -83.48630Launch fee2.5 out of 5facilitiesCowboy’s Bar and Grill at LakesideDouglas LakeI-40, exit 412, South on Deep Springs Rd for 2.8 mi, left on TN 139 then 0.1 mil, ramp on rightrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.97100, -83.50190Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesFanchers CampgroundDouglas LakeI-40, exit 424, south on TN 113 for 0.1 mi, left on US 25 / 70, 1 mi over bridge, left then under Interstate, campground on left1 ramp, 2 lanesrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.03910, -83.32640Fee not listed1.5 out of 5facilitiesMountain Harbor InnDouglas LakeFrom I-40, exit 412 then SE on Deep Springs Rd for about 3 mi, turn left on HWY 139E and go about 2.5 mi, access area on rightrentalsDirections and detail →35.97790, -83.48370Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesOasis Cove MarinaDouglas LakeI-40, exit 417, then South on TN 92S for about 2 mi, right on Gay St, continue over bridge about 6 mi, left on Indian Creek Rd then about 2.5 mi to dock on right1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingrestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.97730, -83.33910Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesSwann’s MarinaDouglas LakeI-40, exit 424, right to HWY 25/70, left, marina 1/2 mile on right2 ramps, 2 lanesrestroomsrentalsDirections and detail →36.03560, -83.33180Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesThe Point MarinaDouglas LakeI-40, exit 417, south on TN 92 for 2.6 mi, right on Gay St, 0.1 mi over bridge, marina is on left2 ramps, 2 lanesrestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.00960, -83.40800
What it looks like
What Jefferson County water looks like
The lakes and rivers you are buying gear for.
Douglas LakeOpen the Douglas Lake page →Dwight Burdette / CC BY 3.0
Cherokee LakeOpen the Cherokee Lake page →TVA Web Team / CC BY 2.0
French Broad RiverOpen the French Broad River page →Pollinator at en.wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0
Holston RiverOpen the Holston River page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0
Norris LakeOpen the Norris Lake page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0
Watauga LakeOpen the Watauga Lake page →Mark Larson from Atlanta, GA / CC BY-SA 2.011 public boat launches in Jefferson County, counted from TWRA’s own access database.