Gear checklist · 11 items

What to Bring Catfish Fishing in Tennessee

Blues below the Cumberland and Tennessee River dams, channels in every lake and creek, flatheads at night on live bait.

The checklist

Catfish gear checklist

Blues below the Cumberland and Tennessee River dams, channels in every lake and creek, flatheads at night on live bait. Heavy mono, circle hooks and a rod you can leave in a holder.

RodUgly Stik Catfish casting rod, 7 ft medium-heavyBuilt for sitting in a rod holder with a bait on the bottom.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

ReelAbu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500 C3Line capacity for a big blue in current, with a clicker for bait fishing.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

LineBerkley Trilene Big Game, 30 lbAbrasion resistant and cheap enough to respool often.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

HooksTeam Catfish Double Action circle hooks, 8/0Let the fish load the rod. No hookset needed.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

HooksEagle Claw Lazer circle hooks, 3/0For channel cats on cut bait and dip bait.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

RigSinker slides and no-roll sinkers, 2 to 4 ozA Santee rig that holds in dam tailwater current.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

BaitTeam Catfish Sudden Impact dip baitChannel cats in summer, on a dip worm.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

BaitMagic Bait dip wormsThe sponge worm that holds dip bait.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

HoldersBank rod holders, spike styleTwo rods, two holders, bells optional.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

ToolsFish grips and a headlampFlatheads come at night. Grip the jaw, not the gills.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

CoolerColeman 48 qt coolerA 20 lb blue needs a real cooler.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

These are affiliate links. Buying through them pays this site a small commission at no extra cost to you, and it is how the site stays free.

Where to use it

Tennessee water for catfish

66 lakes and rivers on this site hold catfish. These are a few; each page lists every public access point.

Where to use itBarren ForkPublic access, limits and what else swims in Barren Fork.See the spots →Where to use itBoone LakePublic access, limits and what else swims in Boone Lake.See the spots →Where to use itBuffalo RiverPublic access, limits and what else swims in Buffalo River.See the spots →Where to use itCalf Killer RiverPublic access, limits and what else swims in Calf Killer River.See the spots →Where to use itCenter Hill LakePublic access, limits and what else swims in Center Hill Lake.See the spots →Where to use itCheatham LakePublic access, limits and what else swims in Cheatham Lake.See the spots →

Bigger purchases

Gear compared for catfish trips

The electronics, motors, boats and batteries that cost real money, compared side by side with the Tennessee water each one suits. Affiliate links.

Fish Finders

BudgetGarmin Striker 4$120 MiddleHumminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G4N$700 TopGarmin LiveScope Plus LVS34 bundle$1,500

Compare all 6 →

Trolling Motors

BudgetMinn Kota Endura C2 30$150 MiddleMotorGuide Xi3 55 lb Freshwater GPS$1,150 TopMinn Kota Ultrex QUEST 90/115$3,500

Compare all 6 →

Lithium Marine Batteries

BudgetLiTime 12V 100Ah LiFePO4$250 MiddleBattle Born 12V 100Ah$850 TopDakota Lithium 36V 63Ah$1,700

Compare all 6 →

All gear compared

Other checklists

Gear for other Tennessee fishing

Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Crappie Bluegill and Panfish Striper and Hybrid Walleye and Sauger Trout Musky Kayak and Float Trip Bank and Pier Fishing

Common questions

Catfish gear questions

What do I need to go catfish fishing in Tennessee?

The 11 items on this page: Ugly Stik Catfish casting rod, 7 ft medium-heavy, Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500 C3, Berkley Trilene Big Game, 30 lb, Team Catfish Double Action circle hooks, 8/0, Eagle Claw Lazer circle hooks, 3/0, Sinker slides and no-roll sinkers, 2 to 4 oz and the rest of the list above. A Tennessee fishing license for anyone 13 or older.

What rod for catfish?

Ugly Stik Catfish casting rod, 7 ft medium-heavy. Built for sitting in a rod holder with a bait on the bottom.

What is the best catfish bait in Tennessee?

Cut skipjack for blues below the dams, dip bait or chicken liver for channels, live bluegill or shad for flatheads.

Circle hooks or J hooks for catfish?

Circle hooks. Tighten up when the rod loads and the hook sets in the corner of the mouth, which also makes releasing a big blue easier.

How much does a catfish setup cost?

A rod, reel, line and the first three or four baits on this list is a modest start; the rest can be added a trip at a time. Prices are on Amazon, and bait shops in the county you fish carry most of it too.

Are these affiliate links?

Yes. Each link goes to Amazon with this site’s tag. It costs you nothing extra and pays for the site. Nothing on the list was chosen for commission; it is what works on Tennessee water.

Can I buy this gear locally instead?

Yes. Every county page on this site lists the bait shops, marinas and big box stores that carry tackle, with phone numbers and directions.

Keep going

More Tennessee water, and who fishes it

Every guide and charter on this site is listed by the water they run, so you can call the captain direct. Licences, limits and the state record list are one click away too.

Guides by water Licence and limits