Gear checklist · 10 items

What to Bring Smallmouth Bass Fishing in Tennessee

Dale Hollow, Pickwick and the Clinch and Elk rivers are smallmouth water, and spotted bass on Norris and Chickamauga take the same box.

The checklist All gear checklists

The checklist

Smallmouth Bass gear checklist

Dale Hollow, Pickwick and the Clinch and Elk rivers are smallmouth water, and spotted bass on Norris and Chickamauga take the same box. Light line and finesse baits on rock, with a jerkbait for cold water.

RodSt. Croix Bass X 7 ft medium spinning rodLight enough for a Ned rig, with enough backbone for a 5 lb fish in current.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

ReelPflueger President 30 spinning reelSmooth drag at a fair price. Fill it with braid and a leader.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

LinePowerPro braid 10 lb with a Seaguar fluorocarbon leader 8 lbBraid for feel, a fluoro leader so the bait is not tied to a visible line.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

FinesseZ-Man Finesse TRD and Ned rig jigheadsThe single most reliable smallmouth bait on Tennessee rock. Drag it slowly.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

TubeStrike King Coffee Tube, 3.5 inA tube on a 1/4 oz head for gravel bars and bluff ends.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

JerkbaitRapala X-Rap 10Cold water, 45 to 55 degrees. Long pauses between twitches.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

SwimbaitKeitech Swing Impact FAT 3.8 inOn a 1/4 oz head around shad schools in fall.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

TopwaterRebel Pop-RSummer mornings on points and over shoals.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

JigheadsZ-Man ShroomZ Ned rig jigheads, 1/10 and 1/6 ozMatch the head to the current. Lighter is usually better.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

NetFrabill Conservation Series landing netRubber mesh so hooks do not tangle and fish go back clean.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 smallmouth bass

64 lakes and rivers on this site hold smallmouth bass. 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 itBarren Fork RiverPublic access, limits and what else swims in Barren Fork River.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 →

Bigger purchases

Gear compared for smallmouth bass 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 Crappie Bluegill and Panfish Catfish Striper and Hybrid Walleye and Sauger Trout Musky Kayak and Float Trip Bank and Pier Fishing

Common questions

Smallmouth Bass gear questions

What do I need to go smallmouth bass fishing in Tennessee?

The 10 items on this page: St. Croix Bass X 7 ft medium spinning rod, Pflueger President 30 spinning reel, PowerPro braid 10 lb with a Seaguar fluorocarbon leader 8 lb, Z-Man Finesse TRD and Ned rig jigheads, Strike King Coffee Tube, 3.5 in, Rapala X-Rap 10 and the rest of the list above. A Tennessee fishing license for anyone 13 or older.

What rod for smallmouth bass?

St. Croix Bass X 7 ft medium spinning rod. Light enough for a Ned rig, with enough backbone for a 5 lb fish in current.

What are the best lures or baits for smallmouth bass in Tennessee?

Z-Man Finesse TRD and Ned rig jigheads, Strike King Coffee Tube, 3.5 in, Rapala X-Rap 10, Keitech Swing Impact FAT 3.8 in. The list above says when each one works.

What line for smallmouth in clear water?

Braid with a fluorocarbon leader of 6 to 8 lb. On Dale Hollow and the Clinch the water is clear enough that visible line costs bites.

Does this kit work for spotted bass?

Yes. Spotted bass on Norris, Chickamauga and Watts Bar take the same finesse baits on the same deep, rocky banks.

How much does a smallmouth bass 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