What to bring
Tackle for Roane County water
Three picks from the smallmouth 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.
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
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
Spending more? The bigger purchases, compared side by side:
Closest first
Bait and tackle shops in and near Roane County
The nearest bait, tackle and marina stores to Roane County’s water, each with its own page, directions and phone number.
Lane’s Landing Bait & TackleLive bait, so this is the stop for minnows, crickets and nightcrawlers.Directions and phone →Dunmore Bait & TackleLive bait, so this is the stop for minnows, crickets and nightcrawlers.Directions and phone →Meadow Park Lake park officeLive 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 →Tellico OutfittersFly shop and outfitter. Flies, leader, licences and local water advice.Directions and phone →Smitty’s Bait and TackleLive bait, so this is the stop for minnows, crickets and nightcrawlers.Directions and phone →Big Fish OutfittersFly shop and outfitter. Flies, leader, licences and local water advice.Directions and phone →Buffalo Creek Outdoor EtcSporting goods. Rods, reels, line and a licence counter.Directions and phone →Walmart SupercenterOpen late, sells licences at the counter, and carries terminal tackle and line.Directions and phone →
Buy it at the ramp
Marinas and bait at the water in Roane County
Access points in Roane County that TWRA records as carrying bait, rentals or marina services. Buying where you launch is the cheapest way to avoid a wasted trip.
Fee not listed3.5 out of 5facilitiesRockwood Marina & RV ParkWatts Bar LakeNext to Tom Fuller Access Areafishing pierrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.83486, -84.67949Fee not listed3 out of 5facilitiesBayside MarinaWatts Bar LakeHwy 58 South, turn right onto 304, go approx. 6miles, Marina on rightfishing pierrestroomsDirections and detail →35.75020, -84.65870Launch fee3.5 out of 5facilitiesCaney Creek MarinaWatts Bar Lakerestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.87029, -84.60320Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesLong Island MarinaWatts Bar LakeOff Paint Rock Ferry Road1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingrestroomsDirections and detail →35.83380, -84.49340
What it looks like
What Roane County water looks like
The lakes and rivers you are buying gear for.
Watts Bar LakeOpen the Watts Bar Lake page →ChristopherM / CC BY 2.5
Clinch RiverOpen the Clinch River page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0
Emory RiverOpen the Emory River page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0
Norris LakeOpen the Norris Lake page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0
Cherokee LakeOpen the Cherokee Lake page →TVA Web Team / CC BY 2.0
Watauga LakeOpen the Watauga Lake page →Mark Larson from Atlanta, GA / CC BY-SA 2.031 public boat launches in Roane County, counted from TWRA’s own access database.