What to bring
Tackle for Rhea 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 Rhea County
The nearest bait, tackle and marina stores to Rhea County’s water, each with its own page, directions and phone number.
Meadow Park Lake park officeLive bait, so this is the stop for minnows, crickets and nightcrawlers.Directions and phone →FishTales Bait and 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 →Lane’s Landing Bait & TackleLive bait, so this is the stop for minnows, crickets and nightcrawlers.Directions and phone →Tellico OutfittersFly shop and outfitter. Flies, leader, licences and local water advice.Directions and phone →Talkin’ Tackle Outfitter & LodgeFly shop and outfitter. Flies, leader, licences and local water advice.Directions and phone →Zorro Bait CoLive 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 →Academy Sports + OutdoorsChain sporting goods. Rods, reels, line, terminal tackle and a licence counter.Directions and phone →
Buy it at the ramp
Marinas and bait at the water in Rhea County
Access points in Rhea 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 5facilitiesBlue Water Resort and MarinaChickamauga LakeFrom 30, take Double S Road, right onto Shaver Loop1 ramp, 1 lanerestroomsDirections and detail →35.47960, -84.97590Launch fee5 out of 5facilitiesArrowhead Marina & ResortWatts Bar Lake1 ramp, 1 lanefishing pierrestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.73899, -84.74975Launch fee3.5 out of 5facilitiesPiney Point ResortWatts Bar Lake1 ramp, 1 lanefishing pierrestroomsrentalsDirections and detail →35.68060, -84.81240Launch fee5 out of 5facilitiesRhea HarborWatts Bar Lake1 ramp, 2 lanesrestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.67622, -84.85125Free3 out of 5facilitiesTerrace View MarinaWatts Bar Lake1 ramp, 1 lanerentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.74669, -84.72816Launch fee5 out of 5facilitiesWhites Creek Marina & Lakeside ResortWatts Bar LakeHWY 27 to Whites Creek Road, go 1 mile on right1 ramp, 2 lanesrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.77840, -84.75230Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesDayton Boat DockChickamauga Lake3 ramps, 2 lanesfishing piercanoe / kayak landingrentalsDirections and detail →35.49250, -85.00410
What it looks like
What Rhea 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
Chickamauga LakeOpen the Chickamauga Lake page →George Green, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / Public domain
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 2.09 public boat launches in Rhea County, counted from TWRA’s own access database.