What to bring
Tackle for Chattanooga
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 near Chattanooga
The nearest bait, tackle and marina stores to Chattanooga, each with its own page, directions and phone number.
The Hatch OutfittersFly shop and outfitter. Flies, leader, licences and local water advice.Directions and phone →Lake Chickamauga Tackle & OutdoorsSporting goods. Rods, reels, line and a licence counter.Directions and phone →Jack’s Bait & Tackle ShopLive bait, so this is the stop for minnows, crickets and nightcrawlers.Directions and phone →Bass Pro ShopsFull outdoor superstore. Rods, reels, boats, licences and a tackle wall.Directions and phone →Talkin’ Tackle Outfitter & LodgeFly shop and outfitter. Flies, leader, licences and local water advice.Directions and phone →Academy Sports + OutdoorsChain sporting goods. Rods, reels, line, terminal tackle and a licence counter.Directions and phone →Hog Farmer Bait CompanyLive 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 →
Buy it at the ramp
Marinas and bait near Chattanooga
Access points within reach of Chattanooga that TWRA records as carrying bait, rentals or marina services.
Fee not listed1 out of 5facilitiesErwin Marine RiverfrontNickajack Lake · 1 mi from ChattanoogaDirections and detail →35.05530, -85.31701Launch fee2.5 out of 5facilitiesRoss’s LandingNickajack Lake · 1 mi from ChattanoogaI-24 to 27 N to MLK W, end of MLK, right at light, about 3/4 mile on leftrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.05680, -85.31260Fee not listed1 out of 5facilitiesBrowns Ferry Landing MarinaNickajack Lake · 2 mi from ChattanoogaDirections and detail →35.04338, -85.35237Fee not listed1 out of 5facilitiesChickamauga MarinaChickamauga Lake · 6 mi from ChattanoogaDirections and detail →35.09439, -85.21877Free3 out of 5facilitiesLakeshore MarinaChickamauga Lake · 7 mi from Chattanoogarestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →35.10910, -85.21620Launch fee1.5 out of 5facilitiesGold Point MarinaChickamauga Lake · 8 mi from ChattanoogaDirections and detail →35.11330, -85.20400Launch fee3.5 out of 5facilitiesHixson MarinaChickamauga Lake · 10 mi from Chattanooga1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingrestroomsDirections and detail →35.14110, -85.17460Fee not listed1 out of 5facilitiesChattanooga Yacht ClubChickamauga Lake · 11 mi from ChattanoogaDirections and detail →35.12247, -85.14677
What it looks like
The water around Chattanooga
What you are buying gear for. Drag or swipe through. Every picture opens that water’s own page.
Chickamauga LakeOpen the Chickamauga Lake page →George Green, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / Public domain
Nickajack LakeOpen the Nickajack Lake page →Bryce Edwards from San Jose, CA, USA / CC BY 2.0
Chickamauga LakeOpen the Chickamauga Lake page →Tennessee Valley Authority / Public domain
Nickajack LakeOpen the Nickajack Lake page →RebelCowboySnB Marlon N Weldon / CC BY-SA 3.0
Chickamauga LakeOpen the Chickamauga Lake page →Tennessee Valley Authority / Public domain
Nickajack LakeOpen the Nickajack Lake page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 4.024 public boat launches in Hamilton County, counted from TWRA’s own access database.