What to bring
Tackle for Nashville
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 Nashville
The nearest bait, tackle and marina stores to Nashville, each with its own page, directions and phone number.
Fly SouthFly shop and outfitter. Flies, leader, licences and local water advice.Directions and phone →Cumberland TransitTackle and bait for Davidson County water. Call ahead out of season, winter hours are short.Directions and phone →Starkey’s Bait & TackleLive bait, so this is the stop for minnows, crickets and nightcrawlers.Directions and phone →Finn’s 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 →Walmart SupercenterOpen late, sells licences at the counter, and carries terminal tackle and line.Directions and phone →Poindexter Bait ShopLive bait, so this is the stop for minnows, crickets and nightcrawlers.Directions and phone →Walmart SupercenterOpen late, sells licences at the counter, and carries terminal tackle and line.Directions and phone →Academy SportsChain sporting goods. Rods, reels, line, terminal tackle and a licence counter.Directions and phone →
Buy it at the ramp
Marinas and bait near Nashville
Access points within reach of Nashville that TWRA records as carrying bait, rentals or marina services.
Fee not listed1 out of 5facilitiesRock Harbor MarinaCumberland River · 6 mi from NashvilleDirections and detail →36.15840, -86.88540Fee not listed1.5 out of 5facilitiesCommodore Yacht ClubCumberland River · 8 mi from NashvilleDirections and detail →36.13390, -86.92510Launch fee5 out of 5facilitiesElm Hill MarinaJ. Percy Priest Lake · 9 mi from NashvilleI-40 to Stewarts Ferry, proceed to marina2 ramps, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.13370, -86.62230Launch fee4 out of 5facilitiesHamilton Creek MarinaJ. Percy Priest Lake · 9 mi from Nashville1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.12750, -86.62140Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesPercy Priest Marina and Yacht ClubJ. Percy Priest Lake · 10 mi from Nashville1 ramp, 3 lanesrestroomsDirections and detail →36.11160, -86.62270Free4 out of 5facilitiesNashville Shores Yacht Club and MarinaJ. Percy Priest Lake · 10 mi from NashvilleI-40 to exit 221,OH Blvd to Bell Rd, right to entrance1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.16110, -86.60820Free5 out of 5facilitiesBlackjack Cove MarinaOld Hickory Lake · 10 mi from NashvilleRiverside Drive1 ramp, 1 lanefishing pierrestroomsrentalsDirections and detail →36.25110, -86.64095Launch fee4.5 out of 5facilitiesOld Hickory MarinaOld Hickory Lake · 10 mi from Nashville1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsrentalsDirections and detail →36.25140, -86.63920
What it looks like
The water around Nashville
What you are buying gear for. Drag or swipe through. Every picture opens that water’s own page.
J. Percy Priest LakeOpen the J. Percy Priest Lake page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0
Old Hickory LakeOpen the Old Hickory Lake page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0
Cumberland RiverOpen the Cumberland River page →U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not s / Public domain
Stones RiverOpen the Stones River page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0
J. Percy Priest LakeOpen the J. Percy Priest Lake page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0
Old Hickory LakeOpen the Old Hickory Lake page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.021 public boat launches in Davidson County, counted from TWRA’s own access database.