As autumn splendors decorate Tennessee's countryside each year in October, it's also a great time to cash in on some of the finest fishing opportunities Tennessee has to offer. I've fished Cherokee Lake frequent times in the spring and a few times in the fall. Springtime fishing can be more like hunting, as weather fluctuations and lake levels can make the bass and crappie temperamental during the spawn.
However, in the fall the fish have an insatiable appetite as they feed more in frenzies to fatten up for the oncoming winter cold. Striped bass, in particular, send chills down my spine as we wait alertly in the back of some quiet cove for their distinctive water slapping attacks on bait fish, which they herd into shallow waters to feed. Once they are in range, almost any lure cast into their feeding zone will likely get an immediate strike. Better hold on tight, because even a ten pound striper will try to yank your fishing rod right out of your hands. The largemouth bass are abundant too, and are usually found in schools, also feeding in the shallow coves. If you catch one, you can rest assured that there are more in the area.
If you're hankering to land a lunker largemouth, or maybe tie into a fight with a ferocious striper, consider some of the great fishing holes in eastern Tennessee. For planning a Tennessee fishing/camping trip, check out:
