%2Ffit-in%2F250x250%2Fguide_websites%2F120700%2Fimages%2F1772705122748image.png&w=1200&q=100)
/users/b5777ef1-ae9a-4698-b3ec-b5740489539c/ratecard/481129142_1560374764908729_2053692063254572575_n-mmd9kpz3.jpg)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2Fb5777ef1-ae9a-4698-b3ec-b5740489539c%2Fratecard%2F481129142_1560374764908729_2053692063254572575_n-mmd9kpz3.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2Fb5777ef1-ae9a-4698-b3ec-b5740489539c%2Fimages%2Fstriped-bass-rutledge-tennessee-fishing-2642.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2Fb5777ef1-ae9a-4698-b3ec-b5740489539c%2Fimages%2Frutledge-striped-bass-fishing-tour-2651.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2Fb5777ef1-ae9a-4698-b3ec-b5740489539c%2Fimages%2Frutledge-tn-striped-bass-catch-2596.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2Fb5777ef1-ae9a-4698-b3ec-b5740489539c%2Fimages%2Frutledge-striped-bass-fishing-trip-2579.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2Fb5777ef1-ae9a-4698-b3ec-b5740489539c%2Fimages%2Frutledge-striped-bass-catch-2672.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2Fb5777ef1-ae9a-4698-b3ec-b5740489539c%2Fimages%2Frutledge-tn-striped-bass-fishing-2645.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2Fb5777ef1-ae9a-4698-b3ec-b5740489539c%2Fimages%2Fstriped-bass-rutledge-tn-fishing-2816.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2Fb5777ef1-ae9a-4698-b3ec-b5740489539c%2Fimages%2Frutledge-striped-bass-catch-2662.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2Fb5777ef1-ae9a-4698-b3ec-b5740489539c%2Fimages%2Fflathead-catfish-rutledge-tennessee-fishing-2770.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2Fb5777ef1-ae9a-4698-b3ec-b5740489539c%2Fimages%2Fblue-catfish-rutledge-tn-fishing-2752.jpg&w=256&q=75)
5 Hour Cherokee Lake Striped Bass StriperXtreme
Cherokee LakeWhat you will be catching:
Blue Catfish
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Striped Bass
White Bass
- Join us for a 5-hour evening striped bass adventure on Cherokee Lake starting at 4 PM. We'll target stripers and hybrid bass using proven techniques, with chances for smallmouth and largemouth bass depending on what's biting. The trip covers up to 2 anglers for $400, and we provide all rods, reels, bait, and tackle
- you just need a valid Tennessee fishing license. Our local guides know these waters inside and out, so we'll put you on the fish whether you're new to striper fishing or looking to land your personal best. Fish cleaning service available if you want to take your catch home.
Trip Pricing and Availabilities:
Trip pricing information is temporarily unavailable.
Cherokee Lake Striped Bass Evening Adventure
Picture this: the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across Cherokee Lake's pristine waters while you're locked in battle with a monster striper. That's exactly what you'll get on this top-rated 5-hour evening fishing trip with StriperXtreme Guide Service. Starting at 4 PM when the action heats up, you'll target the lake's famous striped bass and hybrid populations along with some hard-fighting smallmouth and largemouth bass. At $400 for up to two anglers, this customer favorite delivers serious value with everything included except your fishing license. Want to bring more friends? No problem – we can accommodate up to five people total at just $60 per additional angler.
What to Expect on the Water
Cherokee Lake transforms into a feeding frenzy as evening approaches, and that's when the real magic happens. Your captain will position you over the lake's best structure and drop-offs where stripers and hybrids patrol for easy meals. The beauty of this timing is you'll experience the golden hour bite that serious anglers dream about. Water temperatures and seasonal patterns determine our exact approach, but expect to cover productive zones where baitfish congregate. Don't worry about bringing gear – we've got you covered with quality rods, reels, and all the tackle you'll need. Just grab your Tennessee fishing license beforehand and show up ready to fish. The captain will contact you to nail down the exact meeting spot and any last-minute details based on current conditions.
Techniques That Get Results
Evening striper fishing on Cherokee Lake is all about reading the water and adapting to what the fish want. We'll deploy a mix of live bait presentations and proven artificials depending on what's working best. Downriggers and planer boards help us cover water efficiently while keeping baits in the strike zone. When stripers are busting baitfish on the surface, we'll quickly switch to topwater action that'll get your heart pumping. The hybrids often school up tight, so when we find them, it's game on with multiple hookups possible. Smallmouth bass love the rocky points and ledges, especially as water temps cool in the evening. Your captain knows these patterns like the back of their hand and will put you on fish using techniques that consistently produce on this renowned Tennessee fishery.
Top Catches This Season
Cherokee Lake's striped bass are the main attraction, and for good reason. These silver rockets typically run 15 to 25 pounds but can push well over 30 when conditions align. Spring through fall offers the best action, with evening hours producing some of the most consistent bites. Stripers are aggressive predators that fight hard and make blistering runs that'll test your drag system. The hybrid bass here are world-class fighters too, averaging 8 to 15 pounds with incredible stamina. They're a cross between stripers and white bass, giving you the best of both worlds in terms of numbers and fight quality. Smallmouth bass in Cherokee Lake are chunky and spirited, typically weighing 2 to 5 pounds with some real bruisers exceeding 6 pounds. They're most active during cooler months and love rocky structure where they ambush crawfish and minnows. Largemouth bass provide steady action year-round, with fish ranging from 2 to 8 pounds common around cover and vegetation lines. Blue catfish are bonus catches that can really surprise you – these bottom dwellers grow massive in Cherokee Lake's fertile waters and provide arm-burning fights when hooked.
Time to Book Your Spot
This trending evening trip fills up fast, especially during peak fishing months when Cherokee Lake's stripers are most active. The combination of prime timing, expert guidance, and all-inclusive pricing makes it a best trip choice for both seasoned anglers and newcomers wanting to experience Tennessee's premier striper fishery. Fish cleaning service is available if you want to take your catch home, and don't forget to show your appreciation with a 20 to 25 percent gratuity for your captain's hard work. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just need to get your fishing fix, this 5-hour adventure delivers the kind of memories that keep people coming back season after season. Contact StriperXtreme Guide Service today to secure your dates and get ready for some serious Cherokee Lake action.
Learn more about the species
Blue Catfish
Blue catfish are the giants of Cherokee Lake, regularly reaching 25-40 inches and weights over 30 pounds - some real monsters swim these waters. These slate-blue bruisers live in deep holes and channels, especially where there's current flow and muddy bottoms. They're opportunistic feeders that'll eat just about anything, but fresh cut bait like shad, herring, or chicken liver works best. What makes blues exciting is their size and power - when you hook one, you know it. They're also excellent eating with firm, mild white meat. Unlike other catfish, blues will surface feed thanks to their slight underbite. Night fishing often produces the best results since they're more active in low light. Here's my go-to method: anchor over a deep channel bend, drop fresh cut bait to the bottom, and be patient - when a big blue takes your bait, there's no mistaking it.
Largemouth Bass
Cherokee Lake's largemouth bass run 12-24 inches and typically weigh 1-4 pounds, though bigger ones cruise these waters. You'll find them hanging around submerged timber, weed lines, and rocky points - they love structure where they can ambush prey. Spring and fall are prime times when they move shallow, but summer evenings can be productive too as they feed in cooler water. What makes largemouths special is that famous fight - they'll jump, shake their heads, and really test your drag. The meat's decent eating if you want to keep a few. Here's a local tip: when the water's murky after rain, throw something with red in it - these fish have a thing for that color and it can make the difference between a slow day and filling the cooler.
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass in Cherokee Lake are pound-for-pound the hardest fighting bass you'll encounter. They average 12-16 inches but the lake holds some real trophies over 4 pounds. Look for them around rocky points, gravel bars, and bluff walls - they prefer hard bottom and clear water. Spring and fall are peak times when they're aggressive, though early morning and evening can be good year-round. What sets smallmouths apart is their attitude - they fight like fish twice their size, jumping and making strong runs that'll have your drag singing. The bronze-colored fighters are excellent table fare too with firm, sweet meat. They're ambush predators that hide behind rocks and timber. Local tip: in summer when they go deep, try vertical jigging around 20-30 foot depths along the old river channel - that's where the big ones hang out waiting for crayfish and minnows.
Striped Bass
Cherokee Lake's stripers are the main event - these silver battleships with distinct dark stripes can reach 20-40 pounds and put up an amazing fight. You'll find them relating to structure like submerged roadbeds, creek channels, and drop-offs, usually in 15-30 feet of water. Evening trips work well since they often move shallow to feed as light fades. What makes stripers special is their power - they'll make long runs and really test your equipment. Plus, the meat is outstanding - firm, white, and perfect for the dinner table. These fish love current and moving water, so they position themselves where they can ambush baitfish. Here's what works: find the shad schools on your electronics, and the stripers won't be far away. Live bait like threadfin shad or cut herring fished near bottom around structure is hard to beat.
White Bass
White bass in Cherokee Lake average 10-12 inches but can push 18 inches when you find the right school. These silvery fish with dark horizontal stripes are schooling fish, so when you find one, there's usually more nearby. They roam open water and congregate around points, humps, and creek channels, especially during their spring spawning runs. White bass are aggressive feeders and visual hunters - they'll readily hit small jigs, spinners, and live minnows. What anglers love about them is the fast action once you locate a school, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the lake with firm, flaky white meat. My tip: watch for diving birds or surface activity in the main lake - that usually means white bass are pushing baitfish to the surface and it's time to get your lures in there fast.
About the StriperXtreme Guide Service
%2F%2Fusers%2Fb5777ef1-ae9a-4698-b3ec-b5740489539c%2Fvehicle_picture%2F482013943_1563948651218007_3429588552433486396_n-picsart-aiimageenhancer-mmd6iyjn.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 5
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki
Maximum Cruising Speed: 38
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 200
