Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter

Launching out of Rutledge, Tennessee, Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter is offering fun-packed fishing trips on the bountiful Cherokee Lake. Just 20 miles from both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg TN, this charter offers you a great way to spend a day in nature during your vacation in the beautiful Smokey Mountains. Your guide, Ryan has spent 25 years fishing these waters. He will do everything he can to put you on the catch of your dreams.

You’ll spend the trip fishing from a 2019, 23’ Sunchaser Pontoon boat, powered by a 150 HP Honda outboard. Pontoon boats are a great choice for families and groups of anglers wanting to fish without having to sacrifice comfort. The boat provides a highly stable fishing platform and plenty of space for up to 6 anglers, who can all fish at the same time. It’s equipped with all the latest electronics and safety equipment including a GPS and a fish finder as well as a trolling motor, allowing you to get better casting positions in those skinny waters.

The guide will equip you with all the fishing gear you need for the species you’re targeting, including Ugly Stik and Okuma rods and reels. Depending on your choice of targets you can expect to try out several fishing techniques such as trolling, bottom fishing, as well as light and heavy tackle casting. The species you can target on your trips include Striped Bass, Hybrid Bass, and Catfish. You’ll also be provided with live bait that the captain will prepare ahead of the trip to maximize the amount of action you see – so come prepared!

The things you should remember to bring are any drinks and snacks you’d like, a valid fishing license (can be bought online), and sunglasses. After that, you’re ready to come to the lake and start reeling in fish!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    In demand! Last booked: 16 hours ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $350
    If you’d like to get better acquainted with East Tennessee fishing, or if you’re new to the sport and aren’t sure if you can spend a full day fishing, this trip is the one you should go with. You’ll have the opportunity to target Striped and Hybrid Bass as well as Catfish.
    Types of fishing
    River Fishing
    Lake Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Bottom Fishing
    Jigging
    Trolling
    Drift Fishing
    Targeted fish
    Bass (Striped)
    Striped Bass
    Catfish
    Catfish
    Bass (Smallmouth)
    Smallmouth Bass
    Hybrid Striped Bass
    Hybrid Striped Bass
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    In demand! Last booked: 21 hours ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 3:00 PM
    US $350
    If you’d like to get better acquainted with East Tennessee fishing, or if you’re new to the sport and aren’t sure if you can spend a full day fishing, this trip is the one you should go with. You’ll have the opportunity to target Striped and Hybrid Bass as well as Catfish.
    Types of fishing
    River Fishing
    Lake Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Bottom Fishing
    Jigging
    Trolling
    Drift Fishing
    Targeted fish
    Bass (Striped)
    Striped Bass
    Catfish
    Catfish
    Hybrid Striped Bass
    Hybrid Striped Bass
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip
    In demand! Last booked: 1 day ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $400
    More experienced anglers who want to cover as much water as possible and visit all the best spots around will find this trip to be the perfect choice for them. Have all the chances you need to hook a catch of your dreams as you cruise the waters targeting Stripers, Hybrids, and Catfish.
    Types of fishing
    River Fishing
    Lake Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Bottom Fishing
    Jigging
    Trolling
    Drift Fishing
    Targeted fish
    Bass (Striped)
    Striped Bass
    Hybrid Striped Bass
    Hybrid Striped Bass
There are 15 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter

Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $350 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $350 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $400 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)

When you book a trip with Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait (Live bait is caught prior to the trip and is included in trip price )
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (Cleaning and bagging of fish is included in the price. )

Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter offers the following types of fishing:
  • River Fishing (Holston River)
  • Lake Fishing (Cherokee Lake in East Tennesse )

Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling

Top targeted fish species with Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter include:
  • Bass (Largemouth)
  • Bass (Smallmouth)
  • Bass (Striped)
  • Bass (White)
  • Catfish
  • Crappie
  • Hybrid Striped Bass

Meet the Captain

Ryan Banta
Rutledge, Tennessee, United States
3 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
315 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since July 2019
Angler's Choice
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
Ryan has been an avid fisherman and hunter all his life, he’s always enjoyed spending time in nature and loves every chance he gets to do it. He’s been fishing the local waters for 25 years now and decided to start guiding fishing trips to introduce more people to the sport he loves and show them the beautiful nature of East Tennessee. What he enjoys the most about taking people fishing is to see the excitement of an angler fighting their first big fish.

About this listing

Targeted species

Bass (Largemouth) Largemouth Bass
Bass (Smallmouth) Smallmouth Bass
Bass (Striped) Striped Bass
Bass (White) White Bass

Boat specs

Sunchaser (Pontoon) originally built in 2019. Powered by a 150HP Honda engine.

Length
23 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

River Fishing
Holston River
Lake Fishing
Cherokee Lake in East Tennesse

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Live bait is caught prior to the trip and is included in trip price
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Cleaning and bagging of fish is included in the price.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
Kids of all ages are allowed on the boat
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash

Rutledge Fishing Calendar

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Recent fishing reports

Fishing is amazing right now, we are cat
Fishing is amazing right now, we are cat
April 9, 2024
As the spawn is on we are catching the heviest fish of the year right now, the females are full of eggs and have been eating everything in sight
Continue reading

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 269 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (364)
Best fishing trip ever
Best fishing trip ever
Best fishing trip ever
+361
Angler rating
238
22
6
1
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
94%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
96%
Appropriate for children
99%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
91%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 269 reviews
Laurel B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Charter Fishing

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on March 30, 2024
This charter fishing experience was by far the best one I have ever been on! Captain Ryan is a gifted fisherman and we caught...
Laurel B. recommends Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter
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  Ryan Banta Captain replied

Scott E. K.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing trip in August

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on August 26, 2023
Scott E. K. recommends Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter
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Scott E. K. recommends Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter
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Rachel K.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing trip in August

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on August 16, 2023
Rachel K. recommends Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Rachel K. recommends Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Ron O.
Huntsville, AL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Bucket List fishing trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on July 31, 2023
My 82 year old mother has been fishing her entire life, but had never fished from a boat before. After reading the overwhelming...
Ron O. recommends Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter
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Ron O. recommends Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter
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You found this review helpful

Braden N.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Ryan

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on July 18, 2023
Braden N. recommends Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Braden N. recommends Cherokee Lake Fishing Charter
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful