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East Tennessee Fishing Charters 

5.0
(29 reviews)
 12329 Highway 321N, Oak Ridge, TN 37771, United States–
+303
+300
Angler's Choice

East Tennessee Fishing Charters 

Oak Ridge, TN, United States
–
20 ft
2
5.0
(29 reviews)
Trips & prices
Targeted species
Boat info
What's biting
What's included
Contact captain
Trips & prices
What's included
Targeted species
Boat info
Reviews
Contact captain

Looking for a fun day of fishing in East Tennessee? Whether you want to target catfish or simply catch a variety of freshwater species, Captain Billy builds each trip around current conditions and what's biting.

Captain Billy is a friendly, experienced guide with extensive local knowledge and a passion for helping anglers of all skill levels enjoy East Tennessee's rivers and lakes. Trips are great for beginners, families, kids, and experienced anglers alike. Whether you're looking for a relaxing day on the water, a chance at a big catfish, or simply want to catch fish and make memories, Captain Billy will work hard to make it a great day.

You'll fish from a 20' Pro-Steelheader Guide boat that accommodates up to 2 anglers, powered by a 115 HP Yamaha SHO and equipped with a Minn Kota Ulterra trolling motor, Garmin electronics, Creek Bank live bait tank, and Coast Guard-required Type I life jackets.

Depending on the season and current conditions, trips may target Catfish, Freshwater Drum, White Bass, Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and more. Captain Billy adjusts the trip and techniques to stay with active fish, using live or cut bait, artificial lures, trolling, drifting, dragging, bottom fishing, and free-lining. The goal is simple: find the fish that are biting and enjoy the day.
We strongly encourage catch and release to help preserve our fisheries. However, if you are comfortable with the fish-consumption advisories for our waterways, you may bring your own cooler and ice and keep smaller legal fish for the table, following current Tennessee regulations. As a guide-service policy, fish 10 pounds or larger are released regardless of species. Striped Bass are released regardless of size because we want to help protect and rebuild this fishery.

Captain Billy provides rods, reels, tackle, and bait. Bring food, drinks, sunscreen, and a valid Tennessee fishing license. Alcohol is not permitted.

Book your East Tennessee fishing adventure today!

Looking for a fun day of fishing in East Tennessee? Whether you want to target catfish or simply catch a variety of freshwater species, Captain Billy builds each trip around current conditions and what's biting.

Captain Billy is a friendly, experienced guide with extensive local knowledge and a passion for helping anglers of all skill levels enjoy East Tennessee's rivers and lakes. Trips are great for beginners, families, kids, and experienced anglers alike. Whether you're looking for a relaxing day on the water, a chance at a big catfish, or simply want to catch fish and make memories, Captain Billy will work hard to make it a great day.

You'll fish from a 20' Pro-Steelheader Guide boat that accommodates up to 2 anglers, powered by a 115 HP Yamaha SHO and equipped with a Minn Kota Ulterra trolling motor, Garmin electronics, Creek Bank live bait tank, and Coast Guard-required Type I life jackets.

Depending on the season and current conditions, trips may target Catfish, Freshwater Drum, White Bass, Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and more. Captain Billy adjusts the trip and techniques to stay with active fish, using live or cut bait, artificial lures, trolling, drifting, dragging, bottom fishing, and free-lining. The goal is simple: find the fish that are biting and enjoy the day.
We strongly encourage catch and release to help preserve our fisheries. However, if you are comfortable with the fish-consumption advisories for our waterways, you may bring your own cooler and ice and keep smaller legal fish for the table, following current Tennessee regulations. As a guide-service policy, fish 10 pounds or larger are released regardless of species. Striped Bass are released regardless of size because we want to help protect and rebuild this fishery.

Captain Billy provides rods, reels, tackle, and bait. Bring food, drinks, sunscreen, and a valid Tennessee fishing license. Alcohol is not permitted.

Book your East Tennessee fishing adventure today!

William Clabough
Captain
William Clabough
14 years of experience
ID & credentials verified
responds within an hour
What this charter offers
Live bait
Child friendly
Rods, reels & tackle
What this charter offers
Live bait
Child friendly
Rods, reels & tackle

Select date to see availability

Trip date:
Group Size:
November 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
East Tennessee Fishing Adventure
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 6:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Aug 31 - Mar 1
Bass (Striped)
Bass (Largemouth)
Catfish
Bass (Smallmouth)
+2
US $350
Entire boat: 2 people
East Tennessee Catfish Adventure
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Mar 1 - Aug 31
Catfish
US $350
Entire boat: 2 people
East TN Multi-Species Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Mar 1 - Aug 31
Bass (Striped)
Bass (Largemouth)
Walleye
Catfish
+5
US $350
Entire boat: 2 people

Customer reviews

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Rating

5.0
29 reviews
5.0
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (76)

Reviews (29)

  • Kenneth Kuzel
    Kenneth Kuzel
    Repeat angler
    us
    Indiana, US
    Member since 2024
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Best trip we coukd gave hoped for

    East TN Multi-Species Trip on May 7, 2026 • 2 adults

    Rain was forecast, so we thought it might ruin our plans, but it was only light sprinkles on and off. Our guide gave us options and made the trip remarkable. Great fishing knowledge of spots, baits and techniques - and we caught over 20 fish in less than 4 hours. Including a striped bass that was the largest game fish i ever caught! We had a great time!

  • Stephanie Jones
    Stephanie Jones
    us
    Wisconsin, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Really Great Trip

    East Tennessee Catfish Adventure on July 10, 2026 • 2 adults

    Cpt Billy was very knowledgable on the area and good fishing spots. We caught a total of 6 catfish. It was a great day, and I would recommend him to others interested in catfishing.

  • George Zavala
    George Zavala
    Repeat angler
    us
    California, US
    Member since 2025
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Catch Multiple Species of Fish!

    East TN Multi-Species Trip on July 31, 2026 • 2 adults • 1 child

    We caught catfish, large mouth bass, drum, white bass and sriper bass. It was a great experience and a lot of fun. Captain Billy was informative and kind.

  • Lila Metcalf
    Lila Metcalf
    us
    Tennessee, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Best trip ever

    East TN Multi-Species Trip on June 13, 2026 • 2 adults • 1 child

    Superior knowledge of the river and fishing! My grandson caught a BIG striped bass.

  • James Patterson
    James Patterson
    us
    Florida, US
    Member since 2018
    5.0
    Verified

    Great guide on a tough day

    East TN Multi-Species Trip on March 23, 2026 • 2 adults

    We only caught 2 fish but considering the wind and the dropping tempts it was understandable. Liked Captain Billy very much. Knows his waters and pushed hard on a tough fishing day. Highly recommend. Trip could be for all ages.

  • Johnathan Cosey
    Johnathan Cosey
    us
    Georgia, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    captain billy is great. my son really enjoyed it.

    East TN Multi-Species Trip on July 8, 2026 • 1 adult

    Great experience caught loss of fish

  • Brian Edwards
    Brian Edwards
    Repeat angler
    us
    Tennessee, US
    Member since 2025
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    85 lbs. of catfish in 4 hours!

    East TN Multi-Species Trip on December 5, 2025 • 2 adults

    Great trip out this morning, with a 30 lb. 38" catfish at the top of the pile! Can't wait to do it again!

  • Scott Shelby
    Scott Shelby
    Repeat angler
    us
    California, US
    Member since 2026
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    great time

    East TN Multi-Species Trip on April 18, 2026 • 2 adults

    caught tons of fish. captain billy was working hard!

  • Bob Byrne
    Bob Byrne
    us
    Tennessee, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Great Guide - Equipment and Knowledge

    East Tennessee Catfish Adventure on August 5, 2025 • 2 adults

    As far as a positive fishing experience this experience rated a full Five Stars. Captain Willy was set up, on the water at dock by the time we arrived at the landing. Willy freely shared information regarding gear, techniques and was very accommodating to my guests, my brother and my seven year old grandson. We felt very safe and comfortable throughout the four hour trip. At seventy years old and, just started fishing again, after a 40 year hiatus it was a great learning experience. I highly recommend Willy for your catfishing experience. BTW: We caught a trophy CAT and 8 other large blue nose. Amazing day.

  • Kelli Albrecht
    Kelli Albrecht
    Repeat angler
    us
    Kentucky, US
    Member since 2021
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Birthday Charter

    East TN Multi-Species Trip on July 28, 2024 • 2 adults

    We took the charter for my son’s 18th birthday and Captain Billy made it a perfect day!! We caught drum, channel cats, large mouth bass and white bass. My son even got to try to catch a striper. Captain Billy went the extra mile and spent time so my son could try to catch small mouth bass as well. It was a terrific morning! We would definitely charter from Tennessee River Valley Guide again!!

FAQs about East Tennessee Fishing Charters

East Tennessee Fishing Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $300 per group, additional US $50 per person after 1 guest - East Tennessee Catfish Adventure (4 hours)
  • US $300 per group, additional US $50 per person after 1 guest - East Tennessee Fishing Adventure (4 hours)
  • US $300 per group, additional US $50 per person after 1 guest - East TN Multi-Species Trip (4 hours)
When you book a trip with East Tennessee Fishing Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS Garmin
  • Fishfinder Garmin
  • Live bait well Creek Bank Bait Tank Pro-30
  • Wireless trolling motor Minn Kota Ulterra (self deploy)
Trips booked with East Tennessee Fishing Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Okuma gear!)
  • Live bait (Gizzard Shad, Shiners, Creek Chubs, Bluegill)
  • Lures (Trolling or tossing at boiling Striped Bass)
East Tennessee Fishing Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • River fishing (Tennessee, Clinch, Emory, Holston, French Broad)
  • Lake fishing (Watts Bar, Fort Loudoun, Melton Hill)
East Tennessee Fishing Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Heavy tackle
  • Bottom fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
Top targeted fish species with East Tennessee Fishing Charters include:
  • Bass (Largemouth)
  • Bass (Smallmouth)
  • Bass (Striped)
  • Bass (White)
  • Catfish
  • Freshwater Drum
  • Perch (Yellow)

Your captain

William Clabough
William Clabough
Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States
13 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
29 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since November 2021
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.
As a Knoxville Tennessee native, I've had the privilege of growing up surrounded by beautiful lakes, rivers, and creeks. As a young child, my parents would take me on fishing trips. Without a doubt, I quickly became hooked on the thrill of the catch. Since then, I've spent countless hours exploring the many waterways in East Tennessee, and I've become an avid fisherman. I am a licensed and insured Fishing Guide and US Coast Guard Captain, available for booking guided fishing trips! With years of experience, I specialize in providing a safe and enjoyable fishing experience for all skill levels. Book now or contact me for more info. Let's go fishing and create lasting memories!
William Clabough
William Clabough
Fully verified
Angler's Choice
13
reports
29
reviews
2021
member since
~1h
response
As a Knoxville Tennessee native, I've had the privilege of growing up surrounded by beautiful lakes, rivers, and creeks. As a young child, my parents would take me on fishing trips. Without a doubt, I quickly became hooked on the thrill of the catch. Since then, I've spent countless hours exploring the many waterways in East Tennessee, and I've become an avid fisherman. I am a licensed and insured Fishing Guide and US Coast Guard Captain, available for booking guided fishing trips! With years of experience, I specialize in providing a safe and enjoyable fishing experience for all skill levels. Book now or contact me for more info. Let's go fishing and create lasting memories!

The fish you can target

Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Striped Bass
Striped Bass
White Bass
White Bass
Catfish
Catfish
Freshwater Drum
Freshwater Drum
Yellow Perch
Yellow Perch
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Striped Bass
Striped Bass
White Bass
White Bass
Catfish
Catfish

Real catches by this captain

  • Angler proudly displaying a large catfish while fishing on a serene lake, surrounded by lush greenery.
    We started the day drifting in warmer water, around 75°F, and caught plenty of smaller catfish. Once we found cooler water around 70°F and switched to dragging baits instead of drifting, we started catching some better-sized fish, including a few worth taking photos of. We used a variety of fresh-cut bait, including White Bass, Gizzard Shad, Skipjack Herring, and Bluegill. The catfish seemed to be feeding on all of them about equally, giving us a good opportunity to experiment with different baits. Conditions were calm, with little to no current and large schools of Threadfin Shad in the area. As the sun climbed higher on this clear, bluebird-sky day, the bite slowed considerably and eventually came to a stop around 11 AM. With water temperatures finally cooling down, it's an encouraging time to be fishing the upper end of Watts Bar Lake near Kingston, Tennessee.
  • Angler proudly displaying two large catfish while fishing on a lake, showcasing a successful day on the water.
    It’s that time of year again! As summer begins to transition into fall, the catfish are becoming more active and starting to move around in search of food. After the spawning period, they’re hungry and looking to put on some weight before the colder months arrive. On my most recent trip, my guests and I located a moving school of catfish and were able to put some quality fish in the boat — including the biggest catfish they had ever caught! That’s always a special moment for any fishing trip. This time of year can be an excellent opportunity to target catfish because they become more mobile and are often easier to locate when they are actively following schools of baitfish. As the water begins cooling, the fall feeding pattern can really start to develop, creating some exciting opportunities for both numbers and quality fish. I’m currently booking late-summer and early-fall catfish trips, so if you’ve been wanting to get out and battle some Tennessee River catfish, now is a great time to book a trip. Grab a date and let’s go fishing!
  • Angler proudly displaying a large Largemouth Bass while fishing from a boat, with a scenic backdrop of trees and a dam.
    Fish 1
    Largemouth Bass
    George Z.
    George Z.
    We caught catfish, large mouth bass, drum, white bass and sriper bass. It was a great experience and a lot of fun. Captain Billy was informative and kind.
  • Angler proudly displaying a large catfish while fishing on a calm lake, showcasing the excitement of a successful catch.
    Stephanie J.
    Stephanie J.
    Cpt Billy was very knowledgable on the area and good fishing spots. We caught a total of 6 catfish. It was a great day, and I would recommend him to others interested in catfishing.
  • A young angler proudly displaying a freshly caught Largemouth Bass while fishing from a boat.
    Fish 1
    Smallmouth Bass
    Johnathan C.
    Johnathan C.
    Great experience caught loss of fish
  • A young angler proudly holding a large striped bass while sitting in a boat, showcasing a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Striped Bass
    Lila M.
    Lila M.
    Superior knowledge of the river and fishing! My grandson caught a BIG striped bass.
  • Two anglers proudly displaying a large striped bass on a fishing boat, surrounded by a scenic lake environment.
    Fish 1
    Striped Bass
    The Striped Bass have finally made their migration up the river! After being noticeably late this year with almost no fish showing in April, they have now pushed all the way into the cool water section and all the way up to the dam. Numbers are increasing steadily each week, and even on my mixed-bag multi-species trips we are now catching a couple of Stripers on a regular basis. The fish are surprisingly focused on smaller Gizzard Shad right now instead of the bigger baits they usually prefer. Just today, a guest landed a beautiful 35-pound Striped Bass on a very small Gizzard Shad. The bite has been excellent whether the turbines are running or not. Due to the ongoing drought, the river hasn’t been generating much lately, but that hasn’t slowed the fish down at all. We are still a little below summer pool but getting very close, and these conditions seem to be triggering a really strong bite. If you’ve been waiting for the stripers to show up in good numbers, now is the time. The migration is in full swing and the fishing has been as good as we’ve seen so far this season. Whether you want a dedicated Striper trip or a fun multi-species day, we’re getting into them consistently. Tight lines! Captain Billy
  • Two anglers proudly displaying a large striped bass on a fishing boat, showcasing a successful catch during a freshwater fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Striped Bass
    Kenneth K.
    Kenneth K.
    Rain was forecast, so we thought it might ruin our plans, but it was only light sprinkles on and off. Our guide gave us options and made the trip remarkable. Great fishing knowledge of spots, baits and techniques - and we caught over 20 fish in less than 4 hours. Including a striped bass that was the largest game fish i ever caught! We had a great time!
  • Two anglers proudly displaying their catches of catfish while fishing on a serene lake, showcasing a successful day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Striped Bass
    Not every guide will say it, but this has been a tough spring for Striped Bass fishing. Last year, water levels were already above summer pool by mid-April, and the bite was incredible across multiple species. This year has been a different story. A dry April has left water levels nearly four feet below normal summer levels, and the Striped Bass bite has been slow, with fish seemingly locked down. That said, other species have been active. Catfish, White Bass, and Freshwater Drum are biting in good numbers and helping keep trips productive. We did manage to land a big Striped Bass today, though the bite was unusual—pretty typical of how unpredictable they’ve been lately. At first, I thought it was a small Largemouth Bass, but once it realized it was hooked, it took off hard and gave my client a serious fight. A great surprise! We also caught a lot of catfish on this combo trip, and my guest landed a few new personal bests, which made for a great day overall. Hopefully, as water levels rise back toward summer pool, the Striped Bass bite will improve.
  • A young angler proudly displaying a striped bass while fishing from a boat.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    White Bass
    Scott S.
    Scott S.
    caught tons of fish. captain billy was working hard!

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Skiffs and flats boats
Capacity
2 persons
Boat length
20 ft
Year built
2012
Boat manufacturer
Pro-Steelheader Guide
Boat type
Aluminum fishing
Engine model
Yamaha
Powered by
1 x 115HP
Max cruising speed
30 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

River Fishing
Lake Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning

Which amenities are available onboard

GPS
Garmin
Fishfinder
Garmin
Live bait well
Creek Bank Bait Tank Pro-30
Wireless trolling motor
Minn Kota Ulterra (self deploy)
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Okuma gear!
Live bait
Gizzard Shad, Shiners, Creek Chubs, Bluegill
Lures
Trolling or tossing at boiling Striped Bass

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 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.
More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child friendly
Bring your little anglers along for a memorable fishing adventure! Safety is top priority, we kindly ask that you bring a personal flotation device (PFD) for children
No alcohol
Catch and release allowed
Please see my "keeping fish" policy.

How you can pay

Pay online in full
Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.
No additional fees.
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
 Visa
 Mastercard
 PayPal

Compare similar fishing charters

Current
East Tennessee Fishing Charters
East Tennessee Fishing Charters
5.0
(29)
20 ft
Group size 1 - 2
1 - 2
Fish 1
Fish 2
+5
4 hour trip • 2 persons
US $300