Lenoir City
Instant Confirmation
Trips from
US $300
Captain
Fishing With Billy
Lenoir City, United States
Angler's choice
25+ reviews
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!
Charter
Rating
5.0
29 reviews
5.0
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
5.0
Fishing Experience
Anglers' gallery (76)
All reviews (29)
Showing 1 – 5 of 29 reviews
Kenneth KuzelRepeat angler
Indiana, US•Member since 2024•2 trips5.0VerifiedBest trip we coukd gave hoped for
East TN Multi-Species Trip • 2 adultsRain 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!
Reported catch:
Response from CaptainThank you again for allowing me to be your captain! That Striped Bass was an awesome catch!
James PattersonFlorida, US•Member since 20185.0VerifiedGreat guide on a tough day
East TN Multi-Species Trip • 2 adultsWe 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.
Response from CaptainIt was a washing machine out there! Thank you for the review!
Brian EdwardsRepeat anglerTennessee, US•Member since 2025•3 trips5.0VerifiedNice haul for family dinner!
East Tennessee Catfish Adventure • 2 adultsWe had a great time with Captain William on what could have been a slow day but came home with a nice batch of catfish for family dinner. Caught some on the reel and some from jugging, about 15 in all ranging up to 5 pounds. We were only interested in eating-size catfish and caught more than enough to be well satisfied. It took a knowledgeable guide to get there however! Thanks for everything!
Response from CaptainThanks for the kind words! Glad you had a blast and scored those catfish. Come back anytime!
Mark HansonTennessee, US•Member since 20265.0VerifiedFast and furious!
East TN Multi-Species Trip • 2 adultsGrandson and I were on fish within minutes of entering the river and it was non-stop fun. We caught seven different species of fish and our Captain worked hard to keep lines bated and wet. Highly recommend!
Reported catch:
+1Response from CaptainThank you! It was an awesome morning!
Allan CrawfordTennessee, US•Member since 20265.0VerifiedWhat a blast!!!
East Tennessee Catfish Adventure • 1 adultNot only did we get some nice over 25lb cat fish but a nice 28lb striper to finish the trip off. Billy was very professional and attentive to get on some fish. Will definitely be booking again!!!!
Response from CaptainThank you! Hope to see you again soon!
Real catches shared by our community
- East Tennessee Fishing ChartersLenoir City, TN
- East Tennessee Fishing ChartersLenoir City, TN
- East Tennessee Fishing ChartersLenoir City, TN
- East Tennessee Fishing ChartersLenoir City, TN
- East Tennessee Fishing ChartersLenoir City, TN
- East Tennessee Fishing ChartersLenoir City, TN
- East Tennessee Fishing ChartersLenoir City, TN
- East Tennessee Fishing ChartersLenoir City, TN
- East Tennessee Fishing ChartersLenoir City, TN
- East Tennessee Fishing ChartersLenoir City, TN
Fishing reports
Late Summer Catfish Bite Is Heating Up!
Aug 29, 2026 • Lenoir City
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!
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Striped Bass Finally Arrive – Strong Bit
May 31, 2026 • Lenoir City
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
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Tough Spring for Striped Bass
Apr 23, 2026 • Lenoir City
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.
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Dogwoods are blooming! White Bass Time!
Apr 3, 2026 • Lenoir City
It's that time of year when the White bass start running up our rivers and creeks! Over the past week the bite has been on fire for White bass! Not only are we catching them on live bait, we are catching them on artificial baits like A-Rigs! They are very fun and very easy to catch! Book your trip now before it slows down!
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Freshwater Drum Bring Non-Stop Action!
Jul 19, 2025 • Lenoir City
Freshwater Drum are the unsung heroes of the fishing world, delivering non-stop action and some of the most thrilling fights you'll find. These underappreciated fish bite nearly year-round, eagerly hitting both artificial baits and minnows. While other anglers twiddle their thumbs waiting for "popular" species, Drum keep your rod bending with fast, aggressive strikes.
Using a simple free-line setup with just a hook and minnow, you’ll reel in Drum consistently. Want bigger ones? Artificial baits are the go-to, triggering epic battles that’ll leave you grinning. As a bonus, you’ll often hook other overlooked gems like White Bass while targeting Drum, adding even more excitement to your trip.
If you’re after numbers and a good time, Freshwater Drum fishing is the way to go. They’re feisty, fun, and ready to make every cast count!
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TARP Program in Tennessee
May 31, 2025 • Lenoir City
The Tennessee Angler Recognition Program (TARP), offered by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, celebrates anglers who catch trophy-sized fish. Open to all ages, the program recognizes 27 qualifying species with certificates featuring artwork by renowned artist Joseph R. Tomelleri. It encourages catch-and-release while providing TWRA with valuable data on large fish. Anglers can earn Master Angler status at various levels—starting with five trophy fish for Level I—complete with certificates, patches, and additional rewards. Learn more at **hidden content**
This year, I’m proud to have guided multiple clients to earn these prestigious certificates, with many achievements coming from standard trips—not just trophy-focused outings. It’s a testament to the quality of fishing opportunities in Tennessee and the skill of my guests. Ready to join the ranks of recognized anglers? Book a trip with me and let’s get you on the water!
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