Middle Tennessee Bass Fishing

[Gator in TN]

I posted this in another sub-forum but not getting any responses so far. Just wondering what are the best Middle TN fishing holes (preferably less than an hour from Nashville) and what are the best lures/bait to use? I tried Drakes Creek park off Main St in Hendersonville and it seemed like a ghost town. Very shallow water and no hits in sight. I'm pretty sure I saw ducks walking in the water in the middle of the creek. Looking at Google maps seems like all the ponds are behind fences around here so not sure if I'll be able to get to those. Currently my only option is bank fishing unless I rent a boat. Also, I have an 11 and 5 year old I have with me so ideally no ledges and less trees would be best as they will be fishing with bobbers and not skilled at casting just yet. Thoughts, tips? 

 

Thanks in advance. 

[Oregon Native]

My thought since I'm not from the area would be to go to a local tackle store or two and ask a few questions.  There has to be some larger bodies of water in the area with parks and boat ramps and even bridges in these area's.  These are all bass magnets and usually have bank access.  Fishing's a bit tougher now due to heat and not drawing much water in my area but there are fish to be caught.  Early and late seem to be best

[DSTN]

TN has some pretty good resources on their Wildlife Resource Agency site that I've researched in the past when visiting my brother in Murfreesboro. Haven't gotten to try much down there so can't help with specific locations or baits for the area.  I would check out the sites linked below, the third link has a pdf you can download that gives a bunch of info on bank fishing access and locations all over TN.  Good luck!

 

https://www.tn.gov/twra.html

http://twra.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=99260b5ae08f4eb386946f08e1f18d3f

https://www.tn.gov/twra/fishing/ponds-small-lakes.html

[Tennessee Boy]

I don't know if I can be much help with bank fishing spots.  I've been fishing out of a bass boat for the last 35 years.

 

When I was a teenager,  I fished a lot of creeks west of Nashville and always caught fish wading.  My favorite lure was a Rebel Teeny Wee-Crawfish crankbait.  I was fishing on private property and people didn't seem to mind in those days.  I'm don't think that's an option anymore. If you can get access to creeks in public lands it's a fun way to catch a lot of small fish.  Renting a canoe on the Buffalo River or Harpeth River might be an option for you. I've been down the Buffalo many times but that was years ago.  It used to be very popular and I'm sure it still is. The Buffalo is a nice river to canoe and it's full of bass.  Here is one rental company I found on the web,  I'm sure there are other companies you could use.  

http://www.canoethebuffaloriver.com/canoeing.html

 

The area State Parks have lots of options from the bank or in rented boats.  Long Hunter State Park is near you and has a lake where I've seen people fishing from the bank and from rental boats.  You can also fish Percy Priest lake in this park.  Check the Tennessee State Parks web site to see all of the fishing options in these parks.

 

The most important thing I can tell you about fishing in Tennessee is that the fish will not bite unless you are listening to Rocky Top while you're fishing.  I've had my best luck with the original Osborne Brother version in winter and spring and with the Pride of the Southland Marching Band version in the Summer and Fall. ? 

 

Good luck and welcome to Tennessee.

 

 

[Gator in TN]

Thank you guys for all the information! It's extremely helpful. I'm working now so I'll have to look at the links later but I really appreciate the info.