Bass Fishing In
The Mountains
Explore Iconic Mountain Lakes
The lakes in Western North Carolina feature both stunning scenery and stunning fishing. From North Carolina's best smallmouth fishing on Lake James to some of our lesser-known reservoirs, we're one of the few guides hosting trips like these in the area. With their clear, cool waters and a healthy mix of structure and depth, these are incredible fisheries for anglers of all skill levels.
Rates
Half-Day
Four Hours
Full-Day
Eight Hours
Smallmouth
These trips are all about smallies! We're fishing a mix of cover and structure at different depths depending on the season. From deep rocky points in the main lake to topwater bites in the summer and schools on baitfish, there's something for everyone.
Largemouth
While these are primarily smallmouth trips, there are plenty of largemouth to be caught. If you and your group want to hedge a bet on the biggest bag, we keep a pro scale in the boat for fun. We can easily mix up your trip to target both species.
Musky
While we don't typically target Musky, they are definitely out there and make for some exciting moments on the water. Just don't be shocked if you get a follow and we start yelling, "Figure Eight" when they get near the boat.
Yellow Perch
A common bycatch and great-eating fish, Yellow Perch are plentiful in our lakes and still make for a fun tug. If we get into a school, and you want to get some meat for the freezer, we can try to limit out on perch, and we'll fillet them for you.
About Your Trip
Our lake trips are unique as we have a wide range of areas we fish, species we target, and tactics we use. We offer two trip durations and tailor our fishing to the season and your skill level. Whether you're a die-hard fly angler, smallmouth junkie, or want to add a unique experience to a vacation, contact us and we'll curate your perfect WNC lake fishing trip.
Trip Durations
Half-day trips can work around your schedule, hitting them early in the morning or catching them later in the day for the evening bite. For full-day trips, we can split up your day, fishing from sunrise to lunch. We can either get lunch on a secluded shoreline and relax on the lake, or head into town, get lunch, and get back on the water when the bite picks up.
What's Included
These are fully guided lake fishing experiences, uniquely tailored to each one of our clients. Every trip starts with a conversation to learn more about you, your group, and what would make your perfect bass fishing trip in Western NC. We create a game plan based on the weather, season, and your angling skills.
Gear We Use
Our boat is fully rigged and ready to tackle every type of bass fishing on our lakes. We're using Garmin front and rear electronics paired with our LVS 34 LiveScope to locate fish. If you're wanting to learn how to locate fish in our lakes with electronics, this is the trip for you.
We take guiding seriously. The gear and tackle you use can make or break a trip, and that's why we use the best. From rods and reels to nets and packs, we take pride in our equipment. All that being said, we know a lot of anglers like to bring their own gear. Check out our packing lists for more information on recommended tackle and gear.
What To Bring
Come prepared for the weather during your season. We will be in touch with you leading up to your trip to ensure you're fully prepared for the season and the weather. We have a thorough fishing packing list with more information, and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
FAQ's
Yes! You will need a North Carolina Fishing License for your trip with us. Children 15 and under do not need a license. Please contact us if you need help purchasing your license.
The primary focus of our lake trips is on smallmouth bass. That being said, the lakes of Western North Carolina are home to dozens of species of fish, and it's not uncommon to hook into something we weren't expecting. Common bycatch includes:
- White perch
- Bluegill, Bream, Sunfish
- Catfish
- Musky
- Walleye
- Crappie
- Yellow Perch
- Largemouth
- Spotted Bass
While we cannot guarantee you'll catch a certain number of fish, we 100% guarantee that our guides will work as hard as possible to get you on fish. We pride ourselves on a hard-working team of excellent teachers and patient instructors.
Our fish are our business partners. We are a catch-and-release operation. That being said, if we get into some bycatch like yellow perch or crappie, we can keep some for you to take home within limits and regulations.
Does your kid enjoy no internet and playing outside? If so, then it's perfect for kids! We recommend a minimum age of 6 and up, and they must be accompanied by a parent. We can tailor these trips to easier access points to ensure the kiddos are always close to a vehicle.
Kids under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket at all times.
Come dressed for the weather and ready to catch fish. We recommend you bring snacks and water. If you book a half-day trip, you'll need to bring lunch. Lunch is included on full-day trips. The weather in WNC varies by season. We have created a thorough packing list for all of our trips to ensure you're properly prepared for your trip with us.
Of course! We know that most anglers have their favorite setup, and we welcome you to bring it. For more details on recommended setups, check out our Trip Planning page.
On our lake trips, we're meeting at a public boat ramp. Meeting locations depend on which lake we're fishing and the conditions of the water. All of our lakes are reservoirs with rivers flowing into them, so we may pivot locations depending on temperatures, seasons, and turbidity. When you contact us about your trip, we'll go over all of your options and curate the perfect game plan.
We love dogs, but we do not allow them on our trips.
If bad weather threatens the safety or quality of our trip, we will work with you to fish a similar waterway, offer a different experience, or reschedule for another date. We are always checking the forecast leading up to your trip and will be in touch if the weather may negatively impact the experience. Please review our policy page for more information.
We get it, things come up. We do our best to accommodate any last-minute changes or scheduling conflicts. Please review our policies for more information.
Yes! A 50% deposit is required to reserve your date. Depending on when you book, we may require payment in full. Please review our policies for more information.
Where We Fish
We fish some of Western North Carolina's best lakes for bass, conveniently located to Asheville, Charlotte, and other metro areas.
Lake James
Lake James is a deep, clear impoundment of the Catawba and Linville rivers, widely known as North Carolina's premier smallmouth bass lake. Beyond the fishing itself, the beauty of the lake is a major draw. Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Lake James offers a tranquil and picturesque backdrop for a day on the water, with stunning views that make even a slow day of fishing a memorable experience.
- North Carolina's Best Smallmouth Lake
- Close To Charlotte & Asheville
- A Clear Water Fishery
- Gorgeous Landscapes
Lake Rhodhiss
Further down the Catawba River sits Lake Rhodhiss, a lesser-known lake in the area with a smaller population of smallies but boasting healthy largemouth and striped bass. With 90 miles of mostly undeveloped shoreline and less fishing pressure than its bigger brother, Lake James, this 3,000-acre reservoir is an incredible fishery.
- Close To Charlotte, Hickory, and Morganton
- Healthy Mix Of Structure And Habitat
- Beautiful Mountain Views
Lake Adger
Located south of Asheville in Mill Spring, Lake Adger is a true hidden gem in the area. On its Western end, the Green River flows into this 483-acre lake with over 14 miles of mostly private shoreline. It's a fantastic largemouth fishery and a notable musky fishery that is managed and stocked by the state. In the cooler months, we may have stocked rainbow trout that find their way into the lake from the Green River.
- Close To Asheville, Hendersonville, and Greenville
- A True Hidden Gem In The Area
- Beautiful Mountain Views
Seasons
The lakes of Western North Carolina offer incredible year-round bass fishing. Our experience guiding these waters, paired with our equipment and electronics, helps get you on fish and have a memorable time.
Clean & Comfortable
A Midwest-Inspired Bass Boat
Our Tuffy 19' is the perfect tool for navigating our lakes and hitting the bass hard. She's a deep-v tri-hull that takes chop well—riding high and dry in rough conditions. It's stable and comfortable with ample room for up to three anglers to have a great day fishing. There is a pedestal seat on the bow for added comfort, and the Yeti Cooler is loaded with ice and water.
