Big Fish Outfitters
InlandA serious tackle shop with a working diner inside, just upstream of the lake.
Big Fish Outfitters is the kind of tackle shop you stop at for one thing and walk out forty-five minutes later having looked at three sections you did not know they had. The fishing floor is deep and well-organized: bass and crappie hard plastic, soft plastic, jig heads, live shad in season (not common in this part of Tennessee), and saltwater-quality rods and reels for anglers who travel. There's also a meaningful section of ammo, apparel, sunglasses, and shoes.
The grill at the back is the surprise. It is not a snack counter; it is a real diner-style operation with a fryer and a flat-top, and it earns as much attention as the tackle floor. Cod sandwiches, catfish plates, fried bologna, burgers, BBQ, Philly fries. Portions run large, prices are reasonable for the volume, and the kitchen holds its consistency across both lunch and the late-afternoon window. A common note: stopped for tackle, stayed for the cod.
Service is friendly and knowledgeable. Counter service can run terse toward closing, and bait counts on minnow and shad orders occasionally come up short; verify your count before paying.
This is a destination tackle shop for the upper end of the lake, a few minutes inland from the water. It is a good stop for anglers heading down to Watts Bar from the Knoxville side, or restocking on the way back up.
Tips
- Verify your bait count on the spot before paying; ordered counts have come up short on occasion.
- The deli grill is worth planning a stop around; the cod sandwich, catfish plate, and Philly fries are the most-cited items.
- Live shad availability is seasonal; call ahead if it is the bait you need.
What people love
- The breadth of tackle inventory, including saltwater-quality gear unusual for an inland shop.
- The diner-style food, particularly the cod sandwich, catfish plate, and Philly fries.
- Knowledgeable staff who can talk both fresh and saltwater fishing.
What to know
- Pricing on certain items skews higher than discount-store baseline; portions and quality back it up but expect retail, not bargain.
- It is inland, not on the water; this is a stop on the way to the lake, not at it.
- Counter service can run terse near closing; plan accordingly.
Best time
Weekdays for browsing, and avoid the lunch rush at the grill if you are picking up tackle in a hurry.
First visit
The shop is on Highway 321N in Lenoir City; the tackle floor fills the front of the building and the deli grill is at the back. Plan thirty minutes if you want to do both.
Location
Frequently asked
When is Big Fish Outfitters open?
Live shad availability is seasonal; call ahead if it is the bait you need.
How do I get to Big Fish Outfitters?
The shop is on Highway 321N in Lenoir City; the tackle floor fills the front of the building and the deli grill is at the back. Plan thirty minutes if you want to do both.
What should I know before visiting Big Fish Outfitters?
Pricing on certain items skews higher than discount-store baseline; portions and quality back it up but expect retail, not bargain.
Last updated: April 30, 2026