Trout/Striped Bass: Nighttime float trip (Top water)
Bluff City, Tennessee
Private trip guided by Collin
Collin Kreis-Potgieter • 10-19 years of experience
About
Most apex predators in our river systems hunt at night when the bait is at its most vulnerable. From mice to bait fish to fireflies everything that moves on the surface is on the menu. this kind of activity makes for explosive topwater strikes, only visible by moonlight if any. Audible gulps and slashes can be heard in the night, when the conditions are right you can hear trout and bass blowing up bait balls of shad or a stray baitfish in the shallows. the anticipation of an explosion leading to a tight line and the rod-ripping strength of a trophy fish in the dark is riveting, to say the least.
This trip is for the confident caster, not being able to see makes it hard to be accurate. You don't want to have to think twice about hooking yourself or your guide while you are carefully judging the distance to the bank or structure without being able to see your target.
Some opportunities to fish dock lights for striped bass and hybrids are also available through the summer months
Beers and cigars are available upon request.
Within this category will be Striped Bass and Common Carp Float trips, which takes the most patience and grit to enjoy. If the fish are in an ideal position on the river and feeding, the bite can be productive and nothing will knock your socks off like a 20-pound bass or carp on a fly rod. These times are very rare and not likely to line up but if you are looking to fish throughout the summer and this interests you, contact me for more details.
Trout, 3types of bass, Common carp, and Gar can all be targeted on the same day in the summer months.
Targeted species
- Brown Trout
- White Bass
- Carp
- Gar
What's included
- Rod / Reel
- Tackle / Flies
- Cold Storage
- Dry Storage
- Water
What to bring
- Fishing License
- Bring your own lunch / snacks
Location
- Bluff City, Tennessee
Exact meeting location will be discussed after booking.
Guided by Collin Kreis-Potgieter
Boone, North Carolina • 10-19 years of experience
I started fishing the beautiful creeks of the Blue ridge Mountains near Boone North Carolina in 2013. My heart was captured by these crystal clear flows of clean water and quiet embrace of the thick riparian zone and towering trees. The start of my journey into guiding people’s outdoor experiences are rooted in these ancient mountains and it will always be my great pleasure to share the wonders of this place that I call my home. My hunger to be a better fisherman and guide lead me to the Tail waters of Watauga and South Holston Lakes in 2015. A highly Technical trout fishery that has always been highly populated by experienced guides with clients rather than new comers in their own boats. In 2016 I learned to row and by 2018 I was a float guide for High Country guide service, who I still work closely with. 2026 is my 7th year as a full time professional guide, and 10th year since I took my first wade trip for Steve at Watauga River Anglers, who I owe my first chance at my dream career. I ran 200 trips a year since 2020 and In 2022 I was invited last minute to be a guide/camp cook on week long trips up to 100 miles through the remote wilds of south west Alaska. We float the various drainages of the Kilbuck mountain range with a nomadic 5 tent camp loaded into 3, 16 foot rafts with 6-8 clients per week from early July until early September. Completing that season left me wanting more of the fishery, the Yupik culture and landscape. This will be my 5th season and I plan to pursue the Alaska opportunity for years to come. I spend my free time in the winters guiding the occasional client, catching redfish on the coast of the Carolinas and spending quality time with my family, fellow guides/friends and my fondest rivals, the large brown trout and musky of the NC, VA and TN borderlands.