What I Actually Bring to Percy Priest Lake (And What I Don’t Anymore)

If you’ve ever gone out to Percy Priest Lake and realized halfway through the day that you forgot something important—you already know how frustrating that can be.

I’ve been there.

Forgot a decent cooler once. Ice was gone before noon.
Brought a cheap chair another time. Didn’t make it two hours.
Tried overcomplicating fishing gear when a simple setup would’ve worked better.

So instead of listing everything under the sun, I’m just going to walk you through what I actually bring now – and why.

The Cooler I Finally Stopped Replacing

YETI Tundra Cooler

The YETI Tundra cooler is one of the few coolers that can actually hold ice all day in Tennessee heat without constantly needing to be refilled.

I fought this one for a while because of the price.

But after going through a couple cheaper coolers that didn’t hold up, I finally gave in—and I haven’t had to think about it since.

What changed:

• Ice actually lasts all day (even in summer)
• No worrying about leaks or broken hinges
• It just works

Is it overkill for a short trip? Maybe.

But if you’re out there for the day—or especially with family—it’s one of those things you stop regretting pretty quickly.

The Fishing Setup That Keeps It Simple

Ugly Stik GX2 Combo

The Ugly Stik GX2 rod and reel combo is one of the most reliable fishing setups you can bring to Percy Priest Lake, especially if you want something simple that just works.

There was a time I thought I needed a bunch of different rods and setups.

Truth is, for Percy Priest, you don’t.

This combo does exactly what most people need:

• Strong enough for bass and catfish
• Easy to use
• Doesn’t feel fragile

If you’re not trying to turn this into a professional hobby, this setup will cover you just fine.

The Tent That Doesn’t Turn Into a Project

Coleman Sundome Tent

The Coleman Sundome tent is a solid choice if you want a dependable camping tent that sets up quickly and holds up well for casual overnight trips.

Some tents feel like you need an instruction manual and a second person just to get them up.

This isn’t one of those.

What I like about it:

• Goes up fast
• Does what it’s supposed to do
• No surprises

If the goal is to relax, not wrestle with gear, this is a solid choice.

The Thing I Didn’t Think I Needed (Until I Did)

Jackery Portable Power Station

A portable power station like the Jackery is one of those things you don’t think you need—until you’re out there with a dead phone and no light.

I didn’t bring one of these for a long time.

Then one trip, phones were dying, no light after dark, and it just made everything harder than it needed to be.

Now it comes every time.

What it fixes:

• Dead phones
• No lighting at night
• No way to charge anything

It’s not flashy—it just quietly solves problems.

The Life Jacket People Actually Wear

Onyx MoveVent Life Jacket

The Onyx MoveVent life jacket is comfortable enough to wear all day, which makes a big difference when you’re out on the water.

Here’s the truth—if a life jacket isn’t comfortable, people won’t wear it.

That’s the whole problem.

This one is:

• Lightweight
• Breathable
• Easy to move in

So instead of sitting off to the side, it actually gets used.

The Chair That Doesn’t Let You Down

ALPS Mountaineering Camp Chair

A good camping chair like the ALPS Mountaineering chair makes long days at the lake a lot more comfortable without taking up much space.

You don’t think much about a chair—until you’re stuck in a bad one.

This one just feels solid:

• Comfortable for long stretches
• Doesn’t feel like it’s going to collapse
• Easy to carry

Not fancy. Just reliable.

What I’ve Learned (The Hard Way)

Most people don’t mess up their lake trips because they forgot something major.

It’s usually small stuff:

• The cooler that didn’t last
• The gear that didn’t hold up
• The thing they assumed they wouldn’t need

That’s what this list is really about—cutting out those problems before they happen.

Quick Reality Check Before You Go

Before you head out, ask yourself:

• Do I have something that’ll keep everything cold all day?
• Is my setup simple, or am I overcomplicating it?
• Am I going to be comfortable sitting out there for hours?
• What happens if my phone dies?

Answer those, and you’re ahead of most people already.

So, Are You Ready?

You don’t need perfect gear to enjoy Percy Priest.

But having the right basics in place makes everything smoother—and lets you focus on why you came out there in the first place.