Full Day PM Catfish & Multi-Species Adventure
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Full-day afternoon and night fishing for catfish, sunfish, and crappieCaptain provides all equipment, tackle, lures, and live bait includedSmall group experience with maximum three guests per trip
When the sun starts to dip behind the cypress trees and the lake begins to cool, that's when Santee Cooper truly comes alive for serious anglers. Captain Stevie's 8-hour afternoon and night fishing trip puts you right in the heart of some of South Carolina's best multi-species action. We're talking about a full-day commitment that starts in the late afternoon and runs well into the night, targeting three of the lake's most popular species: blue catfish, crappie, and green sunfish. This isn't your typical half-day charter - we're going deep into prime fishing hours when these fish are most active and feeding aggressively.
Your day kicks off in the late afternoon when most other boats are heading back to the dock. That's exactly when we want to be out there. The beauty of this timing is you get to experience two completely different fishing scenarios in one trip. We'll start with some daylight action targeting crappie and sunfish around structure, then transition into serious night catfish hunting as darkness settles over the lake. Captain Stevie knows every honey hole, submerged stump field, and creek channel where these fish congregate. The boat stays comfortable with up to 3 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to work their lines without getting tangled up. You'll watch the lake transform from a busy daytime waterway to a peaceful nighttime fishing paradise, with only the sounds of water lapping against the hull and the occasional splash of a fish breaking the surface.
Captain Stevie comes prepared with everything you need - quality rods and reels matched to each species, a full tackle box of proven lures, and most importantly, fresh live bait that makes all the difference on Santee Cooper. For the catfish portion of the trip, we're talking about heavy-duty rods capable of handling those lake monsters, paired with circle hooks and sinkers designed for bottom fishing in 15-30 feet of water. The crappie setup is completely different - lighter action rods with jigs and minnows that let you feel every subtle bite. As night falls, we switch on the underwater lights that draw in baitfish, which in turn attracts everything we're targeting. The night fishing component is where this trip really shines. Using a combination of anchored positions and slow drifts, we'll work prime catfish territory with cut bait and live offerings. You'll learn proper night fishing techniques, including how to detect strikes in low light conditions and the importance of keeping noise to a minimum when catfish are feeding.
Blue catfish are the true stars of Santee Cooper Lakes, and these waters produce some genuine giants. These fish are most active during low light periods and at night, making this afternoon-to-evening trip perfectly timed. Blues in Santee Cooper typically run 5-20 pounds, but don't be surprised if you hook into something much larger - the lake record is over 50 pounds. They're bottom feeders with an incredible sense of smell, which is why Captain Stevie's fresh cut bait and live offerings are so effective. The fight from a big blue catfish is something every angler remembers - they use their broad tails and heavy bodies to make long, powerful runs that will test your drag system.
Crappie fishing on Santee Cooper is legendary throughout the Southeast, and for good reason. These lakes hold both black and white crappie, with fish regularly hitting the 12-15 inch mark. During the afternoon hours, crappie are often suspended around submerged timber and brush piles in 10-20 feet of water. They're schooling fish, so when you find one, there are usually plenty more in the area. Crappie have paper-thin mouths, so the fight is more about finesse than power, but they're absolutely delicious and many anglers consider them the best-eating freshwater fish in the South.
Green sunfish might be the smallest of our target species, but they're scrappy fighters that provide non-stop action, especially for newer anglers. They're aggressive feeders that will hit small jigs, worms, and crickets with enthusiasm. Green sunfish in Santee Cooper typically run 6-8 inches, but they make up for their size with attitude. They're perfect for keeping the action going between crappie and catfish bites, and they're often the first fish beginners catch, making them an important confidence builder during the trip.
This full-day afternoon and night fishing adventure gives you the complete Santee Cooper experience - from afternoon structure fishing to prime-time catfish action under the stars. With Captain Stevie handling all the gear and bait, you just need to bring your fishing license, some snacks and drinks for the long haul, and prepare for 8 hours of quality fishing. The trip accommodates up to 3 anglers, making it perfect for a small group of serious fishermen who want to experience what makes Santee Cooper one of South Carolina's top fishing destinations. Don't let this opportunity slip by - night fishing trips like this book up quickly, especially during peak catfish season. Reserve your spot today and get ready for a fishing adventure that covers all the bases on one of the South's most productive fisheries.
Get ready to chase catfish, sunfish, and crappie aboard our spacious 25-foot Crest pontoon boat on the legendary Santee Cooper Lakes. This reliable 2003 vessel runs on a powerful Yamaha 175HP engine that'll get you to the hottest fishing spots with ease, cruising comfortably at 25 knots across these productive South Carolina waters. Built for serious anglers, she's loaded with everything you need for a successful day on the water - a fish finder to locate schools holding tight to structure, GPS navigation to mark your best spots, and a whisper-quiet wireless trolling motor perfect for sneaking up on shallow water crappie without spooking them. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those long summer afternoons. With room for up to 6 anglers, this pontoon offers plenty of casting space and comfort while you work the cypress trees and creek channels that make Santee Cooper famous for big cats and slab crappie.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue Catfish are the giants of Santee Cooper, averaging 25-46 inches and can top 80 pounds. These slate-blue bruisers have forked tails and that classic catfish underbite. They're opportunistic feeders that'll eat anything - crawfish, shad, even invasive carp. You'll find them in deep holes and channels, especially near muddy bottoms where they can ambush prey. Night fishing is when they really turn on, making our evening trips perfect timing. They put up a serious fight and the meat is excellent eating. Fresh cut bait works best - herring or shad. Here's a local trick: let your bait hit bottom and stay patient. Blue cats are scavengers, so they'll investigate anything that smells right, but they take their time deciding.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are some of the tastiest fish in Santee Cooper, running 7-12 inches with that perfect flaky white meat everyone loves. You've got black crappie with their speckled pattern and white crappie with vertical bars - both are excellent table fare. They school up around brush piles, fallen trees, and structure in 8-15 feet of water. Spring spawning season is prime time, but they bite year-round if you find the schools. These fish are less active during the day, so our evening trips hit them right as they start moving to feed. Small jigs, live minnows, and spinners work great. Pro tip: once you catch one crappie, work that exact spot hard - where there's one, there's usually a whole school waiting.
Lepomis CyanellusGreen Sunfish are scrappy little panfish that run 3-7 inches and pack attitude in a small package. You'll spot them by their blue-green color with yellow flecks and that distinctive large mouth - bigger than most sunfish. They love hanging around weed beds and brush piles in shallow water where they can ambush prey. These guys are aggressive and will hit bloodworms, nightcrawlers, and small jigs hard. Spring through early fall is prime time when they're most active. While they're pretty bony for eating, they're perfect for teaching kids how to fish since they bite readily. My tip: use light tackle and let your bait sit still near cover - they're opportunistic and will grab anything that looks easy.
Santee Cooper