5.0(1 Reviews)Half Day Catfish, Sunfish And Crappie Fishing
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Four-hour morning trip targeting catfish, crappie, and sunfishAll fishing equipment, tackle, and live bait providedExpert guidance from Captain Stevie on scenic Santee Cooper Lakes
Looking for a solid morning on the water that won't eat up your whole day? Captain Stevie English has you covered with this top-rated 4-hour fishing adventure on South Carolina's famous Santee Cooper Lakes. From 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., you'll fish the productive waters of Lake Moultrie or Lake Marion, targeting some of the best panfish and catfish action in the Southeast. With everything provided and expert coaching every cast, this trip is perfect for anglers who want to maximize their time and catch rate without the commitment of a full-day charter.
Captain Stevie runs a customer favorite operation that focuses on putting fish in the boat while teaching you the ins and outs of these legendary waters. The Santee Cooper Lakes system is renowned for its diverse fishery, and this half-day trip targets the species that bite consistently throughout the season. You'll start early when fish are most active, working both shallow structure and deeper water depending on what's producing. The boat accommodates up to 3 anglers, making it ideal for small groups or family outings. Weather conditions and seasonal patterns determine whether you'll fish Lake Moultrie or Lake Marion, but both offer world-class fishing opportunities. Captain Stevie's local knowledge means you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time searching for fish. The relaxed pace allows plenty of time for instruction, making this trip perfect for beginners and experienced anglers alike.
This trip covers all your gear needs with a complete selection of rods, reels, tackle, live bait, and lures included in your package. Captain Stevie brings both light and heavy tackle setups to match the fishing conditions and target species. For crappie and sunfish, you'll use ultralight spinning gear with small jigs, minnows, and soft plastics around submerged timber and brush piles. The catfish action calls for heavier rods and circle hooks, with cut bait, nightcrawlers, and chicken liver being go-to options. Live bait fishing dominates the approach here, with minnows and worms accounting for most of the action. You'll learn to read your fish finder, understand structure, and pick up techniques that work specifically on the Santee Cooper system. Captain Stevie emphasizes hands-on learning, so expect to get coaching on everything from hook sets to fish handling. The variety of techniques keeps things interesting throughout the morning, and you'll leave with new skills that translate to fishing anywhere.
"My Father and I had a great experience with 4G guide service! Captain Stevie is very knowledgeable and he put us on the fish! He did an awesome job coaching us up on how to catch more fish, and was very welcoming, professional, and hospitalble. I high recommend his guide services! We will be back!" - Jared
Green Sunfish are scrappy fighters that provide consistent action throughout the trip. These colorful panfish typically run 6-8 inches but make up for their size with aggressive strikes and determined fights on light tackle. They're most active in the early morning hours, making them perfect targets for this 7:30 a.m. start time. Green sunfish love shallow cover like fallen trees, brush piles, and weed edges where they ambush small baitfish and insects. Anglers appreciate their willingness to bite and their beautiful coloration, with males showing brilliant blues and greens during spawning season. They're excellent for beginners to practice their technique since they're not too finicky about presentation.
Blue Catfish represent the heavy hitters on this trip, with the Santee Cooper Lakes producing some true giants. These powerful fish can range from eating-size 2-3 pounders up to trophy specimens pushing 20 pounds or more. Blues are most active during cooler parts of the day, making the early morning trip timing ideal for connecting with quality fish. They prefer deeper water near channel edges, submerged humps, and river confluences where current brings them food. Blue catfish are known for their strong runs and head-shaking fights that test your drag system. What makes them special here is the combination of numbers and size potential - you might catch a dozen smaller fish and then hook into a true trophy that makes your morning memorable.
Crappie fishing on the Santee Cooper Lakes offers some of the best action in South Carolina, with both black and white crappie calling these waters home. These slab-sided fish typically measure 10-14 inches and provide excellent table fare along with fun fights on light tackle. Crappie relate heavily to structure, especially submerged timber, brush piles, and creek channels that characterize both lakes. They're most cooperative during low-light periods, making the early morning start perfect for targeting them. Spring brings the most consistent action when they move shallow to spawn, but they bite year-round for anglers who know where to look. Captain Stevie's local knowledge of crappie patterns and seasonal movements gives you the best shot at connecting with these popular panfish.
This half-day fishing trip delivers everything you want in a guided fishing experience - expert instruction, productive waters, and enough variety to keep everyone engaged from start to finish. Captain Stevie's reputation for putting clients on fish while providing top-notch service makes this one of the best fishing values on the Santee Cooper Lakes. The 4-hour format gives you a real taste of what these legendary waters offer without requiring a full day commitment. Whether you're visiting the area or looking for a regular fishing guide, this trip provides the perfect introduction to some of South Carolina's finest fishing. With all gear included and expert guidance guaranteed, all you need to bring is your fishing license and enthusiasm for a great morning on the water.
Our 25-foot Crest pontoon boat is your home base for chasing catfish, crappie, and sunfish across the Santee Cooper Lakes. This 2003 beauty runs on a dependable Yamaha 175HP engine that'll get you to the hot spots quickly, cruising at up to 25 knots when you need to cover water fast. With room for up to 3 anglers plus your guide, there's plenty of space to spread out and work different techniques without getting tangled up. The boat comes loaded with everything serious anglers need - a quality fish finder to locate schools and structure, GPS to mark your productive spots, and a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches when the fish are spooky. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and gives you a place to store your catch. Whether you're drifting for catfish with live bait or casting for crappie around cover, this stable platform handles Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion's waters with confidence, letting you focus on putting fish in the boat.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue Cats are the heavyweights of the Santee Cooper system, averaging 25-46 inches and often pushing 80+ pounds. These slate-blue giants are opportunistic feeders that'll eat just about anything, but they've got a thing for cut herring and fresh chicken liver. Look for them in deeper channels and creek mouths, especially where there's current flow. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods. What guests love about blues is the raw power - once hooked, they'll give you a workout that'll have your arms burning. The meat's excellent eating too, firm and mild. Here's something I've learned over the years: let your bait sit still on the bottom. These fish are scavengers at heart, so resist the urge to keep moving your bait around. Patience pays off with blues.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are some of the tastiest fish swimming in these lakes, typically running 7-12 inches and weighing up to a pound. We've got both black and white crappie here - blacks prefer the cleaner water while whites don't mind it a bit stained. They school up around submerged timber, brush piles, and drop-offs, usually in 8-15 feet of water. Spring spawning season is money time when water hits the low 60s, but they bite year-round. What makes crappie special is that delicate, flaky white meat - there's a reason they're called the best eating fish in freshwater. They're also great for kids since they bite readily and don't fight too hard. My go-to tip: use a small jig under a bobber and work it real slow around cover. When you find one crappie, there's usually a whole school nearby.
Lepomis CyanellusGreen Sunfish are scrappy little fighters that run 3-7 inches and pack more attitude than their size suggests. 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. Spring through early fall is prime time when they're most active and aggressive. What makes them fun to target is their willingness to hit just about anything - they're not picky eaters. While they're pretty bony for eating, they make great action on light tackle. Here's a local trick: if you're having trouble getting bites, try adding a little movement to your bait by gently lifting and dropping your rod tip. These guys can't resist something that looks alive and moving near their territory.
5.0 out of 5.0My Father and I had a great experience with 4G guide service! Captain Stevie is very knowledgeable and he put us on the fish! He d...
Santee Cooper