8-Hour Clarks Hill Lake Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fullday fishing adventure on South Carolina's Clarks Hill LakeTarget striped bass, catfish, perch, and crappies with expert guidanceAccommodates up to 5 guests for 8hour guided fishing experience
Pack your tackle box and get ready for a full day on South Carolina's premier fishing destination. This 8-hour guided trip puts you right in the heart of Clarks Hill Lake's best fishing spots, where the action stays hot from morning until evening. Captain Andrew knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's got a game plan to put you on striped bass, blue catfish, crappie, and perch. With room for up to 5 anglers, this trip is perfect whether you're bringing the whole crew or looking to meet some fellow fishing enthusiasts on the water.
Your day starts early when you meet Captain Andrew at the launch. He's already got the boat prepped and ready, tackle organized, and a solid plan based on current conditions and recent fish activity. Clarks Hill Lake spans over 71,000 acres along the Georgia-South Carolina border, giving you plenty of water to explore. The lake's diverse structure - from deep channels and submerged timber to rocky points and grass beds - creates perfect habitat for multiple species. You'll spend your 8 hours moving between proven spots, adjusting techniques as conditions change, and learning the lake's secrets from someone who's been guiding these waters for years. The boat stays comfortable all day with plenty of space to move around, and the captain provides all the gear you need to make the most of every cast.
Captain Andrew runs a variety of techniques depending on what the fish are doing and where they're holding. For striped bass, expect to work everything from live bait presentations around structure to casting topwater plugs when they're busting shad on the surface. The catfish action typically involves bottom rigs with cut bait or live offerings, positioned in the deeper channels and creek mouths where these heavyweight fighters like to patrol. Crappie fishing means getting precise with jigs and minnows around brush piles and fallen timber, while perch often come as a bonus when you're working the same areas. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are provided, so you can focus on fishing instead of gear management. The captain adjusts the approach throughout the day, reading the water and fish behavior to keep you in the action.
Blue catfish are the lake's heavyweight champions, with fish pushing 20-40 pounds not uncommon in these fertile waters. They're most active during warmer months but can be caught year-round, especially in the deeper creek channels where they ambush passing baitfish. These bruisers put up a serious fight, making long runs and testing your drag system. What makes them special here is the lake's abundant forage base - they grow fat and strong, giving you a legitimate shot at a personal best every time you drop a line.
Crappie fishing on Clarks Hill is legendary among southeastern anglers, particularly during the spring spawn when they move shallow and stack up around cover. These slab-sided fighters might not be the biggest fish in the lake, but they make up for it with numbers and table fare quality. The lake's extensive timber and brush provide perfect crappie habitat, and Captain Andrew knows exactly where they congregate during different seasons. Fall and winter can produce some of the biggest crappie of the year as they school up in deeper water.
Striped bass are what put Clarks Hill on the map for serious freshwater anglers. These silver rockets can reach 15-25 pounds and fight like they're twice that size, making blistering runs and aerial displays that'll get your heart pumping. They're most active during cooler months and early morning or evening periods during summer. The lake's main channels and points hold good numbers, and when they're feeding on shad schools near the surface, the action can be absolutely electric. Landing a quality striper on Clarks Hill is a badge of honor that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
This 8-hour trip gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Clarks Hill Lake has to offer. You're not just buying a fishing trip - you're getting access to years of local knowledge, proven techniques, and prime fishing spots that would take you seasons to discover on your own. Captain Andrew's track record speaks for itself, and his approach to putting guests on fish consistently makes this one of the top-rated guide services on the lake. Whether you're after your first taste of southern fishing or looking to add some Clarks Hill giants to your trophy collection, this full-day adventure delivers the goods. Spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait too long to secure your date on the water.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are what put Clarks Hill on the map - these landlocked fish average 5-8 pounds but we regularly see 15-20 pounders. They're structure-oriented, hanging around points, creek channels, and submerged humps in 20-40 feet of water. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're actively feeding, though summer topwater action at dawn can be explosive. These fish are powerful fighters that'll test your drag and make long runs. The meat quality is outstanding too - firm, white, and mild-flavored. They school up chasing shad, so look for birds working or bait showing on your electronics. My go-to technique is pulling large swimbaits or live herring near the thermocline. Pro tip: when you find one striper, there's usually a school nearby, so work that area thoroughly before moving on.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue cats are the largest catfish in North America, and Clarks Hill has some real bruisers - fish pushing 30-40 pounds aren't uncommon. These slate-blue giants love deep channels and muddy bottoms, especially near creek mouths where they follow the current looking for food. They'll eat just about anything but fresh cut bait like herring or shad works best. Spring through fall gives you the best action when water temps are stable. What makes these fish special is the fight - they're strong and stubborn once hooked. The meat is excellent eating too, white and flaky. Here's a local trick: let your bait sit still on the bottom. Blue cats are opportunistic feeders and won't chase moving bait. Wait for that second or third tap before setting the hook.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusClarks Hill's crappie run 10-14 inches on average, though we see plenty of slabs pushing over a pound. You'll find both black and white crappie here, with blacks preferring the clearer water areas. They school up around submerged timber, brush piles, and creek channels, usually 8-15 feet deep. Spring spawning season is prime time when they move shallow, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. Dawn and dusk are your best bets since they're less active during bright daylight. Folks love targeting crappie because they're excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Small jigs and live minnows work great, but here's what most people miss: use a slip bobber to keep your bait right in the strike zone when fishing timber.
Clarks Hill, SC