Clarks Hill Lake Full Day Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Full day lake fishing for Striped bass and CatfishPerfect introduction for beginners new to fishingSmall group experience with maximum 3 guests
Looking to spend a full day on the water without the pressure of being a pro angler? This Clarks Hill Lake fishing trip is built for folks who want to learn the ropes while actually catching fish. Whether you've never held a rod or just want to get back into fishing after years away, Captain Andrew Tubbs will have you hooked up with some of South Carolina's best freshwater game fish. We're talking striped bass that'll test your drag and catfish that know how to put up a serious fight.
Your full day starts early when we meet at the boat ramp, usually around sunrise when the fish are most active. Clarks Hill Lake spans over 70,000 acres between South Carolina and Georgia, giving us plenty of room to find where the fish are biting. This isn't a rush job – we've got all day to work different spots, try various techniques, and make sure everyone in your group of up to three anglers gets plenty of action. The lake's got everything from shallow coves perfect for catfish to deep channels where stripers cruise looking for baitfish. Captain Tubbs knows these waters like the back of his hand, so while you're learning to read your fish finder, he's already steering us toward the honey holes that produce day after day.
All your tackle comes provided, from medium-heavy spinning rods perfect for beginners to the terminal tackle that actually catches fish on Clarks Hill. We'll be using live bait most of the day – fresh shad for the stripers and nightcrawlers or chicken liver for the catfish. Don't worry if you've never rigged a Carolina rig or don't know how to set your drag properly. That's exactly what this trip is designed to teach you. We'll start with simple bottom fishing techniques that let you feel every bite, then work up to more active methods like drifting with live bait or even some light trolling if the stripers are schooled up. The key on Clarks Hill is staying mobile and adapting to what the fish want on any given day.
Blue catfish are the bulldozers of Clarks Hill Lake, and these guys don't mess around. They can push 20-30 pounds and will test every knot you've tied. Blue cats are most active during the warmer months and love the deeper channels where the water stays cool. What makes them so fun to catch is that initial run – they'll strip line off your reel faster than you'd expect from a bottom feeder. Plus, they're excellent eating if you decide to keep a few for the dinner table.
Crappie might be smaller than the other species we're targeting, but pound-for-pound, they're some of the scrappiest fish in the lake. Spring is absolutely prime time for crappie on Clarks Hill when they move into the shallows to spawn. These fish travel in schools, so when you find one, you've usually found a bunch. They're also considered some of the best-tasting freshwater fish around, with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for a fish fry.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of Clarks Hill Lake fishing. These fish are built for speed and power, often reaching 15-25 pounds with some real giants pushing much bigger. Stripers are most active in the early morning and late evening, which is why we start early and fish all day. When a striper hits your bait, you'll know it immediately – they don't nibble, they slam it and take off. The fight is what keeps anglers coming back, with long runs and powerful head shakes that'll get your adrenaline pumping.
This full day fishing trip on Clarks Hill Lake gives you everything you need to build confidence on the water while actually bringing fish to the boat. Captain Tubbs has been guiding these waters for years and knows exactly how to put beginners on fish while teaching the fundamentals that'll serve you well for years to come. Whether you're looking to start a new hobby, plan a family outing, or just spend a day away from the daily grind, this top-rated fishing experience delivers the goods. The lake's loaded with fish, the scenery is world-class, and you'll head home with stories worth telling and maybe a cooler full of fresh fillets.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlues are the giants of the catfish family, averaging 25-46 inches and often hitting 80+ pounds here on Clarks Hill. These slate-blue bruisers love deep holes with muddy bottoms and hang around creek channels where they ambush everything from crawfish to shad. Spring through fall are prime times when water temps get them active. What makes them special? They fight like freight trains and taste amazing on the table. Plus, that distinctive forked tail and underbite make them easy to spot. My go-to trick is using fresh-cut herring on the bottom near drop-offs - let it sit still and wait for that telltale thump. These fish don't chase moving baits, so patience pays off big time.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusClarks Hill's crappie run 7-12 inches and travel in schools around submerged brush, fallen trees, and creek channels. We've got both black and white crappie - the blacks prefer clearer water while whites handle murkier spots just fine. Spring spawning season when water hits 62-68°F is absolute magic, but dawn and dusk fishing works year-round. Guests love them because they're great fighters for their size and absolutely delicious - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. These fish have paper-thin mouths, so here's the key: use light tackle and don't horse them in. A slow, steady retrieve with small jigs or live minnows near cover is your best bet. When you find one, work the area hard - where there's one crappie, there's usually a whole school waiting.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are Clarks Hill's premier gamefish, typically running 20-40 pounds with those distinctive black stripes down silver sides. They're structure-oriented fish that cruise drop-offs, points, and creek mouths chasing schools of shad. Spring and fall are money times when they're actively feeding, but early morning and late evening produce year-round. What gets people hooked? These fish fight hard, make blistering runs, and provide excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat. They're not particularly fast swimmers but they're powerful. Here's what works: find the bait balls on your electronics, then work live herring or large swimbaits just above them. Stripers often feed underneath shad schools, so don't fish right in the action - stay below it.
Clarks Hill, SC