Clarks Hill Lake Prime Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Target striped bass and hybrid species on Clarks Hill LakeCatch catfish, perch, and crappie based on seasonal patternsCaptain provides equipment while guests bring license and refreshments
When you book with Andrew Tubbs Guide Service on Clarks Hill Lake, you're setting yourself up for some serious fishing action. This massive 71,000-acre reservoir sits right on the South Carolina-Georgia border and holds some of the Southeast's best fishing opportunities. Captain Andrew knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish whether you're chasing hard-fighting stripers, feisty hybrids, or whatever else is biting that day. With room for up to four anglers, this trip lets you and your crew focus on what matters most – landing fish and making memories on one of the region's top-rated fishing destinations.
Your day starts early when you meet Captain Andrew at one of Clarks Hill's well-maintained boat ramps. He'll have all the fishing gear ready to go, so you just need to bring your valid South Carolina fishing license, some snacks, and plenty to drink – the Georgia sun can get pretty intense out there. The lake's massive size means there's always somewhere productive to fish, whether we're working the main lake channels for stripers or sliding into protected coves for crappie and catfish. Depending on the season and what's happening with the bite, you might find yourself casting to structure, trolling the open water, or working live bait around submerged timber. The beauty of Clarks Hill is its diversity – one minute you're fighting a striper in 40 feet of water, the next you're pulling bluegill from shallow cover.
Captain Andrew runs a well-equipped boat loaded with everything from downriggers for deep trolling to an arsenal of rods rigged for different techniques. When the stripers are schooled up, you'll likely be throwing topwater plugs or working umbrella rigs through the thermocline. For the hybrid bass that Clarks Hill is famous for, live bait often does the trick – especially during their legendary spring runs when they're chasing shad in the shallows. The lake's abundant structure creates perfect ambush points for predator fish, and Andrew knows exactly where to find the dropoffs, creek channels, and submerged roadbeds that hold fish year-round. When targeting catfish, expect to anchor up over deep holes and work cut bait or live offerings along the bottom. The crappie bite here can be absolutely lights-out during their spawning periods, when brushpiles and standing timber become magnets for these tasty panfish.
Blue Catfish in Clarks Hill can grow to impressive sizes, with fish over 20 pounds caught regularly from the lake's deeper channels and river arms. These bottom-dwellers are most active during warmer months when they move into shallower feeding areas at night. What makes them so exciting to target is their incredible fight – a big blue cat will test your drag system and your patience. They're also some of the best eating fish in the lake when prepared right. The key to success is finding the right depth and structure combination, usually around creek channels or submerged timber where they ambush prey.
Crappie fishing on Clarks Hill is legendary among Southeast anglers, especially during the pre-spawn period in early spring when schools of slabs move into creek arms and coves. These fish typically run 10-14 inches here, with plenty of keepers mixed in. They're structure-oriented fish that love brushpiles, standing timber, and bridge pilings. What gets anglers excited about crappie is their light bite and the skill required to consistently boat them – plus they're absolutely delicious when filleted properly. The best action usually happens in 8-15 feet of water around cover, and once you locate a school, the action can be fast and furious.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of Clarks Hill Lake, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized up to trophy specimens pushing 15-20 pounds. These powerful predators are most active during cooler months and early morning or evening hours during summer. Stripers here are known for their aggressive surface feeding, especially when they're corralling shad schools in open water. The fight they put up is what keeps anglers coming back – long, powerful runs that'll have you holding on tight. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, when these fish are actively feeding and easier to locate on electronics.
Clarks Hill Lake consistently produces fish year-round, making it one of South Carolina's most reliable fishing destinations. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add some quality fish to your lifetime totals or someone just getting into the sport, Captain Andrew's local knowledge and professional approach will put you on fish. The lake's reputation speaks for itself – it's produced state record fish and continues to be a favorite among tournament anglers and weekend warriors alike. Don't wait too long to secure your dates, especially during prime seasons when the bite is hot and calendar spots fill up fast. Bring your license, pack some food and drinks, and get ready for a day of world-class fishing on one of the Southeast's premier fishing lakes.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue cats are the giants of Clarks Hill Lake, averaging 25-40 pounds with some pushing 80+. These slate-blue bruisers love deep channels and muddy holes, especially near creek mouths where they patrol the bottom like vacuum cleaners. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps climb. What makes them special? They fight like trucks and taste amazing - sweet, firm meat that's hard to beat. Plus, watching that rod bend double never gets old. Here's my local trick: use fresh-cut herring and let it sit on the bottom near those submerged humps. Blue cats are opportunistic feeders, so patience pays off. When they hit, you'll know it.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusBoth black and white crappie call Clarks Hill home, typically running 10-12 inches and perfect pan size. You'll find them around submerged brush, fallen trees, and creek channels in 8-15 feet of water. Spring spawning season is prime time when they move shallow, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. What guests love most is the steady action and that sweet, flaky white meat - there's nothing better on the dinner table. They school up, so when you find one, there's usually more. My go-to tip for Clarks Hill: work those standing timber areas with small jigs or live minnows. Dawn and dusk are money times, but don't overlook midday structure fishing.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are Clarks Hill's main attraction, running 15-30 pounds with occasional monsters over 40. These silver rockets patrol open water and points, following baitfish schools throughout the lake. They're most active during cooler months - fall through spring - when water temps drop below 70. What makes them special is that bone-jarring strike and bulldogging fight that'll test your drag. They're also excellent table fare with firm, sweet meat. Spring is magic here when they chase shad in the shallows. Pro tip: watch for diving birds over deeper water - that usually means feeding stripers below. Live herring or big topwater plugs work great when you find them busting bait.
Clarks Hill, SC