Prime Fishing Adventure on Clarks Hill Lake, South Carolina
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Target striped bass and hybrid species at Clarks Hill LakeAccommodate up to 4 guests with experienced captain guidanceSeasonal opportunities for catfish, perch, and crappie fishing
If you're looking for some of South Carolina's best fishing action, Clarks Hill Lake delivers year-round. This massive 71,000-acre reservoir sits right on the Georgia-South Carolina border and holds some serious fish. With Andrew Tubbs Guide Service, you'll get the inside scoop on where the stripers are schooling, where the crappie are stacked up, and which creek arms are holding the biggest catfish. We keep it simple - you bring your license, snacks, and drinks, and we'll handle everything else. Our boat fits up to four anglers comfortably, so grab your buddies or make it a family trip.
Clarks Hill Lake stretches for miles with countless coves, creek channels, and underwater structure that fish love to call home. Depending on what's biting and the season we're in, we'll target different areas of this massive lake. Spring brings us to the shallow creeks where crappie are spawning and stripers are chasing shad. Summer means we're out early hitting the main lake points and humps before the heat sets in. Fall fishing is prime time when the water cools and everything feeds heavy before winter. The lake's got plenty of standing timber, rocky points, and deep channels that create perfect habitat for our target species. Water levels stay pretty consistent thanks to the dam, which keeps fishing productive throughout the year. You'll see beautiful scenery along the way, but let's be honest - we're here to bend some rods and fill the cooler.
We'll switch up our approach based on what's working and what we're targeting. For stripers, we'll often troll umbrella rigs or large swimbaits along the main lake points and channels. When they're schooling on the surface, we'll cast topwater plugs and watch them explode on the surface - that's some of the most fun you'll have all day. Crappie fishing means we're either spider rigging multiple rods with jigs and minnows, or we're vertical jigging over brush piles and creek channels. The catfish bite best on cut bait or live bluegill fished on the bottom near creek mouths and deeper holes. All tackle and bait are provided, plus we've got all the nets, pliers, and everything else you need. The boat's equipped with quality electronics to find fish and structure, plus comfortable seating so you can focus on fishing instead of being cramped up. We'll adjust our tactics throughout the day based on what the fish are telling us.
Striped bass are the lake's marquee species and what most anglers dream about catching here. These silver rockets can push 20+ pounds on Clarks Hill, with the average fish running 3-8 pounds. They're most active in spring and fall when water temperatures are in that sweet 60-75 degree range. Stripers school up and feed aggressively on shad, creating some of the most heart-pounding action you'll find. When you hook into a big one, they'll peel drag and make multiple runs - that's why anglers get addicted to striper fishing. The hybrids (striper-white bass cross) fight just as hard but typically run smaller, though they make up for size with pure attitude.
Blue catfish in Clarks Hill grow fat and happy, with fish over 30 pounds caught regularly. These whiskered fighters prefer the deeper channels and creek mouths, especially during warmer months. Summer nights can be absolutely epic for big cats, but they bite year-round if you know where to find them. Blues are strong, steady fighters that will test your drag and your patience. They're also excellent table fare if you're looking to take some fish home for a fish fry.
Crappie might be the most popular fish on the lake, and for good reason. Clarks Hill produces both white and black crappie in impressive numbers. Spring spawning time (March through May) is when they stack up in the shallows and bite like crazy. During winter, they school up in deeper water around structure, and if you find them, you can catch dozens. A mess of crappie makes for some of the best eating you'll find in freshwater, and they're perfect for getting kids hooked on fishing since they bite readily and don't require heavy tackle.
Clarks Hill Lake fishing with Andrew Tubbs Guide Service gives you the local knowledge and experience that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. We know this lake inside and out - where fish hold during different seasons, which baits work best, and how to adjust when conditions change. Whether you're after that trophy striper, a cooler full of crappie, or want to tangle with some big catfish, we'll put you on the fish. The lake fishes well year-round, but book early for prime spring and fall dates when the action is hottest. Remember to grab your South Carolina fishing license before we head out, pack some snacks and drinks, and get ready for some top-notch fishing on one of the Southeast's premier fisheries. Let's get you hooked up!
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue cats are the giants of Clarks Hill Lake, averaging 25-40 pounds but capable of hitting 80+ pounds. These slate-blue bruisers love deep channels and muddy bottoms, especially near creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps are stable. What makes them special? They fight like freight trains and taste amazing - sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. Plus, they're opportunistic feeders, so they'll hit everything from cut herring to chicken liver. Here's a local trick: after the stripers finish feeding and move off, drop your bait right where they were. Blue cats clean up the leftovers underneath those feeding schools, and that's when you'll hook into something serious.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusClarks Hill's crappie run 7-12 inches and travel in schools around submerged timber and brush piles. Both black and white crappie call this lake home, with blacks preferring clearer water areas. Spring spawning season in 62-68°F water is prime time, but dawn and dusk fishing produces year-round. What guests love most is the sweet, white meat - some of the best eating fish in the lake. They're also perfect for teaching kids since they bite readily on small jigs and minnows. The fight isn't intense, but filling a cooler with a mess of crappie never gets old. Pro tip: once you find a school, work the area thoroughly with small panfish jigs in white or chartreuse. They'll often stack up at the same depth along structure lines.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are Clarks Hill's main attraction, running 20-40 pounds with those distinctive dark stripes. They're structure-oriented fish, cruising drop-offs, points, and creek channels while chasing schools of shad. Spring and fall provide the hottest action when they're actively feeding near the surface. What makes them special? They fight hard, pull drag, and the meat is excellent - firm and sweet. Watching them bust baitfish on top gets your heart pumping every time. They prefer moving water and cooler temps, so early morning and late evening are prime. Here's the key: when you see birds diving or bait jumping, get there fast. Use live herring or large swimbaits, and don't be afraid to cover water until you locate an active school feeding.
Clarks Hill, SC