8 Hour High Rock Lake Catfish Charter
Get ready for a full day of serious catfish action on High Rock Lake with Captain Marc Gioeli and Cats On The Rock Guide Service. This 8-hour charter is built for anglers who want to spend quality time on the water targeting North Carolina's heavyweight catfish population. Whether you're new to catfishing or you've been chasing whiskers for years, Marc's hands-on instruction and local knowledge will put you on fish while teaching you techniques that'll make you a better angler. With all gear, tackle, and bait included, you just need to bring your drinks and snacks – everything else is handled so you can focus on what matters most: catching catfish.
What to Expect on the Water
High Rock Lake serves up some of the best catfish action in North Carolina, and Captain Marc knows every productive hole, channel bend, and structure where these fish love to hang out. Your 8-hour day starts with a thorough briefing on the game plan, then it's time to get lines wet. Marc provides top-quality rods, reels, and terminal tackle perfectly matched for catfish, plus fresh bait that these fish can't resist. You'll learn proper rigging techniques, how to read sonar to locate fish-holding structure, and the art of anchoring versus drift fishing depending on conditions. The beauty of an 8-hour charter is having time to really dial in patterns and explore different areas of the lake without feeling rushed. Marc's teaching style keeps things relaxed but productive – perfect for family groups or buddies looking to improve their catfish game while actually catching fish.
Gear Setup and Techniques
Captain Marc runs a well-equipped operation with heavy-duty catfish rigs designed to handle High Rock Lake's big fish. You'll fish with circle hooks and fresh cut bait on sliding sinker rigs that let catfish pick up the bait naturally. Marc demonstrates proper bait presentation, shows you how to interpret sonar readings to identify catfish-holding structure, and explains when to anchor tight versus letting the boat drift with the current. Throughout the day, you'll master different techniques like bottom bouncing in deeper channels, fishing timber lines where flatheads ambush prey, and targeting current breaks where blue cats feed. The hands-on instruction covers everything from setting the drag properly to fighting big catfish without losing them at the boat. Marc's approach focuses on real-world skills you can use on your own trips, making this charter both productive fishing and valuable education rolled into one solid day on the water.
Customer Stories
"Exceptional trip. Captain Marc was the absolute best. Came down to catch some large Catfish with my son and were not disappointed. Captain Marc worked all day to find and keep us on fish. We caught fish throughout the day. I've been on charters all over the country and this was one of the best. We will be coming back to fish with Marc again soon. Can't thank him enough for such a memorable experience. Highly recommend." - Jason Hamilton
"Can't thank Marc enough for a great day of relaxing and fishing High Rock lake. Caught lots of fish and quality fish at that. Would highly recommend Cats On The Rock Guide Service." - Jeff
"Had a great day with grandkids. Captain Marc was very good with kids and spent time explaining things to them. Catfish were more than willing to bite this day. We had enough filets to feed our 10 vacationers for several meals with at least 15 to 20 fish in the 20 to 30 lb range released. If we come back this way on another vacation will absolutely call Cats on the Rock." - Max
Target Species Breakdown
Channel catfish are the bread and butter of High Rock Lake fishing, and they're active throughout most of the year. These scrappy fighters typically run 2-8 pounds but can push into the teens when conditions are right. Channels love current breaks, rocky areas, and drop-offs where they patrol for crawfish, minnows, and other forage. They're aggressive biters that'll hammer fresh cut bait, and their willingness to feed during daylight hours makes them perfect targets for full-day charters. What makes channels so popular with anglers is their consistent action – when you find a school, you can often catch multiple fish from the same spot. Spring through fall offers the most reliable channel cat fishing, with summer providing non-stop action for anglers willing to fish deeper structure.
Blue catfish represent the heavyweight division of High Rock Lake's catfish population, with fish regularly topping 20-30 pounds and giants reaching 40-50 pounds or more. These lake monsters prefer deeper channels and main lake structures where they cruise for shad and other baitfish. Blues are notorious for their powerful runs and bulldogging fights that'll test your drag system and arm strength. They're most active during cooler months when water temperatures drop, making fall and winter prime time for trophy hunting. What gets anglers fired up about blues is their sheer size potential – you never know when the next bite might be a 40-pounder that'll provide the fight of a lifetime. Their preference for fresh cut shad makes them ideal targets for patient anglers who can work deep structure effectively.
Flathead catfish are the apex predators of High Rock Lake's catfish world, known for their massive heads, aggressive strikes, and preference for live bait. These solitary hunters love woody cover, undercut banks, and deep holes where they ambush prey during low-light periods. Flatheads commonly reach 20-40 pounds with true monsters exceeding 50 pounds, making them the most sought-after trophy catfish species. What makes flatheads special is their fighting ability – they're incredibly strong and use their broad heads to leverage against the current, creating battles that can last several minutes. Summer nights offer peak flathead action, but skilled guides like Marc know daytime patterns that can produce these bruisers when other anglers aren't even targeting them. Landing a quality flathead represents the pinnacle of catfish angling achievement.
5.0(12 Reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Top Rated
High Rock Lake
Eight
