5.0(7 Reviews)Beginner Combo Fishing Charter for Stripers & Crappie
5.0(7 reviews)
Private Trip
Fishing
Top Rated
Eighthour combo charter targets striped bass and crappieAll tackle, bait, and equipment provided for beginnersExpert instruction with personalized onetripperday experience
Looking for a fishing trip that covers all your bases? This 8-hour combo charter on Clarks Hill Lake gives you the best of both worlds – hard-fighting striped bass and tasty crappie in one action-packed day. William Sasser Guide Service has been putting anglers on fish for years, and this beginner-friendly trip is perfect whether you're new to fishing or just want to learn some fresh techniques. We'll hit the prime spots, switch up our approach throughout the day, and make sure you leave with plenty of fish stories and hopefully a cooler full of fillets.
Your day starts early with a scheduled departure time that gets you on the water when the fish are most active. We accommodate up to 3 anglers for $600, with additional folks at $135 each – perfect for small groups or families who want personalized attention. The beauty of running just one trip per day means you're not getting rushed off the boat when things are heating up. Brad and the crew know Clarks Hill like the back of their hand, and they'll adjust the game plan based on what's working that day. Some mornings we'll start shallow for crappie around structure, then move to deeper water for stripers as the sun climbs higher. Other days, we might flip that script entirely. The guides read the water, weather, and fish behavior to put you in the best position to succeed.
Everything you need is provided – rods, reels, tackle, bait, and all the terminal gear. For crappie, we'll typically use light spinning tackle with small jigs, minnows, or soft plastics around brush piles, downed trees, and creek channels. The key is being gentle with your presentation and feeling for those subtle bites. When we target stripers, we step up to medium-heavy gear and work with live bait, cut bait, or larger lures depending on what the fish want. Trolling is productive for covering water, but we also do plenty of casting and bottom fishing near points, humps, and drop-offs where the big ones cruise. The guides will teach you how to set the hook properly, fight fish without losing them, and handle both species safely for photos or the cooler.
"Great all around trip. Even thought the fish were a little slow, Brad went over and above to try and put us on the fish. we had a great time and look forward to booking again!" - jerry. "We loved your sense of humor. We are rather upfront and honest bunch and you let us enjoy ourselves by joining in with us. Thanks for a great day on the water. May the Lord bless you and your young family. Oh yes and we caught fish as well!!" - Leon. "We had an amazing time with Brad. He's the best and I've never been disappointed. He's the Man and would recommend him to anyone that wants to catch some quality fish" - Brent.
Crappie are the perfect fish for beginners and seasoned anglers alike. These slab-sided panfish typically run 10-14 inches on Clarks Hill, with some real slabs pushing 15-16 inches if you're lucky. Spring and fall are prime time when they school up in predictable spots, but summer fishing around deeper structure can be outstanding too. Crappie have a delicate bite, so you need to stay focused and set the hook at the first sign of pressure. What makes them so popular is they're excellent table fare – sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat in the frying pan. Plus, when you find a school, you can often catch several before they move on.
Striped bass bring the power and excitement that gets your heart pumping. Clarks Hill's stripers commonly range from 15-25 inches, with bigger fish always possible. These guys are built for speed and endurance, making blistering runs when they feel the hook. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods, though we catch them year-round by adjusting our approach. Summer means going deeper and fishing early or late in the day. Winter can produce some of the biggest fish as they pack into schools and feed heavily on shad. The fight alone makes stripers worth targeting, but they also make fantastic eating when prepared right.
This combo trip gives you twice the opportunity and twice the fun in a single day on the water. With expert instruction, top-notch gear, and guides who genuinely care about your success, you're set up to have the kind of day that keeps you coming back for more. Whether you're looking to learn new techniques, introduce someone to fishing, or just enjoy a relaxing day catching different species, this charter delivers. Clarks Hill has the fish, William Sasser Guide Service has the knowledge, and all that's missing is you. Don't wait too long – the best fishing days book up fast, and you don't want to miss out on what could be your best day on the water yet.
Your fishing adventure on Clarks Hill Lake starts aboard our 2022 Sun Tracker Tritoon, a spacious 24-footer powered by a reliable Mercury 200 engine. This stable platform gives you and up to two other anglers plenty of room to cast lines and fight fish without getting tangled up. The tritoon design cuts through the lake's waters smoothly while reaching speeds up to 40 mph, getting you to the hot spots quickly so you can spend more time with your lines wet. Our GPS navigation system helps locate the best structure and drop-offs where striped bass and crappie like to hang out, while the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. The roomy deck layout lets everyone spread out comfortably, whether you're working a crappie brush pile or battling a striper near the dam. This boat handles Clarks Hill's open waters with ease, keeping you steady and confident as you learn the ropes or perfect your technique targeting both species in one productive day on the water.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie on Clarks Hill are some of the tastiest fish you'll pull from these waters. You'll typically find them running 10-14 inches, traveling in schools around submerged brush piles and fallen timber in 8-15 feet of water. Black crappie here prefer the clearer water near rocky points, while whites hang closer to muddy creek arms. Spring through early summer is prime time when they move shallow to spawn, but we catch them year-round. What makes crappie special is that delicate, flaky white meat - perfect for the dinner table. They're not big fighters, but finding a school means steady action that keeps everyone busy. My go-to trick is working small jigs vertically through brush piles - let it fall slow and watch for that subtle tick on the line.
Morone SaxatilisStripers in Clarks Hill are what put this lake on the map. These landlocked bass average 15-25 pounds but can push 40 or more. They're structure fish, so we find them around main lake points, humps, and creek channels in 20-40 feet of water. Best action happens spring and fall when water temps hit that 60-68 degree sweet spot. Summer means going deeper or hitting them early morning. What guests love most is the fight - these fish are pure muscle and will test your drag system. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, white meat. They school up chasing shad, so when you find one, there's usually more. Here's a local tip: watch for birds working the surface - that's stripers pushing baitfish up from below.
5.0 out of 5.0Great all around trip. Even thought the fish were a little slow, Brad went over and above to try and put us on the fish. we had a ...
We loved your sense of humor. We are rather upfront and honest bunch and you let us enjoy ourselves by joining in with us. Than...
Best fishing trip ever. My kids had a blast!
We had an amazing time with Brad. He’s the best and I’ve never been disappointed. He’s the Man and would recommend him to anyone t...
We love Bradd and the Sasser family. They always deliver great service and a great experience. Another memorable day with loved on...
Absolutely amazing time, Bradd braved the weather with us and worked extremely hard to get us on fish in not the best fishing cond...
Had a great trip. Brad went over and above to make sure we had a great trip.
Clarks Hill Lake