Lake Hartwell Fishing Trip

NEW Hartwell, GA 1 - 2 People 4 - 8 Hours From $376 Trip #11475
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

About Your Trip

Water Type

Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Get ready to experience world-class bass fishing on the beautiful waters of Lake Hartwell with none other than Captain Don! Straddling the Georgia-South Carolina border, Lake Hartwell is a bucket-list destination for serious anglers and first-timers alike—and there's no better way to explore its legendary waters than alongside a seasoned pro like Captain Don.

With years of hands-on experience and an intimate knowledge of the lake's underwater structure, seasonal fish behavior, and hidden hotspots, Captain...

About Your Trip

Get ready to experience world-class bass fishing on the beautiful waters of Lake Hartwell with none other than Captain Don! Straddling the Georgia-South Carolina border, Lake Hartwell is a bucket-list destination for serious anglers and first-timers alike—and there's no better way to explore its legendary waters than alongside a seasoned pro like Captain Don.

With years of hands-on experience and an intimate knowledge of the lake's underwater structure, seasonal fish behavior, and hidden hotspots, Captain Don specializes in targeting both largemouth and spotted bass. Whether you're looking to refine your skills or you're brand new to fishing, he’ll tailor the trip to match your goals—teaching you everything from advanced casting techniques to bait selection and presentation.

You'll be fishing with top-tier gear, including Abu Garcia spinning setups, G Loomis rods, and Lew’s baitcasters—all hand-picked for performance and precision. Captain Don provides all rods, reels, lures, and tackle, so you can focus on the thrill of the chase without worrying about the gear.

Throughout your trip, you’ll cruise across the lake to hit submerged structures, rocky points, and grassy flats where the bass love to feed. From early morning topwater action to midday drop shotting around deeper brush piles, Captain Don will keep you on the fish with tried-and-true techniques that work year-round.

Best of all, no experience is necessary. Captain Don’s easygoing and encouraging style makes every trip fun and accessible, whether you’re an aspiring angler or just looking to enjoy a peaceful day on the water. Safety is always a top priority, and Captain Don is fully certified and ensures a safe, stress-free outing from start to finish.

So if you're looking for a challenging, rewarding, and flat-out fun day of fishing, look no further than a guided bass trip on Lake Hartwell with Captain Don. All you need to bring is your Georgia or South Carolina fishing license, your favorite snacks and drinks, and a sense of adventure—we’ll handle the rest.

**The captain has a strict catch-and-release policy, so any fish you catch will go back into the water.
Amenities

Water Type

Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Music

You can play your own bluetooth music.

Location

This guide can be flexible with the departure location.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to small children.

Physicality

This trip requires an easy level of physical activity.

Fish Cleaning

No cleaning service provided.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Flexible Cancelation

The deposit for this trip is non-refundable.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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Pricing Matrix

4 hours 6 hours 8 hours
1 Person
$376.00
$476.00
$576.00
2 People
$376.00
$476.00
$576.00
Pay $100 as a deposit today, with the balance due on the day of the trip.

About Your Guide

Profile photo of Captain Experiences guide Don

Don R.

Independent Guide
Instructional
Laid-back
Quiet
Beginner Oriented
Comfortable
Quantity
Captain Don’s love for fishing started early—hooked as a kid while pier fishing the Gulf of Mexico with his grandparents. That childhood spark turned into a lifelong passion, leading him from casual casts to competitive bass fishing tournaments across North America.

After entering his first tournament in his twenties, Don was all-in. He’s fished everywhere from the lakes of Canada to Florida’s sunny waters and even Cabo San Lucas. Along the way, he sharpened his...

About Your Guide

Profile photo of Captain Experiences guide Don

Don R.

Independent Guide
Captain Don’s love for fishing started early—hooked as a kid while pier fishing the Gulf of Mexico with his grandparents. That childhood spark turned into a lifelong passion, leading him from casual casts to competitive bass fishing tournaments across North America.

After entering his first tournament in his twenties, Don was all-in. He’s fished everywhere from the lakes of Canada to Florida’s sunny waters and even Cabo San Lucas. Along the way, he sharpened his skills with help from Bassmaster greats like Justin Lucas and Aaron Martens.

With over 40 years of experience and a background in hospitality, Don has now combined his two passions—fishing and serving others—into one incredible experience as a full-time guide on Lake Hartwell.

Now living locally and embracing retirement the best way he knows how, Captain Don is dedicated to helping others discover the thrill of bass fishing. Whether you're brand new or a seasoned angler, he’ll put you on the fish, share expert tips, and make sure your trip is one to remember.
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Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?
14 ft 400 lb Blue Marlin
If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?
Ribeye steak

Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?
14 ft 400 lb Blue Marlin
If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?
Ribeye steak
What’s your favorite band?
Gran Torino
What’s your favorite movie?
Point Break
What’s your favorite sports team?
Pittsburgh Steelers
What’s your drink of choice?
Gatorade zero
What was your last halloween costume?
Chis Stapleton
What do you want for Christmas this year?
Health and happiness for my family
How did you get started guiding?
Guiding was something that I always wanted to do
What makes you different from other guides?
Passion for customer service
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Start Location & Lodging Options

Your guide can be flexible with your start location.
You can work with your guide after booking to set a more specific start location in the area.
Hartwell, Georgia
Areas Fished

About Your Boat

Boat photo for Lake Hartwell Fishing Trip
Boat Type
Bass Boat
Boat Manufacturer
Phoenix
Year Built
2020
Boat Length
21'

About Your Boat

Boat Type
Bass Boat
Boat Manufacturer
Phoenix
Year Built
2020
Boat Length
21'
Boat Restroom
No
Engine Manufacturer
Mercury
Total Horsepower
250
Number of Engines
1
Additional Amenities
GPS, Fishfinder, Wireless trolling motor
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Trip Details & Amenities

Water Type

Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Music

You can play your own bluetooth music.

Location

This guide can be flexible with the departure location.

Weather

You won't lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to small children.

Physicality

This trip requires an easy level of physical activity.

Fish Cleaning

No cleaning service provided.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Flexible Cancelation

The deposit for this trip is non-refundable.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .
View Full Species Seasonality Chart »
  • Get it while it's HOT!
  • This species is in play.
  • You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
  • Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

  • Artificial Lure Fishing
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Heavy Tackle Fishing
  • Light Tackle Fishing
  • Topwater Fishing

Everything Else to Know

Everything is included, but we also recommend bringing sunglasses, sunscreen, weather-appropriate clothing, and anything else you might want on the trip.
You'll need to buy a fishing license before getting out there. Find out more about licenses here.
We use a cashless autopay system. We'll send you a boarding pass, and on the day of the trip, your guide will scan your boarding pass to automatically transfer the remaining balance. The only cash needed is to tip your guide (we recommend 20%).
Cancel for free up to 3 days before the trip and receive credit back to your account. Cancelling within 3 of the trip will forfeit your deposit to the guide. Day-of cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full balance of the trip to their card.
In the event of inclement weather you'll be covered by out 100% Weather Guarantee and will not lose your deposit.

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First Time Booking with Us?

Captain Experiences is home to thousands of quality, vetted fishing, hunting, and other outdoor sports guides across the US and beyond. Our mission is to Unlock the Outdoors by making it quick and easy to book the trip of a lifetime every time with our Damn Good Guides.
We vet our guides and only partner with the best of the best. Our guides do their very best to keep you safe, show you a great time, and send you home with a memorable experience shared with family and friends.
Once you've paid your deposit at checkout, we'll send you a QR Code boarding pass. Just show your guide your boarding pass on the day of the trip, they'll scan it, the remaining balance will transfer automatically, and you'll be all set to get out there. Just make sure you bring a cash tip for the guide!
In the event of inclement weather, our guides will check the conditions and make the final call on whether its safe to go on the trip. If they decide the trip needs to be postponed, we'll work closely with you to reschedule or provide a credit for the full deposit, which can be applied to any of our trips in the US and beyond.
Each trip's price is determined by the guide and reflects all associated costs. A significant factor in pricing is often the type of boat and the corresponding fuel expenses. Additional costs may include leases, marina or slip fees, and the expenses involved in providing and maintaining the necessary gear for your trip.
After booking your trip, we'll connect you directly with your guide to discuss additional details. In the meantime, our team is here to answer any questions via email, text, or phone.
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