Captain
Jim Branthoover

Member since July 2017 Murrells Inlet, United States
Background
My love for fishing started when I was young boy fishing in Pennsylvania with my father. We fished in the streams for Trout, and the rivers for Catfish, Bass, and Walleye. I moved to Upstate New York, where I fell in love with the big waters of the Great Lakes, the Salmon run, and the Pike and Lake Trout fishing. Over the years, I made my way, with my family, to the coast of South Carolina. Immediately I was Intrigued by the mysteries of the deep ocean, the beautiful pelagic fish, and the tasty reef fish. I spent many days fishing and many days on the local waters with my son, as he caught bait for the local shops, eventually deciding that I wanted to be able to help others experience the joy and excitement that can only come from offshore fishing.
Techniques
When bottom fishing we choose to use spinning reels, equipped with heavy, and X-heavy rods, lined with braid for maximum strength and sensitivity. We decided to use spinning reels for the convenience of those on board, as many people are familiar with them. Often times we do use conventional reels while bottom fishing when targeting sharks and grouper. Conventional reels are also our choice for trolling, balloon fishing, or free lining live bait. All of which we hope you are more then willing to learn to use if you are not familiar with them.

Hey, I'm Captain Jim Branthoover

Murrells Inlet, United States
Background
My love for fishing started when I was young boy fishing in Pennsylvania with my father. We fished in the streams for Trout, and the rivers for Catfish, Bass, and Walleye. I moved to Upstate New York, where I fell in love with the big waters of the Great Lakes, the Salmon run, and the Pike and Lake Trout fishing. Over the years, I made my way, with my family, to the coast of South Carolina. Immediately I was Intrigued by the mysteries of the deep ocean, the beautiful pelagic fish, and the tasty reef fish. I spent many days fishing and many days on the local waters with my son, as he caught bait for the local shops, eventually deciding that I wanted to be able to help others experience the joy and excitement that can only come from offshore fishing.
Techniques
When bottom fishing we choose to use spinning reels, equipped with heavy, and X-heavy rods, lined with braid for maximum strength and sensitivity. We decided to use spinning reels for the convenience of those on board, as many people are familiar with them. Often times we do use conventional reels while bottom fishing when targeting sharks and grouper. Conventional reels are also our choice for trolling, balloon fishing, or free lining live bait. All of which we hope you are more then willing to learn to use if you are not familiar with them.
Verified

My Charter Listing

Excellent
4.8 / 5
(106 reviews)
Murrells Inlet
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $850

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 106 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (182)
Full day
Full day
Full day
+179
Angler rating
94
6
4
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
96%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
94%
Appropriate for children
85%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
88%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 106 reviews
Jarrett W.
Pawleys Island, South Carolina
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

7hr trip - Amazing!!!

VERIFIED   7 Hour Trip on May 5, 2023
What a great experience all-around. Wicked Hooker will be our go-to for deep sea fishing in the future. Captain Jim is awesome...
Jarrett W. recommends Wicked Hooker Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Jim Branthoover Captain replied

Ryan P.
Myrtle Beach, SC
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

7 Hour trip

VERIFIED   7 Hour Trip on June 30, 2023
My two boys (14 & 10YO) had a 7 hour trip with Captain Jim. He got us on fish right away and we had a steady bite all day....
Ryan P. recommends Wicked Hooker Charters
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Jim Branthoover Captain replied

Jason V.
Shelby Township, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

9 hour trip with Captain Jim and Matt

VERIFIED   9 Hour Trip on April 6, 2023
Iโ€™ve been on many charters and Captain Jim and Matt are one of the best! Great experience and will definitely book with him...
Jason V. recommends Wicked Hooker Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Jim Branthoover Captain replied

Dylan W.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

7 hour trip

VERIFIED   7 Hour Trip on May 20, 2023
Excellent experience with a fantastic captain. He was extremely knowledgable and personable. Would absolutely recommend his...
Dylan W. recommends Wicked Hooker Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Jim Branthoover Captain replied

Jeffery M.
Sugarcreek, OH
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full day

VERIFIED   10 Hour Trip โ€“ Deep Bottom on September 26, 2023
Had a awesome day catching a ton of fish. Captain Jim did an amazing job. I will definitely be fishing with him...
Jeffery M. recommends Wicked Hooker Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Jim Branthoover Captain replied