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
4.9 / 5
(109 reviews)
Murrells Inlet
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $900

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 109 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (186)
7-hr bottom fishing
Fishing with Jim
Fishing with Jim
+183
Angler rating
97
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
89%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 109 reviews
Jeff T.
Kent, OH
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

First deep sea fishing trip

VERIFIED   7 Hour Trip on May 26, 2021
Couldnโ€™t have asked for a better captain and crew. Exceeded expectations in preparation, we just couldnโ€™t catch a break...
Jeff T. recommends Wicked Hooker Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Jim Branthoover Captain replied

Jpseph G.
North Charleroi, PA
Very good
4.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Bad
2.0 / 5
Overall

OUT TOO FAR

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip on August 9, 2023
Because of weather had to travel out too far for some. 2 guys could not handle. Better info on trip booking that it may have...
Jpseph G. recommends Wicked Hooker Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Jim Branthoover Captain replied

Billy R.
Clanton, AL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

7 hrs trip

VERIFIED   7 Hour Trip on July 16, 2022
Great trip and great captain! We will book a trip again next time we are in town.
Billy R. recommends Wicked Hooker Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Jim Branthoover Captain replied

James P.
Marana, AZ
Excellent
4.3 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

6 hour offshore fishing trip--about 15 miles offshore

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip on November 9, 2021
fishing conditions not ideal with recent high winds and tides and rougher than optimal seasโ€”not the captainโ€™s fault.ย ...
James P. recommends Wicked Hooker Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Jim Branthoover Captain replied

Dennis S.
Thompson's Station, TN
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

7 Hour Trip on the Wicked Hooker

VERIFIED   7 Hour Trip on June 5, 2021
Had a great day. Captain Jim worked to find fish and he did. Caught plenty to take home thanks to mate Joey. We had a great...
Dennis S. recommends Wicked Hooker Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Jim Branthoover Captain replied