Fishing In The South - At Its Best

If you’re even considering a fishing trip in the Southeast—especially one focused on catching big, great-tasting catfish—there’s a good chance Lake Marion or Lake Moultrie should be on your radar. These lakes in South Carolina are known for producing some of the best catfishing in the region, whether you’re after trophies or more focused on providing dinner.

But once you decide where to fish, the next question is where to stay. We spent a few days at the Relaxed Retreat Resort at Carolina King Marina, and in this article, we’ll walk you through everything we experienced so you can decide if it’s the right spot for your next fishing adventure.

Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie are known far and wide for incredible fishing, so if you’re reading this, we’re going to assume you’re planning a trip to wet a line in the area. And when it comes to planning that trip, finding a good place to stay is almost as important as finding a good place to fish. That’s where the Relaxed Retreat Resort at Carolina King Marina comes in.

Several months ago, Chris from the Relaxed Retreat reached out and invited us to check out the property and share our honest feedback. He and the new management team took over the resort in August 2024 and have been working hard to restore it to the level of quality and reputation it once had. After hearing that—and knowing how much we love fishing—we jumped at the opportunity to spend a few days there.

They did comp our stay, but as always, that doesn’t affect our ability to tell you what we really think.

What Size Group Can Be Accommodated?

One of the first things we wanted to know was whether the resort would suit the kind of trip we had in mind. And the answer to that is a strong yes. There are more than 70 cabins on site, offering options to accommodate nearly any group size.

From studio-style cabins that sleep 2–4, to medium and large cabins that sleep up to 12, and even a massive two-story cabin—there’s something for everyone. We also noticed a few cabins with handicap-accessible ramps, which is excellent for guests with mobility needs. And if you’re rolling in with an RV, they’ve got full hookup spots available too.

What Should You Do Here?

Now, let’s talk about the main reason you’d stay here: fishing. The upper end of Lake Marion—where the resort is —is very much a fisherman’s paradise. Shallow water, lily pads, submerged trees, and the river channel make it an excellent spot for anglers, but not so much for water skiing or tubing. That worked out perfectly for us. Even on a Saturday in June, the water was calm and peaceful. No loud boats or jet skis buzzing by, which made for a relaxing day on the water. If watersports are your thing, you’ll want to boat about 20 minutes south to get to the busier section of the lake, where that kind of action is more common.

Fishing and relaxing are the two key words here. There’s no playground or pool, and the sign at the entrance doesn’t mention quiet hours—it just says to “be quiet” because people are enjoying life. If your kids love being outside just for the sake of being outside, they’ll probably have a great time. But if they need constant entertainment, you may want to look elsewhere. The nearest town, with a few restaurants and a Dollar General, is about 10–15 minutes away, and the closest grocery store is approximately 25 minutes away. There is a small store at the resort office with basic supplies, pizza, and wings (Hunt Brothers), but you’ll pay convenience-store prices—so it’s a good idea to stock up before you arrive.

We were pleasantly surprised to discover that Charleston is just over an hour away, with Savannah, Myrtle Beach, and Hilton Head all within a two-hour drive. That makes quick day trips very doable if you or someone in your group wants a break from fishing.

Easy Access to the Water—Whether You Bring a Boat or Not

One thing Relaxed Retreat does well is deliver precisely what they advertise. Their cabins include free access to the boat ramp and docks, and parking your trailer nearby is a breeze. If you don’t want to haul your boat, they offer kayak, john boat, and pontoon rentals. All of their boats are speed-limited to 8 mph, so you don’t need to be an experienced boater to get out on the water safely. They also offer long-term covered boat storage for those who wish to leave their boat there.

Fishing from shore is also very doable—they have seven piers on the property. If you’re looking for a guided fishing trip, their office staff can get you set up. We went catfishing with a guide named Ray, and he worked hard to put us on fish. He even cleaned and filleted our catch at one of the resort’s cleaning stations.

For an evening on the water, we booked a kayak trip with Chris Platts from “Fishing with Platts.” He was a fantastic guide and made the evening enjoyable—even when the pedal system on my kayak quit working, and he had to tow me around. That said, nobody caught much that night, but we didn’t feel too bad about the slow fishing. An amazing sunset that evening made our whole trip.

Comfortable, Clean Cabins with Room for the Whole Crew

As for our cabin, we stayed in a smaller to medium-sized unit that could accommodate up to seven people. There was a twin bed in the living room, two lofts with full-size beds (better suited for agile folks and kids), and one bathroom. We never ran out of hot water, even though the cabins use smaller water heaters. They provide shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the showers—a nice touch. The AC worked like a champ, which made a big difference during the steamy June days. Our cabin also had a screened porch and a porch swing, which we didn’t use much because of the heat, but they’d be great in cooler months.

It’s clear the cabins have been around for a while, but it’s also clear they’re putting effort into upgrades. The furniture could use a refresh, and our microwave door took some creative thinking to open and close. Still, we had everything we needed: towels, dishes, paper goods, a coffee pot, utensils, and even a welcome bag with their coffee, which we thoroughly enjoyed. The biggest thing is that it was essentially spotless, and that goes a long way with us.

A couple of things to keep in mind: cell service is spotty, and they don’t currently offer Wi-Fi, though they’re working on it. Being disconnected was honestly nice, but it did make looking up fishing reports or weather forecasts a little tricky.

Now, if you check Google, you’ll see the resort has a 3.6 out of 5 rating, based on nearly 500 reviews. However, it’s worth noting that almost all the negative reviews predated the current owners’ takeover in August 2024. Since then, we’ve seen overwhelmingly positive feedback. The only real complaints were that one guest thought the pontoon rental was too pricey ($300 for 4 hours), and another person had ants in their RV. That one feels a bit out of the resort’s control.

Q: Can I fish without a boat?
A: Yes! The resort has seven piers for shore fishing.

Q: Is it good for families?
A: If your family enjoys the outdoors and fishing, yes. But there’s no playground or pool.

Q: Are there groceries or restaurants nearby?
A: Sort of. Closest small town is 10–15 minutes away; full grocery store is 25 minutes.

Q: Are pets allowed?
A: They are a pet friendly resort.

Q: How much does it cost?
A: Pricing differs based on your length of stay and what size rental you choose. There is a cleaning fee attached to the first day you book, so the longer you stay the lower the per night price becomes.

Q: Can I bring or rent a boat?
A: Yes, and if you don’t have one, they rent pontoons, john boats, and kayaks.

Q: Can I take a guided fishing trip?
A: Definitely! The staff at relaxed retreat can help you set one up. We would recommend Ray and Chris as they were were both fantastic.

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Is Relaxed Retreat Right for Your Next Fishing Getaway?

So, should you book this place? That depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for action-packed weekends filled with shopping, shows, and family activities, this might not be the right fit. But if you’re craving peace and quiet, long days on the water, and a simple, comfortable place to crash after a day of fishing, Relaxed Retreat is a fantastic option.

Pricing isn’t immediately apparent—you need to enter your travel dates to view the available options. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the cleaning fee is included in the price of the first night’s stay. The longer you stay, the less expensive your stay will be per night. We calculated that the cabin we stayed in would cost around $140/night for 5 nights, but $195/night if you only stayed 2 nights. At that price, we would consider that an excellent deal for a furnished cabin with lake access.

We’re already planning our return trip. So if you want a quiet escape with easy access to some of the best fishing in South Carolina, we say go ahead and book that cabin.