The biggest problem with fishing in South Carolina is the number of choices anglers have to make in terms of what to fish for and where to go. However, since the fishing is excellent year 'round, that's not really a bad problem to have. If fishermen are willing to fish for a variety of species, excellent fishing action can be enjoyed year 'round. In fact, almost every month of the year, good to excellent fishing exists somewhere in the state for multiple game fish species. In this feature, we'll share some of the top fisheries for each month of the year to help you narrow -- or expand -- your "where to go" list.

This 12-month angling planner by no means attempts to list all the excellent fisheries for each month. However, it does highlight some of the most dependable, with both fresh- and saltwater opportunities included. These fishing trips will be ranked in a first, second and third order.

Additionally, in most cases, any highly ranked fishery in a given month in this forecast is likely to provide quality fishing immediately before and after the month we've chosen to highlight.

But that means there are even more choices to make. With great fresh- and saltwater opportunities, we do lead a tough life in terms of fishing here in the Palmetto State. Here's the scoop on where the fishing will be fine in 2009.

JANUARY
Blue Catfish At Wateree
Redfish Near Charleston
Crappie At Clarks Hill
The dramatic increase in the blue catfish population and size distribution at Lake Wateree continues to provide outstanding fishing. Based on the 2008 season, January of 2009 should be one of the best months of the year to catch both quality and quantities of these fish. Guide Rodger Taylor (803/328-9587) ranks this cold-weather month as a prime time to catch these fish.

"My favorite tactic during this time of the year is to drift-fish in about 20 to 38 feet of water," Taylor said. "I use a variety of cut bait, such as perch, shad and bream, and keep the bait just ticking the bottom as I move along. It's not unusual to catch dozens of fish and usually we'll have a few big blue catfish load on during the course of the day. It's a great time to catch a trophy blue, but odds are great you'll get a boatload of fish in the 2- to 10-pound class as well."

The redfish action is also very good in the shallow flats of the inshore waters near Charleston. Look for the fish at low tides working the back of the flats in very shallow water.

The crappie at Clarks Hill will be deep, but slow-trolling small jigs or drifting live minnows will produce good results.

FEBRUARY
Big Stripers At Hartwell
Crappie On Moultrie
Black Bass On Keowee
While good numbers of stripers and hybrids can be caught on Lake Hartwell during the cold winter months, it is really prime big-fish season, according to guide Chip Hamilton (Lake Hartwell Striper Guide Service at 864/304-9011).

Hamilton said that he likes a clear, bright day with no clouds for the big stripers in the 20- to 40-pound class. In addition, he said the ideal temperature would be in the upper 50s to lower 60s. The prime time of the day is from about 9 o'clock in the morning until about 3 o'clock in the afternoon.