Officer Beard also noted that during the winter months, biologists trap net in open water, primarily for stripers, but they catch a good many crappie in the 1 1/2- to 2-pound class in these nets accidentally. Crappie fishermen who fish the lake regularly quite often put in their own brushpiles, and have good success fishing there.

REGION 4
Crappie habitat in Region 4 is primarily composed of the Santee Cooper system of lakes Moultrie and Marion.

Biologist Scott Lamprecht rates the Santee Cooper as average for crappie. Studies have shown that recruitment is low, but also that these waters have an extremely high growth rate, which results in catches of low numbers of very large crappie.

"If you are satisfied with catching 10 quality crappie in a day's fishing, the Santee is the place to go; 2- and 3-pound crappie are not uncommon," Lamprecht said.

You might want to fish the inshore areas of Lake Marion in the spring, and switch to open-water sunken brushpiles in both Moultrie and Marion later in the year. Minnows and 1/16-ounce chartreuse jigs are good producers here.

Another method of increasing your catch and learning the water in this complex fishery is to hire the services of a knowledgeable guide. I have personally fished with Pete Prichard and his son, Barry. We caught plenty of crappie that day. The Prichards have a brushpile system of about 300 trees to choose from. If you are interested in fishing with them, phone (803) 478-7533. Although I have never fished with L.C. Wolfe, his services as a crappie guide have been highly recommended to me; he can be contacted at (843) 753-2044.

REGIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Region 1 is Oconee, Pickens, Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Laurens, Abbeville, Greenwood, Union, Cherokee, McCormick and Edgefield counties. Phone is (864) 654-1671. Dan Rankin is the regional coordinator.

Region 2 is York, Chester, Fairfield, Lancaster, Kershaw, Lee, Chesterfield, Marlboro, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion and Williamsburg counties. Phone is (843) 661-4767. Elizabeth Osier is the regional coordinator.

Region 3 is Newberry, Saluda, Aiken, Lexington, Richland, Calhoun, Orangeburg, Barnwell, Allendale, Bamberg, Sumter and Clarendon counties. Phone is (803) 955-0462. Hal Beard is the regional coordinator.

Region 4 is Horry, Hampton, Georgetown, Berkley, Charlestown, Dorchester, Colleton, Jasper and Beaufort counties. Phone is (843) 953-5160. Scott Lamprecht is the regional coordinator.

GO FISHING
It seems as if the Catawba Chain of Lakes will be below average for crappie fishing in 2008, but the majority of the other main lakes in South Carolina hold good promise. You definitely can't catch crappie if you stay at home! Get out to the lake and try.

Find more about South Carolina fishing and hunting at: SCgameandfish.com.