Lake Moultrie is a huge bowl-shaped body of water. However, this crappie fishing paradise is loaded with untold numbers of humps, drops and submerged woody cover that attract and hold crappie. Except for the spring, when the fish make their annual migration for spawning to the shallows, this is a deep-water crappie fishery. The open expanse of water holds more crappie fishing potential than anyone can fish, but you've got to really be on target to score well.

Even during the spawning period, there are plenty of fish on the open-water brush placed by crappie fishermen. There are also natural stump­rows and other debris that will hold crappie. And there are old roadbeds and bridge pilings left from the area before impoundment. The shallow-water fishing around shallow brush and trees is excellent during April.

The number one crappie fishing target here, however, is manmade brushpiles. The best depths will vary with the season but from about 8 feet deep down to 22 feet deep is a prime target area. Depending on oxygen content during the summer, that depth may rise or fall just a bit.

Wind can be a limiting factor on this lake, too, however, because of the expanse of open water. On windy days, you'll need to hug the area where there is protected water, such as Angels Cove, to which there is good access at Angles Landing. The area around Black Camp is also productive and access is available there.

Lake Marion is reasonably close to all of the above-named population centers, as well as well as nearby Sumter. Crappie fishing guide Barry Pritchard (Pritchard's Guide Service, 803/478-7533) said that while Lake Marion doesn't produce the number of crappie it did a few years ago, it's still a productive lake and grows plenty of slab crappie.

"The loss of habitat and some real dry years have seemed to hurt the overall crappie population," Pritchard said. "But if you know where to look, you can still catch crappie and some super slabs as well. We may have to work a little harder, but we've still got good crappie fishing. Plus, the size of the fish is outstanding."

Lake Marion is the sister lake to Moultrie, but there is a tremendous difference between these two lakes in some aspects. Both have plenty of crappie; however, much of the timber was still standing in Lake Marion when the lake was impounded. Plus, while actually a much larger lake in surface area than Lake Moultrie, Lake Marion is longer and offers much more diverse crappie-fishing cover.

But one thing is the same: The fish will orient to brush and other woody cover located on drops and ledges throughout this lake. Pritchard said that's the key for him and he keeps track of dozens of good spots for the spring throughout the summer and early fall months. Plus, there are a large number of big creeks on the lake that harbor plenty of crappie and most will afford some wind protection.