Crappie

Yemassee, South Carolina, might be better known for its river fishing, but it also offers some surprisingly good crappie opportunities. Focus your efforts on the smaller lakes and ponds scattered around the area, as well as backwater sloughs off the Combahee and Salkehatchie Rivers. These areas provide the calmer waters and structure that crappie prefer. Spring is prime time, when the crappie move shallow to spawn. Look for brush piles, submerged timber, and lily pads in 2-6 feet of water. Small jigs and minnows under a bobber are classic crappie presentations. A local tactic is to slowly troll jigs along the edges of flooded timber in the early morning or late afternoon. The crappie in this region tend to be a mix of black and white crappie, with some reaching impressive sizes. Be sure to check local regulations, as bag limits and size restrictions may apply.