Whether you decide to chase spawning crappie on foot, from an ATV or paddle after them in a kayak, each tactic limits the angler to only what he or she can reasonably carry.
This means leaving the bait tank, the rod locker and the livewell behind.
Unlike other crappie tactics, where multiple rods are used in rod holders, wading means a single pole — and typically not the long rods that are favored in other situations.
“Eight feet is plenty long enough for reaching out, but (it) still allows you to handle the rod in heavy cover,” said Ronnie Capps, host of the Crappie Time TV show.
In designing the Capps and Coleman wading rod for B’n’M poles, the pair wanted a great rod for casting or dipping, with a slightly stiffer action designed for wade fishermen. The result was an all-purpose rod in either 8- or 9-foot lengths that features a bottom-mounted cork reel seat and a blank made of IM6 graphite that offers a blend of strength and sensitivity.
In place of a bait tank and tackle box, Capps relies exclusively on jigs in 1/16-ounce weights paired with a small selection of Southern Pro plastic tubes. He packs these in a small hand-size tackle box that fit in the front pouch of his chest waders.
On occasion, he might tip the jig with a crappie nibble or other scent-providing bait, but he maintains it normally isn’t necessary.
“The only thing those crappie are interested in is getting that jig away from their nest,” he said. “Sometimes they’ll ’bout take the rod out of your hands doing it.”
The final piece of wading gear is a chain or rope stringer that the angler can clip to his waders and string fish on as they are caught.
“If it’s real thick, you might want to shorten it up, but most of the time fish on the stringer will float right along behind you and be out of the way,” said Capps.
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