CrappieNOW Editor Richard Simms said chasing crappie in knee-deep water was
an awesome “up-close-and-personal” experience. (Photo by Aaron Barton)
Get Your Feet Wet for Slabs
by Capt. Richard Simms
CrappieNOW Editor
I live in East Tennessee and primarily fish Tennessee River reservoirs. In our part of the country a crappie is considered “shallow” if it is in less than five feet of water. Lots of people do wade fish for crappie here. However, even while they are wading, generally they are still casting their lures or bait out beyond easy wading depths.
In Mississippi lakes, however, when you are wade fishing, you are looking for crappie so shallow they may have their backs out of the water like a tailing redfish in the Gulf. And in true wade fishing for Mississippi crappie, there is no “casting” involved. You are carrying a 10- to 14-foot rod with a jig hanging maybe two-feet off the tip, and that’s it.
I never had the opportunity to truly “wade fish,” until last year when my friends and I hooked up with Barton Outfitters, owned operated by Aaron Barton. I told Barton that my goal was to catch crappie by getting my feet wet.
We were there the third week of April. Like anywhere in the world and any fishing technique, it is all about the weather and water conditions. Water levels were lower than normal and it turned we were not there for the “best” wade fishing time. But it didn’t stop us from jumping out of the boat, and still catching fish.
Some of my friends who were fishing deeper with forward-facing sonar or spider-rigging, caught more crappie than I did. But I guarantee, and they admitted, they didn’t have nearly as much fun doing it.
Feeling a nearly 2-pound crappie “thump” your jig as it settles literally six inches beneath the surface is an absolutely rush. I called it “combat fishing,” where you are up-close-and-personal with your opponent.
On more than one occasion I would be wading knee-deep, yet literally spook a big crappie off its bed from nearby water that seemed to be barely ankle deep. At one point Barton and I were wading through the cypress trees, catching crappie in water that was a couple inches above our knees. The entire time Barton was complaining about “how deep the fish are today!”
In addition to the slabs on our stringers, we threw back plenty of “short fish.” Remember, out there, where the minimum size limit is 12-inches-plus, we were releasing LOTS of 11.5 inch-crappie – fish that I would have been bragging about in my home water.
So, if the idea of doing that appeals to you, head for Mississippi lakes now. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Just go!
There is a good chance that when this publishes, Barton Outfitters and other guides are already booked up for April, although that shouldn’t keep you from checking in with them. You never know?
But Barton says wade fishing really is not rocket science. Anybody can hit the water on Sardis, Enid or Grenada (or many other southern lakes), get their feet wet and find some success.
We asked he and his fellow guides to give a newcomer the basic instructions.
WHEN?
April wade fishing (and most wade fishing) opportunities on any of the Mississippi lakes depends primarily on water levels and temperatures.
Capt. Rusty Barfield said, “Catching crappie in shallow water is best done when the water temps are consistently between 55 and 65 degrees.”
He says a pair of waders and some insulated socks can keep your feet from getting cold. However, in mid-April 2024 we were “wading wet,” meaning no waders and we were comfortable.
Barton adds that high-water years, when heavy spring rains really push the lake up out of the banks and into the surrounding woods, can be the most fun.
HOW?
Take a 10- to 14-foot jig pole with a 1/8-ounce jig tied on. Capt. Barfield suggests, “For the beginners, use a fishing line in the 10- to 15-pound test range.”
Hangups are not unusual and a little heavier line can help pull jigs free easier.
Barton recommends starting with a chartreuse, orange & white or a chrome jig.
“Start wading the shallow water – anything in knee-to-waist deep water, not too far from a ditch or deeper water,” said Barton. “Don’t be afraid to ‘get back in the woods’ if the water is high when you’re there. Expect to catch something, even if it’s just juvenile males. Once crappie get on beds, the males aggressively guard them and attempt to move perceived threats. If you get a bite and miss a fish, keep fishing that exact same area, or the immediate area around it.
“Once you’re actually in the water, you can smell the fish,” he added. “You can see fish boil the water, or flop.”
He also suggests watching for other people catching fish. Be polite and respectful, but don’t be afraid to join them in the general area, or seek out similar conditions to what they’re fishing.
He also said, “If you ever catch a crappie on a bed, you can reliably assume you have found a fishing spot for life, at least for some portion of the spawn. Crappie can be caught not only on the same group of trees, but often the exact same branch off a specific tree, year after year.
“A limit of fish, even for a first-time angler down here isn’t unreasonable,” said Barton.
WHAT ABOUT FFS?
Forward-facing sonar (FFS) is becoming THE WAY to fish on any of the Big 5 Mississippi lakes. Biologists even lowered limits on some lakes as a result of heavy FFS use.
Barton said April is prime “trophy crappie” season for the FFS users.
“Yes, if it’s not windy,” he said. “On most days, their catch rate per hour and keepers per total catch ratio will be lower. But the common FFS angler, with basic equipment like a trolling motor, a trolling rack, an iPhone, and a depth map can catch really impressive and nice numbers of quality crappie.”
Capt. Barfield added, “I think the two main ingredients for people to catch fish consistently with forward-facing sonar are (1) confidence – having complete faith in yourself that you can catch fish using your electronics, and (2) boat control – I stress this more than anything. If you cannot keep your boat in position to allow for a smooth and natural bait presentation, you are not going to consistently catch crappie using forward-facing sonar.”
DON’T FORGET THE WHITE BASS
Barton added, “Don’t overlook white bass fishing this time of year. In higher current areas of the lakes (especially the main river channels) a fantastic and underappreciated white bass fishery exists. There are no size or creel limits on big, hard-fighting 1- to 3-pound white bass. And they are good eating if well prepared.”
He also says don’t forget the catfish. In fact, it’s not unusual to get hooked up to a huge cat while wading for crappie because the marauders notoriously like to raid crappie nests.
CONSIDER CAST & BLAST
April is still bird hunting season for preserves in Mississippi. Barton works closely with Little “q” Ranch. They provide half-day quail hunts for $300, pheasant hunts for $500, or mixed upland bag (quail and pheasant) for $400. It is located just 15 minutes east of Oxford, MS.
IN CLOSING
Get a guide if you can for your first time out. But if can’t or don’t want to, don’t let it stop you from going on your own for some “combat fishing” for giant Mississippi slabs.
“My biggest suggestion would be to do this with friends or family,” said Capt. Barfield. “Take the opportunity to create memories with those people closest to you. Don’t get frustrated, because you will fail, but with patience, you will also learn. And you will have a few good laughs along the way with some nice fillets to enjoy – all while telling everyone else how your brother ‘Joe’ couldn’t catch a cold if he fell out of the boat.”
From Chattanooga, Tenn., CrappieNOW Editor, Capt. Richard Simms, is owner of Scenic City Fishing Charters, Inc. He began his outdoor career as a Tennessee game warden later choosing journalism (and guiding) as his chosen profession. Check out his book, “An Outdoor State of Mind.” You can contact him at Richard@ScenicCityFishing.com.
