I am going to attempt to wade the shallow water crappie bite this year. I don't want anyone's spots. I just need a little advice to get me started. We have two Carolina Skiffs and several large center consoles to get us to the spots.
My first question is do the waders need to be insulated or just standard waders? Water Temps 58-68.
What water temp do you start wading at? Consistent 58 or a little warmer.

I fly fish about as much as I use conventional tackle, and most of my fly fishing is for trout in very chilly water. I wear only breathable waders. Period. The solution is to layer underneath the waders with good insulated pants (such as cold weather running gear) Under Armor makes some really good “tights” for men. Let’s just call them insulated long underwear for those of you that are allergic to wearing tights. LOL…. I will also put on sweatpants over that for an extra layer between skin and the waders.

My waders are always stocking foot, too. Make sure the foot of the wader is big enough to accommodate a thick pair of socks. You can also layer socks. There are benefits to wearing thin sock liners under your heavy socks.

It is just as important to get boots that fit just right. Too loose and floppy - tripping hazard. Too tight - cuts off the circulation in your feet.

Then you need to DM me GPS coordinates of where you’re catching fish!!

Hope this helps!

JR

That does help. I was thinking layers and warm socks. I have no clue as to the places Ill be fishing yet. I have a few spots in mind on Lake Weatherford, Possum Kingdom, and Lake Graham. I figure its going to a learning experience the first year. I am going to start checking water temps this weekend.

Breathable waders only. If the ambient temps are good, I’d just wet wade.

Couple years ago I saw guys wading for crappie in the willows one spring. There some you tube vids where they fish buckbrush looking stuff and they hammer em, Good idea and I am going with breathable with sweatpants ( or not) but sucks to be cold.

This is something I’ve always wanted to do as well. Problem is our lake have massive drop offs. Good luck

903 fishing on you tube has some good wading shows. I have been fishing out of a float tube for years and the crappie will get up shallow starting about now once we can get some stretches of warm days and above freezing nights.

Same ole same ole Randy. Rip Rap , willows and or bush in shallow water as in 5 feet or less. Big bends in rivers or creeks.. slip cork and jig etc .... Get several long poles ... ten feet or longer. Northern banks warm up the fastest due to the earths axis rotation.. sun shines on north longest !!

I use to wade fish Lavon alot during the spawn. Use long poles with very cheap reels. You will dip that reel in the water when removing fish so no need to use a quality reel. My reel was nothing more than a line holder. I used uninsulated stock foot waders with football cleats.

Thanks

I wade probably 30 trips each year during the spawn, breathable waders are the best, if early season you might get cold if wading in waist deep water, hope you like snakes, when the fishing is good snakes will be in the trees.
The thickest stuff is where they will spawn.
Your right on with those temps, once you start seeing reports about them spawning and people catching them your probably too late.
Some people think they don’t start till mid April to May, trust me they are wrong. The big girls spawn early in the year.

Another vote for breathable, light waders. My last outing I was having to stop every 10 minutes to knock ice off my guides. As mentioned already, layering underneath is key. This particular morning I was wearing insulated bibs under my waders. Never really got that cold even though it was 24 degrees out. I recommend getting a pair with neoprene stocking feet and get yourself some felt sole wading boots. Once the water temps are above 60 and the outside temp is fairly warm, I start wet wading with neoprene wading socks w/ gravel guards and wading boots. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the input.

I use regular neoprene waders with insulated underwear underneath. I use the sock style wader and use a strap style water shoe. I have caught fish shallow on Lake Fork with water temps @ 57 degrees. Good luck and good fishing!

Yep! Right on the money