Questions and answers with Special Guest Ronnie Capps

Pictured above, Ronnie Capps (left) and Super Moderator "G".

Originally we planned for Ronnie Capps to be on his computer answering our questions. But as it turned out Ronnie was not online. He did not have access where he was at. We did this over the phone. I read him the questions and typed his replies. He has so much to say about each and every thread there was no way I could keep up. My head is still spinning. But I have to say, Ronnie can talk fishing. He is unreal. I posted only about 10% of what he told me. I so wished I recorded the whole conversation, I would have put it on YouTube. Ronnie and I agreed, that once I figure out how I can record a phone interview, I'm gonna do that.

Bama S
Hi Ronnie , my home waters is lake Martin in Alabama and I struggle to catch fish when the temps soar. Any tips. PS we have mostly Black Crappie.

I can relate to other similar lakes. Only fished Martin once.
Like Cave run lake in KY is similar. What they do is bury themselves in structure. It's a matter of putting a hook right down in the structure.
Now that's unless you have no flow and a thermocline. If you have a thermocline, they will go to where they are comfortable, temperature wise.
I caught crappie 60 ft deep, buried in a cedar tree while jet ski's were buzzing around.
And I always use live bait that time of the year.


CrappiePappy
BnM has your signature rods, designed by you/Steve ....

Two questions :

Are they the ONLY model rods you guys currently use ??

Are they specifically designed to be used with any particular amount of weight (if so, what is it and is that due to experience or the result of field testing various blanks to get the sensitivity you desired) ??

BnM are the only rods we use. There may be other good rods out there too but we stick with what works for us.

I like a sensitive and flexible rod. Crappie detect resistance, and will react to it. If it's in a rod holder you may never be able to set the hook if you don't see the hook. Bnm bgjp are the most sensitive rods I know of at the moment. I fish minimum 14 ft rods when trolling.

No specific weight amounts to use, they are flexible. We've used up to 2 ounces on them.


ccollins
Ronnie, when putting out cover/beds if you had the option of 4 inch wide boards or 10 inch wide boards which would you choose and why? Thx C Collins

With lakes with current I've put structure in the TN river I've experimented with all kinds, up to 16 inch wide boards. In this case wider is better.

Smaller sized structure seems to me to be better in lakes without current.


Chaunc
I know you've used a few different brands of electronics. Which is your favorite brand and why?

Lawrence and Humminbird are both on my boat. They are different, and if you're serious about catching, you need both. Lowrance is good for maps on certain lakes, definitions and such. And Humminbird is great on other lakes. One will have a road bed, the other won't. Even the after market lake maps are different.

pescador
Hey Ronnie,
From Central Florida, Black Crappie, shallow dishpan lakes, stained water. I like to spider rig, any suggestions on lures instead of minnows? I have used jigs tipped with crappie nibbles before.
Thanks

Don't need scent with reaction bites. Speed is the key when spider rigging without minnows. Speeds from .6 minimum to 1.2 max. Anything with chartreuse in it is good. Clear lakes, see through chartreuse, stained lakes, solid chartreuse. Chartreuse and anything.


pescador
Hey Ronnie,
Do you ever use Drop shot method for Crappies. If so, would you be so kind as to share some tips.
Thanks

Honestly BnM minnow rig is the rig style I use. I feel it's it has a lot of advantages including getting your rig out of a hang up.


MidMsAngler
When spider rigging with two jigs rigged "Capps and Coleman" style, what do you think is your percentage of fish caught on the bottom jig versus the top? I catch about 90%+ on the bottom jig and have often thought about just going without the top to save the hassle.

Sometimes it's exactly that way, and other times of the year it'll be the exact opposite.

When artificial with "Capps and Coleman" style rig I would go light. Even simply using Donnies Knats. Don't need weighted jigs on that rig.


Bandchaser

Right here on KY Lake, the spring was an unusual one to say at least. From mid April on thru the ACT tournament was disappointing.
With you and Steve winning the ACT on Ky Lake, what was the mind set, the method of attack with the lake being the way it was. TVA had held back almost 5ft of water, it had crested and was on a very slow drop. Post spawn conditions, I'm not sure what else could be thrown at it, but it was rough for many.
What made you guys fish 7 to 8ft of water to win it on day 2?
Thank you for your time, Brian

I've been roughed up there on KY lake many times before.

Lots of structure, and pressure. We fished heavy pressure areas day 1, but day two we found natural structure that did not have the pressure. Locating that low pressure structure was key. We found that structure 6 weeks prior to ACT. And only because they were untouched fish were we able to win. Stumps in the main river. Very small spot with a lot of fish. Never seen another fisherman, only the camera boat.


Mccowen
How often do you use a double rig setup, either long lining or spider rigging. Do you see an advantage to single or double setup? Thanks mccowan

I go everywhere with two sets of rods. One with a double rig setup and one with a single rig setup. I use double rig in deeper heavy structure, when dealing with wind or current. No wind, shallower waters, I use the single rig, 6lb test, 1/16 oz.


Blueball
What's your favorite jig pole and if your jigging 20 fow how would you rig it,thanks

BGJP or Sam Heaton, check them out. I like longer rod, 12 feet long, but that not really necessary, it's just that I like to handle nice fish on a longer rod. But really your preference.

No wind, no current - I go light. 1/16 oz jig with those perfect conditions.

Wind and current - Have to go heavy. 20 ft is deep to be jigging. 1/8 OZ. 1/4 if I have to.
Don't really add weight with jigs. But when fishing deeper or with wind and having to go heavy spider rigging, I use the Capps/Coleman rig with the appropriate weight up to two ounces.


"G"
What line, kind, and size do you prefer for spider rigging and long lineing ?

P-line, flouroclear is my favorite. Very consistent line. Line strength changes depending on what we're rigging. I've gone from 4lb test to 15lb test. Depends what you're doing.

1/16 ounce jig on 6 lb test line is my favorite BGJP. Or 8 lb test with 1/8 oz jig on some of those MS lakes. This is vertical jigging or long lining.

Spider ring minnows I use 10lb test line 1/4 or 3/8 weight. Sometimes a half oz weight with 12 lb test.


Mo Money
How long do you fish your #1 spot tournament day without results before you head to greener pastures.

There ain't no greener pasture than the tournament spot.

I've won both ways, so I'm not going out on the limb either way. It's all in your personal library that's in your head. That sixth sense. If you can keep your hook in that first spot you had in your head to win you will more often that not be in a better position to win.