Wading for big bass

[MikeOGNR]

Anyone wade for bass and if so how big of bass have you caught doing this? 

[JustinJ]

My favorite way to fish. I have taken my share of 6-7lbers doing this

[NHBull]

I know guys that do and seldom get good sized ones.  Those in the tunes do well around docs, but very few big ones are accessible by sure......at least around me

[Scott F]

I can't wade anymore but many of my friends do. This 20" smallmouth was caught last week while he was wading a river. I'd consider this a big bass, wouldn't you?

[Dtrombly]

We wade quite often in a river that is typically ankle/shin deep with the occasional 2-3 feet deep areas. Not too many big smallies caught but there are days where we catch them every cast for hours on end, typically 1-2 pounders. 

[WRB]

Shore fishing sometimes makes it necessary to wade. Use caution when wading the bottom can be dangerously soft with holes and some areas critters are a serious hazard.

Tom

[Mike L]

There isn't a body of water in the entire state of Florida that I would wade in.

Be it a Lake, river or ditch.

?

 

 

Mike

[flyfisher]

for smallies, yup for the green variety, not so much.

[Sword of the Lord]

1 hour ago, Mike L said:

There isn't a body of water in the entire state of Florida that I would wade in.

Be it a Lake, river or ditch.

?

 

 

Mike

That's different lol

[islandbass]

1 hour ago, Mike L said:

There isn't a body of water in the entire state of Florida that I would wade in.

Be it a Lake, river or ditch.

?

 

 

Mike

As fun as wading can be, I don't think I'd wade in Florida either. ?

[Steveo-1969]

Wading is my first choice year round if the water level of my local river is safe. Warm water wading in shorts and sneakers. Cold water wading in chest waders.

 

The bass are predominantly smallmouth and a big one (for me) is 17+ inches. I usually catch a dozen or so that size or bigger every year. The great thing about river smallmouth is every one fights big!!

[Chance_Taker4]

On ‎8‎/‎29‎/‎2017 at 2:46 PM, Dtrombly said:

We wade quite often in a river that is typically ankle/shin deep with the occasional 2-3 feet deep areas. Not too many big smallies caught but there are days where we catch them every cast for hours on end, typically 1-2 pounders. 

Your not fishing the Maumee right if you aren't getting bigger smallies out of it.

[fishballer06]

I've "caught" some big fish wading before...

 

 

[soflabasser]

Yes I have caught many big bass while wade fishing.

[Dtrombly]

1 hour ago, Chance_Taker4 said:

Your not fishing the Maumee right if you aren't getting bigger smallies out of it.

Not the Maumee, the Portage. 

[everythingthatswims]

8 hours ago, fishballer06 said:

I've "caught" some big fish wading before...

 

 

Oooooooh Atlantic/Landlock

[Turkey sandwich]

I've waded farm ponds that were too difficult to drag a boat to as a teenager and have caught 5lb+ green bass doing this.  I've also caught smallmouth up to 19.5" wading the Susquehanna.  I've also caught some pretty sizable carp waist deep in the water and have seen some pretty big pike taken this way near oxbows and flooded backwaters.  Fighting carp while standing in the current on underpowered gear is a trip.

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

When I bank fish, I always wear swimming trunks and old sneakers or water shoes. Always seems to be a place or two I can't reach from the bank.  In the local lakes I've found that even wading out ten feet or so enables me to cast parallel to the shore and work my lures around overhanging brush. Using this technique, I've caught respectable bass that were hanging out in the shade. And, since fall is coming, the lakes will be cooling down and I'm not a fan of sitting in my kayak with cold wet feet, I'm thinking about getting some type of waders to extend my fishing season here in Massachusetts. 

 

As @WRB said, safety first. Know the bottom composition of the body of water in which you are wading ... and be prepared to remove an occasional leech if you are wearing shorts or swimming trunks ... and I find this is when insect repellant is a must. Mosquitoes and black flies can make you miserable. 

[Neil McCauley]

All depends on the body of water. Probably 99% of the waters around here for example make wading for warm water fish either not productive, not necessary, or not possible. Almost always best to have a boat.

[fishwizzard]

I love wading in to fish and do it as often as I can.  Sadly most of the ponds and lake around me are either too soft bottomed or have rules against it.  I have gotten stuck in thigh-deep mud once though, that was not a fun 45min.  I managed to free myself, but my car stank of brackish mud for a week.  

[bigbill]

Be aware of the rivers that have dams upstream. They can release a flow of water anytime. Many fisherman have died here fly fishing the housatonic river in Cornwall,ct. it can rise ver fast.

 

ive noticed the river fish fight harder. Maybe because there fighting the current all the time?