POND FISHING WITH WADERS

[ROCK]

Looking to use my waders Simms and separate wading boots to fish a small pond. I only need to walk around the waters edge as the place only has a few open spots to fish. The water appears very shallow less than a foot and clear but I suspect a soft bottom.  Have never waded before any advice or considerations before I go? I researched on line and already know to keep my weight on my forward foot and watch every step as there may be a whole or depth may change suddenly. 

[IndyBass]

Never waded in a pond to fish but I have gone in with waders to retrieve a lure and its extremely sticky/suction  and not something I recommend doing but that was my situation your ponds could be different 

[Scott F]

Get some sort of a wading staff to test the bottom before you step. Wear a life jacket too.

[drew4779]

I'd rather push my way through the briers than wade through the ponds in my area.  I'd sink at least 18" every step.  

[CHIP-MAINE]

i do a lot of wading for bass if i dont have my kayak with me. it helps you get out away from the bank and away from obstacles that make casting hard. start along the edge and see what the bottom feels like. if it is hard move around but with small careful steps. dont go out any further than you feel comfortable with. just moving a little out will help with angle and distance. all bottoms are different. might be soft in one part of pond but hard in others.

[Don51]

Slow, slow, slow! Don't go any deeper than knee high until you get a feel of what the bottom is like. I have waded ponds with a solid gravel bottom that turned to quicksand mud as I waded along. Quite a shock!  ?

[Ratherbfishing]

It might be different in New Jersey but a lot of ponds around here fill up slowly with sediment and deep wading is not a very pleasant experience.  Even trying to access a pond using a belly boat is an adventure in sinking in the mud (before you ever manage to float) and smelling like sewage before it is through.

[ROCK]

Thanks for the replies, may have to re evaluate if I want to pursue using the waders for this purpose. 

[Don51]

Don't give up on it before you even start! Fish will be moving in shallow and that method could be quite productive! Give it a try you may be pleasantly surprised! 

[Quarry Man]

almost drowned trying this. went from 5" to 5' real quick, ll muck, couldn't get out. never again.

[ROCK]

Thanks for all the advice and replies.

I never did use the waders, although I have not ruled it out either.

A week or two after my original post, I did fall into a different pond, from the one I was considering using the waders in, while balancing on a log. 

I brought a pair of tall rubber boots with me a few times i went back to the pond, I wanted to use the waders in. 

I have gone out a little bit and I see how helpful they can be but also have seen how the soft bottom can cause you to sink fast.

Fortunately, I have been pretty careful and have not had any accidents while using them.

In fact using them gave me access to make a few casts which help me get a few chains that I would never had been able to cast to from shoreline.