Does wading scare bass away?

[unhooked]

In the lake I fish the entire coastline is consists 10-20ft of extremely dense reed growth between land and water, and its impossible to cast on the bank because the reeds are too tall and the line rubs across them. I ended up having to wade in 2-3ft deep water to be able to cast at least at a 60 degree angle, however no matter how much I cast near me or along the reed line I never get any bites, be it with tubes, senkos, spinners, jigs.  The only times Ive caught bass in that lake is when I cast across a cove to near the other side and when I cast in the middle of the lake. Does this have something to do with bass hearing my steps in the water and either running away or not biting? Do you have any tips for stealthy wading? 

[Mobasser]

I started another thread called Summer Wading in the General.Fishing form. Read through this thread. Lots of guys wade fish for bass, and are very successful doing so.

[jimmyjoe]

   Thirty years ago I waded for bass (and other specie). The key was STAND STILL. I remember many times fish came up to use my shadow for respite. To them, I was just a funny-looking tree.  And yes, I was still casting, and successfully, but the legs didn't move.      jj

[The Bassman]

I've caught creek smallmouth by casting where I just walked.

[Fallser]

I've fished a similar lake in South Jersey.  There's a beach area, but the rest of the lake either has high reeds or brush and trees to the water line.  The only way to fish it is wade around the edges.  Now I'm fly fishing, so I making 30 to 40 foot casts.  In the reed area, I start 10 to 15 feet from the edge of reeds, it can be anywhere from calf to waist deep water.   I pretty much do what jimmyjoe does at least in terms of how I wade.   I make 10 to 15 casts from my starting spot, starting at the edge of the reeds and in an arc out from the reeds.  I know it's time to move on when my back cast starts catching the reeds.  I'll move 15-20 feet ahead stop, and repeat the process.  I'm fishing mostly top water bugs, but will use streamers, bait fish patterns or the fly fisherman's version of a swim jig.  I'd fish it the same way if I was using spinning tackle.  Now I haven't had bass follow me in the lake, but the sunfish do because I'm kicking up food for them when I'm moving.  I've certainly have had bass or chain pickerel blow up the sunfish behind me.

[RoLo]

 

In and of itself, 'wading' isn't likely to frighten bass, in fact, dislodging bottom sediment and food 

is likely to trigger feeding. In saltwater, propwash is commonly & strategically used to attract predatory fish.

 

Roger

[Bluebasser86]

I've waded for bass a lot. The initial disturbance often scares them away, but if you get positioned and then stay still, they'll come back quickly to investigate and those fish that do are often catchable.

[papajoe222]

Early in his career, Roland Martin would frequently wade through weedy areas casting a Johnson Silver Minnow with a pork trailer. 
The situation the OP is faced with isn’t one that wading will solve, IMO, as the reeds appear to be the only form of cover available in that portion of the lake. Casting into the reeds rather than away from them, would be a better option. If possible, wading out to the edge of the reeds and casting parallel to them is an option.

 

[soflabasser]

I have wade fished for bass in many states and have done well. What helped me was being as quiet as possible and moving slowly while casting lures in areas the bass where waiting.

[Born 2 fish]

I don’t think so I wade in the lake by my house. And once you get to the area you’re wanting to fish just be still. I’ve caught fish 5 feet away from myself before.

[bigbassin']

Most of my bass wading has been in rivers so there are a few more environmental factors going on to mask you vs in a lake, but in my experience the fish were not spooked by my presence.

 

On one occasion I stepped in a hole, backed out of it by 10 yards or so and caught fish back to back on a whopper plopper.

 

My River pb (5lb 6oz) came after I walked through in area, turned around and pitched right back to my mud trail. Fish hit about two rod’s length away from me.

 

Had one hole (about 10’ deep with the surrounding bottom at 3’) that was under so much brush you had to walk up under the trees, casting wasn’t an option. Me and a buddy would just dip our jigs in like cane poles and frequently double up.

[Glaucus]

It's funny reading threads like this and realizing just how little we actually know and how contradictory we are. Fishing from the bank we are told that if we can see the fish, they can see us and won't bite and to stand as far back as possible. With wading the consensus is that our presence does not scare the fish. 

[Black Hawk Basser]

16 hours ago, Glaucus said:

It's funny reading threads like this and realizing just how little we actually know and how contradictory we are. Fishing from the bank we are told that if we can see the fish, they can see us and won't bite and to stand as far back as possible. With wading the consensus is that our presence does not scare the fish. 

Good point.

[Mbirdsley]

No It does not as long as you arnt crashing through the water like a grizzly bear.  If you do spook one while wading usually just standing still will bring them back.  I’ve been putting in docks before while in the water and they will some times just hang out with you while.  It’s kinda a “ what are doing I want to see too”” curiosity. 

[Hillbilly Bennett]

On 6/27/2020 at 4:41 PM, jimmyjoe said:

   Thirty years ago I waded for bass (and other specie). The key was STAND STILL. I remember many times fish came up to use my shadow for respite. To them, I was just a funny-looking tree.  And yes, I was still casting, and successfully, but the legs didn't move.      jj

I remember wade fishing a very large river with 2 of my friends. We were standing about 15 yards apart and we caught over 2 dozen fish by casting near each other’s legs. We were standing perfectly still on a shoal at the front of a deep hole of water and the smallmouth were using our legs as shade and/or current breaks. One of the craziest fishing experiences I’ve been part of. The key was to not move and make an accurate cast as to not hit your buddy with your lure. 

[Tywithay]

I've caught bass and crappie jigging vertically while wading. So, no more than 7 feet in front of me. When they're holding tight to structure, they don't move much. They'd probably spook if they're in open water and you walk towards them. I remember reading an article about trout fishing many years ago and the guy said he at times would take half an hour just to wade to a spot without making ripples, because they'd spook. I can't imagine.