When do you guys start wading?

[Buzzbaiter]

I was curious when you guys put on the swim trunks and start casting for smallies. I usually start the first week of June and fiddle with green fish until then. However, now that high school is over, I have nothing to do between now and fall. What’s the earliest you guys start wet wading?

[Bdnoble84]

Water temp is hitting 60 so i wont balk at alittle wet wading from this point on but closer to june when the water starts approaching 70 is when ill get serious bout it.

[flyfisher]

once water temps are near 60 i will wet wade if i choose not to take the kayak out.

[cheezyridr]

same

[Scott F]

I never wet wade no matter how warm the water gets. There is too much nasty bacteria in our rivers to take a chance. Also, while bushwhacking through the woods to get to and from my fishing spots, poison ivy, stinging insects and thorny bushes hurt on bare legs.

[Standard]

Only when I fall out of my kayak...

[fishwizzard]

I start wet waiting the second I can get waist deep in the water without emitting a high pitched shriek and running back to the car.  

[Blue Raider Bob]

Water here is still in the sixties. I will wait until after Memorial day.

[Kirtley Howe]

When I was 10 years old up until I hit my twenties, I used to wade in sneakers and blue jeans from as soon as the ice went out until the first hard freeze in the fall. I think something was seriously wrong with me.....

[Spankey]

I’m all about wade fishing the creek and the crick but in my waders with a decent wade shoe. When I was a lot younger we’d wind up doing all kind of spur of the moment stuff and go down and catch some trout and smallies during the summer. Great times. 

[TOXIC]

When I was serious into wading, I spent the bucks and bought a good pair of 3mm neoprene waders.  I waded the Shenandoah river with ice chunks bouncing off me.  It never completely froze up due to the flow.  Neoprene waders are also buoyant and will certainly help if you ever get swept.  I got boot foot and felt soled wading boots also.  Footing is important in fast moving water like in the Shenandoah, especially in cold water.

[Steveo-1969]

If the water level is safe I will wade year round. Waders when the water is cold. Shorts and tennis shoes when the water is warm.

[ATA]

Not for bass, I wade only for float tube and trout and starting this year I want to do it for beach fishing, Correction Ill do it for bass when I am float tubing.

[cvaicunas69]

Just went out and waded a bit today. Water is just hitting 60 degrees here in CT. Water levels in the river are still a bit high and moving to launch myself out into a serious locations, but truthfully, the water felt good with the 80 degree temps today.

[SnaggedAgain]

I've never paid attention to when I start wading each spring, I go when I can't take it anymore and need to get after some smallies. Just a two days ago was that time.......a bit cold at first this early but you usually get used to it. Makes a difference too if you have some nice spots to go where the water doesn't reach certain body parts ?

[dytmook]

I'd say around early April is when I would look to do it. Benefit of fishing smaller waters is I can use the wade to just get to spots and stay ankle deep so not too cold if the air is warm. 

[Dinger0306]

May is when I start. March-April is largemouth at the lakes then the remainder of the year until it gets too old is smallmouth in the creeks and rivers, 80% of the time wading.