Ideal wading setup

[Fat-G]

Hey guys, I got to thinking about when I get the time to go wade fishing for some smallies in a nearby river, what the best setup for me would be. I was thinking that the rod would have to be at least 6'6", and at least a ML. The reel is obvioiusly going to be my 2500 Sahara

As for line, I was thinking of doing a braided line with a 2 or 4 lb mono diamter, with a 6 pound flouro leader.

In the lure category, I like little 3-3.5 inch tubes, Craw Papis, and little Bitsy bug jigs.

What are your setups for wading smallies? Also, what do you guys wear and how do you carry your lures? Waders?

[retiredbosn]

If the lures you are using weigh around 1/8, I would use a ML 6'8" rod, I just like that size you will loose nothing using a 6'6".  I would down size the reel to a light, one that holds no more than 125yds of 6lbs.  The 2500 reel IMO will be to big for the rod, and make it somewhat unbalanced.  As far as how I carried my lures I used a small plastic container that had dividers and opened on both ends, I used those webbed neck things that you see people carry their keys with or their employee ID's, I would either clip it to the wader suspenders or carry it around my neck.  I used neoprene waders in early spring and fall, during the summer I just wore shorts and soft soled sandles.  

[NewAngler]

I carry all my gear in a fly fishing vest. I use a 6'10" M/F rod and a small spinning reel.

[Dave T.]

If it were me, for the type of light lures you are using, I would go with a 6 1/2' to 7' MLXF rod. Essentially, a light "Senko" rod, or drop shot rod.  

The XF rod will allow you to cast the light lures further (nice if you are wading), and the added backbone will help set the hook better.

[RandySBreth]

If it's a small enough stream to wade,I'm usually using my 9' 6-weight fly rod, but I sometimes use a 7' med/light spinning rod for that, too. 4/10 Fireline Spooled on a 2500 size reel, and I use 8- or 10-pound test Fluoro leaders, depending on cover and lures. I carry everything in a fly vest whether I'm using fly gear or not, just easier than anything else I've tried.

Can't beat wading a nice stream for Smallies.

[GRiver]

I carry all my stuff in a one strap back pack that I can spin to the front to get my stuff then slid it around to my back. I use waders in the winter and shorts and water shoes in the summer. I have a 6'6" med with a bait caster I use mostly, but I do have an ultra light I use now and then.

[Wayne P.]

I like to carry more than one rod no matter what body of water I fish. When wading, I use a 8" tire tube with a basket on a tether to carry the extra rod/s and wear a vest for small tackle and use the basket for larger lures like cranks. 6' to 6'6" medium action rods

[Dan:]

nice Wayne! I never thought of that. How is the crate secured in the tube? And where did you find a crate that size?

I like a 7' M/XF rod for wading because I almost exclusively use soft plastics and that is the rod I prefer for those applications.

[Wayne P.]

Dan, air pressure holds the basket in place because the length of the basket is longer than the relaxed inside diameter of the tube. I think I bought the basket at Walmart or K-Mart. I use a small bungee cord to hold the rods to the basket. I just tie the white string (about 4') to my belt.

If your combos are balanced like I do mine, the rod tip/s do not touch the water. I usually carry 3 combos which is a lot less than the 20 or so I carry when using my boat.

Notice the lure on the spinning rig, a weedless wacky rigged Trick worm. The baitcaster has a crankbait and the other rod would be for some other presentation (probably a spinnerbait).

[Dan:]

Gotcha, I figured you put the crate inside and then blew the tire up around it. I might have to steal that one.

[GRiver]

I LIKE IT!!!!!