Hey all,

I’ve made my first few forays into the saltwater world now with only this lil hard head to show for it! I’ve had a friend be so kind as to show me the ropes but we just had an unlucky day We did notice that there was a LOT of wade fisherman and lots of shallow areas to fish. I ordered a pair of waders and will be headed out to Cold Pass/the surfside area this Friday to wade fish for my first time! Since it’s my first time, I’d feel a bit safer if I could fish within sight of one or two more experienced wade fisherman, so I was wondering if any of y’all fine folk were thinking of heading down to wade fish this coming Friday June 19th? I was planning on fishing the sunrise and maybe head over to the surf/jetty afterwards. Please comment or send me a DM if you’re down to accompany me! Or just leave me any fun stories or helpful advice!

Waders in June? Bad idea, you're going to get really hot. Long pants and wading boots are fine.

Thanks for the tip... I’ll just bring along some old jeans I don’t mind getting wet!

Not jeans. Nothing cotton. For wading, you want all of your clothing to be synthetic material. The Academy link below is about the most cost effective pants I have found. By the time you walk back to your car these will be pretty much dry. I'd also recommend a long sleeve shirt. Either a hooded shirt or a brimmed hat with a buff.

Magellan Fishing Pants

Another must have for wading is spandex underwear. Chafing is something you only have to endure once and you will never forget it. Use either biking pants or sports underwear that is 100% spandex material, 0% cotton. Under Armor and Adidas both make some.

Just carry some gold bond powder it will be okay

Haha didn’t even consider that... I’ll def take yalls wisdom into account

Jeans are ok. Wet skivvies are ok. Be sure and wear lace up shoes, poot mud will suck anything else but wading boots off.
Hope you catch some then think about your equipment.

And by all means always shuffle your feet. Rays are always around and if one sticks you there will be a level of pain you can’t imagine. Also I soak everyone down in peroxide after a wade, there are bugs out there.

Yes sir, I’ll make sure to shuffle my feet! Thanks for all the warnings.

Not trying to scare anyone, and wading a spot is by far the most effective way to fish. I've waded my entire life, and bumped away countless rays, enough to make you pay attention.

Then...three years ago, stepping off my scooter in 8" of water, yep stepped right on top of one, thank goodness he hit the top of my boots and all I got was a souvenir, but another inch and it would have been a trip to the hospital.

You haven't lived until you gig one when on a cold night in December.

Dear Lord... my feet ain’t leaving the ground when I’m in the water haha... shuffling all the way

Best thing is get used to wade fishing then figure out what you need. Jeans are ok but can chafe in a hurry. Gold Bond won't help much once this happens. Back in the day I used to wear a pair of bicycle shorts under my shorts or fishing pants and that helped (if chafing is an issue).

I know it's been discussed at length but shuffle those feet and don't lose focus on this. It's easy to shuffle them at first. It's when you see a school of fish and you're trying to hotfoot it to them, or when you're tired after wading for several hours or just thinking about other things when you forget to shuffle and that's usually when someone gets hit. I have half dozen friends and we've been wade fishing for 25 years. Most have been hit. Don't lose focus on the shuffle.

A lot of great advice here! Let us know how you do!

And...
Life is too short to wade in poot mud.

Didn’t end up going last time long story short I’m an idiot and lost my my wallet with my fishing license and drivers license so... gonna have my make up trip this Monday tho! Took a day off from work and ready to hit the flats!

I know people say less is more in terms of wade fishing, nobody is trying to lug their entire tackle collection out there... but for me without much confidence built up yet I don’t quite feel comfortable only taking the bare bones options.

Thinking of heading out there with some live shrimp on a popping cork, a bone spook, a gold spoon, a few 1/8 heads and few paddle tails?

My question for the experienced folks 1) how much leader should I use for the popping cork since the marshes are pretty shallow? 2) thoughts and comments on my gear and tackle I plan on bringing? Any additional suggestions? 3) I hear you drift fish an area and wade fish a spot, on my adventure to find my own spot, what should I be on the lookout for?

Thanks guys! Will definitely post an update this time since I’ll finally be able to go out! Even if I get skunked...