Newbie stupid question alert. Is it stupid to wade fish in fresh water? I know there are some obvious hazzards including gators, and snakes. I mean as far as easily spooking fish. If you move slowly is it still a bad idea and will move any bass out of that area? I have a point in a lake by my house and was thinking of wading the shoreline. Just wondering what yall thought. Any advice on freshwater wading?

If you can't see the ground in front of you because the water's not clear enough, you can easily step off a ledge into a 20ft dropoff. I've read about people drowning in these cases.

Dang thats no good. I can see the ground. Its real grassy/mossy. The lake is a Y. I was talking about fishing the point which starts shallow. I would get naked before I would drowned. Trust me on that.

I wade fish fresh water all the time. In my experience as long as you are able to cast out pretty far away from yourself you won't spook the fish. I've waded even stained water and as long as you are confident in your swimming ability and not weighed down by a ton of gear you'll be ok. If you wear waders have the ones that snap off easily or have a knife handy. I have had snakes swim toward me, which isn't fun but that's the only thing that has ever "come at me" and they weren't trying to get me. I tripped over a sunken boat once, but nothing ever real serious.

I am not trying to do the conventional wade. Out into a bay or channel/cut. I am trying to just move off the shoreline a little and either cast back to it or maybe go knee deep and cast along the shoreline. Just trying to get a better angle.

I would say just be quiet as possible, be careful and it should work out for you.

Wading is a great way to stalk fish.


Here are some tips to stay safe.

If your in an area with a rough bottom, slide a foot forward, toe tap a bit as far as you can reach, back up a bit, test the bottom for support, then shift your weight and move forward. Doing this, if there is a ledge or hole or drop, you'll most likely know about it before it is to late.

Plus - always - and especially if conditions are slick, DONT lift your foot, slide it carefully forward, and seek out flat secure footing at the lowest lvel you can feel for. If you can't find secure footing you shouldn't move forward.

Also, Try to never lift a foot up so's to 'step up'. Picking your foot up high to step on a log or a boulder often means you'll only have to step/slide back down.


Also - when you do screw up and trip, ( especially in waders ) sit straight down quick, as your only gonna jack up your rod or wrist doing the inevitable face plant.
You'll also have a slightly better chance of keeping your head out of the water

You'll see.

One fun note,

Wade often enough, and you're eventually gonna lose your 'crooked shallow path' you took thru some deep water. (Think of this as a wading version of painting yourself into a corner.) I've done it, and my advice - start swimming - it's just like a dunking - only, you know about it first.

Anyway - good luck !