Corpusfishing.com

Chris_Austin · Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 1:28 pm Post subject: first time wade fishing

I'll be down this weekend and my son and I intend to do some wade fishing.

We've gotten some pointers on some good locations (thanks!!). But I'm still new at the wade fishing thing. I'm sure it's not that complicated, but I've also done some reading and read about currents, drops and stingrays. Obviously, I want to ensure a fun and safe time for my 9yo son.

So, a couple of questions:

1. any pointers in terms of first time wading? I know to shuffle feet and such. We also will likely not be near areas likely to have currents and really, I don't know that we will be all that far out. I'll guess the deepest we will go will be ~2.5'

2. regarding caught fish. Do you just leave them on the stringer swimming around you? Any concern other fish will want to come by and eat them?? I don't know what that might be, but I'd prefer to not be confused with another fish's eye on dinner!

3. we will be using spin cast rods / reels with 30# braid and then 20# mono leader. Probably do both some bottom fishing as well as popper corks with bait (live/dead shrimp, cut bait, cut squid).

Is there anything else you would recommend for first time wade fishing noobies?

Thanks for the suggestions, this forum has been a great source of information for us land-locked guys!

bmfdop · Horse Mullet Joined: 22 Jan 2011 Posts: 125 Location: CC

Never stomp around, shuffle.
Keep the fish on a stringer. Probability is not very high anything will come after it, but you can use a long stringer if your worried about something with teeth stopping by.
Use something small to carry extra tackle, rigs, lures, etc, in case you get broken off. This way you don't have to wade back to your launching spot. We can get bored with the same lure or rig after a while, so this can make it easier to change up.
Grab some fishbites. Cut the strips before you launch. Last longer than dead bait, and work just as well if not better.
Just some suggestions.
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ROBDOG · Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 2:15 pm Post subject:

Polarized shades and carry some water. I have cut a few nice wades short because I forgot a bottle of water.

workinbird · Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 2:16 pm Post subject:

2X on the "sting ray" shuffle

Chris_Austin · Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 2:44 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the replies!

My son's been practicing the shuffle this week. Pretty funny, really. Of course, he has to remember when we are in the water.

I got a couple of water shoes from academy. Pretty basic stuff. Will these be OK? (note: I also got us some waders from Cabellas, but thinking these might be too warm for the water temps right now).

I'm learning about the fishbaits. Will get those when in Corpus (seemingly at HEB...).

I grabbed some 2/0 hooks. Are these the right size? We've used smaller hooks in the past (size 4 and 1). Does this make sense?

Sorry. It seems all I do here is ask questions. Over time, I hope to contribute something back to the group. Right now, I'm pretty green and just trying to get us on some fish! (safely!)

thanks again.

bmfdop · Horse Mullet Joined: 22 Jan 2011 Posts: 125 Location: CC

2/0 hooks will work, but I prefer 3 and 4/0 kahle or circle. Just a confidence thing.
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Fortune favors the brave...

justimm · Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 6:02 pm Post subject:

since you are gonna be wading in unfamiliar water, i would suggest treading lighly. There are some spots i wade that are very spotty when it comes to some deep mud. You dont wanna be walking and put your foot heavily on a soft-mud hole. And places like nueces bay has alot of under ground piping that was cut off and and have since filled with silt from the river and back bay which is just like stepping in quick sand if you step in it, so just be careful about awhere you throw your weight around.
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MakoJJ · Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 8:12 pm Post subject:

FishLady · Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 11:14 pm Post subject:

I agree about using a #3 circle hook and I also like the #4 kahle or wide gap. I've had #2's straightened out by slot reds.
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FishLady

john's addicted · Horse Mullet Joined: 15 Feb 2011 Posts: 171

Maybe try a #8 or #10 treble hook, if you plan on keeping most of your catch. I know it might seem small, but a #10 is all I use when I'm live shrimp fishing.
Good luck and have fun...
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1.2.3,4,5. once i caught a fish alive.
6.7.8,9,10. so i let him go again.

Hoggeman · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 6:31 pm Post subject:

Download Navigant on your phone look for under water sand bars or reefs. Fish run the edges in two feet of water when the tide is moving. Stand in 4 feet and cast towards the structure with a croaker. Use live bait you will catch more. Do not worry about rays you will be fine. It is good to bring a floating ice chest and anchor it close to where you are fishing if you are going to be in the water all day. Hook outs, mark your pole with fish size limits, small net & bait bucket.
Good luck
Hoggeman
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Texican · Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 10:59 pm Post subject:

Hope I'm not too late adding this bit of advice:
If you use a stringer, even if it is a long one... DO NOT tie it to yourself with a hard knot. If something should come a long and grab it, you could wind up being taken for a drag. Use a slipknot if you must; one pull and you're free.
Better yet, most of the higher quality wading belts come with a 15'+ stringer and the pin will fit snuggly into a small pocket on the belt. If some toothy critter decides to make what is yours his, the pin will easily pull out of the pocket.
Hope this helps. Now go get 'em!
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pinsfish · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 8:00 pm Post subject:

Make sure that you laugh a lot. Will let your son know fishing isn't all about catching. look around, see and teach him of the beauty around you and he will be HOOKED for good. Got to love to experience things with his dad. Have a wonderful experience with him.
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