Bass-Addict

Crap never considered that. You know a brand that does for sure?

Awesome, can’t wait! So many great spots to access with wading that I previously couldn’t.

Right I guess what I’m asking is if these come with the neoprene booties?

I just ordered these, they were the only breathable stocking foot waders I could find in my size. I don’t see neoprene booties in the pics or description, do I have to buy my own? Where do I get them, and how do I know they will seal with the waders to keep water out? Thanks! https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Lightning-Breathable-Insulated-Stocking/dp/B08RDRQDL9

Ah yeah I guess that makes sense, less surface area and their effect is useless on an impenetrable substance.

Yeah what about cleats?

My heel is healed but my other foot is somewhat sore from compensating. I am able to comfortably walk a fair amount in these shoes. Is wading a bad idea even if I’m healed?

Thanks everyone for all of your help and patience here, this is now a lifelong passion for me! I’m still shaking from these fish, enormous. I started fishing the Great Miami, the larger of the two main smallmouth fisheries in my town and it’s more of a river than a creek and so naturally the fish get much bigger in a lake environment. Tight lines!

I was always told the direct heat of the dryer is bad for them. What about stuffing them with paper towels and setting them outside overnight, is that leaving them wet too long and is quick drying with direct heat better for them?

Lol no I meant drying them, the felt is out

Cool, how would you suggest properly doing this?

But the shoes will still last at least the season right? That’s all I need them for.

I am recovering from a bad foot injury and am sort of stuck wearing these max cushion gym shoes. I’ve tried regular runners but my feet hurt after not very long. I am looking to get into wading and would like to use the shoes that I’m comfortable in. How would I go about doing this, and would wearing them in the water destroy the shoes quickly?

Interesting, is this because you think they are difficult to locate in rivers/creeks in the spring or just that they are not that active and more finicky?

When you say rivers do you mean large rivers like the Ohio or Mississippi or does that include creeks as well?

Bingo, best answer. I think people generally assume everyone fishes lakes/ponds. I’m not sure why this is, people are lazy? Nothing compares to a wild scenic river. No doubt, same. It’s basic biology, warmer the water higher their metabolism. Also far easier to locate them as they’re almost exclusively in current when the heat saps the oxygen out of the slack water.

So you think you catch significantly more fish in spring than summer?

I’ve heard for years now that spring is just straight fire, but that is not what I am currently experiencing. I had some luck in late March but since then just a few here and there. While it’s possible I’m just not making the right presentation I tend to doubt it’s quite as exciting as I’ve been led to believe without some intimate knowledge of spawning habits and the ecosystem you are fishing. I catch a dozen fish every trip during the summer months, but the water temp has been jumping all over and with erratic rain storms it’s hard to believe there is any kind of consistent bite this early in the year. Wouldn’t it make sense that as the water warms up they feed more as it increases their metabolism? Is Spring really better than summer?

What?

I fish a hole at the end of a current on a creek I float all season long and during the summer I regularly catch at least 3-4 there. I started early this year after learning that bass started hitting as early as March. The water was high and fast but the water temperature was 54 degrees so I hit it up. Caught a real nice 16” smallie that I assume is the same big one I usually catch there. Went back a couple days later with similar conditions and caught him again. Ever since then nothing, I’ve been back to that same spot maybe 4-5 times and dead. The water level and temp has fluctuated but I’ve always made sure it was at least that low and warm before trekking all the way out there. What do you suppose happened, was this a wintering bass that, with the unusual weather patterns came out when it warmed up mistakenly thinking it was later in the year than it was to spawn and went back into his hole? Where do you suppose the rest of them are, is it simply still too early to find many of them in the current?

Interesting, even in 50-60 degree overcast air temps and 50 degree water??

What do you mean not great? I don’t plan on using them in the summer

I got the Cabellas neoprene boot foot and the boots were really uncomfortable. Gonna try these neoprene stocking foot Frog Toggs, what kind of shoes/boots would be most comfortable for someone with a recovering heel injury? I have silicon heel cups but I need something with a thick sole for support. Are these Frog Toggs any good? Frog Toggs I may still additionally get some breathable waders for the dead of summer but right now I feel like the water is just too cold (50-55) for anything but neoprene, am I wrong?

This discussion reminds me that the smallmouth is the smarter, better looking cousin of the largemouth

Really? I’ve always thought they liked those big rock walls descending down into the water with basketball sized square rocks.