Bass-Addict

So in creeks that are 30-50 ft wide, you don’t need current?

Gravel? I thought square shaped rocks were the best.

So you would definitely recommend these over neoprene even for colder months?

Yeah but how do you keep rocks and gravel out of your boots?

What is a stocking foot wader, you just add your own boots? How do you keep water out??

So if I have good custom insoles already should those be fine or do they not offer much support? Is there a superior option like can you buy your own boots?

Well like I said when it’s warm I paddle and I can wet wade. The water is gonna be hanging in the 50s-60s for at least a couple more months, won’t I need insulation? Also, are boot foot better for someone fresh off a foot injury?

Do Cabelas run large? I have read this. I am a 10.5 but they only have 10 and 11 and they’re sold out online of 11.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-classic-series-ii-neoprene-boot-foot-waders-for-men-ladies-or-kids What about these, are they stocking foot waders? My dad fly fishes and said $87 was too inexpensive to get a pair with good boots. Is this true? I’ve got a healing foot injury so this is important to me, can I use inserts and do the soles have good support?

What about for the shoulder seasons, spring and fall when the water is too cold to wet wade and you need some insulation? Is the smallie bite too weak in those months to justify the time?

Yup exactly what I’ve noticed. All about the craws.

Rocky shorelines and rock walls seem to be the number one sign of smallmouth lurking. I have caught them in slow moving water in these areas, however I’ve cast into areas with current and minimal rocky structure/mostly mud and gotten nothing. it seems the ideal conditions are a combination of the two; a rocky shoreline descending into a deep hole at the end of a current break. But if I had to pick one of the two, I’d pick rocks. Is this accurate? I would think this is because rocks house all of their food sources, crawfish and baitfish.

How much do I have to spend? Can you recommend me some?

Good point. So summer I can prob pull off wet wading, shoulder seasons prob should get some waders.

Am I better off just not using waders and wearing a bathing suit and water shoes?

What brand do you recommend and how much would you spend?

Do I need to spend more or can I get a good pair for under $100? I’m completely new to wading and recently recovered from an injury that prevented me from walking so I’m excited to be back on my feet. Wading seems like a nice alternative to when I can’t get a full day of paddling in and just want to fish for an hour. I see a lot of people using Cabela’s, are those any good? What material do I want, is neoprene the best? I’d like to be able to use them from spring through late fall. Thanks!

d**n that is depressing, pretty sure I’ve been catching him for a while

Yeah it was back in that area, not sure it was quite in the throat I think it was one of the two white nodules above it. Is that enough to kill it? I got the hook out with little blood but like I said he looked stunned and sat motionless for several minutes.

What do you mean unless it’s on the throat?

I deep hooked a smallie tonight and it took me a few minutes to dislodge it. It wasn’t gut hooked, but deeper than usual. It was piercing this small white appendage, like a little uvula looking nub at the back of the throat. Not much blood at all, but when I put him back in the water it sat motionless, right side up, for a good 5-10 minutes. I’m pretty sure it swam off, I felt awful though. I really hope I didn’t kill it.

I have been dropping Gees minnow traps in small creeks around me but most of the chubs inside are pretty small. Would I be more likely to find some chunkers closer to the bigger rivers?

Man is that the only solution? I was hoping for something easy, like another clip of some sort.

Yeah I couldn’t believe how hard that 15” smallie hammered that 7” chub after blowing off my 3” shiners, they are pretty voracious.

What’s the biggest minnow you’ve been able to get a smallie to eat?