What Tackle Do You Carry When Wading? 2024
Drew03cmc reply :
I want to know, what rod/reel, tackle bag, lure selection, etc. I'm looking at upgrading a few things and new food for thought. Thanks!
scaleface reply :
I wear a vest and stuff the pockets with plano boxes. I have weights , hooks , jig heads small spinnerbaits , small buzzbaits . They have to be able to fit in the little boxes. A couple of cranks , topwaters and a whole bunch of different soft plastics ithat I stuff in a large back pocket. I take 1 baitcast combo.
HoosierHawgs reply :
1 6' medium spinning setup w/6# line, 1 wacky hook, bag of worms
Drew03cmc reply :
Interesting, I am currently using a 5.5' casting combo with 10l lb CX Premium. I use shallow cranks, jigeads to 1/4oz, plastics, 3/16oz spinnerbaits and one 1/8oz buzzbait and a zip n ziggy. This handles what I routinely do with aplomb. The rod is a 5'6" M from Academy.
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
I carry a 6'8" Fenwick River Runner light power rod with either a Shimano Symetre 1000 and 5lb Power pro or a Daiwa Procyon 2000 and 6lb Fireline. I generally bring a small Plano box with a couple small topwater poppers and some small crankbaits that imitate crawfish, frogs, insects and bait fish. I also really like using inline spinners, so I bring a wide variety of spinners from #00 or #0 to #2. Some small (1/32-1/8) bucktail jigs and jigheads with small crawfish and insect imitating plastics round off what I bring.
Snakehead Whisperer reply :
I usually use my ML-XF 6'6" rod with 1000 size reel if I only bring one rod. The rod's a St. Croix Premier with a Shimano Saros FA reel. Reel is usually spooled with 10lb Power Pro yellow and 6lb Seaguar Red leader. This combo is sensitive, lightweight, and I have landed fish up to 45lbs on it (big blue cat.)
Baits I bring are 1/O dropshot hooks and some 1/16oz. weights and a 4" soft plastic of some sort, 1/8oz hair jigs, 3 or 4" grubs, Bitsy Bug jigs with Paca Craws, and some small buzzbaits and poppers.
The tackle bag I use is an older BPS Freestyle. It holds 2 3600 boxes, 2 spools of line, pliers, boga grips, and a dozen bags of soft plastics with ease. I use a carabiner to attach my canteen to it.
Further North reply :
Rod depands on where I'm fishing, and what I think is going to work...most often a 6'8" St. Croix Legend Extreme if I'm throwing gear, or a 9 ft. St. Croix Bank Robber 7 wt. if I'm throwing flies. That fly rod may go up or down a weight depending on conditions.
I use a sling pack for carrying my "stuff". Lots of companies make them now, but when I started, using one, Orvis had the only one I liked. I've since updated it twice and use the original one for trout (it's kind of small) and usually use this one: 
...or this one:
...yeah...they're Orvis...but they work, are reasonably priced and they carry a lot of stuff without having to deal with how weight hangs in a vest. they ride high and centered on my back where the weight is well distributed and I can get to all my "stuff" fast.
If I'm throwing gear, I carry it in small Plano boxes that fit well in the packs, if I'm throwing flies, I swap out the Plano boxes for the fly gear ones.
Steveo-1969 reply :
For spinning I use a 6'10" MLXF with 10# braid and 8# FC leader. Baitcasting is a 7'5" MHXF with 12# FC (would use a M power if I had one). I carry my stuff in a small over-the-shoulder tackle bag. My favorite baits to throw are SK Bitsy Bug jigs in 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4 ounce (Baby Rage Craw trailer). Various t-rigged plastics with 1/16 or 1/8 ounce bullet weight and 2/0 or 3/0 Gamakatsu skip gap hook. Plastics include SK Baby Rage Craw, YUM 3" Mighty Bug (not made in that size anymore), 4" YUM Dinger, SK Cut-R worm, 4" Powerbait ribbon-tail worm. Also fish 1/8 ounce jig heads with 3" and 4" Gulp grubs and Gulp minnows.
*Hank reply :
A backpack with some plano 3700 boxes and a medium action spinning rod with a 2500 shimano reel.
Hogsticker reply :
Don't forget the Jackall flick shake worms, 1/8 Oz swarming hornets, and 2-3" Keitech easy shiners / swing impacts!!
Preytorien reply :
I use the little bag that came with an old subscription to BassMaster.....fits a couple Plano 3600 size boxes real well. I use a 6'8" Shimano Compre with a Stradic FJ reel.....10lb Sufix 832 braid with a 6ft flouro leader
k3bass reply :
The rod and reel depends on the conditions. If the water is muddy I'll use a casting rod because I'm most likely going to be fishing spinnerbaits, jigs, and crankbaits. I use a spinning rod most other times. I have 2 spinning set ups for wading. A 7' medium avid with a Diawa ss1300 and 15 pound power pro (No leader!). My other is a 7'6" medium light avid with 8lb power pro that I mainly use for fishing cold water with small jigs.
I use an orvis sling pack filed with way more stuff than I need at any given time. Numerous pairs and brands of waders that all leak.
k3bass reply :
On 7/9/2015 at 10:52 PM, Preytorien said:I use the little bag that came with an old subscription to BassMaster.....fits a couple Plano 3600 size boxes real well. I use a 6'8" Shimano Compre with a Stradic FJ reel.....10lb Sufix 832 braid with a 6ft flouro leader
Yes! I used those bags for years, but now I can't find anymore of them. They are the PERFECT size! I always replaced the strap with a better one, but the bags would wear out in a year. I think I went through 3 or 4 of those bass master bags before I bought my orvis sling pack, still prefer those bags. I don't know why someone doesn't make a decent non fly fishing comfortable tackle bag for wading.
Preytorien reply :
On 7/9/2015 at 11:11 PM, k3bass said:Yes! I used those bags for years, but now I can't find anymore of them. They are the PERFECT size! I always replaced the strap with a better one, but the bags would wear out in a year. I think I went through 3 or 4 of those bass master bags before I bought my orvis sling pack, still prefer those bags. I don't know why someone doesn't make a decent non fly fishing comfortable tackle bag for wading.
I agree, and the Orvis models are pretty expensive. I love the BM bag, does the job well and I don't have to worry about tearing up an expensive bag in the process
CeeJay reply :
I've only recently began wading, only shallow so far (wading boots).
I use a 6' Shimano spinning rod w/Synergy Supreme reel with 2 spools. One has 4# mono and the other 6#.
I keep my tackle in a backpack along with some water and a snack I plan to get a new vest though, my old one has somehow shrunk over the years 
A simple selection of lures. A couple each of: SK 1/8oz spinnerbaits, 1/8oz SK Bitsy Bug jigs, 3" Senkos, Berkley Power grubs w/ball jigs, and inline spinners up to 1/8oz. A Creme worm or two and a very small selection of hooks and weights rounds out my Smallie gear.
Oh and usually a topwater such as a Rebel CrickPopper.
It sounds like more than it is and they all fit into a plano tray stashed in my backpack.
Further North reply :
On 7/9/2015 at 11:06 PM, k3bass said:I use an orvis sling pack filed with way more stuff than I need at any given time. Numerous pairs and brands of waders that all leak.
I'm glad I'm not the only one.
Sling packs are slick, especially when you need to re-rig mid river. Pull it around, open it up and you've not only got what you need, but a place to work too.
Further North reply :
On 7/10/2015 at 2:23 AM, Preytorien said:I agree, and the Orvis models are pretty expensive.
The most I've paid for one is $89...not much in the overall pile of fishing receipts.
k3bass reply :
On 7/10/2015 at 8:03 AM, Further North said:I'm glad I'm not the only one.
Sling packs are slick, especially when you need to re-rig mid river. Pull it around, open it up and you've not only got what you need, but a place to work too.
I have mixed feelings about mine. It has a good amount of storage, but it's not the most comfortable pack I've used. One thing I will say is that is is very high quality! The zippers easily open with one hand which I really like. I bought mine used cheap but I wouldn't feel bad about paying full price for one. It will last many years.
Further North reply :
On 7/11/2015 at 2:12 AM, k3bass said:I have mixed feelings about mine. It has a good amount of storage, but it's not the most comfortable pack I've used. One thing I will say is that is is very high quality! The zippers easily open with one hand which I really like. I bought mine used cheap but I wouldn't feel bad about paying full price for one. It will last many years.
I struggled with them being comfortable also - it took a lot of adjustment of that smaller strap for me to get it dialed in.
danno054 reply :
7ft medium heavy fast BPS rod. A quantum kvd team reel in 7.1:1.
I carry a small molle bag that has a single strap. It was a gift and totally looks like a man purse. But it's small and doesn't get in the way. I can keep 8 bags of plastics, scissors, pliers, line for leaders, phone, keys, and wallets in it. This is the bag. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005DTL4IU/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_rKcOvbRKZWKJ1
I carry a normal size plastic box on a carabiner on a belt loops. With a good assortment of jigs, hooks and weights. I'll usually carry 2 packs of baby rage craws, 2 packs of menace grubs, 1 pack of rage craws, and 2 packs of reaction innovation smallie beaver.
Seems like a lot but it carries really well. Wading is the main way I fish.
k3bass reply :
On 7/11/2015 at 3:03 AM, Further North said:I struggled with them being comfortable also - it took a lot of adjustment of that smaller strap for me to get it dialed in.
I think my biggest problem with it is that I have to wear it over my left shoulder and it's backwards. I can't stand it on my right shoulder. Orvis should make a left and right version.
Further North reply :
I'll have to check mine, but I thought they could go over either shoulder?
Drew03cmc reply :
I want to find a decent sling pack for a good price.
Turkey sandwich reply :
Sling packs or backpacks can be clutch.
A decent 7' MF or 7' MLF Rod will cover most of what you'll be throwing on the river for smallies.
I like a backpack if I need to carry lots of gear, but if I know the patterns I'll be fishing, something smaller like a shoulder bag or sling work.
Lures I tend to not leave home without: 2.5-4" grubs in the standard colors, 3-4" tubes in the standard colors, a few spinnerbaits in natural (Willow) and dark colors (Colorado), crank baits that'll run up to 6"-1' deeper than the water I'm fishing in natural colors, Skitterpops, spooks, extra jig heads (1/16th-1/4 oz), rattles, and extra leader line if I'm spooled with braid.
The extras: scissors, nail clippers, super glue, tape measure, forceps/pliers.
Kentuckysteve reply :
I use a 4'6" shimano ultra light rod with a quantum optix 10 reel 6# flourocarbon line.I usually carry a cheap walmart bag with roostertails,mepps and other inline spinners,small floats and some small hair jigs i make myself.It may not catch the monsters (have not caught one on it yet to see)but it sure is fun to catch the small mouth and bluegills on.I am mostly looking to have a fun day and this does it for me.
Fly fishing i carry a 5wt rod and reel and usually a couple boxes of wooly buggers,copperjohns,prince nymphs,several different topwater flies i make with foam and feathers.These fit in small fly boxes in my pockets.
bowhunter63 reply :
A shoulder bag with Rage craws ,baby rage craws.A few rapalas floaters and chuggers spinnerbaits Tubes and grubs.I always rig my craws on a rage rig.Been using a few swimjigs this year with a caffeine swim shad trailer.my bag is the free one bassmaster gave out.A few plano boxes in it. A 7ft medium lews spinning rod with a lews reel with 8 lb trylene mono.
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Fun4Me reply :
Right now, I'm carrying a 6'10" ethos on a pflueger president with 20# power pro braid. I use a Camelbak Mule which holds a Plano 3600 waterproof stowaway box perfectly in one easily accessible outside pocket. I carry a few bags of plastics in another pocket, plus odds and ends ( pliers, poncho, first aid kit, etc ). I will fill the bladder with whatever beverage I feel like taking with me (usually water) and head out.
My tackle box consists of mostly top water stuff, jigs, worms, flukes, couple of cranks, and some terminal tackle. Seems to work well for me, but I'm always looking to streamline it.
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