What to bring with you: As little as possible.

Essentials
Small wading box... it can be over the shoulder (which I prefer) or it can be waste belt with a box. Make it a small box, with only the essential lures you want to use for that wade.

Stringer... I think the best comments I've heard are from the StinkPants stringers..others can post up what they like.

Boots... just starting out you can where what ever for the first season or so. Scuba booties, canvas wading shoes, hi top sneakers...etc. But I highly highly recommend getting a pair of SIMMS neoprene guard socks. They are thick neoprene and will keep the tiny shell fragments from getting into your shoes and rubbing your feet raw or pricking your skin making you vulnerable to vibrio. Later on, save your money and get a pair of Simms wading boots.. may seem pricey up front, in the end mine have lasted over 10 years and have been less expensive than canvas wading shoes.

I've been with a few guides and they'll minimize it even further and just hang 3 or 4 lures on their stringer float. 1 spook junior, a spoon, a jig head with a couple plastics in a baggy in your shirt pocket, and maybe something weedless as well..

Simplify as much as possible.

I don't wear stingray guards, but I know others do. Either way, with or without them you must shuffle your feet along the bottom. In the surf, jumping with each breaker, i'd think it might be a good thing to where them there.

 

Good advice above! I keep it simple also, rod/reel, small Magellan shoulder pack w/ a few different lures and an extra reel if it's a long wade, do-net and a pair of needle nose in the rod holder of my do-net.

 

Simms. I havent used them yet but got there zip up bootie and just walking around the house they are very comfortable. I had a pair of shimano boots before and these seem much better. I am tired of buying everlast boots ea year so i may get the actual simms flats boots later. For now the booties will work awesome in my kayak.

 

Lots of info can be found on the wade fishing forum:

http://2coolfishing.com/ttmbforum/forumdisplay.php?f=125

 

This time of year hydration is important, I freeze water bottles.

Remember cutterz/pliers. Net.

Sun protection, good shades and 4 comfort lures and plastic bodies.

 

Get a slick stringer of some sort or a donet. Net that floats with plastic coating so hooks don't get hung up on the net. The H2O Express pliers at Academy for $19.99 are perfect. The cutters will cut braid no problem and they won't corrode.
I use an everlast wade belt and a small over the shoulder box.
I wear Hodgeman neoprene boots that have a zipper, rubber sole, and come up over my ankles.

 

Wading belt for attachments. I carry pliers that have line cutter for braid, stringer (there are many out there, currently I am using the grind tt), i have my boga grips, and on an anticipated long wade I have a water bottle. Good Wading boots! Those neoprene ones will work but those oysters will get ya.....

As stated above simple is easier, I attach a spook or two on my stinger float with a couple jigheads and throw a few plastics/bag of plastics in my shirt pocket and I'm set.

I also have a wading net but I don't carry that as often. If I am going out with a group I'll attach the net so we can hand it off as we go.

 

Magellan black wading boots
Hookset wading belt
Stinky pants stringer
Foreverlast g2 net
" " pliers
TTF tackle pouch
Hanging koozie with bottle water
Grizzly fine cut natural
Rod and reel

go

 

All good suggestions. I stopped using a net 5 years ago and only use Boga (off brand) grip to land fish. Who still uses nets?

 

I use my hand but I'd like to get a boga eventually. Usually a buddy has a net close by for the big girls.

 

A lil note on the stringer, IMHO, get it as long as possible, depending on where your fishing, Having a dolphin, shark, or alligator come up to your stringer can happen, and you want it as far away as possible. Not an issue everywhere, but knowing your location for wading is important.

 

I had to go to a floating fish basket instead of a stringer because the dolphins were snagging them off the stringers all the time

 

The most important piece of equipment in my opinion is a pair of boots that are comfortable. I messed around with old shoes and various types of cheap boots till I finally broke down and bought a decent pair of wading boots. Best money I ever spent. A lot of times I wade with only a small pair of pliers, a stringer and a few lures and jigheads stuck in the float of my stringer. I like to wade light.

 

WaterProofPlano

I take a mid sized waterproof (blue Gasket) plano clear tackle tray , drill a hole near each hinge , insert a key ring loop and attach a a shoulder strap with swivels.
The box floats and is water tight. I like it. D

 

drill a hole

is water tight

Help me out here.

 

Here's what I bring along wading.
Belt-H2O wading belt-equipped with several small boxes that will hold plenty of lures for a long wade. The belt also gives you back support for long days on the water.

Pliers-aluminum pliers, they are several yrs old and they don't rust (imagine that)!

Boga grip-helps in landing a fish with hooks hanging everywhere. Weigh your trophy with. I clip mine on a d-ring and have a float attached.

Stringer-I use several different ones. I have some slick stringers (not sure of brand), they stay around your feet! I still have an old rope (which I prefer) stringer, it keeps the fish out from under my legs.

As far as jackets and waders, I bit the bullet and bought Simms G4. I have used a lot of jackets and waders over the years, won't use anything else!

Boots-I usually buy a pair of the zip up neoprene boots for wet wading and a pair for my waders. I don't wear ray guards or anything like that.

Hope this helps.

 

if you want the best boots get the simms rivertek BOA

 

I have Simms Flats sneakers and the Vapor boots. Both are great.


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Awesome information. Thanks to everyone for the tips and pointers. I've got a few purchases to make, and I know what direction I'm heading in.

 

Here is a pic of most of my setup. Net, pliers, belt, stringer, and box over shoulder. I did not mention the hat and buff because those are not really optional equipment, they are necessary just like the rod and reel.

 

foreverlast belt with a few lures and G2 pliers. Foreverlast net, or Boga style grip(off brand I think academy/CCA red handle one) works great. water bottle, stringer, Hodgeman neoprene zip up boots and either reg cotton socks or neoprene socks. rayguards also, not required just makes me feel better even while I shuffle. I also wear long sleeves with a hat and a face buff or something. Water is just like snow, it reflects, even if you don't feel it right away, you will later. As most have said, minimize the stuff, it just gets in the way of your feet and will inevitably get tangled when you have that giant red on the line. Just wash everything real good after each trip. I have also found putting a little cooking oil on the zippers of the boots helps keep them working longer.

 

I have the CCA wade belt and stick my net into the back of it. It keeps it out of the water or being drug, plus adds back support.

 

I agree with troutsupport keep it simple as possible.

I carry a pair of pliers that also cut braid and those are on a 6 ft line of monofilament that I use to carry around my neck.

I keep a small box of various lures that I stuff in my waders on my chest

Fishing pole

waders

That is it and is really all you need except of course your stingrays guards which I do not go in the water unless they are on!

As far as a stringer I dont like them. Catch and release is what I do when I am not working.

 

I am pretty broke so here is what I use when wading.

$1 "dollar tree" brand pliers (they will rust eventually...but $1)

$3 shrimp / bait bag (THE XL SIZE). I don't like the big plastic buckets, the flap makes too much noise and they're too heavy IMO. The shrimp like this mesh bag because they can hold on, don't have to swim all the time. I put this on the end of the stringer near the float (see below)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/40092247381...2473814?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=670466274932&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

$7 "fish lip grabber" not boga brand but works great and hasn't rusted
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301576538548?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

$6 stainless steel stringer
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331184627036?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

$13 wade belt, convenient for the D rings to clip / hang everything, has little bit of cushioning on the back...i don't need a full back brace (YET lol)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301641365746?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

$14 walkie talkies, works great for talking to the wife or whoever stays in the boat (also huge help at the ramp / boat barn / tight parking lots) HIGHLY RECOMMEND
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301650424387?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

$10 neck gaiter / buff. This thing works great, no sunburn
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sun-Protect...Protection-Sun-Mask-Headwear-for-Fishing-Fly-Fishing-Blue-Ribbon-/321760699527?

and

a rod holster, this is a MUST...best prices i've found are at academy, hard to find on ebay....

if you need to carry anything that must stay dry (idk first aid kit, extra clothes, cellphone / keys / wallet) These waterproof bags work great and the price is unbeatable
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Waterproof-...amping-Foldable-5L-/381041179797?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item58b7d2fc95

so, these are pretty much the best prices i've found comparing academy, bass pro, cabela, wal mart, tackle town, HEB superstore, and roys.

can't beat china prices.

 

I've waded all my life and I used to be a gear head about it, now I've gone to much more of a simple setup...its all about comfort.

Good pair of wading boots--i have a pair of foreverlast with the stingray protection around the foot, not the ray guard that goes up the shin...although just bought a pair of Simms wading boots, and cant wait to use them.

Stinky Pants stringer
Floating wading net
Pliers
Buff
Hat
Good Pair of polarized sunglasses
Sun Screen!
Water for long wades

I used to use a Wade-Aid wading belt but have since switched to just an old leather belt due to comfort. Much less weight. I keep any lures that I need on my float or in my shirt pocket.

Also a must is a measuring tape or markings on you rod

 

Also a must is a measuring tape or markings on you rod

great point, i forgot to add I keep some tailor's measuring tape in my pocket.

for boots,

you can't beat the simms rivertek (1 or 2) BOA lacing system boot.