Wading at night

  • nhamm
    Inactive
    Robbinsdale
    Posts: 7348
    #1799584

    Any tips for not getting wet?

    Feeling my way through rocks, mini drops, logs etc is getting sketchy. Water is still dingy so can’t see much at all. Anyone use a ski pole for feel and balance?

    I’d venture out more but don’t feel comfortable. Honestly thinking of grabbing a senior walker, maybe modify it with a light fold down seat of some sort as well to help me balance on the way out, but also be able to sit down for a minute here and there while tying lures or taking off fish etc.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 60010
    #1799588

    I’m not sure what your targeting, but for trout I only went were I have walked in daylight.

    I inherited my dad’s collapsible walking stick and used it a couple of times. Not really for me.

    I do recall one launch were we entered the water. It was rocky and I stumbled during the day so I never went that way at night.

    A wading belt and PFD might be in order depending on the conditions. Waders filling up in cold, deep water is not something to screw around with!

    tornadochaser
    Posts: 756
    #1799634

    we do a ton of wader fishing for walleye both spring and fall here in SD. What I recommend is get to know the area you’ll be wading in the daylight. we always walk flooded road beds in the daylight; often one of us will carry a GPS to make a track, that way you can walk the edge of each shoulder, and know where the ditches are, and “find” any holes, washouts, stumps, branches, etc. with your feet as you poke and prod around learning the area. Also, I’ve taken fish marker buoys with me and marked large stumps, branches, boulders, and especially fences, so if I’m wading in the dark I can see the buoy in my headlamp and not shred my waders.

    404 ERROR
    MN
    Posts: 3918
    #1799671

    I don’t do much wader fishing, but I spend (what the FW calls) an unhealthy amount of time in waders all fall. Wader belt for sure and PFD if in any sort of current. Even if the water isn’t very deep, when waders fill with water it’s incredibly difficult to do anything, including standing up. If you ever feel in doubt, unbuckle the waders and take them off, it’s worth saving your life. Also use some sort of stick or support pole. I use a canoe paddle, as I always have one in my duck boat.

    I had what could have been a very serious accident about 2 years ago in the Mississippi backwaters. I was chasing a cripple in the cattails behind the blind. Ended up needing to cross a very skinny opening in the cattails and didn’t have my paddle. Assuming it couldn’t have been deep being it was only 5′ across and I was in ankle deep water, I went for it. I immediately sank into 7+ FOW. Dropped my gun and instantly unbuckled my waders to take them off. Crawled back onto shallow ground, gained my bearings and went back for the goods. Went diving for the waders, then the gun. Drained the standing water and put them back on. Walked back to the boat to change into dry clothes and we packed up and left…One lesson learned the HARD way.

    nhamm
    Inactive
    Robbinsdale
    Posts: 7348
    #1799672

    PDF is a good idea, now that it’s starting to get a little chilly out would act as a sweater vest.

    Have no idea what a wader belt is, I’ll Google it.

    Stick is a good idea just for depth purposes if nothing else seems like.

    First couple times out I would have my sweater over my straps doah . I have practiced taking those things off in a hurry, obviously under water is a different story.

    Thanks for the info fellas

    Steve Root
    South St. Paul, MN
    Posts: 5685
    #1799714

    I do a fair amount of wading, and I wouldn’t ever venture anywhere in the dark without a wading staff. I have a Springbrook collapsible staff, cost me about $30. The stick helps tremendously with keeping your balance and you can poke around in front of you to feel the obstacles. Wader belt is a given, walk in to push all the air out and then tighten the belt. You don’t want to float upside down. If you’re going in over your knees then a PFD is a great idea.

    S.R.

    Matt Moen
    South Minneapolis
    Posts: 4671
    #1799728

    @nhamm

    I like the portable seat idea. Use it to wade and then take it on the boat to handle #2.

    Two threads, one stone.

    Dave maze
    Isanti
    Posts: 1038
    #1799735

    Problem solved!

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    Matt Moen
    South Minneapolis
    Posts: 4671
    #1799743

    Nhamm on his way to the river….

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    1. FDE594B2-70FA-4882-8730-C00C5F6D1ACB.jpeg

    nhamm
    Inactive
    Robbinsdale
    Posts: 7348
    #1799756

    Why does that look like a viable option?

    AUTO_5
    Inactive
    Mendota Heights, MN
    Posts: 660
    #1799758

    Looks more like Pool2fool’s setup…

    404 ERROR
    MN
    Posts: 3918
    #1799783

    Anyone ever build a transom bracket for one? Bet it would troll down to 2mph or so with a 9.9hp…

    pool2fool
    Inactive
    St. Paul, MN
    Posts: 1709
    #1799801

    Looks more like Pool2fool’s setup…

    like to see you guys parallel park your rigs! devil

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    1. IMG_4684.jpg

    Tuma
    Inactive
    Farmington, MN
    Posts: 1403
    #1799821

    ike to see you guys parallel park your rigs!

    I have parallel parked my boat more times than I want to brag about. It’s all about the approach and how you line yourself up. Once you figure out the angles of your setup it’s not bad, just repeat.
    The water is starting to cool off out there Nick. Be safe, take a partner, and let people know where and when you will be out.

    pool2fool
    Inactive
    St. Paul, MN
    Posts: 1709
    #1799915

    <div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>pool2fool wrote:</div>
    ike to see you guys parallel park your rigs!

    I have parallel parked my boat more times than I want to brag about. It’s all about the approach and how you line yourself up. Once you figure out the angles of your setup it’s not bad, just repeat.
    The water is starting to cool off out there Nick. Be safe, take a partner, and let people know where and when you will be out.

    Oh I believe you have the skills. Was more referring to finding adequate space as it’s tough enough to find one spot here!

    nhamm
    Inactive
    Robbinsdale
    Posts: 7348
    #1799917

    The water is starting to cool off out there Nick. Be safe, take a partner, and let people know where and when you will be out.

    Nice try but I’m not sharing my spots doah

    robby
    Quad Cities
    Posts: 2831
    #1799967

    A Wading belt and PFD might be in order depending on the conditions. Waders filling up in cold, deep water is not something to screw around with!
    This is great advise. Current of anything more than a trickle sounds harzardous to me too. And finally, Id know the water you are wading well. When I was much younger I did this more than a few times but it was warm and I did not wear waders, aka wearable anchors. Be careful please. Be easyvto break an ankle too, outside of death, and other injuries.

    robby
    Quad Cities
    Posts: 2831
    #1799968

    I heard a story about a guy who parallel parked a train. I believe they called him BK.

    Also sorry nhamm, I didnt really answer your question in the least, I was more concerned with your safety.

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