Wade Fishing For Redfish & Trout After A Severe Cold Front
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
Wade fishing can be an excellent way to catch big redfish, seatrout, snook, and flounder because you can be extremely quiet while covering water.
Many anglers falsely believe that they have to take the winter off from wade fishing after cold fronts because the fish get pushed off the shallow flats to escape the cold.
But for fishermen who plan the wade fishing spots properly to account for the cold conditions, wade fishing can still be very effective.
Here’s a fun video showing a recent wade fishing trip that has some great tips from Wader Dave on how to maximize your results while wade fishing.
Post-Cold Front Wade Fishing Video
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Conclusion
Wade fishing can be an effective way to target redfish and trout even after cold fronts.
But just like fishing from boats or kayaks, it’s essential to factor in the weather conditions along with how the target species react to whatever weather patterns you are facing.
If anything, it’s actually more important to understand exactly how fish react to the changing weather if you’re wade fishing compared to fishing from a boat or kayak because you can’t cover nearly as much water… so spot selection is crucial.
If you need help with picking the right spots based on the weather patterns, be sure to go through the Finding Spots Mastery course that was referenced in the video. It lays the foundation for predicting exactly where the feeding zones will be.
Special thanks to Wader Dave for sharing some of his extensive knowledge in wade fishing. To learn more about him, go to www.wadersguide.com.
Want to see more wade fishing videos?
If yes, be sure to leave a comment below.
And as always, let us know if you have any questions.
Tight Lines!
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
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Can anybody tell me where in Clearwater Beach to John pass . I can fish the beaches ?
You can fish any of tye beaches in that area. It’ll be too cold for snook, but there should be some whiting and perhaps some pompano out there.
Wondering if wade fishing around sand key beach or madeira beach good this time of year in 63 degrees water
I’d be most interested in wade fishing the shoreline along the causeway going over to the beaches (60) since it has some nice seagrass.
Just wondering how the wade fishing bite has been around Ft.Desoto area and can we still access and wade fish the Rest Areas on the Skyway ?
Haven’t fished Ft Desoto recently. The Skyway Rest Areas have both reopened.
Great video. I tend to stay with shrimp imitating lures this time of year. Do you both use shrimp imitations more in winter in spring than other times of the year? Also what’s your thoughts of the actual size of the bait you’re throwing? Personally I like to keep the shrimp lures around 3”, then increase in size as the water warms up. Thoughts? Thanks
I just started using shrimp imitations again recently as there have been some new baits that are much better than the old standby used for many years. I really like the 3 1/2” Vuduu Rattle Shrimp in Glow or Natural and the 4” Sinking Nat Shrimp in Glow or Muddy Gold from a Band of Anglers. I don’t mess around with different t sizes as the 3 1/2” and 4” shrimp have been working well under all conditions. Looking forward to Joe and Luke introducing their shrimp imitation soon.
Thanks for the video. I don’t wade fish, but there are several tips in there from bail arm closing, line selection and knot choices that I really appreciated.
Howard – thanks for your feedback and I’m glad you found some of the tips helpful. Most of what I suggest for effective wade fishing is applicable to boat and kayak fishermen as well.
Thanks! Some good tips on the video, I’ll def keep in mind.
James – thanks for taking the time to provide your comments.
Always seem to find something new from salt strong. Thanks.
Sal – thanks for taking the time to provide feedback.
Suppose this question will display my naiveté but, I have stood in several inshore water spots and my foot sunk and came close to tripping losing a boot once. Is there a way to test or see a spot other than walking in it. I was concerned I would trip forward and my hand and arm might sink as dramatically as my foot did in the muck (that totally looked like sand but very much was not).
Vincent
There’s no way to be sure what the bottom is like when wading until you actually step on it so it’s important to be cautious in a new area. Generally, sandy bottom tends to be firmer than muddy areas. Thick grass flats can be difficult to wade as the bottom is often soft and the grass is difficult to wade through. Areas with a mixture of sand and grass are usually firmer and less difficult to wade. You also need to be careful in muddy or stained water as you won’t be able to see potholes, rocks, oyster beds and other bottom structure that could be hazardous. I don’t recommend fishing new and/or isolated areas without a buddy and suggest you carry a cell phone in case you run into trouble that requires assistance. Needless to say, the more frequently you fish an area, the more familiar you become with the conditions. Hope this helps and that you discover how fun and effective wade fishing can be.
We’ve been killing it down here in South Texas.
Roel – glad to hear you’re doing so well in South Texas. We’ve been doing pretty well here in the Tampa Bay Area as well. I try to make at least one trip a year to to Texas and love fishing Corpus Christi, Rockport and Baffin Bay. There are a lot more wade fishing addicts there, than there are here.
Great video, always learn something. Thanks Luke and Dave!
Thanks Gary! Hope it helps you catch more fish.