Rods for wading

[doublebeard]

Hi guys..i'm new here and i wanted to ask a question. I do alot of wading and i'm looking for an all purpose rod for panfish. I will be useing this for live bait,spinners,jigs and floats. i will be fishing weeds and wood. some places i will be casting. I am looking at a 6.6 or a 7 footer ML. do you think this is a good choice. Thanks for the reply.

[AgriHawg]

I would go with a 6' or 6'6" rod. A lot easier to maneuver while wade fishing, especially if you have a lot of overhanging trees.

[Grainraiser]

I agree with using a rod 7ft or less. I waded with a 8ft rod and would have to dunk my reel into the lake in order to unhook fish. A long rod and wading is not a great combo unless the water is really shallow.

Reggie

[deathb4disco]

I am looking at a 6.6 or a 7 footer ML. do you think this is a good choice.

I would go with a light or ultra light rod.

[doublebeard]

I thought about getting a light action but i wasn't sure if it would be enough to pull the fish out of the wood since i wouldn't be pulling the fish straight up like on a boat. that's why i thought a little stiffer rod would be better.

[deathb4disco]

I thought about getting a light action but i wasn't sure if it would be enough to pull the fish out of the wood since i wouldn't be pulling the fish straight up like on a boat. that's why i thought a little stiffer rod would be better.

I think you'd be surprised at what light rods can do. Fly fisherman land good-sized trout with light fly rods while wading. But, you know your situation best. Get the rod you like.

[wwwUncle]

Maybe you should look at a light rod. That is one step up from ultra light.

[AgriHawg]

Maybe you should look at a light rod. That is one step up from ultra light.

x2

[skeetbum]

If you're using spinning tackle, Shakespeare has a 7' lite action rod in wally for about $18 that might answer your question without breaking the bank. I have 3 of them, work good for me but I'm in a boat.. Welcome from Middle Tennessee.

[slabbandit]

I agree with skeetbum, I also like the Shakespeare lite action rods with the little underspin reels. I was wading some buckbrush late one evening when I kept hearing the small shad schools flutter out towards the lake. I just clipped on a little foam bobber about a foot above my jig. I could cast this rig extremely far with this 9 foot rod and caught several 3/4 to 1 lb male slabs.