Reel Advice

[sfef84]

Should be in Wade section but figured it would get better exposure....

Started fishing in Texas last year and have had a great time learning from the site.
My "stand up game" is awesome and can work topwaters like a champ from a boat/dock/bank because I have my rodtip dropped down. Its taken me a while to figure out what to do with each of my topwaters, suspending plugs etc.
Problem is... I just started wading and I LOVE IT....
But because Im chest deep in water, having my rodtip down is impossible and now my topwater game is NONEXISTENT!!

I used to keep my rodtip down to help shield from wind but now in any sort of wind, I feel like I can't work my topwater for $h**

I cant keep good contact with my lures either and I am starting to think it is because of my low gear ratio in my Shimano Citica... I reel that thing like a mad man to keep slack out of the line while wading....

To give example....

While wading in some wind, I cast.... Twitch my rodtip up and the slack gets taken by the wind and I feel like I can't wind fast enough to get it back under control... Same goes for plugs, soft plastics...

PLEASE HELP!

[imhammer]

Switch to braid, hold the rod tip high and use short hard pops when working the tops.

[Robalo]

That's coming from a guy that's 6'4" at least-sheeit, he just takes two steps and he's on the 2nd bar!!! Ha Ha.

I always try to cast downwind so I have less slacking, but advice from IMHAMMER is golden.

[Muddskipper]

I hear what your saying ...

So braid will help at angles in high wind ....

BUT

When I work a top-water, I keep my tip faily high wheather straight up or at an angle. I rarley have a tip down ...... I like slack in my line as I work the lure at a medimum pace, but it's walking the dog, back and fourth, so my lure is coming in at a slow pace. I only reel to manage some of the slack, but there is a lot of slack in the line.

The fish set the hook most of the time ..... and barid tightens quick ..... I even point the rod at the fish at the blow up to keep from pulling it away from them ..... the drag helps stick the hook ....

It can be hard ot explain as a number of us do it differently and have good success at our way ..... keep trying different things and find what works

[GGF]

Probably not a reel problem. You just need to get used to using a vertical motion rather than sidewinding it. I had to go through that same transition when I started.

Just stay with it and you'll be able to walk the dog overhand, underhand, forehand and backhand before you know it.

[Swells]

Oh I see, you want to walk the dog by using a side-arm twitching action, very effective and not a bad strategy. Maybe try poppers too? Those you can fish vertical, a good habit for saltwater fishing ... unless you're deep jigging offshore. If you get slammed with a trophy fish, you do NOT want the pole pointed right at the fish. Put an arc and a bend in the pole, man!

Now I don't like fishing up to my chinny-chin-chin in the water, and prefer something more like just above waist level, such as walking sandy bars and such. This gives you more range of motion and you can sight-cast the holes if the water clears enough.

Gotta keep the top part of my fishing shirt dry anyways ... I got my wallet with license, smokes, spare lures, leader material, fishing pliers, and pocket knife up thar. Maybe find some better walking ground for wading?

I'm sure these good ole boys have some good suggestions.

[corndog]

This time of year is bad for wind. I keep my rod tip up. I start out around 9-10 oclock position and twitch it until I am in the 12-1 oclock position then reel my slack. Sometimes I will sneek in a few cranks in between . It does take time to get use to. I do like working the topwater with my tip down and to the side especially the supended bait like a catch 2000. Good luck

[sfef84]

Thanks all for the advice...

I think i figured out my problem... I bought one of those pistol grip ugly sticks and LOVE IT!!! No i can side wind because the butt of the pole isn't sticking into me or the wading belt... HIGHLY recommended... it looks kind of stupid but allows me to keep my arms close into my body

Swells....
I had the same problem... go to Academy (where I got mine) and look in the kayak section for the "Pelican" waterproof cases. I got the "Micro" that is big enough to fit a pack of tobacco and lighter. I also got a bigger one that can hold my phone, keys wallet. I got two so that I don't have to open the case with the important stuff. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Go to the website and see how tough those things are.. There are pictures and stories of these cases being blown up inside carbombs in Iraq and still surviving (minus one latch). they were like 15 bucks.

[Swells]

Hey thanks - I forgot about those little ones. My waterproof plastic trays are like 10 inches or so. -sammie