For all waders

[bigcrappiemax]

If you ever think it is too hot to dress heavily under your waders, do not make the mistake of wearing no-see-um socks. They don't hurt when you're walking around out of water, so they will fool you. Once you get in the water and the pressure starts building, them little sissy socks offer nothing in the way of protection against blisters. My ankles are wore to the bone. I'd have blisters if there was any skin there to blister. Just don't do it.

I hooked my several fish today, and I lost every one of them. Two were crappie for sure because I laid my eyes on them. The rest came off under the water so I don't know what they were. My problem is this: I have a 12 jig pole and it is a little more than inconvenient to carry my ego net out there. I usually keep my little dipnet hooked on one of my wader's o-rings, but I didn't have it with me at the time because I have not been needing it! Today I needed it. I tried every stinking thing I could think of to get them fish to me. I tried bringing them out of the water while pushing my pole behind me. I tried leaving them under the water as I pushed the pole behind me. Nothing was working. They were coming off a lot easier than they were going on. I was setting the hook good. Maybe too good? I don't know.

How do y'all manage this? I'll appreciate any tips, ideas, or suggestions.

["G"]

Usually if your using sickle hooks...number 1 or 1/0 they will be hooked in the roof of the mouth and won't come off....using regular hooks or smaller hooks you will hook them in the lip and they will tear off

[petie28]

I use a 10 footer when wading

[feeshrman]

I've only waded once, just this last weekend at camp. I tried the stake beds in front of the north abutment campground. I got two nice ones on one of ScottV's jigs that was tied on a sickle hook. Both were hooked in the roof of the mouth and I pushed my pole behind me and lipped the fish because I also had no net. I can definatly see the addictive nature of this style of fishing.

[OleMiss]

Sickle hooks only for me. They won't get off if u keep the pressure on them.

[OleMiss]

I don't use a net either.

[Jerkn Meat]

There's my single pole friend ^^^

[bambislyr1]

Try sliding your rod backwards til you get the fish next to you, did this last year and never lost a fish

[bigcrappiemax]

Okay, this may sound odd because all of y'all seem to know what they are, but I don't know what a sickle hook is. What is a sickle hook, and where might I go about finding some of these? I am willing to try most anything to avoid seeing them big rascals falling into the water and swimming away to never been seen again.

[bigcrappiemax]

My manners are slacking....thank you guys for the help. It is greatly appreciated.