One of the most effective ways to fish the Indian River Lagoon is to wade. There’s nothing like fishing in the fish’s element. I’ve caught some of my biggest fish wading, and when you find fish wading, you can catch big numbers. My biggest snook, a 25-plus-pound monster, was caught wading.
One can wet wade with a pair of old tennis shoes (to keep your feet from getting cut), shorts and a shirt. Or one can wear waders, which keeps you warmer in the winter months and protects your legs from cuts and the lagoon water.
An advantage of wading is you can quietly approach fish that would be spooked by a boat motor. It’s also easier to know the depth, the type of bottom, whether small bait is present (baby shrimp or glass minnows), the speed of the current, and the amount of grass in the area. Once you find fish, you can just stay in one spot and cast. Even if it’s windy or choppy, you don’t have to worry about holding the boat in position. Wading is especially advantageous for fishing piers and shallow shorelines. You can quietly fish on both sides of a pier and go underneath it, where no boat could go.
There are some disadvantages. The main one is the sometimes poor water quality of the lagoon from discharges from Lake Okeechobee. Do not wet wade if you are susceptible to water with algae or phosphates and do not wet wade if you have open cuts on your legs that may get infected. This has happened to me several times. I now recommend wearing waders that don’t leak. When you wade, watch your step. There are pot-holes, deep spots around piers dug for boat navigation, barnacles on piers and sunken objects.
Where To Go
There are many great wading spots in the lagoon. If it’s very windy, you need to fish with the wind to your back. My favorite spots on the west side are Walton Road (Port St. Lucie), Midway (Ft. Pierce), and Wilcox Rd. (Vero Beach). On the east side there’s Herman’s Bay (Port St. Lucie) and Bear Point (Ft. Pierce). All the bridge areas can be waded, and it’s easy to get out of a strong north or south wind.
Do not park on private property. Many of the lagoon-front property owners control access rights across Indian River Road. The piers are theirs and the land going to them.
Tackle and Equipment
I like a 7-foot rod and spinning reel loaded with braided line and a clear fluorocarbon leader. A cheap pair of waders is about $60. If you keep fish, bring a stringer to drag behind you. You might want a net, and you’ll need a pair of pliers that can cut line. Wear a pack for your tackle. Drag a minnow bucket if you are using live bait.
For more information about the Stuart Rod and Reel Fishing Club visit – www.stuartrodandreel.com.