Wade-fishing is fun, and in the summer, very practical for targeting speckled trout in Mississippi waters. Photo by Capt. Robert Brodie.

Summertime along the Mississippi coastline can be quite sweltering at times. Well, to be honest, downright hot most of the time. And for those who spend time seeking out speckled trout in Magnolia State waters, the humid weather is an accepted aspect of the quest for this glamour species.

However, another version of fishing Mississippi’s nearshore waters can help alleviate some of the heat involved in the summer pursuit of speckled trout: Just get in the water and wade!

When wade-fishing in our neck of the woods for speckled trout -- commonly referred to as “specks” -- it can be far more comfortable to be in knee- to chest-deep water. To cool off still further, simply kneel down and immerse yourself to the neck for a quick and refreshing dip.

Now that we’ve touched on the comfort aspect of wade-fishing, let’s delve into the true angling advantages of the sport. Nothing is more important than stealth when it comes to getting in casting range of trout. Also, wading allows you to reach areas that boatbound anglers can’t possibly reach.

Speckled trout can be quite spooky at times, especially when being fished in extremely shallow and clear water. Thus, by slowly walking up to the speck’s skinny-water abodes and making long casts, it’s possible to locate fish without scaring them out of the area. Also, the chances of casting a long shadow and alerting nearby fish are much lower than they are for a boatbound angler.

GEAR FOR SPECKS
Of course, some specialized bits of gear exist to help make your wade-fishing experience hassle-free and, thus, more enjoyable.

Unless you’re a dyed-in-the-wool catch-and-release angler, you need some sort of system for keeping your catch, and, better yet, keeping it alive and thus as fresh as possible.

Nothing’s more effective that a fish basket, and quite a few of these specialized “creels” -- basically a floating body made up of Styrofoam or other closed-cell material with a nylon bag that dangles down into the water below -- are on the market. Your catch is deposited into the bag, there to stay alive and fresh for hours on end. Unlike a fish stringer that can damage the specks’ delicate gills, no excessive bleeding or thrashing around on the top that can attract sharks occurs. Some anglers still prefer the basic fish stringer, but in waters that sharks are known to prowl, go with a basket.

Another key aspect of using a fish basket is that you’re able to cull your catch -- to release small fish from the basket and replace them with larger trout as you catch them. Since Mississippi has a daily limit of 15 specks with a minimum total length of 14 inches, Magnolia State fishermen can be quite selective. However, use good judgment, and be sure the fish you’re about to release is in good enough shape to survive.

By the way, if you should step into a hole or dropoff, or get swept off a point in a strong current, a floating fish basket makes a great emergency life preserver. Both Kajun Keeper and Team Numark make very effective fish baskets.

When wade-fishing, always walk slowly, and wear some kind of foot protection. Especially in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the odd smattering of bottom debris can create hazards. The storm also created some new holes and channels that can sneak up on you.

A landing net is another essential tool for wade-fishermen. Just make sure that it has an opening wide enough to easily handle even a big speck.

Finally, if you’re going to take up wade-fishing seriously, invest in the best tackle you can afford. The salty marine environment of the speckled trout is unforgiving, especially to inferior gear, but even to top-dollar tackle that isn’t properly cleaned after each outing. A good dousing of soapy fresh water followed by an oiling is always needed to keep things running smoothly.

You can use a spinning or baitcasting outfit when it comes to wade-fishing for specks. A fairly light outfit is ideal for this type of angling. Mount your reel on a 7-foot medium-action graphite rod, spool to the hilt with 12-pound-test monofilament and you’re ready to get your feet wet -- literally.

Wade-fishing usually requires many hours of continuously tossing lures, so pick an outfit that’s lightweight and balanced in the hand. A rod with a long butt section is easier to tuck under the arm while landing fish or tying on new lures. And for a long battle with big fish, a long butt section can be propped on your belly, relieving pressure on the arms and enabling heavier pressure to be applied to the fish.