Wade Fishing Belts

[Hemi Fisher]

I'm just curious which wading belts you guys are using that like to wade fish. I have used many different brands over the years, but the downfall I always run into is the strength of the rod holders. I would like to find a belt with a rod holder that is secure enough for me to be comfortable taking a 2nd rod out with me. The rod holders on the belts I have used always seem to get loose very fast causing the rod to lean over to the point that I'm worried about it falling out while I'm on the water.

Which belts have you guys had success with?

[MobyYack]

i tie a string around my waist and attach it to my kayak

[Hemi Fisher]

i tie a string around my waist and attach it to my kayak

I am referring to the trips where I leave the kayak at home and strictly wade.

[Yaklash]

I looked for a wading belt for about 4 months in 2014 while trying to find the perfect one for me.

First of all, this disclaimer - I never put a rod in the rod holder of a wading belt because I wade too deep and will forget I have it back there - and I would not recommend it, unless you are always going to wade no deeper than 2.5 feet of water. So I can't tell you which has the most stable rod holder based on personal use. But from what I have seen and heard from others (me and my buds are all waders), and observed while shopping, the best for rod holder stability are those that are wider than 8"; a feature offered for back support. The H2O Express version I have seen and handled at Academy looks and feels like a good design, and it's probably the cheapest option out there that has this back support feature and rod holders. Simms and Everlast ask nearly twice as much for their versions. H2O stuff does, however, tend to be built cheaply, so it likely won't last as long as an Everlast or a Simms product.

One other thing I would add on wading belts - from my experience. I hate the Everlast (or any other brand) that uses Velcro for closing the belt. Also, the ones with the plastic buckle can break or come undone when you put too much stress on them (yes, I know that's my weight and girth ). For this reason, I got a base model Hookset belt. The feed through then clamp tight buckle design is superior to anything else I have ever used or seen. I'm just not sure they offer a rod holder, or one with a stable mount to the belt.

[Hemi Fisher]

I appreciate the feedback. I mainly target redfish, so I dont ever fish water deeper than about 3'. I'm also 6'2", so I'm not too worried about dunking the reel.

I have switched over to fishing braid on all my reels, and it has just become a pain to have to tie on new topshots on the water after changing my bait once or twice. It would just be much easier to have a 2nd rod already rigged with another bait to avoid having to mess with that on the water.

[Yaklash]

I appreciate the feedback. I mainly target redfish, so I dont ever fish water deeper than about 3'. I'm also 6'2", so I'm not too worried about dunking the reel.

Sorry, I have to laugh a little on that one. Not at you, at myself. Both at my continued inability to relate to the many among us who hunt reds (I'm a trout guy) and because my old school, hard-core wader attitude means I get "in it." But mainly because I'm 6'-7" and I still end up wading up to at least my belly button on most trips, especially this time of year, when trout are in water 4 ft and deeper. I can't tell you how many times I've waded as deep as upper chest for short periods and have swam across guts that were too deep and or too muddy to wade. Numerous times, it'd get me to places my buddies couldn't go or to within casting distance of a target they could not reach.

[Yaklash]

But you should definitely take a look at that H2O at Academy - less than $30 when I looked at it.

[troutslinger]

I've tried a few and now strictly use hook set. I also never use the rod holder. I wade with one rod.

[osochuck]

I don't like the fish n hunt one too many problems to list.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

[Southtx]

I have and like my everlast belt. But, I like the ttf belts way better. I just couldn't find one, and needed a new one for a trip I was taking. You will however be much happier in the long run if you buy a belt you like, and add the accessories you prefer, I.e. Stinky pants stinger, your favorite net, tackle pouch ect. Wish I had done this

[Cuervo Jones]

I don't like the fish n hunt one too many problems to list.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

Could you maybe list the top 5?
I have one and aside from the pliers that rusted up immediately, can't think of much else that's bad.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hemi Fisher]

I am currently using a Fish-n-Hunt belt, and I have been happy with everything but the rod holder. My dad and brother both use the Everlast belts, and the extra back support is comfortable, but the rod holder is worse than the Fish-n-Hunt I have now.

The EZ Wade belt looks like it will have the most secure rod holder, but I dont know if I'm really wanting to drop $115 on a wading belt. I think I would rather just deal with tying on new topshots at that price.

[Big Kahuna]

I fish with a EZ wade belt and love it. I also use a sling style fanny pack for tackle and pliers. This combo works real well for me and is comfy too. The only thing is the price, but it was well worth it for the quality and comfort.

[TexasJim]

Not being a wadefishing guy, I wonder why wadefishing belts don't come with heavy duty suspenders, which could support the top end of rodholders and other things? Seems like an obvious thing to build into the package. Oh, well....................TexasJim

[Bigspot2667]

If Wade Aide was still around buy it. Then cut long pvc and stick in back of wading belt so it is snug. I have had mine for 20 years and just rinse with fresh water and go again. Look on line as I have seen used ones for sale. Someone needs to find that guy in San Antonio and buy his business and then they would be able to retire. Best wading belt EVER.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Salaqua]

I use a Foreverlast wading belt though I am considering a sling that fly guys use. I figure if I am going to wade in chest high water then I might as well use the yak. The belt does have good support for my back.

For suspenders, Lowes or Home Depot should carry tool bag suspenders that you find in the construction industry. I used them in the field and it really took the pressure off my waist.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

[Hemi Fisher]

If Wade Aide was still around buy it. Then cut long pvc and stick in back of wading belt so it is snug. I have had mine for 20 years and just rinse with fresh water and go again. Look on line as I have seen used ones for sale. Someone needs to find that guy in San Antonio and buy his business and then they would be able to retire. Best wading belt EVER.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The EZ Wade belt looks to be the closest thing to the older Wade Aide belts. I will probably go with the EZ Wade belt becauce it looks like the most secure belt I have found so far. It doesnt have as much storage as some of the others, but I usually only bring 2-3 lures and a few packs of plastics when I fish anyways...no need to bring the entire tackle box out there with me.

[yodaddi]

check out the Wade Right belt. Pretty cool

http://coastalfishinggear.com/

[Yaklash]

check out the Wade Right belt. Pretty cool

http://coastalfishinggear.com/

What button do I push to see that belt with rod holders?

[yodaddi]

check out the Wade Right belt. Pretty cool

http://coastalfishinggear.com/

What button do I push to see that belt with rod holders?

check out their videos. perhaps that'll give u more of an idea..

http://coastalfishinggear.com/videos.php

[osochuck]

The fish and hunt pouch velcros on and will come off if your in a strong current. The water bottle holders and rod holders are just too flimsy.

I would love n easy wade but 100 is too much for me.

Nice to see so many options around.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk