Wading Boots

Saltwater Fly-Fishing
1

I’m thinking of getting a fresh pair for this season. I had a pair of neoprene zip-ups last year and they were ok- the zipper was metal… I wouldn’t mind something a little more rugged with more support- kind of like what I’m used to for trout fishing.

Anyway, I was looking around and saw these:

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_14394_-1?color=Khaki&N=610945297

Any thoughts? I think it might be worth a $20 gamble. (25 shipped).

Or, better yet- one of y’all go ahead and get a pair and report back to me with a review.

I’m guessing they are worth what they cost… but I’m tempted.

Disclaimer: once I finally get a real job and earn a living, I intend to go to the local shops and get a nice pair.

2

id do it for $25. i mean if it works its great! if it doesnt you only lost $25 dollars…

There is no greater fan of fly fishing than the mud minnow.

3

I have a nice pair of Orvis that Angler had clearanced, if they hadn’t of had them on sale I would of bought something like this, all you want is something to protect you from Oysters (in the situation you come into contact with one without seeing it)

Bragging may not bring happiness,
but no man having caught a large fish,
goes home through the alley.
-Anonymous

4

Like yakman sez: you are only out $25. Less than a pair of Chuck’s an a hell off a lot less than my Patagonias, although Iv’e had them for 15 yrs.

oc

5

For $20 I would get the neoprene. Easy on off. I have both lace ups and zips. Always grab th zips.

6

that metal on the eyes won’t last long from salt water, IMO

7

go to one of the dive shops and pick up some of the neoprene zip up ones, had mine for a couple years and there holding up great

8

Don’t get anything with any type of metal hardware. Eyelets, zippers, etc. It will be one rust heap of mess real quick. I too purchased the Orvis boots from the Chs Angler approximately 6 years back and they’re still kicking. Plastic zips up the side work well. Cabelas, Bass Pro, etc all have a neoprene bootie design and they all work well and they’re all in the 25-30 range.

9

I thought about getting these: http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_220410_-1?color=Sand&N=929636839

Academy has a pretty awesome return policy. If they rust, bring them back in with the receipt and you can get a new pair. I did the same for a pair of leaky waders.

-CW

10

I wear an old pair of sperry boat shoes. Only problem is the infrequent tiny periwinkle going down the side.

17’ Henry O Hornet
26’ Palmer Scott

11

Palmer, yeah that’s for sure about the periwinkles, I had a pair of sleeves that went over the top of my felt bottom boots for the mtns that I use sometimes down here …

Do the neoprene have hard bottoms …

Bragging may not bring happiness,
but no man having caught a large fish,
goes home through the alley.
-Anonymous

12

I go with the Simms Flats Boot with rock guards on. Kinda bulky and got some weight to them, but I fish the grandstrand mostly from a yak. No wadable flats here so mud isnt so much an issue but they are great on the oysters.

13

Old school Chuck Taylor’s… my personal flats wading Chucks are black with red flames down the sides… best wading shoe I have worn…

“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os

14

I agree with El Cid. My dive shop boots (rarely dive anymore) are neoprene with tough bottoms that hold up to corral (never had them on oyster beds). The zippers are plastic, and have had them 18 years. Use them in my float tube (fresh water), fishing, rafting, and traveling to beachs with lava rock. Easy on, off.

Many go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.

15

I ordered some wading boots from Cabelas about a year ago and they’ve held up well. They were in the $20-25 range if I recall, and there is no metal.

If you’re lucky enough to be fishing, you’re lucky enough.