Fishing Boots - best for grip and saltwater use.
Submitted by Blue Whaler on Wed, 2011-08-31 09:42
I am in the market to buy new rock fishing boots. My old ones were a mixture between neoprene / diving boot with a "not too bad grip / no spikes" - this served me well for 3 yrs. Time has come to spend some $ on me feet as the old shoes are worn through. This time I would like to focus on grip and comfortability - reaching the stage where I am between a "old fart" and newly developed fart.
Your thoughts and experiance;
I have seen the Mirage / Adrenalin and a equiv neoprene Mirage look alike - should I go;
1. spikes, no spikes?
2. What would be the most comfortable rock fishing shoe be - if fishing on the rocks for lets say 8 hrs?
Any advice would be great - looking to purchase this weekend.
Cheers
____________________________________________________________________________
Every day at the Beach is a Good day!
sammy85
Posts: 831
Date Joined: 31/08/10
I bought a pair of the mirage
I bought a pair of the mirage I think rockhopper rock shoes with the spikes in them earlier this year
For our wagoe trip and can't recommend them enough they kept my feet well planted even when big
Swells rolled in and all my mates got washed back into shore I was still standing
Plumber and gas fitter- 0415489103
hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Not sure how comfortable the
Not sure how comfortable the rock hoppers would be compared to some other types. You mainly wear them because you need them. Useful/required when on slippery or wet rocks though (thanks to the spikes).
If you're just on limestone type rocks (i.e. stuff thats hard, but not too slippery then wet) then have more options, or if the rocks never get wet (isnt currently wet doesnt mean they wont get wet though :p). Havent had a problem with the rocks at the moles either with regular fishing shoes, but some spots will require rockhoppers I would think.
grantarctic1
Posts: 2546
Date Joined: 03/03/11
Agree
Yeah i agree with hlokk, I have rockhoppers and find them the safest boots for bad areas, they have great grip even on the black rocks down south.
But as for comfort i dont wear them unless i have to . A pair of sneakers , wetsuit boots or workboots usualy are good enough in most situations.
UncutTriggerInWA
Posts: 2692
Date Joined: 05/09/08
I have a set of Mirage Rock Hoppers.
Not that that matters other than for me say they work really well. I have a wide foot and as such I find them very uncomfortable and can only wear them for so long before I think my feet are going to drop off.
Some years back I was in Sydney and we did a lot of rock hopping. At that time you could buy cleats. I fitted them to a really comfortable old set of joggers and they worked very well.
Anyway Blou, I don't have any other recommendations I am sorry. The Mirage boots seem to stack up and if you don't have feet like me then you should be OK. Try them on before you buy and make sure you have the right size.
Vince.
Work smart and fish often.
Member and die-hard supporter of the mighty West Coast Eagles.
Oceanside Tackle
Posts: 2803
Date Joined: 23/07/09
rock boots -
The Mirage rockhopper (spikes) are very good and comfortable but if you have broad feet it can be tight which causes cramping as Vince said.
We stock them, $79.95 if that helps.
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hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
I have fairly wide feet, but
I have fairly wide feet, but dont feel squished in them (I think I have a size thats a little on the bigger size for my feet though). Mainly they're not very flexible, also, you'll sometimes get chaffing if walking a lot. Also, mine seem to have a penchant for having the zip come half undone often.
UncutTriggerInWA
Posts: 2692
Date Joined: 05/09/08
A bit like your fly huh???
LOL.
Vince.
Work smart and fish often.
Member and die-hard supporter of the mighty West Coast Eagles.
UncutTriggerInWA
Posts: 2692
Date Joined: 05/09/08
A bit like your fly huh???
LOL.
OOOOOOO a double post
Vince.
Work smart and fish often.
Member and die-hard supporter of the mighty West Coast Eagles.
Ryan Thipthorp (not verified)
Posts: 23
Date Joined: 01/01/70
hlokk!
I have wide feet and my Rockhoppers give me big cramps and I have gone up in size and made no difference......they're just a narrow boot that suits many but not all!
Blue Whaler
Posts: 382
Date Joined: 05/10/10
That seems to be the common
That seems to be the common issue - wide feet - same same here - meself have a pair of flippers - I guess the safest bet would be to fit them (all makes) on and give it a try out.
The main purpose for these boots would be to get into the water, onto reefs in low tide like Yanchep, Jindalee, Mindarie and Burns Beach - still have the grip on the rocks / but dont want to get cramps every 2 min as the shoes are to narrow - Ryan, will come see you guys thursday or friday.
Cheers, and thks for the comments.
Every day at the Beach is a Good day!
UncutTriggerInWA
Posts: 2692
Date Joined: 05/09/08
An old pair of joggers maybe?
If your not scaling rocks and just walking onto reef structures then I am not sure they would be so slippery. In the circumstances you mention Blou I would be more inclined to use a set of sneekers. The problem here is I guess that we have some nasty critters hanging in the rock pools so a fairly high boot would be best. As discussed before the Mirage boots would be ideal if you can get a comfy pair. I am sure that Ryan and the team down there will sort you out Blou.
Vince.
Work smart and fish often.
Member and die-hard supporter of the mighty West Coast Eagles.
Blue Whaler
Posts: 382
Date Joined: 05/10/10
Thks Vince - will give it a
Thks Vince - will give it a go.
Every day at the Beach is a Good day!
squidvicious1
Posts: 823
Date Joined: 22/07/10
try "land & sea"rock spikes
try "land & sea"rock spikes for a wider foot,a little softer in the boot, not firm like rockhoppers.
hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Surf shops also sell reef
Surf shops also sell reef booties which can be very flexible and fit well, but also allow you to walk over rocks/reef and get them wet. You can also get slip on shoes which have a fairly thick base (unlikely for most thinks to puncture through)
499
Posts: 181
Date Joined: 07/12/08
the rockhoppers have slightly
the rockhoppers have slightly firmer sole but are prob a lil narrow for some feet
the other brand are softer top and bottom but could be wider...this can be negated by wearing insoles of some description
wear a pair of worksocks and this will reduce chaffing on the feet but u could loose yr hoppers if they get caught on the reef...........happened to me with heel dangling of the bcak of my foot....it does happen
oh and make sure you check there are spikes underneath....crap qa qc on some shoes
jono.s
Posts: 440
Date Joined: 27/07/09
I have the adrenalin rock
I have the adrenalin rock hoppers from bcf and they are really good have used them on my last 2 quobba trips on the rocks for a couple of weeks wearing them all day and they are comfortable and have alot of grip , have seen the mirage rock hoppers and compared to the adrenalins they are basicly the same just a different colour.
Blue Whaler
Posts: 382
Date Joined: 05/10/10
Thanks guys - jip, the
Thanks guys - jip, the rockhoppers were way too narrow - had better luck with the neoprene adrenalin / mirage as they stretch a bit; decided on the black adrenalins; lets see how they go!!
Every day at the Beach is a Good day!