Do you wear ray guards/shields when wading?

[majek_maniac]

I was wondering how many of yall wear ray guards when wading. I dont, I dont even own a set, but have been thinking about getting some. Anyone ever been hit by a ray?

[WestEndAngler]

I was wondering how many of yall wear ray guards when wading. I dont, I dont even own a set, but have been thinking about getting some. Anyone ever been hit by a ray?


I own a set, my dad does too... I know Mell Wader uses them religiously. Beach Bum Bailey owns a pair too. I don't wade as much as most. When I do I am usually out gigging and can easily spot rays with the light. However when I do wade I wear my rayguards. There have been more than 5 people that I have read about on other forums that have been hit just this year.

Its a fact if you wade long enough your going to have a brush with a ray.

[aqua pimp]

Always, always, and always!!!!! I am not 100% sure they will stop a Ray but I like my chances better with my Rays guards on!

AQUA PIMP

[majek_maniac]

I know they arent "ray proof", but I agree, they will better your chances. I th ink I am going to buy some before this weekend.

[Primer]

I need a pair...

[WestEndAngler]

You don't want something like this getting you. Right?....

http://www.foxnews.com/photoessay/0,4644,4602,00.html#2_0

http://2coolfishing.com/ttmbforum/attachment.php?attachmentid=163357&stc=1

[seattleman1969]

Ray guards and GOOD wading boots.... if you haven't heard of them OTB Boots are awesome! Several models but I like the SAR boots as they can be worn on float tubes with fins, diving, or as wade/stocking foot wader boots.

[007]

I only go in the water if the boat goes down!!

[WestEndAngler]

I only go in the water if the boat goes down!!


Or if you trip over your gig light and decide to float the lazy river 3 or 4 times :lol:

All good fun Mike!
:cheers:

[Gilbert]

I only wear them sometimes. I don't in the winter cause I am usually walking thru knee deep mud. Bass Pro has the ray guards for 124. cheap insurance to not get hit. They come with the boot and knee high chap.

[djdiggydiggy]

I don't wear any Ray Guards, but I sure have stepped on enough things that started to move to seriously consider it...

[WestEndAngler]

Yah, I know what you mean... I leap into the air each time something slides out from underneath my feet...

[majek_maniac]

I just pee in my waders.

[Moonpie]

Never wear them. Just an old pair of t-shoes.
I am a firm believer in being able to quickly kick off footwear if there is a need to swim.

[FlatoutFishin]

Never wear them. Just an old pair of t-shoes.
I am a firm believer in being able to quickly kick off footwear if there is a need to swim.


Me too...in the 38 years I've been wading, I've never had a problem. Seen them plenty of times and maybe I'm just lucky, but sliding the feet was tought to me at a very very early age.

[WestEndAngler]

FOF--- Only takes 1 time to get stuck and I'm sure you'd be wearing them religiously after that happens! Kinda like wearing snake chaps... You might not get struck ever but if that 1 time happens and your not wearing...

[FlatoutFishin]

FOF--- Only takes 1 time to get stuck and I'm sure you'd be wearing them religiously after that happens! Kinda like wearing snake chaps... You might not get struck ever but if that 1 time happens and your not wearing...

I'm sure of it, but until then, I'll just keep sliding along.

[WestEndAngler]

Yah I take my chances too... I have my rayguards but man do they rub my shins raw... its almost like I have to wear soccer socks with them...

When I go gigging I am wearing wading boots because I can see the ground... When I start wading shell they go on because I like the added protection for my feet :D

[TTU Wader]

Yeah I usually where them, especially when wading the coves in west bay. I kayaked a good amount back in the coves and they are just loaded with those things. Most of them are small but right before I left for school my friend caught one we estimated around 15lbs.

[WestEndAngler]

I was drift fishing the back coves near Starvation & the whole floor bed of the bay at once lifted and began swimming... I was like what in the world... Must have been THOUSANDS! All spawning!! I was a little upset, Beach Bum Bailey left the C-4 in the truck... :rofl:

[FlatoutFishin]

I was drift fishing the back coves near Starvation & the whole floor bed of the bay at once lifted and began swimming... I was like what in the world... Must have been THOUSANDS! All spawning!! I was a little upset, Beach Bum Bailey left the C-4 in the truck... :rofl:

Behind the park for me...most I'd ever seen.If your ever in Shamrock Cove, between Corpus and Port A, it gets some nasty schools and the water is so clear you can see everything. Just keep shufflin...

[djdiggydiggy]

This past week I was shufflin', but the darn things kept swimming at me!!! What a creepy, creepy wade...

[Rockfish]

I need to get a pair.

[imhammer]

I usually try to wear them. My dad got hit by a big ray and it cut his achilles tendon.

[WestEndAngler]

I usually try to wear them. My dad got hit by a big ray and it cut his achilles tendon.

No way... cut his achilles tendon? OUCH!

[Jay]

I always wear them it seems like I find all the potholes.

[Primer]

I need a pair...


Nevermind, and yes I will wear them.

[007]

Nevermind, and yes I will wear them.

Hmmmmmmm.......I wonder what you got for Christmas....

[Primer]

Hmmmmmmm.......I wonder what you got for Christmas....


Outdoor: Reef boots, Gaiters. And you can see the rest here. (http://2coolfishing.com/ttmbforum/showthread.php?t=190848)

Austin

[007]

Wow! Good deal there homey. I want some.

[Captain Nathan Gray]

How much does a pair of Ray Guards cost?

[imhammer]

About $20 at Academy, and well worth it in my opinion.

[WestEndAngler]

$20 is cheaper than my co-pay if it keeps me out of the ER I'm all for it! I own the Rayguard Boots there are some shin guard types you can buy as well. I've found my boots rub my shins raw so I usually wade with socks to prevent that.

[imhammer]

The boots are too cumbersome, so I wear my reef boots with the ray guard shin guards. They work great.

[clark08]

Its a matter of WHEN,not IF your gonna get hit cuz if you wade enough its just a matter of time before you slip up on your well practiced shuffle and get hit.A good pair of reef boots at the least are needed to protect from shell and other obstructions in the water.Better safe than sorry i would say!

[gordoleo]

I always use Ray Guard boots, because a few years ago I was shuffling my feet until I fell into a hole that had a ray in it. It went all the way through my ankle between the bone and my achilles tendon. I was laid up for a month, and it severed a nerve going to my pinky toe. After a month or so I regained movement in my toe, but I no longer feel anything superficial on the outside of my foot.

[GHSmacker]

I wear them all the time in the late spring and all of summer when i don't have to wear waders.

My Ray Guards are a complete boot...and i can't break them down, so i can't wear them with my waders when the water is still cold.

[Unclehandy]

No guards for me. :nopity:

Commando style is the only way!

[gsb]

Gordoleo's story is one of many that convinced me that the bay shuffle wasn't enough. Now as a family man, I can't afford to be laid up. I am in sales and if I am not working, I am not paid. So, to me it is insurance.

I got mine big enough to wear comfortably over waders, and wear thick socks in the summer. If my son isn't with me, I borrow his smaller ones.

[aqua pimp]

Speaking of Rays, the coves in West Bay are full of them! Alot of babies starting to show up. Must have seen 15 to 20 yesterday. Be careful!

AQUA PIMP

[WestEndAngler]

Speaking of Rays, the coves in West Bay are full of them! Alot of babies starting to show up. Must have seen 15 to 20 yesterday. Be careful!

AQUA PIMP

thanks for reminding me AP Friday night Bailey and I saw 4 swimming in the lights in Lake Como, I went to our old duck blind Saturday and saw hundreds of small ones get up when I went through! If I had a net I could have served up fresh scallop :D

[Gilbert]

I wear the ray guard reef boots but lost the shin guards.

[kenny]

Some advice to the people that "never wear" stingray boots/guards. Stay out of the S. shore coves' or really shuffle. Before this cool down, the rays were starting to school up in the shallows. I haven't seen any really large ones, just a whole lot of 'em.
I wear the reef boots in the winter and am adding the guards now until I'm out of waders. I'll be wearing new rayguard boots over neoprene socks for wet wading.

[caz]

must say im suprised to see 60% never wear them

[kenny]

Either they've never been hit by a ray, or their just too "badazz" to wear them. I didn't wear them for most of my life 30+ years wading and was lucky, until I got "unlucky". Never again.

[majek_maniac]

Man, ive been saying that I am going to buy some for a fwe years now. I need to break down and do it.

Anyone ever been hit by a ray while wearing them? I know they are not ray "proof" but what are the odds of them still going through I wonder?

[GHSmacker]

Anyone ever been hit by a ray while wearing them? I know they are not ray "proof" but what are the odds of them still going through I wonder?

The only instances i've ever heard of someone getting hit while wearing ray guards in when they are wading in mud, or something like that, and they get hit above where they are protected. They either get hit in the thigh or the upper calf because of the sinky bottom that they are fishing in.

I've never heard of someone actually wearing the ray guards properly and still having a ray go through that.

[032490]

I wear the reef boots with the shin guards, I just need to get a new pair. Ike stole mine.

[007]

I wear the reef boots with the shin guards, I just need to get a new pair. Ike stole mine.

Where in Treasure Island are you? We'll be launching there at about 11 this morning going out to the camp.

[LDL]

I don't own a pair yet, but I'm looking into getting some !

[bountyhunter]

I was also taught to slide my feet, but I bought a pair of guards and wore them once. They almost wore holes in my legs, so I'm back to sliding my feet. I know the guards will hurt me, but a ray never has........Currently knocking on Wood!:D

[kenny]

I was also taught to slide my feet, but I bought a pair of guards and wore them once. They almost wore holes in my legs, so I'm back to sliding my feet. I know the guards will hurt me, but a ray never has........Currently knocking on Wood!:D

You either had the guards to tight or were wearing shorts!

[WestEndAngler]

The full boot rubs my shins raw, I have switched from shorts to wading pants and don't have a problem anymore.

[dbarham]

im gonna invest in some.