Ray-Guards...

[sfef84]

Did my second wade today in GISP with my new ray-guards and LOVE THEM. I still do the "stingray shuffle." Didn't have a problem with rubbing my shins as in a previous post. I have been stung twice while surfing back home in San Diego and would like to avoid it again. People don't realize that stingrays can whip those tails up and around to hit your shins/calves.

Imagine someone taking a bull whip with a needle sharp icepick at the end then whacking you... NO JOKE... the first time I was hit, the ray hit me so hard the barb went through my skin and into my small toe bone running to my heel... Second time in my calf. Don't plan on walking without crutches for a couple weeks and watching the wound turn into every color of the rainbow.

Like my grandpa always says "Son, its easier to stay out of trouble than get out of trouble." WEAR YOUR RAY GUARDS and save yourself a trip to the hospital... Read the article in the Saltwater mag from last year about the guy that almost had to have his foot amputated after being hit.

People say they shuffle their feet, but its the times AFTER you have been standing for a while. Your feet get stuck for a second in the mud, you yank the other foot out and stomp it down to regain balance.... THAT is when it happens, not when your walkin around.

My 2 cents:D

[reeltime]

as i get older i think it's a wise decision to wear some kinda protection from the ray's but i guess i'm old school.I may buy a pair next year. Last sat. and sunday we saw some up in the bayou and one big saddleblanket ray.....Something to think about. They have moved back into to the bay for sure.

[sfef84]

sure have... I was casting from the bank in Laffite's cove and lost count of them swimming by the wall. I saw a 3' wide ray with a loooooonnng *** tail and a good sized barb.

Plus think of it like this.... Your out by yourself and no one around and your a couple hundred yards out in mud. You get hit, good luck walking on it AKA... good luck getting back in. And if lighting strikes twice on your good foot (because your hoping)... get a subscription to netflix and a LOT of beer cause your gonna have nothing but time.

[kenny]

I've been hit so now I wear my rayguards or wind river guards everytime.

[plugger]

Stingrays are the most dangerous threat wading next to fishing hot currents around places like SLP. I've always used stingray guards, it's stupid not to. I've used the strap on kind, but they get twisted around and ride up when the strap under your boot rides up your heel , especially wading mud and the surf. This year I bought the Everlast ones attached to the boot to keep them in place. I've used them once, but I don't think I'll go back to the strap on kind. :)

[Explorer21]

Did you get the new G2 ray guards from Forever last? I just found out that if you purchase the G1 online, they send you the G2 version (I hope)!

[sfef84]

I bought whichever kind they have at academy in Galveston. They were $114. I was contemplating buying small boots and guards separate, thinking my feet would get hot. Im glad I bought the full boot with built in guard. Its nice to have extra support and extra barrier walking through brush and deep mud. I got into some stuff yesterday that was deep enough to engulf the small boot...

[Explorer21]

You got the ray guard/boot combo, which was another thing I was looking at. Supposed they (foreverlast) has the new G2 version out, but I have not seen them in the store or online. I have only seen them in the Texas Saltwater magazine I get monthly.

[WestEndAngler]

I have the boot & guard (full boot) that I bought but I think I need to wear socks while wading because the front of the boot rubs my shins just under my knee and makes it raw... No fun I can feel the flesh eating bacteria going to work! :ack2:

[Explorer21]

Coe, I had the same thing and you can buy the wader socks at Academy. Don't get the ones with Fleece, the box says good for wet wading. I tried them last night and it helped.

[sfef84]

If you are wearing pants... put the pants INSIDE the boot.... Will help A LOT!

[WestEndAngler]

If you are wearing pants... put the pants INSIDE the boot.... Will help A LOT!

I'm usually in shorts but good idea might as well utilize the zip kind...

On another note, anyone find any wading pants that don't have the bathing suit liner? I usually cut them out...

[Nwilkins]

I like my snake boots, comfy

[sfef84]

Magellen at Academy has the zips without liner, picked up a pair yesterday. I think like 18 bucks... and its the super light fabric that dries in 2 seconds. Comes with waterproof pocket

[WestEndAngler]

Magellen at Academy has the zips without liner, picked up a pair yesterday. I think like 18 bucks... and its the super light fabric that dries in 2 seconds. Comes with waterproof pocket

Remind me to buy you a beer!

Heading there on my way down the Island.

[sfef84]

Let me know how they work out.. I bet they will get rid of the chafing

[SCHU]

I have been stung twice while surfing back home in San Diego and would like to avoid it again.

Looks like lightning does strike the same place twice. I think I'll get the ones that Troutchaser had on when he got hit with no penetration.

Plus think of it like this.... Your out by yourself and no one around and your a couple hundred yards out in mud. You get hit, good luck walking on it AKA... good luck getting back in. And if lighting strikes twice on your good foot (because your hoping)... get a subscription to netflix and a LOT of beer cause your gonna have nothing but time.

[plugger]

Did you get the new G2 ray guards from Forever last? I just found out that if you purchase the G1 online, they send you the G2 version (I hope)!


Nah, off the shelf at Academy. :)

[plugger]

I'm usually in shorts but good idea might as well utilize the zip kind...

On another note, anyone find any wading pants that don't have the bathing suit liner? I usually cut them out...

I wear pants always...I feel creepy things brushing against my legs otherwise....besides the main reason to wear pants are JELLYFISH stinging you. Never seen any pants without junk netting...I cut it off and wear cotton gym style shorts. :)

[plugger]

I like my snake boots, comfy


and heavy....:D

[SCHU]

X2 on the jellyfish. I think I've used household ammonia for the stings. Gonna have to start seriously looking at a pair of sting ray guareds now.

[sfef84]

Remind me to buy you a beer!

Heading there on my way down the Island.

Did you try em out yet???

[Redfishman]

Are ray guards necessary if wearing waders? I'm assuming yes as one of the members here mentioned a barb going all the way through to bone. I'm considering getting some but didn't know they were so expensive. I think someone mentioned over $100. Still, cheaper than a trip to the hospital I guess.

[kenny]

Are ray guards necessary if wearing waders? I'm assuming yes as one of the members here mentioned a barb going all the way through to bone. I'm considering getting some but didn't know they were so expensive. I think someone mentioned over $100. Still, cheaper than a trip to the hospital I guess.

I wear wind river guards from FTU over reef boots in the winter. I don't see many rays in the winter either. I don't know if they go deep or what?

[imhammer]

Are ray guards necessary if wearing waders? I'm assuming yes as one of the members here mentioned a barb going all the way through to bone. I'm considering getting some but didn't know they were so expensive. I think someone mentioned over $100. Still, cheaper than a trip to the hospital I guess.

Definitely needed with or without waders. The expensive ones they are talking about have the boot and guards combined. I bought snake boots from Irish Setter (Red Wing) online for $139.00 and will never wear anything else.

[corndog]

The magellan wade pants are great they fit great on guys with skinny legs and a big beer belly. I dont even need a belt with them. Pants legs unzip and you have a pair of shorts. Dry quick too.

[imhammer]

Are ray guards necessary if wearing waders? I'm assuming yes as one of the members here mentioned a barb going all the way through to bone. I'm considering getting some but didn't know they were so expensive. I think someone mentioned over $100. Still, cheaper than a trip to the hospital I guess.

Definitely needed with or without waders. The expensive ones they are talking about have the boot and guards combined. I bought snake boots from Irish Setter (Red Wing) online for $139.00 and will never wear anything else.
I also wear neoprene booties under them when not in waders.

[REEL G]

Sucks when a jellyfish gets stuck down under those guards

[Redfishman]

So, most everyone wet-wades during the warmer parts of the year? I've wet-waded both times I've gone (w/no ray guards) but was thinking about getting a pair of light weight waders that I could also use for the early part of duck season. I have a pair of heavy-weight waders but they'd be waaaay to hot for this time of year. I just wasn't sure if ray guards were needed if I was wearing waders. Thanks for the info.

[kenny]

Definitely needed with or without waders. The expensive ones they are talking about have the boot and guards combined. I bought snake boots from Irish Setter (Red Wing) online for $139.00 and will never wear anything else.
I also wear neoprene booties under them when not in waders.

LOL That's all that you can find that come in Sasquatch size!:D

[kenny]

Get some light breathables for fall and late spring wading.

[Redfishman]

Bought me some Ray-Guard wading boots and some Ray-Guard shin straps. It was actually cheaper to buy them separately. I like the idea of being able to just use the boots w/out the shin guards if I decide to. I'll give a report on them if I decide to wade fish any tomorrow morning when I go down to Surfside. We will start out on the jetty but may go over to the bay side and do a bit of wading.

[WestEndAngler]

Where socks... The rayguards chaff my shins

[Redfishman]

Well, I did get to use my Ray-Guard boots and shin guards for a short time yesterday. They were fairly comfortable. I had some of my quick-dry shorts on and just strapped the shin guards on (I didn't see you post about socks until this morning) but didn't have any issues with chaffing, though I could see it being a problem if I'd worn them longer. They may look a bit goofy but to me it's worth the piece of mind konwing that at least I have some protection if I do happen to encounter a ray while wading.

[kenny]

Well, I did get to use my Ray-Guard boots and shin guards for a short time yesterday. They were fairly comfortable. I had some of my quick-dry shorts on and just strapped the shin guards on (I didn't see you post about socks until this morning) but didn't have any issues with chaffing, though I could see it being a problem if I'd worn them longer. They may look a bit goofy but to me it's worth the piece of mind konwing that at least I have some protection if I do happen to encounter a ray while wading.

Yeah, I doubt you'll make the cover of GQ magazine. :D

[Redfishman]

Yeah, I doubt you'll make the cover of GQ magazine. :D

No worries on my part about that! ;)