Barefoot and footwear in the Boat

[Swamp Girl]

On YouTube, I see more and more young anglers fishing barefoot in their bass boats. If you're a barefoot fisher, please explain why. If you're not, what's your footwear of choice when fishing in your boat or from shore?

 

I either wear tennis shoes or my neoprene/wetsuit boots. My tennis shoes are convenient because they're right by the door, but my neoprene boots are superior because I nearly always launch my canoe by stepping into the water and the boots were built to be wet, plus they're as comfy as slippers. Next year, I'm planning to always wear my neoprene boots.

[TOXIC]

I have never fished barefoot.  Never.  There’s just something about the sight of me at my age and girth trying to pull a treble hook out of my foot, that is somewhere between mission impossible and Benny Hill.  I wear a rubberized sandal made by Shimano (Evair) that allows excellent traction, non scuffing on boat carpet, and easy drying.  I will even use socks in very cold weather which believe it or not, keep my feet plenty warm which is totally illogical but it does.  I have gone through 3 pairs in 15 years. I will admit it makes for some pretty funky tan lines in the summer. 

[12poundbass]

In the summer I will go barefoot or wear flip flops. If I’m fishing smaller lakes with no docks I need to walk in the water to load the boat so I just wear something easy to get on and off. I’m barefoot quite often in the summer time too. 
 

The colder months I’ll wear shoes or some sore of insulated waterproof boot.

[Tennessee Boy]

I wear Crocs in the summer.   Some of the dumbest things I have done were at a boat ramp trying to keep my feet dry.  I decided I’m getting too old to jump from the boat to the bed of the truck so I switched to shoes that I can get wet.   I may have to look into @TOXIC’s recommendations.  Wearing the same brand of shoes as my fishing reel seems like a good idea.  It might even increase sensitivity. 😆

[T-Billy]

It's seasonal and weather dependant. Insulated boots, sneakers, hikers, crocs, rain boots......

[galyonj]

I usually just wear sneakers. During winter I'll wear boots with thermal socks because cold feet are the worst. 

[GreenPig]

Teva Forebay sandals down to 50 degrees. Danner hunting boots for the colder mornings. My boat is aluminum and will cook bare flesh on sunny days.

[LonnieP]

I wear flip flops until it gets cold, then I switch to hiking boots

[A-Jay]

If the biting flies aren't swarming the Old Town,

I'll go barefoot in the canoe.

Clearly a summer deal and never at night. 

However in the Pro-V Bass - I am Always some kind of shoe guy.

And like @T-Billy mentioned, it's ambient air temp dependent.

On this day I was rocking the Camo High Tops . . . 

A-Jay

 

 

[MN Fisher]

Colder temps I'm in sneakers - otherwise I'm in these

Water drains fast, they're comfy and protect my feet from sunburn - if I wasn't covered I'd make a cooked lobster look pale.

[LrgmouthShad]

Favorites in the Hobie have been flip flops and Muck Boots.

[Susky River Rat]

I too have to venture in the water while launching most times. I wear crocs or lined crocs with thermal socks. To launch I will just use knee high rubber boots then take them off if the water is too cold to go in without them. I highly doubt with the new boat and rough coated aluminum floor bare feet would feel good. 

[WRB]

I learned a lesson a long time that swimming with any shoes on is very difficult. Boat shoes should be worn to protect you from stepping on something sharpe.....and be easy to remove if you find yourself needing to swim.

Try swimming in your shoes or boots, it isn’t easy.

Tom

[TOXIC]

4 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

  I may have to look into @TOXIC’s recommendations.  Wearing the same brand of shoes as my fishing reel seems like a good idea.  It might even increase sensitivity. 

Believe me when I say I have tried a lot of different footwear.  Keen sandals are leather and got funky after getting them wet, water shoes never gave enough support to be comfortable, crocs just never fit right and my foot slipped around in them when they got wet, I have high arches so tennis shoes had my dogs barking by the end of the day.  The Evair’s have an orthotic insert that makes them extremely comfortable. They are European sized so that’s a pain.  As for the tan lines……

[padlin]

Calf high cheap rubber boots in colder weather, if the sun comes out I take em off and sit in the canoe barefoot. Crocs once the water warms.

It’s not like I’m walking around.

[Dwight Hottle]

Crocs for me until I'm fishing in cold weather then it's waterproof Gortex Timberland shoes.

[GRiver]

I’m bare foot weather permitting… tennis shoe with gum soles, when it gets cooler. So it doesn’t make black marks on my deck, I don’t have carpet. I like going bare foot in the summer, brings back fishing as a kid.

[ElGuapo928]

I’m usually barefoot until December/January, then switch into tennis shoes. 

[gim]

I hate it when people are barefoot in a boat.  Hooks and bare feet don't mix.  We don't want to see your nasty crusty infected branch grabbers in photos either.

 

I wear Teva sandals in the summer time, and sneakers in the spring/fall.  My dog is often in my boat with me so there will never be an random hooks or lures just laying around anyways.

[wvhunt]

I spent years guiding whitewater either barefoot or in Teva or Alps.  After years of sun damage to my skin, I keep a pair or cheapo slip on from Walmart in the boat.  They're light and comfortable, but protect my feet from the sun.

[Phelptwan]

Barefoot until it gets too cold, then thick wool socks.  I honestly just can't stand wearing anything with soles while on a boat...I don't know why.

[DaubsNU1]

Always shoes...bad arches...I have great orthotic inserts...when I don't wear them, or go barefoot...ouch : ( 

 

Mainly tennis shoes, and like @T-Billy and @A-Jay, weather dependent. 

 

Hikers when it gets colder. 

 

I have even fished in neoprene 1200 gram thinsulate chest waders. Stayed warm. 

[RRocket]

I wear a pair of Bogs Tillamook Bay waterproof low boot. Extremely comfortable and of course waterproof. Particularly good for bank fishing too.

[Swamp Girl]

I like your Bogs, @RRocket. 

[ElGuapo928]

My wife bought me a pair of those fake sheepskin lined Crocs a couple of years ago and I tossed them in the closet with the intention of forgetting the ugly things’ existence…….I recently decided to give them a chance (based on her telling me to give them a chance), and I think I have now revolutionized my winter attire. I am now primed to get out there on a cold day!