World Wide Sportsman® Copper River Water Shoe

One of the most important keys to successful fishing is getting access to productive water. For many, that means a quality Deep-V or flat bottomed Bass Boat. For the rest of us who don't have $20,000 for a NITRO®, a quality pair of water shoes or waders are the next best thing. I spent the better part of two seasons wishing I had a quality solution for getting past the shoreline and now I'm kicking myself for not buying these sooner.

First Impressions

I had been considering water shoes for a while and when these went on sale at Bass Pro Shops, I had to pull the trigger. The construction of the shoe itself is a top-side assembly of mesh and leather support straps, while the sole is a cleated non-slip rubber tread. The shoe slips on easily and is tightened down with a bungee-like quick strap. Complete with an anti-microbial footbed, the build is solid, comfortable and extremely easy to take on and off.

Using the Gear

The Copper River water shoe is designed to take on and drain water, and there's no doubt it drains quickly and easily. But that also means you are going to feel the water and, at least in Michigan, you'd better not take these out until mid-May. I took these out for the first time to my favorite lake, Kent Lake. I've fished Kent Lake for years, but it is also a very pressured lake and I was hoping to gain access to new areas along the shore I've never been able to fish before.

Finding a small access point on the heavily wooded shoreline, I waded through the brush to find two wonderful surprises. First, I found myself sinking into 9-10 inches of muck. Second, the shoes stayed on!

After wading in a few feet to some sandy ground, I found myself sitting in Bass Fishing paradise, just me and the lake all around me.

By actually getting into the water, I had a casting range basically as wide as my field of vision and better yet, access to areas that are not spoiled by frequent traffic.

Review Summary

I've beaten these shoes up pretty good and they are still just like new. I find them comfortable, durable and reliable. They dry quickly and I pretty much just store them out on the deck in the rain or sun. Men's and Women's styles are available in a variety of sizes. Having a water shoe creates a totally new dynamic for the shore angler allowing for greater access, new angles, distance and even the ability to land fish easier. For anyone who doesn't have a boat, I'd absolutely recommend.