Boot Review

Feeling defeeted by boot choices?

I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine who fishes the Elite Series regarding what type of boot he should have and it got me looking around.  I have to admit that it’s really overwhelming.  There are a lot of choices, with a wide range of prices, so I thought I would share what I think are my current Top 5 based on what I look for in a boot.

To begin with, the market is generally more geared towards hunters; as most people aren’t wearing much more than a pair of sandals when they’re on the boat.  But for those of us who compete, we know firsthand how harsh the environment can be, and how crucial it is to have our bodies kept warm and dry.  So I look for boots that are tall, rubber/neoprene, breathable, waterproof (not water-resistant), and rated for weather that falls somewhere between 60F and -20F. 

1.  Woody Max, Muck Boot Company $194.95

This is not only the most expensive boot of the five, it is also my favorite pair I own.  Not because I am committed to buying them over and over, year after year, but because I bought my first and only pair in 2001 and they still look like they did the day I took them out of the box without having to apply any oils or treatments.  At almost $200 a pair a lot of you will pass on them, but if you only wear them to hunt and/or fish, I can assure you that they’ll last long enough to justify the purchase.  Waterproof, and rated for temps ranging from 40 below zero to 60 degrees Farenheight, these boots will keep your feet warm and dry on the boat, in a tree stand, in rain or in snow.

Rating:  A+

2.  Alphaburly® Pro Side-Zip 18" Mossy Oak® Break-Up Infinity® Hunting Boots, Lacrosse $150

Top of Form

Lacrosse is certainly not new to the boot industry.  Having been completely redesigned for 2013, the Alphaburly® Pro offers comfort, support, and durability, while simultaneously providing new features like a full-length side zipper and pairing it with the classic ankle-fit design from 1963 to deliver a boot that is both comfortable and sleek.  It's a great blend of old and new, and a unique representation of what Lacrosse has to offer for the future.  Tall (18 inches) lightweight (4.5lbs per pair) and rated for temperatures ranging from 60 to -20 F, this is absolutely a great option for anyone.

Rating:  B+

3.  Rutmaster 800g Thinsulate™ Ultra with ExoFlex™ Fit System, Irish Setter $184.99

One of the few I explored which offered scent control, the Rutmaster offers a wide variety of features that make it an enticing product for consumers.  I'll admit that it's not the first company that comes to mind when I think of boots, but Irish Setter isn't exactly an untested company.  The ExoFlex system allows for a unique wear that will stretch for easier on/off, and instantly lock into place while wearing to provide extreme performance.  The height is relatively the same (17 inches) and so is the weight.  The tread is a bit more aggressive than the others, but I personally find them to fall somewhere in the middle in terms of overall warmth during really cold weather when having to sit for long periods of time.

Rating:  B

4.  HeadHunter 12, Duck Commander $120

The Duck Commander line was something I decided to look into because I thought that a company that was so good at making duck calls would have to put their name on a good boot too, right?  Not so much.  While it is by far the most affordable of the group, the boot itself feels bulky and cheap even though it's lighter, because it's a much shorter boot (12 inches).  The base isn't as comfortable, and you'll get cold in weather below 40 degrees.  I'd say you'd be fine if you live south of Tennessee, but if you spend anytime at all in cold weather you won't be "happy, happy, happy" that you bought this boot.

Rating:  D-

5.  MudSox 1000G WP, Rocky $169.99

Last but not least we have the brand new MudSox WP by Rocky.  Full neoprene, and jam-packed with insulation from top to bottom, these boots are no joke when it comes to keeping your feet warm.  They also feature removable footbeds to help you dry them after you've had them on all day.  The only downside to these boots is that they are a bit on the heavy side at over 8 lbs per pair.  But if you're not doing much walking and just want to be sure your feet are able to keep warm when you're battling winter wind and waves on Erie or Simcoe, this is the boot for you.

Rating:  A-

5 In The Box with my friend and Elite Pro, Brandon Palaniuk!

Are you done for the year?

I'm done fishin tournaments, (laughing).  I'm looking forward to being home for a while.  I was only home for about three weeks this year.

What is it about 2014 that you're the most excited about?

The Classic.

 

 

Is that because you've done well there before, or just because it's The Classic?  

Well I've only actually fished Guntersville once for a total of three days.  But I love The Classic.  And I'm really looking forward to having a fresh start in 2014.  This year was full of so many huge ups and downs for me.  The Classic is a new beginning, and a chance for me to start making a run at Angler Of The Year.  

You just missed winning the Classic, you had a tough break in Wisconsin where you were on pace to just absolutely destroy the competition, then you win big at The St. Lawrence River in NY; do you feel like you finished well and have good momentum going into next year?

Well the thing about Angler Of The Year is that you can't just finish strong.  You have to be at it from the very beginning and I think that if I learned anything from this year, it's that when I have tournaments where I don't have a great pattern of fish locked down, I need to scrape together something decent enough so that I still finish decent.  I can't always swing for the fences.

Did you know you had a shot to win in NY?

Hmmm.  I mean, I had good fish, I knew that.  And I'm glad I made the decision to start my first day of practice out on the lake (Lake Ontario) because if I had started in the river, I might not have made the decision to run to the Lake.  The thing is, you never know what other guys have or what they're catching.  So I thought I could bring in like 23 pounds a day on the lake.  But if I had started in the river and found 19 or 20 pounds a day there I might not have made the run to the lake.

Was it a tough decision to make the commitment to that long run?

Not really because I knew I had a potential winning bag waiting there for me, but I paid for it physically.

Yeah?  

Dude I was so beat up from that.  It's a real long ride.

When we fished together in Virginia you said your favorite way to fish was throwin a swimbait because it's so innocent (the bait itself), and the bite is so violent.          

Yeah absolutely.  But also I've just seen so many big fish just smash big swimbaits.

The ultimate GoPro Bass "Belly view"

Tell me about your contest with BASS.

That was something we started talking about a couple months ago.  They (BASS) came and asked if I'd like to be part of the "Win a Trip with______" contest and I said yes.  They had wanted 4 anglers and I'm the fourth.  I'm not sure yet where it'll be or when, but I'm looking forward to it and hopefully we'll get to go someplace where we can catch a lot of fish.

 

Click HERE to enter

Are you more comfortable in deep water, or was it just coincidence that your better finishes this year were smallmouth tournaments?

I actually grew up in Idaho and we fished shallow all the time and I was really one of the first people I knew at the time to break away from that and try to figure the smallmouth out a little bit.  So it's not that I'm more comfortable out deep, but I like it and I think it's something that I'm good at.

Is it good to be done for the year?

Yeah man, I figured it out and I was actually only home for about three weeks.  I'm ready to get off the road for a while.

Speaking of that...

1.  What do you do when you're not on the road?

Hunt.  Fish.  I actually don't get to hunt as much as I'd like to.  I miss it.

2.  Do you have any pre-tournament rituals or superstitions?

Nope!

A biggun!

3.  Where are you both the most and least excited to go in 2014?

I'm most excited about fishing The Classic because I know what that place can do, and I'd have to say I'm least excited about St. Johns.  

4.  Are you livin the dream, your dream, or was there something else that you have always wanted to do for a living?

I definitely am.  I knew long ago I wanted to make a career out of fishing.

5.  What's the one thing that nobody knows about you?

Hmmm...I don't know.  That's a really good question.  Maybe that I love snowboarding.  If I wasn't fishing professionally I probably would be trying to be snowboarding as a pro.     

   

Brandon and I in Virginia

Trick or Treat!

A special 5 In The Box Halloween edition with the lovely Kate Dattilo.

How long have you been fishing?

I've actually been fishing as long as I can remember.  It's been a part of my life so long I couldn't tell you the first time I went.

How were you introduced to it?

My Dad has always loved it.  When I was a kid growing up he always had the newest lures and gear, and our basement was like a tackle shop.  If needed anything at all, I could just go downstairs and get it.

Do you have brothers and sisters that share the same love for it that you do?

I have a sister, an older brother who has a daughter, and we all love it.

Why do you love it?  I mean, do you love it?

LOL, YES!  I'm on the water as much as I can be and I still get out with my dad at least once or twice a week.  

Does he still teach you things?

Absolutely.  My Dad fishes very slow, patiently.  He's not the type of person to run all over the lake hitting as many spots as he can for like 5 minutes before running to the next spot and the next and the next.  He takes his time, finds the fish, finds what they want to eat, and is really great at taking his time through it all.  I love that the most about fishing with him.  

Traditionally, most men would not look at a woman of your beauty and say "yeah, sure she baits her own hook".  Have you found it to be difficult for you to gain any sort of respect among men and even women for that matter, and if so how do you deal with that?

Yeah I have found it difficult but only with men; not all men, it seems like it's 50/50.  I feel like men either don't take me seriously at all, or are like "WOW!  She's a badass!".  But the people that I meet and interact with through social media have all been (for the most part) really positive and supportive.  

When guys think of female anglers right now they immediately think of like, Allison Shaw, Trait Crist, Claire Ansley, Stephanie Hemphill, Hillary Hughes, or like a Callie Shumway.  Do you find yourself able to identify with any of them or anyone like them, and do you have anyone like that who is also trying to accomplish the same things you are that you can reach out and talk to?

I don't talk to any of them, but for sure I think we all can identify with each other even if it's just because we all love to fish.  

What's your favorite way to fish?

God, I don't know.  Whatever they're eating.  lol.  Seriously though, that's really hard.  I love flippin a jig.  But I also really like a good topwater bite, or cranking when fish are active.  And who doesn't like throwin a Sick Stick or any old soft plastic Texas rigged?  

You're the first female angler to join Power Team Lures.  Congratulations!  How awesome was that?!?

Amazing!  It's a HUGE honor.  I'm so lucky to be a part of a company that I can honestly say "I was using this stuff before I joined the team" and to trust their baits and believe in them.  And to be the first woman is great, and gives me the opportunity to hopefully pave the way for other women as well.  I don't use any other soft plastics when I'm fishing.

What's the biggest bass you've ever caught?

You're lookin at her!

That's a great fish!

Thanks!  She was 6 lbs.

What's your favorite lake?

Lake Winnipesaukee.

Wait...Lake What?!!??

LOL...Winnipesaukee.  It's ok, everybody calls it Winni.

Least favorite?

Don't have one.

OK...let's get down to the nitty gritty!

1.  What's it like on a Sunday at your house when you're not fishing?

I'm always fishing, but if I'm not I'm probably watching the Packers!

Gross.

HAHAHA!  Shut up you know you love them!  

2.  Do you have any rituals or superstitions other than kissing every fish?

(Laughing) I organize all my tackle, it has to be all nice and neat.  By the end of the day everything is thrown everywhere.  I also pray to my grampa (he passed away two years ago) that he'll guide me through the day (and help me catch a toad)!

3.  What was the best day you had this year?

It was in May or early June.  My father and I went out and every fish I caught was like 3 lbs or bigger.  All chunks!  What a blast!

4.  What's the one place you're looking forward to fishing in 2014?

Lake Okeechobee.  There are just so many big fish there and I'm DIEING to go after them and try to catch my first 10 plus!

5.  What's one thing nobody knows about you?

I actually caught my face on fire when I was a little girl.  Thankfully I don't have any scars!  Other than that, I'm an open book!

My first appearance in a product catalog

Here is a glimpse at the Dobyns Catalog for 2014.  I was very fortunate to be included in it and am really excited about it.  Huge thanks to all of them!!!