View Full Version : Korker Alternitives.....


Striper SniperX
01-24-2003, 12:20 PM
was reading *The Fisherman* Magazine about 'Safety in the Suds'

This got an idea in my head... Korkers are to expensive for me right now but it said "Some old timers still cement Golf Spikes to the bottom of there soles"

it's obviously not as effective- but is this better then nothing at all? any pros/cons of "Golf Shoe-Spikes/cleats" ????

I have felt sole wading shoes- will these help with rocks as well??
will they help BETTER then golf-spikes?

thanks,
mike

JohnR
01-24-2003, 12:38 PM
I have felt and Korkers - felt is ok in light situations but nowhere near as good as Korkers. DON'T SKIMP or be CHEAP on safety. Are you going to have a part time job? Wuicker way to score some dough for Korkers - get 'em. Even just the lace up types will be chaper

Uncle Matt
01-24-2003, 01:29 PM
I second the Korkers idea. I hear about the problems with them, but for me they have been great. I've only had them 2 or 3 years and just replaced all the studs for the first time. I like to wade in the canal so I need to wear them. I'm a big guy and GO BOOM hard if you know what I mean! The last time I fell I broke my leg in four places and still have the rod in my leg to prove it. The best $65.00 I ever spent.

Striper SniperX
01-24-2003, 01:34 PM
Ouch! i almost did a fall like that near Pier 5 in Narra- my leg got stuck in-between 2 rocks but i managed to get out...i shouldn't of been on the rocks anyway...

I hear Golf-Spikes do the same job just not as sturdy as Korkers? this tru?

John, i have felts...can i fish off the west wall and be OK w/ felt sole if i watch myself, Or is that area a Korkers only spot?


Mike

tlapinski
01-24-2003, 02:00 PM
currently, there is no legittmate alternative to korkers outside of making something yourself. when i wore out the spikes on my current pair of korkers, i replaced the spikes with 3/4" stainless steel bolts. they are AWESOME!!! i would never fish rocky areas without some sort of spike system on my boots. if you are really that strapped for cash, you can probably fashion something for about $25 - $30. but, at that price, you might as well just buy the lace up models and upgrade the spikes to SS bolts when the original spikes wear out.

Krispy
01-24-2003, 02:02 PM
You should go to the MSBA Kids program, they can answer alot of the Q's you need to get started

, you too Toby;)

tlapinski
01-24-2003, 02:05 PM
ok, uncle Krispy. can you give me a ride? i have a flat tire on my bicycle....

JohnR
01-24-2003, 02:07 PM
John, i have felts...can i fish off the west wall and be OK w/ felt sole if i watch myself, Or is that area a Korkers only spot?

I have felt and Korkers - felt is ok in light situations but nowhere near as good as Korkers. DON'T SKIMP or be CHEAP on safety. Are you going to have a part time job? Wuicker way to score some dough for Korkers - get 'em. Even just the lace up types will be chaperYou should go to the MSBA Kids program, they can answer alot of the Q's you need to get started

, you too Toby Glad I wan't drinking coffee or I'd be wearing it.

Krispy
01-24-2003, 02:29 PM
i have a flat tire on my bicycle....

you should air down on the beach anyways:ss:

mrmacey
01-24-2003, 02:32 PM
there attacking s/s avitar, to the batmobile robin there might be time, he can be saved!!

Striper SniperX
01-24-2003, 02:33 PM
:D :D MSBA show for little kiddies huh??? I know how to fish, Krispy- :eek5: T/Y anyways. :D

Thats what i may do-Toby...thanks for the Idea!
But i may still go with the golf-spikes untill i save up,

Is this just a downright stupid idea or yas think its better then nothing?

TY,
MIKE

JohnR
01-24-2003, 02:39 PM
Thats what i may do-Toby...thanks for the Idea!
But i may still go with the golf-spikes untill i save up,

Is this just a downright stupid idea or yas think its better then nothing?
My recommendation is to just buy the lace up Korkers........................................... ..............................................
.................................................. .....

Why would you go the cheap way for $30 THEN go and buy the Korkers when you save up? Why? Now you've spent $80 instead of $50 - Why?

Not trying sound like a jerk here but "I know how to fish, Krispy- T/Y anyways". If you know so much about fishing then why all the questions? Guess I'm glad you know about it more than I do, phewww. And seriously, I consider myself intermediate at best.

Krispy
01-24-2003, 02:40 PM
Whats TY?

Golf spikes are not worth relying your life on.

I didnt say you couldnt fish, just that theyll gladly answer your Qs and it seemed in your age bracket

besides, Toby's going, so its gotta be cool, ( or fresh, whatever you kids say nowadays:confused: )

Striper SniperX
01-24-2003, 02:46 PM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Krispy
[B]Whats TY?

T.Y. = Thank you. :smash:

Golf spikes are not worth relying your life on.
yeah i understand--

I didnt say you couldnt fish

NO, your right- i can't catch fish :( my fish this summer were all during Blitzes and well placed cast. :(

John- you are also right, when i start Quahogging maybe i will get lucky and find a good bed of clams ;) then i will buy korkers, but first i need to buy that Abu 6500. :D

cause when ya fall off a rock you look like my new avatar <<<<< :eek5:

Mr. Sandman
01-24-2003, 03:19 PM
korkers are expensive but they are worth it. My advice is make them last as long as possible, only put them on when really needed. I see guys walking in the street with them to spots that don't require them. (dumb) I have a set of waders dedicated for korkers. They do ware down but you can gnerally keep them going for a few years. I really need to get a setup like John has...stoking foot waders , the boots with felt and korkers on them. I always thought the felt boots were for fw guys and would not stand up in sw...I was wrong. I think that setup would be more comfortable and sturdy then korkers over the lug-sole wader boot. Live and learn.


my biggest problem with korkers is the straps ware out along side the boot. But they are a must have in certain spots, they grab *into* black slim covered rocks securely like nothing else.

TheSpecialist
01-24-2003, 03:59 PM
Mike I understand you like the surf, and fishing. We all do, but you can't live it 24/7. Now why wait till this summer to start quahogging? Why not get yourself a parttime job now bagging groceries at a supermarket? Maybe a paper route? By the time season rolls around, you will have enough money that you won't know what to buy. Even if you can only work on weekends. another point I would like to add, and I know that you are internet savy, why don't you use the search feature on this site? I know that there are pages of answers to the "Alternative to Korkers" question. Then take what you get from the search, and ask us whatever is left that you don't understand, or can't find. I always use the search feature before I ask a question on here. 90 percent of the time I find my answer in the search, and don't have to bother someone to type out a long answer. Anyway what John said makes sense.. Don't waste time with the golf spikes, save for a pair of laceup korkers. Fish the sand until then if you don't feel comfortable.

fishweewee
01-24-2003, 04:10 PM
One of the more interesting korker mods I have seen is to replace the spikes with snowmobile studs. I'll be working on it (on a fresh pair) shortly and will post a pic if I can.

BTW, allow me to vent. Korkers, and Korkers customer service SUCK. :af: I destroyed a pair after only one season (Rhode Island and the Ditch). Spikes I could understand (just replace 'em), but some of the metallic sockets that hold the spikes popped out of the rubber. I wanted a replacement. The best Korkers could do was sell me another pair for wholesale - $50.

-WW

Tattoo
01-24-2003, 07:06 PM
Something that people tend to forget with korkers.....your not superman / superwoman!

Yeah, they keep you from sliding around, makes rock hoping easier, but a wave hits you in the knees with some force and you can go down pretty easily, Never midn what happens when a 15 foot opens a can of whoop-ass on you. I'll let Iron Mike & The Daniles brothers tell you about that the next time you see them.

One pair of Korkers this year, three sets of studs, and I didnt even get to fish that much this fall because Momma popped. Korkers SUCK, but there aint nothing else.

Sea Dangles
01-26-2003, 02:15 PM
I would not fish the rocks without korkers. This is NOT an infomercial.

shore manic
02-01-2003, 12:45 AM
the specialist: thanks for enlightening me never saw that( search ) up top.was wondering about boot waders vs. stocking waders w/wader boots. thanks to the search i found my answer from you and john r let's see breathables w/ stocking ft. and wading boots w/felt or studs. i'm ready to hit the beach right now for a test run!!!! rocks and ice oh my!!!! :happy: :smash:

JohnR
02-01-2003, 09:38 AM
Shore manic - definitely do the breathables - if it's cols - wear some extra sweatpants. Get the stocking fott and felt soled boots. The felt is OK for light & flat rocks but then through the Korkers on for anything remotely slick...

Going that route is incredible comfortable, light, and efficient. I didn't believe others when they said it and I was too stubborn to try. I wish I had long before as it's VERY comfortable. You do need to be a little more wary for things that will tear them but I have done less damage to breathables this year than my neoprenes or canvas in the past few years...

Young Salt
02-01-2003, 04:34 PM
John - I have a pair of felt soled boots that i've had a few years now and I want to change them over to the studded felts....what do I do to take off the soles that are on there right now? :confused:

Also, I just bought my first pair of breathable waders this last month, and was wondering if I should buy the inside pant liners....I was thinking about layering long-johns and jogging pants, but I wonder...will that be enough?

JohnR
02-01-2003, 07:01 PM
Salt - keep the felts. just get a set of Korkers to slip over them - best of both worlds...

Fishpart
02-02-2003, 07:38 AM
YS, Long Johns and Sweat pants should keep you warm enough. You can always bulk up on the ultra thick long johns for far less than the cost of "wading pants".