I'm just wondering what others think about wetsuit fishing and whether it should be in its own category of fishing sort of like, Kayaking, surfcasting, boating, etc.

I wonder if when the term 'surfcasting" was developed years ago, those fishing in the surf thought that it would extend beyond those with 2 feet on the ground Fishing from shore (or rocks nearby).

I have nothing against wetsuiting at all. In fact, I'm seriously considering one for 2009. I'm just curious to hear what others think about a type of fishing that allows others to venture out quite a bit further from shore and to avoid many of the same obstacles that "surfcasters from shore" experience.

For example, if I took a kayak or small boat 25-50-75 yards from shore in order to fish a couple of big rocks or island that I could not otherwise get to in my waders, I'm not sure if that is truly surfcasting. Afterall, in this example, the "surf" in "surfcasting" would be missing.

What are your thoughts ?

I agree with you. Once we leave the surf were almost doing something that has never been done. And that is fishing from rocks a hundred feet out.

I put on a dry top and waders and I'm 60yds from shore on a bar in a back bay in chest deep water. Still surfcasting?
I'm 40 yds out on a rock, again dry top and waders, surfcasting?
I'm 40 yds out on the same rock in a wetsuit because it is more comfortable, surfcasting?

I don't use a wet suit when I fish, but do use waders and a dry top so I'm just posing questions.

If you don't have to swim to where you are going to fish, I think you can still call it surfcasting.

I have nothing against wetsuiting at all. In fact, I'm seriously considering one for 2009. I'm just curious to hear what others think about a type of fishing that allows others to venture out quite a bit further from shore and to avoid many of the same obstacles that "surfcasters from shore" experience.

wetsuiting is a lot of fun but just be very careful..

back to your question i do think it is still surfcasting...

It's surfcasting with a "pair" depending how far you push the limits. I think you are still surfcasting until you utilize some sort of vessel.

If you don't have to swim to where you are going to fish, I think you can still call it surfcasting.

Agreed.

It's surfcasting with a "pair" depending how far you push the limits. I think you are still surfcasting until you utilize some sort of vessel.

How would you categorize "skishing" then?

It's surfcasting with a "pair" depending how far you push the limits. I think you are still surfcasting until you utilize some sort of vessel.

Agreed.

I think people who surfcast in a wetsuit are typically arrogant, selfish and otherwise rude people.

That being said, can anyone suggest a decent wetsuit that won't break the bank?

-spence

just becuase you have on a wetsuit does not mean your swimming far out.Heck I know of spots like charles island in ct. and many other sand bars that people wade very far from shore in waders a wetsuit in on of those spots would be a better choice.

I think people who surfcast in a wetsuit are typically arrogant, selfish and otherwise rude people.

That being said, can anyone suggest a decent wetsuit that won't break the bank?

Too funny.

Good point about Skiishing ( or I guess those who wear wetsuits and need to swim to point B ).

In the Montauk Locals Tournament, wetsuits have been put into a separate category from waders because wetsuiters are seen as having an advantage.

In the Montauk Locals Tournament, wetsuits have been put into a separate category from waders because wetsuiters are seen as having an advantage.

...and that's the gist of this post. I'm just wondering if others see it that way

I put on a dry top and waders and I'm 60yds from shore on a bar in a back bay in chest deep water. Still surfcasting?
I'm 40 yds out on a rock, again dry top and waders, surfcasting?
I'm 40 yds out on the same rock in a wetsuit because it is more comfortable, surfcasting?

I don't use a wet suit when I fish, but do use waders and a dry top so I'm just posing questions.

If you don't have to swim to where you are going to fish, I think you can still call it surfcasting.

Emgred's answer hits it right on the head.

For example, if I took a kayak or small boat 25-50-75 yards from shore in order to fish a couple of big rocks or island that I could not otherwise get to in my waders, I'm not sure if that is truly surfcasting. Afterall, in this example, the "surf" in "surfcasting" would be missing.

What are your thoughts ?

In your example, the boat/kayak would be considered transportation. Not much different than getting off a boat at Cuttyhunk or any other island not connected to the mainland or a spot that's unreachable by car or foot (getting around private property to a public spot). You would still end up surfcasting, right :kewl:?

A distinct sub-culture, and a unofficial cadre of leadership, has already formed around it.
I think there will be a split, but it will be as a result of the sport taking on its own identity, rather than as a result of the traditional surfcasting community rejecting the wetsuiters. In other words, I don't see a surfcasting "purist" movement arising.
It will happen organically. Somebody will write a skishing book, a skishing-specific website will form, skishing tournaments will arise, etc.
Its a very effective method of fishing and the people participating are usually very good fishermen and they definitely have balls.

I am pretty sure this is a 50 year old argument.
Using a wet or drysuit and standing on something is still surfcasting imho, though not in the eyes of some LI tourneys.
Now as to skishers having balls, maybe they just don't know what else swims out there?

If your standing on the ground its surfcasting.....if your skishing then it should have its own category.

Whats the difference between wading/swimming out to a rock in your bathingsuit/shorts or a wetsuit that it warrants its own category.....its more a question of access (and Comfort) than anything else.

by the Way.....Kayaks are Boats.....just like canoes, catamarans, and pontoon boats :hee:

How would you categorize "skishing" then?

Still surf fishing to me. You enter the water through the surf but you don't accept the limits of having to stand on land. I don't see a whole lot of difference between wading waist deep and being willing to actually swim while fishing. Swimming is just taking it a little further. Your not leveraging technology. Other than the boyancy of a wetsuit all you have to count on is your own physicality.

Again, it just amounts how much sack or stupidity you have depending on how you look at it.

As long as you only use plugs it is all OK. :uhuh:

As long as you only use plugs it is all OK. :uhuh:

skishing w/ trebles. :1poke:

A distinct sub-culture, and a unofficial cadre of leadership, has already formed around it.
I think there will be a split, but it will be as a result of the sport taking on its own identity, rather than as a result of the traditional surfcasting community rejecting the wetsuiters. In other words, I don't see a surfcasting "purist" movement arising.
It will happen organically. Somebody will write a skishing book, a skishing-specific website will form, skishing tournaments will arise, etc.
Its a very effective method of fishing and the people participating are usually very good fishermen and they definitely have balls.

Maybe Paul Melnyk will revive his site and organize some of his rants into a book after that :grins:.

Still surf fishing to me. You enter the water through the surf but you don't accept the limits of having to stand on land. I don't see a whole lot of difference between wading waist deep and being willing to actually swim while fishing. Swimming is just taking it a little further. Your not leveraging technology. Other than the boyancy of a wetsuit all you have to count on is your own physicality.

Again, it just amounts how much sack or stupidity you have depending on how you look at it.

Problem with that is some of these guys are swimming far out beyond the longest cast anyone can hope to make "from the surf". It's definitely an unfair advantage and that IMO is when it no longer can be classified as surf fishing.

Of course, the old heave and haul guys likely felt the same way about rods and reels. Curious thing is that with a wet suit, fins, and an eel you probably don't need a rod or a reel to fish effectively. I'll bet that's next.

I still consider standing on a rock to be surfcasting

Problem with that is some of these guys are swimming far out beyond the longest cast anyone can hope to make "from the surf". It's definitely an unfair advantage and that IMO is when it no longer can be classified as surf fishing.

Why is it unfair? Because you can't or are unwilling to do it? I won't push myself that far and maybe can't either but imo that doesn't make it unfair. I guess I just give the few who do it the credit I feel they deserve. They are taking a higher risk and if it does result in bigger fish then to me they earned it.

The category labeled orbituaries if caution is not exercised.
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wetsuiting to far out rocks that are unobtainable from shore is like kayaking out to small islands or areas that have zero public access to surf cast..

Its a loophole IMO..

where do you draw the line??

I know most of you do not follow sailing or the americas cup, but a few years ago, Dennis Connor showed up with a catamaran and blew away the other team... "Hey it was legal"

Why is it unfair? Because you can't or are unwilling to do it? I won't push myself that far and maybe can't either but imo that doesn't make it unfair. I guess I just give the few who do it the credit I feel they deserve. They are taking a higher risk and if it does result in bigger fish then to me they earned it.

I give them lots of credit. They may be just a bit nuts :eek5: to be doing that, but I do give them credit .

Still surf fishing to me. You enter the water through the surf but you don't accept the limits of having to stand on land. I don't see a whole lot of difference between wading waist deep and being willing to actually swim while fishing. Swimming is just taking it a little further. Your not leveraging technology. Other than the boyancy of a wetsuit all you have to count on is your own physicality.

I know you already prefaced that the use of a vessel makes it something other than surf fishing, but if one were to replace the wetsuit and fins with a kayak and paddle in the above quote, it would be interchangeable. The kayak would just be keeping you higher up in the water to facilitate casting. That's why I believe the buoyancy of the wetsuit and the fins are an extra technological edge. You use them to propel yourself out to the fish. We'll just have to agree to disagree :cheers2:.

We'll just have to agree to disagree :cheers2:. I agree. :tooth:

There are surf fishermen who use wetsuits and are still surfishing ... there are skishers who are a little bit beyond surf fishing ...

... in fact I almost ran a guy over one pre-dawn morning in Montauk about 10-12 years ago, couldn't see the guy in the water ... it was crazy and I wouldn't say that guy was surf fishing, and I don't think he'd say it either ... but wouldn't fault him either ... I hope he caught fish that day and glad I was not a little closer to shore ... that fellow was not on a rock either ...

.... I do know of a few spots where I would have preferred to have a wetsuite on instead of waders, would have been safer ... and I was surfishing ...

... skishing is definitely a little bit beyond surf fishing in my eyes ... but those guys also surf fish too.

Really how ever one wants to classify it for themselves.

lots of good thoughts here as always,,,,,,,,,,,

IMHO, still surfcasting ~~~

BUT with not only bigger cohones, a
decided advantage of access to the "unreachable rocks",
and what i would classify as ULTRA surfcasting.

for me, it remains surfcasting until one introduces;
fiberglass, rubber, or aluminum and you drive/steer/navigate
yerself into position to fish,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

rock hopping, wave riding, island reaching ~~it's ALL the same~~
so long as it's still just you, our beloved prey, and the mighty Atlantic
out there matching wits wit each other. many say that it is INFINITELY safer, as well.

now, tourney fishing is sumthin' completely different!!
the wetsuiters/island reachers/skishers last year CRUSHED
the shore division in the Striper Cup, with us wader types stuck in the
high 40's, for most of them that was the cellar and they bailed fiddies
all season long,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,GREAT for them, MTK is right for categorizing this new breed of surfcrazies~~~

and one day i hope to join them for the ultimate in comfort, access, and adrenilyn!!!
:bl: :bl: :bl:

Time to break out the old innertube .They call them waves when upon the water,only after those waves HIT the beach is it called "surf".

the line is too blury to make it a separate category. too many "what ifs" can be applied. To me, swimming a hundred yards out to a rock = surfcasting, swimming 1/4 mile and bobbing in a rip = skishing.

the way i see it, fishing in a wetsuit doesn't give one an advantage that anyone cannot have if they want it. there is no real economic demand to it, like a boat for example, and no use of electronics, like a fishfinder. if you made fishing in a wetsuit a different category, then why not fishing with waders a separate category over fishing without them.

the line is too blury to make it a separate category. too many "what ifs" can be applied. To me, swimming a hundred yards out to a rock = surfcasting, swimming 1/4 mile and bobbing in a rip = skishing.

Pretty much my thoughts and just an extension of going from barefeet to hip boots to waders up to a wet suit. It is "apparel tools" to enhance your fishing from the ground/shore. When you start to use the wetsuit to emulate a boat, that's a different story, and IMO, the line when it extends beyond surfcasting.

For the tourneys at PISC

A Surfcast fish is one Hooked, Fought, and Landed while feet are on the ground.

A Boat fish is one Hooked, Fought, and Landed while feet are in the boat. (this includes kayaks)

in both cases it doesn't matter what you are wearing....

If you catch a fish skishing then its a nice fish and you are more than welcome to come to the banquet and watch the other guys pick up there award. :D

Granted I'm pretty sure we don't have any members that skish so its not really an issue.....if it ever becomes one then we will discuss what to do.

I could see this being an issue with the Striper Cup though.....because it doesn't fall in either the boat or shore category.

I hope it does not end up like the Sunni/Shiite schism - could make for a 1400 year flame war.

I have a real hang up with the Flaptail's and Ed B's of the world too. Standing where us shorter surfcasters can't. Walking by me in hip boots while I'm almost swimming in my waders. Maybe we should implement a .8 multiplier for you guys if you were to fish the Striper Cup.

And while we're at it, the heavy set crowd. I'm taking issue with you too. Long after my Korkers give out and I get blown off a rock you're still out there, firmly attached. The extra down pressure is far too great an advantage. There's no way we can consider you to be surfcasting, either.

And the DZ's. FU guys. :hihi: Standing ankle deep at the most and catching large anyways.

Seriously though, skishing is different and it's a rare sight to see someone even try it in RI or MA, I'm surprised it's even being debated here.

"Wetsuit fishing" is such a broad description that trying to define it is pointless. There's people who wear one simply because they got tired of holes in their waders. Some wear one for safety. Some to fish where they already fish in waders to be more comfortable. Some to go a lot further.

I would add that some of the guys who fished in wetsuits this year would have probably caught the same large fish had they not been in a wetsuit. They're just good fisherman.

For the tourneys at PISC

A Surfcast fish is one Hooked, Fought, and Landed while feet are on the ground.

A Boat fish is one Hooked, Fought, and Landed while feet are in the boat. (this includes kayaks)



DF,

I agreed with you fully last time we had this discussion and agree now.

Skishing is definitely not surf fishing to me. If you're hooking fish while floating or drifting in the water its more like a boat, IMO.

A wet suit is just another tool. Same as comparing bare feet fishing to using waders. You need to cast, hook,fight, and land from terra firma to be considered surf caught, regardless of what's on your feet.

I've seen guys paddle bait out with kayaks off Race Pt., then go back to shore and hook/land the fish and call it "surf" caught. Baloney. You need all the elements.

Wetsuiting is simply extending the surf boundary a bit, but to me it doesn't need its own category, IMO.

Lots of the guys I know who wetsuit are no better than average surfmen without the wetsuits, but the willingness to take risk/go the extra mile in order to succeed is what sets them apart. Its kind of like anything else in a risk/reward sense.

...
by the Way.....Kayaks are Boats.....just like canoes, catamarans, and pontoon boats :hee:

And as everyone will agree, B.F.D.C. :hidin: - :cputin::nailem:

Ya know, I have a couple of spots where a wetsuit would be advisable for comfort considerations given the fact that trying to get off or on at any point beyond half-tide will get ya more than moist - hey, JohnR - do ya remember that spot we fished during The Habs :hihi: And that was on a FAC night -

I guess from my perspective I've gotta say it's a good way to get yourself in trouble in some instances - ask rickhern about wetsuiting to the rocks on MV. One should never be where one does not belong, as Dylan would say.

I've thought about it and nixed it - for me it's just a way to encourage myself to stay in places when conditions are starting to get too dicey to hang around in waders and at that point it's time for a smart guy to get outta Dodge.

Old Uncle Zeke put it in perspective for me in his inimitable way - the first time he saw me putting my USCG rescue strobe on during a big swell he said "Nice - a body retrieval device"...:rotflmao:

Old Zeke is a man of few words. In other words, don't take comfort using equipment that will put ya in spot where you shouldn't be in the first place. That place is up to you to determine.

I guess it's a way of saying wet-suiting is better suited to bullet-proof sub-thirty-somethings than old pharts like me.

Not that there's anything wrong with that - I was young once myself and I've got the scars, busted out teeth and medical dossiers at several different specialists to prove it. :doh:

If given only 2 choices = surf or boat, then I'd have to say wetsuiting or skishing is surf fishing since you certainly are NOT standing on a boat.
who cares? why catagorize it, it's fishing

why catagorize it,

Because its winter.....:angel:

Eels versus plugs to follow.....Numbskull and I will be hosting the main event at some point..:rumble:

Maybe Paul Melnyk will revive his site and organize some of his rants into a book after that :grins:.

FYI

Melnyk just redid his sight.:hihi:

http://www.surfcasting.com/

If given only 2 choices = surf or boat, then I'd have to say wetsuiting or skishing is surf fishing since you certainly are NOT standing on a boat.
who cares? why catagorize it, it's fishing

Categorizing it shouldn't be about what you're wearing....its what you're doing. wetsuiting could be surf-fishing....as long as that is what you are doing while wearing it.....standing on a rock/ground while fishing.

Skishing is neither.....

I knew Melnyk was in the process of doing it. Right now, it has about as much content as the old site, just newer dates:rolleyes:.

I have a real hang up with the Flaptail's and Ed B's of the world too. Standing where us shorter surfcasters can't. Walking by me in hip boots while I'm almost swimming in my waders. Maybe we should implement a .8 multiplier for you guys if you were to fish the Striper Cup.

And while we're at it, the heavy set crowd. I'm taking issue with you too. Long after my Korkers give out and I get blown off a rock you're still out there, firmly attached. The extra down pressure is far too great an advantage. There's no way we can consider you to be surfcasting, either.

And the DZ's. FU guys. :hihi: Standing ankle deep at the most and catching large anyways.

Seriously though, skishing is different and it's a rare sight to see someone even try it in RI or MA, I'm surprised it's even being debated here.

"Wetsuit fishing" is such a broad description that trying to define it is pointless. There's people who wear one simply because they got tired of holes in their waders. Some wear one for safety. Some to fish where they already fish in waders to be more comfortable. Some to go a lot further.

I would add that some of the guys who fished in wetsuits this year would have probably caught the same large fish had they not been in a wetsuit. They're just good fisherman.


Pete, the first time I saw you on the Rockpile in a wetsuit I thought there was a Mime Troupe in town -

I mean, I was really taken aback by it :hihi:

wetsuiting its extreme "surfcasting".......

.......but "surfcasting" it is.

skishing isn't surffishing, feet are not on the ground.

i have spoken

it's just another excuse to walk around in skin tight rubber.
i'm jealous

wetsuiting its extreme "surfcasting".......

.......but "surfcasting" it is.

What if you're standing next to a guy in Waders and a drytop.....is it still "Extreme"? or better yet a guy in a bathing suit....Still "Extreme"?


once again....doesn't matter what you're wearing its what you're doing.

Take a look at Paul Melnyk's revised web site. Has lots of brief newer articles (some about skishing) that you'll probably enjoy. Read them all this past weekend. Fun to read. Google Paul Melnyk.

Guess it comes down to who is wearing the suit.
If you use the wetsuit as a better set of waders, then there really is not much difference.
If you use the wetsuit to its full potential, there's enough new skill sets, new places to fish, different techniques, and new concerns, to support a manual.

it's just another excuse to walk around in skin tight rubber.
i'm jealous

:uhoh: uh oh...I hope show tunes aren't coming next!

Eels versus plugs to follow.....Numbskull and I will be hosting the main event at some point..:rumble:

2 men enter, 1 man leave :af: :rude:










Can I get points? :D

As long as the wet suit crowd is catching the fish by lure its all o.k. with me.

If they are using Revlon water-proof makeup and coming on to the fish in a manner that might be considered alluring in order to catch a fish then I have a problem with that.

I haven't ran into this problem yet, and dont expect to in most places where i fish in RI/MA. But Is there much etiquette involved in wet suiting? Similar to the etiquette or lack thereof, that surfers sometimes display by hitting the surf right in front of you. Is there an unwritten rule about not swimming out to a rock in front of where someone is fishing? I would think it would be similar to surfers, cool ones keep their distance and the A-Holes croud you out. There are a couple spots that i like that could be problematic for a more shore bound, ie waders and drytop angler like myself.

oh man, this is a good thread!
I gotta say, if somebody has the sack to swim 100 yards out in the dark, in decent surf, and perch themself on a rock in hopes of landing a trophy, then they deserve whatever they get and that is surfcasting, I don't care if they do it buck naked (which is George Constanza's stage name by the way).

I think this kind of behavior is the most prominant around our parts. Skishing is another story altogether and should be another category in itself in all touneys.

ok when the situation calls for it ,rocky shoreline waiting out ,ok .......but if i see anyone wearing one in jersey im calling ....homo:err:

:uhoh: uh oh...I hope show tunes aren't coming next!

Aaaaa coodeesh, Joe - you see thes guys heah wearing rubber sirillyesh... :happy::happy:

Then right away, you better va pra casa and make a novena to the Blessed Mother

Wetsuiting is definitely surf fishing.

The guys who are successful with the wetsuit put in a ton of time and know the right conditions to catch large. They are dedicated. Ask them how many times they strike out. Many guys I know have been wetsuiting for a long time, but they have more exposure to NY. The MA and RI scene is finally catching on to NY sharpies.

Quite a few guys I know have continued to bank on late October to produce trophy fish and have failed miserably. You gotta learn to change and adapt to whats working and what is not. The only way to do that is time and experience.

I bet if the 2 striper cup surf leaders from this past year fished from waders ONLY, they would still be prime competitors.

I bet if the 2 striper cup surf leaders from this past year fished from waders ONLY, they would still be prime competitors.

Obviously these guys are very, very good fisherman, but I suspect their fish were taken on eels in the rocks. Other than bluefish, the only handicaps to fishing eels are distance and depth. A wetsuit makes both irrelevant. Hence its real advantage and likely a crucial factor in both guy's WELL DESERVED success.

This seems to be a new thing in the north east ,, wetsuit fishing (swimming to rocks) has been going on for a long time on the west coast .. Maybe this question better asked over there ,,where they have a longer history with it . I think its a good idea as long as the sharks don't bite ya .. your in thier world . :err:

Copy and paste the below hyperlink. It takes you to Paul Melnyk's article on his first "winning" fish via skishing in Montauk that may have helped create the skishing category for some tournaments in Montauk:

http://www.surfrats.com/montauk/viewtopic.php?t=4913&highlight=locals

Obviously these guys are very, very good fisherman, but I suspect their fish were taken on eels in the rocks. Other than bluefish, the only handicaps to fishing eels are distance and depth. A wetsuit makes both irrelevant. Hence its real advantage and likely a crucial factor in both guy's WELL DESERVED success.

I know at least one of the guys would tell you the wetsuit helps tremendously. In fact, he busted my chops for the better part of two seasons for not owning one while he was bailing fish. Keep in mind he's an outstanding fisherman without one, but an even more effective fisherman with one. I don't know the other guy real well, but I would sumrise the wetsuit helps his success rate too.

What is your opinion of wet suits for beach fishing?

With open beach wading in waders, the problem is getting through that first trough - it's often too deep to wade without flooding your waders.
After that, the beach comes up to a terrace and then slowly tapers to the second trough or the offshore trough. The inside of that second dropoff, that's a killer spot to fish - particularly near a cut, it's like an on/off ramp for fish patrolling the beach.
With waders, you can only open beach wade under low surf conditions after a period of favorable wind that has replenished the first trough, otherwise that decent down the first trough is too steep and deep. Open beach wading in a wetsuit greatly expands the opportunities and conditions for this type of fishing.

What is your opinion of wet suits for beach fishing?

For me, I wish I had the intuition 15 years ago to employ a wet suit on the cape. Sometimes I would fish the bars in my shorts in order to buy some extra time on an outer bar as I wasn't taking the risk in waders. Wetsuit in that situation would be the same as it is on the rocks:
It buys you time and potentially puts you into places you might not get to otherwise. Sometimes its only a matter of a few feet that separates you from the fish.

For me, I wish I had the intuition 15 years ago to employ a wet suit on the cape. Sometimes I would fish the bars in my shorts in order to buy some extra time on an outer bar as I wasn't taking the risk in waders. Wetsuit in that situation would be the same as it is on the rocks:
It buys you time and potentially puts you into places you might not get to otherwise. Sometimes its only a matter of a few feet that separates you from the fish.

At 6'-6-1/2" I never had that problem especially since they made waders in tall sizes but I think a wetsuit would help a great deal problem is for me it would be a custom job and I cannot bear that kinda of expense at this time for fishing.

The last few years, when we did actually catch fish it has been in the inshore troughs rather than the outer bar so I have been spending more time in waders barely getting my feet wet, which seems kinda dumb because you could do the same thing in hip boots at a % of the cost.

At 6'-6-1/2" I never had that problem especially since they made waders in tall sizes but I think a wetsuit would help a great deal problem is for me it would be a custom job and I cannot bear that kinda of expense at this time for fishing.

The last few years, when we did actually catch fish it has been in the inshore troughs rather than the outer bar so I have been spending more time in waders barely getting my feet wet, which seems kinda dumb because you could do the same thing in hip boots at a % of the cost.

Its definitely a "situational" piece of equipment. I'm in the same camp as you with regard to not having to go deep to catch fish. The deepest I typically go is about waist deep to reach one of my favorite rock formations.

I did try the wetsuit/swimming thing this year despite having resisted doing so for the better part of two years. The reason it took so long was......fear.:uhuh: I can tell you after doing it there is plenty to be afraid of. Despite the big fish stories you've heard, there's many skunks and close calls involved too. It certainly gets glorified in the magazines too and rightfully so from a catching standpoint.

I have a brand new 7MM hyperstretch in my basement that's been used once and honestly wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't get used again. I swam about 40-50 yards in the dark this fall to a small perch which I shared with a couple other guys and didn't feel comfortable the whole time. I can tell you one of the other guys was quite uncomfortable too after he had a bit of difficulty breathing while traveling to the rock. Fortunately we all made it back ok and were laughing once on shore, albeit nervously.

I routinely did risky stuff like this in my 20's and can see the appeal wetsuiting has to the younger guys in the sport. There is definitely a thrill factor involved which adds to the game. Lots of times in the past I though only about what could be gained. At 38 with wife, two kids, good job, etc. there's no fish worth the risk for me as I've accepted my level of status in the fishing game. There's plenty of fish to be caught in ankle deep water too....:fishin:

Its definitely a "situational" piece of equipment. I'm in the same camp as you with regard to not having to go deep to catch fish. The deepest I typically go is about waist deep to reach one of my favorite rock formations.

I did try the wetsuit/swimming thing this year despite having resisted doing so for the better part of two years. The reason it took so long was......fear.:uhuh: I can tell you after doing it there is plenty to be afraid of. Despite the big fish stories you've heard, there's many skunks and close calls involved too. It certainly gets glorified in the magazines too and rightfully so from a catching standpoint.

I have a brand new 7MM hyperstretch in my basement that's been used once and honestly wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't get used again. I swam about 40-50 yards in the dark this fall to a small perch which I shared with a couple other guys and didn't feel comfortable the whole time. I can tell you one of the other guys was quite uncomfortable too after he had a bit of difficulty breathing while traveling to the rock. Fortunately we all made it back ok and were laughing once on shore, albeit nervously.

I routinely did risky stuff like this in my 20's and can see the appeal wetsuiting has to the younger guys in the sport. There is definitely a thrill factor involved which adds to the game. Lots of times in the past I though only about what could be gained. At 38 with wife, two kids, good job, etc. there's no fish worth the risk for me as I've accepted my level of status in the fishing game. There's plenty of fish to be caught in ankle deep water too....:fishin:

I used one this fall. Can't see swimming in it while wearing boots. I did, however, like it for wading. I'm often trying to get to rocks that are chest deep using a dry top....much more relaxing doing it in a wetsuit. It also lets you wade more confidently in a moderate swell/surf. The cushioning when you stumble is nice as well. Being wet is a downside unless the temp is perfect. It amuses me that when I fish by boat I'm always trying to get in as close as I can and land my plug in ankle deep water, and when I'm fishing the shore I'm always trying to get out as far as I can and cast as far out as I can manage. The biggest disadvantage I find is using it to get to a difficult rock, then catching a fish with a faceful of plug and trying to deal with it out there because getting back in is too much a chore. I also found myself fishing less because I'd think "if you go you should use the suit", but for a short trip it seems like too much work so I wouldn't go.

there's no fish worth the risk for me as I've accepted my level of status in the fishing game.

Don't say THAT! It is never too late to start using plugs and rehabilitate yourself. We all make mistakes. Just say "no" to eels and move on. Wood will give you back your pride and let your children respect you again.

Numbskull, try the dive booties with korkers laced onto them. I used 5mm in the fall and was comfortable and they weigh next to nothing.

I find that I am more comfortable wading in a wetsuit than waders. No fear of that one misstep and having to deal with being wet and cold. I don't have to swim to anyplace. Of course wearing a wetsuit I am already wet. I want a relief zipper though.

When I say be afraid, I'm obviously referring to the swimming aspect and pushing the envelope too far. Deep wading is quite different then swimming.

I will add though that everyone in my fishing circle who's donned a wetsuit has had a close call. These close calls involve falls,being smashed on rocks, drifting off course, hyperventilation,damaged gear, involuntary bowel movements, etc.

The biggest disadvantage I find is using it to get to a difficult rock, then catching a fish with a faceful of plug and trying to deal with it out there because getting back in is too much a chore.

Real fishermen only need one hook. Six plus barbs is simply wasting steel in an attempt to bolster your percentages and thus your bragging rights. The people of Pittsburgh love you though as do the folks in Alaska.

One thing I found to my liking is that the wetsuit has a much longer lifespan for the dollar than do a pair of waders. For example a fews years back I was fishing your typical Montauk rock with a brand new pair of Hodgman breathables that I just dropped a $125 on. As I slid off my rock I tore 3 slits in the inside of my leg and the water poured into my waders as the curses poured out of my mouth.
I have several wetsuits that I wear pretty much everywhere but in my home waters (NJ). When in places like Cutty, Mtk, Block or MV where boulder fields reign supreme, my waders never leave my dufflebag.
I could not wear a wetsuit out in a few years of wear, where waders, if I am lucky, last a year. I found a wetsuit last year that I really liked for the warmer months...a 3mm full body from O'Neil Reactor that I paid $100 for. That thing will last me for years.
A little off subject, like using the full suit its long sleeves and legs offer great protection against sharp edges...whatever they may be.

Add up all the ws variables safety, mobility, warmth, protection, and longevity and it becomes a clearer choice for the surfcaster that doesn't want to mess with the worries that waders offer.

DJ, that's good info for those of us waffling on getting a wetsuit :kewl:.

DJ, that's good info for those of us waffling on getting a wetsuit :kewl:.

I wouldn't count on being as warm in wet neoprene as in waders, fleece, and a dry top come Oct/Nov, particularly if there is any wind.

I wouldn't count on being as warm in wet neoprene as in waders, fleece, and a dry top come Oct/Nov, particularly if there is any wind.

Come colder weather (late Oct/Nov.) bump up to a 5mm. At any time the wind blows in the dark hours, throwing on a drytop cuts the wind and keeps you warm until dawn early light. I've never had a "cold" problem with the 5mm, but the 3mm can get chilly at 3 am and not moving off your rock for two hours. The Reactor has the wind inhibitor which is why it caught my eye.

Here's my bud Jolliffe wearing the drytop w/ the ws to cut wind.

DJ, are you wearing a 5mm one piece suit, or a farmer john, which may be slightly warmer?

I used a 5mm full henderson suit, under armor cold gear beneath (top and bottom), a wool hat and a windproof top this fall (on the upper cape). Can't say I recall being warm or comfortable. Wetsuits are a useful tool, but you are still wet in them and when it gets cold and windy you will struggle to stay warm when wet....at least at my age.

Come colder weather (late Oct/Nov.) At any time the wind blows in the dark hours, throwing on a drytop cuts the wind and keeps you warm until dawn early light.

I like the dry top idea, but in my limited wetsuit experience a dry top can be a burden if you plan on swimming any distance with a top on. For deep wading its a great idea.

I used a 5mm full henderson suit, under armor cold gear beneath (top and bottom), a wool hat and a windproof top this fall (on the upper cape). Can't say I recall being warm or comfortable. Wetsuits are a useful tool, but you are still wet in them and when it gets cold and windy you will struggle to stay warm when wet....at least at my age.


Don't feel bad, George. The young guys get cold too....that why I got a 7/5 suit. In the off season I suggest you do some acclimatization training with us. Next year you’ll be at the head of the pack...don't worry about the "cashew" jokes either, its all in good fun.

IMO wetsuit are great for certain fishing situations yet have not replaced my need for waders.To me they are a pain to get on and off,I feel fatigue much sooner when casting for long periods with a w/s verses when wearing waders
also when wearing a suit and not getting in the water much because of big surf or what ever I have gotten very itchy.Also like numbskull come a cold night in late oct I am cold even with my 5/7 and a dry top not to mention having to get undressed in the parking lot.If I need a wetsuit I will grab it,if I can get away w/ waders then thats what I will grab first.

I've fished in a wet suit on and off(no pun) for about 20 years now and started using them way back then when no-one ,save for Montauker's, used them for surf fishing in RI. I originally bought my fisrt suit based on the recommendation of a RI surf fisherman friend who was a transplanted New Yorker who routinely fished Montauk. He talked me in to getting one which I did and found it to be invaluable for fishing(comfortably) some surf spots were I always ended up getting wet when I fished them with waders.I also used it to swim to so "off-shore" spots which were unaccessable to wader fishermen. I did OK in the wet suit but can"t say it was that much more productive than "regular" surf casting in waders or hip boots and splash pants. Although I didn't really "push the envolope" like some do. It was safer though and easy to pee. It was kind ofa pain to get on and off. All and all, I think every surfcaster should try it and really don't think there should be a separate division for such fishing.

Oh, by the way, one of the best surfcasters that I've had the pleasure to know and to fish with never wore a wet suit , rarely wears waders and does all of his surf fishing wearing hip boots with golf spikes, Grundens splash pants and a waterproof surf top of varying weights depending on the season. He has 3, 50 pound bass and one 60 to his credit over the years. Like some one mentioned in this thread, a good fisherman is a good fisherman no matter what he wears. Also, wearing the hip boot/splash pant combo is very comfortable and not as restrictive or limiting as you may think. I probably do 85 % of my surfcasting in this outfit and don't believe I am "missing out" on any action.

Good thread Frank - I've used both methods over the years and here are my thoughts. It's a blurry line between "traditional" surfcasting (with waders) and those who fish with a wetsuit. IF you're "swimming" a considerable distance to a perch with a suit then you're pushing the definition of surfcasting - it might still be surfcasting but in my book I'd have to place an asterisk next to the term "surfcasting*". Conversely I'd still consider it traditional surfcasting if your wetsuit is primarily a way of giving you some more time on a rock or bar when you'd otherwise be filling your chest highs with green water. I had a conversation with a very good surf fisherman recently who was talking about how good the fishing has been the last few years - at the end I asked him the following question: How many of your large bass would you have taken this past season if you had to wear waders only? His answer - none. My point - many surfcasters think that fishing for big bass in the surf has been pretty good and some may even say that this year was the best year they've ever had - but many of them have really expanded their horizons by "swimming" to areas normally in the domain of boats (in some areas swimming up to 100 yards offshore in water depths over 15 feet) - I label these guys as "Wanna be a boat". In many cases when they tell me how good the fishing may have been I know I have to discount it because a traditional wader clad fishermen simply has no shot at the fish they are catching - "e.g." "Surfcasting*"

Use of wetsuits is here to stay and becoming more popular each season. What I see happening is that many of those new to surfcasting are going directly to a wetsuit. When they do this many tend to always want to get out to deeper water and while doing so swim right through the shallower areas where bass normally could be. I'm fine with this as long as these guys don't swim through this "skinny water" while I'm actively fishing.
But by not starting out with waders these new casters haven't learned the "when's, why's and where's" of a large part of the striped bass puzzle - fishing the shallow littoral zone(the region or zone between the limits of high and low tides).

DZ

To date, the biggest thing keeping me from a wetsuit has been my weight. Being famous, I often have a lot of paparazzi hanging about ,and the thought of a candid with that belly bulging in a dark mass neoprene is simply not acceptable.

Now that I'm svelte, trim and otherwise incredibly handsome this issue doesn't present the same downside that it once did.

I doubt I'd take a serious swim, but a number of the places I like to fish are nearly impossible to access near high tide. I may look for a good deal online.

-spence

Oh, by the way, one of the best surfcasters that I've had the pleasure to know and to fish with never wore a wet suit , rarely wears waders and does all of his surf fishing wearing hip boots with golf spikes, Grundens splash pants and a waterproof surf top of varying weights depending on the season. He has 3, 50 pound bass and one 60 to his credit over the years. Like some one mentioned in this thread, a good fisherman is a good fisherman no matter what he wears. Also, wearing the hip boot/splash pant combo is very comfortable and not as restrictive or limiting as you may think. I probably do 85 % of my surfcasting in this outfit and don't believe I am "missing out" on any action.

Good points. Prior to this year I was never convinced the wetsuit guys as a whole caught any more fish than the non, and I'm still not convinced.

I did finally get one due to the fact a guy I fish with regularly did real well with the suit this year. We were getting fewer opportunities to fish together as I wasn't too excited about wetsuiting and we always took roughly the same amount of fish using different strategies..he in wetsuit and me in waders.

This year was more lopsided between us for a couple months, so I got the suit and tried it out. My take is still the same, though, as its the angler and not the suit that makes the difference.
If you structure your fishing approach around the wetsuit, then it makes sense all of your fish will come via wetsuit fishing. Same goes for wader fishing.

To date, the biggest thing keeping me from a wetsuit has been my weight. Being famous, I often have a lot of paparazzi hanging about ,-spence

Just get one without a hood if you're worried about the size of your head...

Dennis, You bring up some interesting , almost discouraging points. I guess that's not only a perception that the "bass are just out of casting range", that is for the wader clad surfcaster!

Just get one without a hood if you're worried about the size of your head...

:rotflmao:

I'm serious, there's a photo of me in a wetsuit in Alaska some years back that's really terrible. I can't even bear to look at it.

To the point of the thread, a wetsuit isn't a boat. With a boat you're either in the boat or not in the boat. In a wetsuit you could be standing on shore, on a rock or swimming. It doesn't make a lot of sense to make a new catagory simply because you "might" be able to gain advantage by moving further offshore.

By this reason, we should also have a naked catagory for those who swim a la natural to their favorite perch.

-spence

If I ever don a wetsuit people will be expecting to see me with a midget in a Tuxedo.

I had a conversation with a very good surf fisherman recently who was talking about how good the fishing has been the last few years - at the end I asked him the following question: How many of your large bass would you have taken this past season if you had to wear waders only? His answer - none. My point - many surfcasters think that fishing for big bass in the surf has been pretty good and some may even say that this year was the best year they've ever had - but many of them have really expanded their horizons by "swimming" to areas normally in the domain of boats
DZ

I think the inconsistency of summer fishing is driving this a bit too. Spring and fall traditionally have more large fish closer to shore than late july and most of august. There are obviously exceptions.

I think wetsuiting in the summer while fish are taking up residence in certain locales is a good way to fill the "lull" that we sometimes experience.

My last point is although some guys did real well on a year when surf fishing was believed to be so-so, its only one season and could be totally different next year. Last year (2007) the wetsuit crowd didn't produce many notable fish in comparison to the wader crew. 2008 had some outstanding catches made, and I think it glorified wetsuiting to a level it may or may not deserve.

Next year there may be more people doing it, thus more fish may be taken via wetsuit. It may prove to be the increased number of people wetsuiting and not a greater availability of fish that skew the numbers.

If everyone suddenly begins to fish with rebels and excludes every other method, then rebels may get an undue amount of credit simply due to the fact everyone is using them. Wetsuits seem to be taking the same line.

Mike, I agree. It seemed that alot of real big bass were taken out of the surf in august and early sept, a period were I've personnally never done well over the years. Also, your plug is at the shop. Take care.

Mike, ........, your plug is at the shop. Take care.


WHAT THE ????!!!!!!!! Did you just tell Mike L you have a PLUG for him??????????? Please tell me it is wood and not just another Windcheater :D:D:D:D:D. Please.

Steve, I'm just happy to hear you are capable of fishing. Last year the outlook appeared marginal that you would be crawling around on rocks. I hope you can join me in the upcoming season in the search for large.

Yes, last year at this time things were bleak! A year later and I'm doing much better, thanks. Just ordered new wetsuit. Would love to fish with you Chris.

Chris, wrong user name. I'm at work, Quqker lane and somehow Thomcat's password didn't log out when I went on computer. He works here too!

I'm in.

I'm in.

In what, a wetsuit?

When I say be afraid, I'm obviously referring to the swimming aspect and pushing the envelope too far. Deep wading is quite different then swimming.

I will add though that everyone in my fishing circle who's donned a wetsuit has had a close call. These close calls involve falls,being smashed on rocks, drifting off course, hyperventilation,damaged gear, involuntary bowel movements, etc.

Uhhh...Mike, that last item, the involuntary thing - was that fear induced or age related do ya think?

:rotflmao:

Okay, all monkey business aside, I can honestly say every time I think about it the answer still comes up negative.

I think Mike has hit it dead square on a number of points - as has Steve - for the most part it's better suited to younger guys going thru the bullet-proof stage (you'll get over it, I did) than guys who have responsibilities other than themselves to worry about should the unexpected happen, namely drowning.

Between diving and surfing for almost 50 years, I'm not exactly a stranger to wetsuits or dealing with high surf and powerful rips in rocky areas over shallow reefs. But in the dead of night? Vaya con Dios, bro.

If bragging size fish - with the emphasis on bragging - is your goal, go nuts. I fish for myself - I got over the need to swagger into a B&T with a conked fish a long time ago.

As far as it's apparent effectiveness, I agree that it's probably more a function of percentages, as Mike said. But whether it is or not, personally, I won't be doing a side-by-side myself on a new moon night trying to punch thru a swell to a distant rock.

DJ, are you wearing a 5mm one piece suit, or a farmer john, which may be slightly warmer?

fly-one piece I run warm so the cold isn't a big obsticle for me, that said I try to prep myself according to air and water temperatures. My buddy on Cutty this year suggested wearing (or at least carrying with you) a "hoody" (a 3mil. hood vest) that you can throw on and give you added protection when the the night winds blow cold.

I used a 5mm full henderson suit, under armor cold gear beneath (top and bottom), a wool hat and a windproof top this fall (on the upper cape). Can't say I recall being warm or comfortable. Wetsuits are a useful tool, but you are still wet in them and when it gets cold and windy you will struggle to stay warm when wet....at least at my age.

George-
Did you submerse while wearing the suit? The wetsuit keeps you warm when the water trapped between you and the neoprene heats up. If there was no water inside-the suit would not work effectively.

What were the water and air temps this fall? I want to compare situations.

I like the dry top idea, but in my limited wetsuit experience a dry top can be a burden if you plan on swimming any distance with a top on. For deep wading its a great idea.

BB- First off I don't swim much, 6 foot deep is about my max. The drytop is not nearly the inhibitor that the friggin plugbag (sea anchor) is. When that thing fills with water it must weigh 50 pounds-plus. Try getting up on a rock with an extra 50 pounds pulling you down, waves hitting you, and you have frustration (PIA). To off-set this poblem I went to AS single tray/3 slot surfbags which I wear (2) on my belt. No more tug-o-war.

Wetsuits with the 'smooth skin' makes it wind resistant. My first couple suit were scuba or diving suits. They were fine until I went to surfing wetsuits which I found much more flexible and many made for dealing with wind, you sit on your board waiting for the next wave right?, it made perfect sense. So I bought the 3/2 O'Neil Reactor and haven't looked back.
BTW-I bought this suit with summer in Mtk. Fishing from dusk to dawn. At dusk the air is warm and the world is a beautiful place, but at 2 a.m. when a stiff wind kicks in and you are wet, standing on a rock for an hour or two-you can definitely get a chill. The smooth skin helps a lot but the drytop ices the cake.

Yeah, I got wet in it. Temps would have been in the 40's, water mid 50's, wind @15, several nights it rained. I did feel I suffered excessive heat loss through my feet (3mm socks over Simms wet wading socks and in lace up wading boots) and hands, and around my neck. Insulating those spots better may have helped core temps. I'm also 50+ years old, lightly built, and not very well insulated in general (bigger bodies hold heat better). I found it very comfortable in late August and Sept. I thought the under armor cold gear was a mistake (expensive and too constricting when combined with the wetsuit even though it definitely helped warmth wise....maybe I should have bought a larger size). By mid Oct I was back to dreaming about drysuits. I'm worried about using it in May/early June....but I do think it will help my fishing.....God knows I need something.

As an interesting side note, when casting in waders, a dry top, and fleece with a small bag over my shoulder, I'd often develop mid back pain during slow retrieves. With the wet suit this didn't happen. I think the friction between the fleece and the wader/top is a factor. The support a wet suit offers is also a benefit.

I think the inconsistency of summer fishing is driving this a bit too. Spring and fall traditionally have more large fish closer to shore than late july and most of august. There are obviously exceptions.

I think wetsuiting in the summer while fish are taking up residence in certain locales is a good way to fill the "lull" that we sometimes experience.

My last point is although some guys did real well on a year when surf fishing was believed to be so-so, its only one season and could be totally different next year. Last year (2007) the wetsuit crowd didn't produce many notable fish in comparison to the wader crew. 2008 had some outstanding catches made, and I think it glorified wetsuiting to a level it may or may not deserve.

Next year there may be more people doing it, thus more fish may be taken via wetsuit. It may prove to be the increased number of people wetsuiting and not a greater availability of fish that skew the numbers.

If everyone suddenly begins to fish with rebels and excludes every other method, then rebels may get an undue amount of credit simply due to the fact everyone is using them. Wetsuits seem to be taking the same line.

All good points!
I feel that the surfcasting/internet group of today is looking for the"secret" of finding and catching desirable big fish. Is it BM Dannies, rigged eels, wetsuits??? No it is hard work and putting yourself into a position where a big fish will pass you and like your offering.

The wetsuit for me is more about safety and comfort (and of course advantagous access) which equal peace of mind and focus on your task. Once you can focus and concentrate your confidence goes way up.
Anyway I feel the suit is just another necessary tool of surfcasting.

continued and well taken points from ALL,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
:claps: :claps: :claps:


i AM somewhat curious, however, as to where the comments
are from the Iron One, jimmySly, RobT, redlite, TonyO, Earl :huh: :huh:

and i would only ask them this:

would yer year have been as/less successful had you stayed
shore and wader bound? who cares whether you used bait/plugs/smoke or mirrors???
we offer WHAT each udl requires and we are there WHEN we are required to be there.


the biggest inhibitor, for me, from the rox is access to that point
that i just can't cast to from shore. each rock has its own littoral zone/preferrred lie(s) eh DZ?? sooooo, from that standpoint alone ws are a huge advantage and,
i would suggest, a HUGE motivator/rationale behind the rise in their popularity~~
especially so from the Gansay to NPT.

while i really like the idea for safety and comfort reasons as well,
once YOU start to swim,,,,,,,,,you must have a REEL that $wim$.
i'd much rather swimsuit it than wetsuit it, and prefer hipboots to waders;
yet, sum spots i will not be without any of the above dependent upon how "WET" the spot is.
:heybaby: :heybaby: :heybaby:

DJ, I think you are right. Any surf caster who does well will tell you that the most IMPORTANT ingredient of success is the amount of time put into one's fishing. I bet all of the sharpies this or any other season will admit that. If you go bass fishing over 100 trips each season , you are going to do well no matter what you use. I also think that most sharpies use the live eel because it will definitely increase one's chances at consistency which , if you are going everynight, is something you need. Believe me,fishng alot is a grind . It is both physically and mentally fatiguing. To do it "right" alot of personal sacrifices must be made.

I am thinking about getting a Drysuit. Just need to be able to wade 3 feet deeper to get to some rocks. Plus I need cordura nylon on my knees and butt.

Then I can start my own category

I am thinking about getting a Drysuit. Just need to be able to wade 3 feet deeper to get to some rocks. Plus I need cordura nylon on my knees and butt.

Then I can start my own category

$$$$$$

In the warm summer months (I only have a 3mm) wet suiting is just more enjoyable and safer than fishing in waders and a dry top. The drop top I have (Evo 2) is great but I can't really swim in it for extended periods without water seeping in so I have to stumble my way in the dark from rock to rock. In the wetsuit I can either swim or just bounce myself along off the bottom and its a lot easier and safer than trying to walk. This past year was my first season with the wetsuit and I didn't really fish any areas I couldn't fish in my waders/drytop I just found it more enjoyable. Next season I am planning on boating out to a few islands anchoring up and using the wetsuit to swim in to fish them from shore.

DJ, I think you are right. Any surf caster who does well will tell you that the most IMPORTANT ingredient of success is the amount of time put into one's fishing. I bet all of the sharpies this or any other season will admit that. If you go bass fishing over 100 trips each season , you are going to do well no matter what you use. I also think that most sharpies use the live eel because it will definitely increase one's chances at consistency which , if you are going everynight, is something you need. Believe me,fishng alot is a grind . It is both physically and mentally fatiguing. To do it "right" alot of personal sacrifices must be made.

Steve, I think you hit the point. Success doesn't come from wearing a wetsuit, BM dannies, rigged eels, sluggos or whatever the flavor of the season is.
I have a wetsuit, its nice.
I caught this years 2 biggest bass wearing waders.
Posted via Mobile Device

Krispy from his blackberry..??
Flavor of the season...
Must have lures.
I think so much is lost learning this years model.
Prime times can be short.
I have done the wetsuit thing.I have had my scary moments like BB noted.
I can tell ya this I will not get in the water again with one that is not 5 mil or better.
Safety has a comfort level.If comfort is sacrificed your fishing will be also.

Good point NIB. If theres one thing Ive learned, fishing is a grind, hundreds of hours and short 5 minute payouts every now and again. Better be comfortable in between. Probly a whole nother winter thread
I find wearing the wetsuit is much easier/lighter on the body, from trekking, to wading, and even sometimes Ill land a fish :eek5:
On the other end, I found the wetsuit cold, wet and wanting to be bundled under 4 layers of fleece wrapped warmly in waders and drytop

Good point NIB. If theres one thing Ive learned, fishing is a grind, hundreds of hours and short 5 minute payouts every now and again. Better be comfortable in between. Probly a whole nother winter thread
I find wearing the wetsuit is much easier/lighter on the body, from trekking, to wading, and even sometimes Ill land a fish :eek5:
On the other end, I found the wetsuit cold, wet and wanting to be bundled under 4 layers of fleece wrapped warmly in waders and drytop

It's about time you posted something.....

Welcome back to S-B's own prodigal son...:wave:

[QUOTE=Flaptail;645093]At 6'-6-1/2" a great deal problem is for me it would be a custom job and I cannot bear that kinda of expense at this time for fishing.

I hear you...Numby is the only one I know of that could buy only a Henderson shorty, have it reach all the way down to his ankles, and wear it as a full suit.


:topic:

Just because your wet suiting doesn't mean you've reached the the top. the more diverse you are the better understanding you have in all aspects of fishing. Don't think by being on that pedestal (rock) means that you've concord something.