[NIB]

Originally Posted by bloocrab

Everyone needs to keep in mind that the Wetsuit approach does NOT make you invincible. You HAVE to know the area that you're fishing. You have to know your LIMITS. You need to know what kind of depths you'll be crossing to get to your rock. You need to make sure your luggage doesn't out weigh your buoyancy. Luggage being the weight of your studded booties, a possible plug bag, tools hanging off your belt etc///. Sure, the first 20 - 30 feet are ok, but then you get tired...then what? With the bottom out of reach, you MUST have a game plan. What will you do? When that "panic" attack hits, you won't have the time you think you would when you think it out on dry land. Sure, if you're just bouncing from rock to rock within a safe, yet too high for waders area....you'll be OK, but when you see that rock thats' distanced itself from shore, putting you in water over you head.....and your brain says don't do it but your heart tells you there are fish there......BE CAREFUL. Don't be afraid to dunk that $700 reel attached to the 10' rod to touch bottom and give you some rest. Don't forget another BIG factor....CURRENT. Unless you have a 5hp strapped to your back, you're going to go for a ride when that water is ripping, taking you off the path that you've considered most safe, forcing you into unknown depths/holes etc. Waves along with the current will increase this danger, as well as make swimming more difficult. Your shoes are also very important, heavy boots will weigh you down, kicking to swim is almost pointless. Remember, you have a rod in your hand, you won't be using that hand to paddle. KNOW YOUR LIMITS!!! If you're all tech'd out, with all the proper gear...PFD, Finned-booties, etc,, great, you'll be better off...you can lie back and just kick your way back to Terra Firma...but a newbie just trying to get by with minimal gear.... is in for a fear-ful reality check. Tony used his head by using the life-vest, he knows his limits and thats great, (GREAT FISH TOO T.O. ) - Think before you Sink!! If water and swimming scare you, stay in your waders!!!

We're getting alot of reports from people fishing in wet suits and saying how great it is. All it takes is one death from someone on the board to bring us back to reality.


T.O. - Sorry,,, didn't mean to take away from your post. That's a nice pair you got there. Good Fishing.

This is right on target..That look on TO's face in the picture is one of a man who is REAL happy to be back on land..One good bit of advice on wetsuits.You might see lots of affordable models in a 3/2 weight wetsuit.3/2 is nice when it is warm, overheating does happen to some.Everybody's body temps are different I get cold..If ur just using a suit to get to places your waders will take you it is good. A much safer option IMO..It does not make ya bullet proof...If your going over your head a heavier suit is what you want.5 mil suit will float ya quite a bit better than a the 3/2..If you can get away with a 7 mill once the temps drop some it is even better..I had interesting night on a 30 yd swim one time when the current got up.A relatively easy swim became much more difficult..Lets just say you don't want to buy my used suit..