Wetsuits for fishing @ scouting - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

cheferson · 03-10-2005, 11:37 AM

Looking for advice about using wetsuits while fishing. What thickness do i need for may-oct? What styles are best?WHat should i pay, is used worth it or go new? Im looking to get one so i can free dive and scope out the underwater structure of my holes. Also want one so i can swim out to a few rocks near shore when its not too rough and also for saftey when the surfs huge, dont like getting swept in with waders. DO you guys use fins to get out to a rock them put korkers on? Anything you can throw at me would be great.
Thanks

tlapinski · 03-10-2005, 12:02 PM

Not to beat a dead horse, but did you try the search feature yet? I know I personally have had several threads on this. Search for skish, skishing, wetsuit, etc...

cheferson · 03-10-2005, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tlapinski
Not to beat a dead horse, but did you try the search feature yet? Search for skish, skishing, wetsuit, etc...

Um Yeah i have tried those 3 searches and a few more and not much comes up. Nothing about if used wetsuits are worth buying, about korkers once you get to a rock. Mostly the same couple threads pop up for different search words.

eelslinger · 03-10-2005, 05:21 PM

I got a suit last year and wish I had it 10 years ago. I got Henderson 7mm farmer john and I'm glad I did. I don't walk far in it so I can get away with 7 mm. I swim to a rock with it and it is warm and buoyant. I don't use fins or korkers. I am only swimming short distances and swimming vertically is much easier. It is hard to get back to vertical if you are horizontal in the water. I have special shoes that are amazing on rocks but about equal to felt on blue green algae above the barnacle zone. I use 3mm neoprene socks and my feet stopped being cold after I quit trying to wear a 0.2 mm neoprene sock liner inside them. My circulation was cut off with them so a lesson learned. It took me a fair bit of time to get the gear worked out and to learn how to use it but the freedom a suit gives is great. I would buy new unless you like someone else's urine next to yours. Taking a leak is the biggest down side with a wet suit. Urine will give you a rash after a while. There is a zinc (oxide?) salve that helps with that. Wash the suit with fresh water after use. Neoprene doesn't like salt according to some web sites. Hang it from big hangers not wire ones. Keep in out of the sun. Don't store it folded. I got a police tactical belt to carry gear which is handy. Less is more with a wetsuit. You can't carry a lot of gear with it. A rain jacket\windbreaker with a good hood is great when out of the water and it is windy. The hood helps as does a neo swim cap. A small flexlite clipped to the cap is very handy and casts enough light while swimming to see rocks without blinding you. A bigger light around the neck can be used when needed. The cap also helps hold my glasses on. I have considered a hockey helmet for extra protection but haven't done it yet. I have a whistle on a lanyard with line clips and my truck keys. I always wear gloves used by box handlers to protect against barnacles, rocks and fireline. I have tried eels in ziploc bags but the eels resisted hooking and it isn't as easy as I'd like. I have a small plug bag with a few lures.

It pays to be in shape too. Not only are wetsuits unforgiving looks wise but climbing rocks and swimming comes easier if you have some strength.

Check cowhunter's posts

NIB · 03-10-2005, 05:40 PM

Eelslinger covered most of it.henderson 5 mil is a good choice.U gotta keep things simple an streamlined in the water.

For Scouting I like the typical Kaky outfits.

cheferson · 03-10-2005, 11:18 PM

Thanks for the input, and the link G

piemma · 03-11-2005, 10:51 AM

I use a 3MM for Yaking. Got this 1/2mm Neoprene underwear under it. Lots of flex and does the job

Goose · 03-11-2005, 12:50 PM

First suit,,, IMO, go with a 3 if you do most of your fishing main land. Most of the time your perched on a rock not chilling out in the water.

cheferson · 03-12-2005, 12:11 AM

I was gonna start on mainland 1st , then once i got comfortable swimming out to rocks in the day light, i have a few rocks that are 5-30 yards out that would be sweet to be on nights that its fairly calm.

theSURF121 · 03-12-2005, 08:21 AM

The farmer John's are more versatile. And , as far as your first wetsuit, don't go overboard on price. Buy a cheap one cause' it might not be to your likin'. In the future, you can always upgrade to a Henderson. 5 mil might be ok for July and August but getting into October and November, a 6 or 7 might be better. If you are going to be spending more time submerged than on a rock , consider buying a larger size. Some guys go 2 or more sizes up when they skish. Again, all this is preference and not all brand wetsuits fit the same. Insulation qualitys vary from brand to brand as well.