Should "wetsuiting" be its own category of fishing

[fcap60]

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 ?

[Rocco34520]

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.

[emgred]

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.

[fumifish]

Originally Posted by fcap60

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...

[luds]

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.

[flyvice11787]

Originally Posted by emgred

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

Agreed.

Originally Posted by luds

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?

[luds]

Originally Posted by flyvice11787

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.

[numbskull]

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

[flyvice11787]

Originally Posted by luds

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.

[Vogt]

Originally Posted by luds

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.

[spence]

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

[shadow]

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.

[fcap60]

Originally Posted by spence

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 ).

[Pete F.]

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?

[The Dad Fisherman]

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

[Crafty Angler]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

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

And as everyone will agree, B.F.D.C. -

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 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"...

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.

[Redsoxticket]

The category labeled orbituaries if caution is not exercised.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Nebe]

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"

[BassDawg]

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!!!

[Grapenuts]

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".

[Clogston29]

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.

[Slipknot]

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

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

why catagorize it,

Because its winter.....

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

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

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.....

[maddmatt]

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

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

[maddmatt]

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

i have spoken

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by maddmatt

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.

[schererw]

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.

[Joe]

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.

[Swimmer]

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.