waders vs wetsuits

[GonnaCatchABig1]

i recently found my honey hole. and lets just say "it requires doing some work" to get to the fish. cold. wet. work. it is very exhausting doing all the physical work while your body is trying to stay warm. as i am sure most of you know from experience. i am completely wiped out.

any way. what are the pros and cons of each? i think i would personally rather go with the full body wetsuit. just because they seem lighter. and i really wouldn't be spending to much time in the water. i basically need something to keep me from suffering at the hands of the non water elements at dusk and night. such as wind and cool/cold air. no sun to dry me off etc etc. 70 degrees with a 10 mph wind and no sun felt like 30 degrees tonight. for the first time i said "i cant do this" after pulling in fish.

[Slingah]

you better gear up if your saying that now....get some 5 mm neoprene waders and polar-tec fleece.....this is HOT compared to October....

[fishaholic18]

Get a pair of LLBean waders and a Simms dry top and you'll be good.

[Christian]

dry top and a fleece, waders, and a nice belt. youll be golden.

[Pete_G]

Evaporational cooling when you're wearing a wetsuit is a big factor. While they're warm a chill can eventually catch up with you.

On a night like last night where the humidity is really low you'd be very aware of it.

Check out the new Aquaskinz Phantom and layer up with some fleece as previously suggested.

I usually only go to my wetsuit if I can't reach a spot in my waders or for safety reasons.

[OnTheLedge]

Originally Posted by Pete_G

Evaporational cooling when you're wearing a wetsuit is a big factor. While they're warm a chill can eventually catch up with you.

On a night like last night where the humidity is really low you'd be very aware of it.

Check out the new Aquaskinz Phantom and layer up with some fleece as previously suggested.

I usually only go to my wetsuit if I can't reach a spot in my waders or for safety reasons.

Pete....You wear fleece under a wetsuit?

[GonnaCatchABig1]

Originally Posted by Slingah

you better gear up if your saying that now....get some 5 mm neoprene waders and polar-tec fleece.....this is HOT compared to October....

well thats exactly why i wanna get something. that water right now is gorgeous. but the wind and lack of sun around here is killin me. not too mention i'm sick of getting home with my feet all tender and water logged. plus we keep getting bit.. mine was only a crab yesterday.. but my buddy doesnt know what bit him and it took a lil gash out of the top of his foot. and jellies are starting to be a problem. not a major problem. only a few of them to look out for.. but if this spot still produces with warmer water... i'm sure the jellies will be worse.

[GonnaCatchABig1]

heres another question.. which of the two is more comfortable on a warm/hot night or day? speaking about out of the water.

[Pete_G]

If you don't like being waterlogged forget about the wetsuit. Stink and dampness are almost facts of life with wetsuits.

Plus my feet have seen better days after a few months stuck in funky smelling, always wet, boots. One of my toes is cracked, black, and just shy of rotting away.

You kind of have to try both. "Comfort" is relative. If I could be 100% dry like I often can in waders but fish in the spots I swim to, I would. But, the freedom of a wetsuit is really nice.

Keep watch at Ocean State Job Lot, Sierra Trading Post, etc. You can grab a suit cheap and give it a shot for under $50.

For hot conditions it's a split. With the wetsuit I just jump in and open the neck on my suit. Instant A/C. With waders I just wear less.

[GonnaCatchABig1]

thanks guys. i'm thinkin maybe waders now. it's a toughy. as one of the main problems is i don't have a dunk worthy reel. so getting out casting and then getting back in with out dunking the thing it key. still taking it in the shower with me after. it's been alot of work.. the morning and day tides are fine.. it's the dusk and night that kills me. sure the water is easier to deal with cause it warmer than the air. but out of the water is awful. i'll deal with it for a while as with 4 times fishing i hooked into a keeper each time.. key words "hooked into", the biggest spit the hook as i was going to grab him. his head came out like two inches, then a small swell came up behind him. giving him just enough slack to spit the thing. that one hurt. the other were still about 20 ft away. but that guy was right there. estimated at 38 inches. you should have seen me. he was in about a foot of water. the second the hook came out i dove on top of him. but missed.