Should "wetsuiting" be its own category of fishing

[The Dad Fisherman]

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

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by DZ

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.

[steve]

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.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by steve

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 . Please.

[Sea Dangles]

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.

[ThomCat]

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.

[steve]

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!

[fishaholic18]

I'm in.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by fishaholic18

I'm in.

In what, a wetsuit?

[Crafty Angler]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

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?



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 Muller]

Originally Posted by flyvice11787

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.

[DJ Muller]

Originally Posted by numbskull

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.

[DJ Muller]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

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.

[numbskull]

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.

[DJ Muller]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

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.

[BassDawg]

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



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

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.

[steve]

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.

[wader-dad]

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

[Pete F.]

Originally Posted by wader-dad

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

$$$$$$

[JLH]

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.

[Krispy]

Originally Posted by steve

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

[NIB]

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.

[Krispy]

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
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

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by Krispy

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
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...

[SAUERKRAUT]

[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.

[Goose]

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.