Dry Tops - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

NIB · 08-23-2005, 07:49 AM

Those dry tops are nice when u wanna go deep in ur waders an not get wet.i'm not really a fan of that an will wetsuit if goin deep.for foul weather I use a grundens pullover top i got last yr.it has neopreme cuffs an is fleece lined which makes it alittle hot when warm.plus it has a hood. in the dry top type.I have the opposite problem from most the neopreme collar was chokin me (an it was hard to get over my ears).I hadda go wit the 3x.for comfort.it's pleny roomy though Which is good for groovin.

spence · 08-23-2005, 08:00 AM

Nice thing about the Simms top is that the neck and wrists are not so constricting...easier to get on and more comfortable to wear...

Unless of course you want a true dry top, then the EVO may be the better top for you...

-spence

JoeP · 08-23-2005, 03:27 PM

http://www.hellyhansen.com/SS05/index_flash.html

http://www.hellyhansen.com/SS05/index_flash.html

#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&. This one has a velcro neck. I saw one at the HH store in Newport. I think it was around $130.

reelecstasy · 08-23-2005, 03:30 PM

I love my Simms drytop, had plenty of water come over my head and stayed bone dry...I have put a good amount of hours on mine and it still performs. I just rinse it down with fresh when i get home (with everything else) and hang it...I give it a thumbs up

wader-dad · 08-23-2005, 04:14 PM

I got a gift certficate to Patagonia and bought a kayak jacket called the Seaward Pullover which is for expedition paddling. It has same double type wrist set up as the aquaskinz, a neoprene neck that is adjustable with a velcro strap so you can loosen it up-but the best feature is that it has a hood. When its raining or a rogue waves comes in its great. Really comfortable --no feeling like you are being strangled. Also has a pocket.

Only problem is its $210- which for Patagonia is not too bad. So far I like it. I will really test it out on Cuttyhunk in September.

rizzo · 08-23-2005, 04:21 PM

Theres an NRS top around $200 i think. It has double gaskets that hold up to being put on and off. They are made of some sort of a rubber or silcone. Plus theres a gasket around your waist that doesnt let water in so you stay completely dry. It works awesome with a wetsuit especially when you climb up on a rock after being neck deep. If it doesnt have that bottom seal the water comes in and gets trapped above your wading belt. A pain to drain and adds 80#s to your wieght when pulling yourself up.

luds · 08-23-2005, 04:34 PM

I tried on the $65 NRS to and found it extremely uncomfortable. I have the Aqua-Skinz EVO II and its done the job. However my buddy had the seems rip on his evo II after a month of use. after looking at the Simms top I think it looks more durable.

Sweetwater · 08-23-2005, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luds48

I tried on the $65 NRS to and found it extremely uncomfortable. I have the Aqua-Skinz EVO II and its done the job. However my buddy had the seems rip on his evo II after a month of use. after looking at the Simms top I think it looks more durable.

The $65 version from NRS does not seem to be the same level product as either the Aquaskinz Evo II or the Simms product I found at --> http://www.simmsfishing.com/za/SIM?...r&PROD.ID=21475

As with anything else, you get what you pay for.

eelman · 08-23-2005, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rizzo

Theres an NRS top around $200 i think. It has double gaskets that hold up to being put on and off. They are made of some sort of a rubber or silcone. Plus theres a gasket around your waist that doesnt let water in so you stay completely dry. It works awesome with a wetsuit especially when you climb up on a rock after being neck deep. If it doesnt have that bottom seal the water comes in and gets trapped above your wading belt. A pain to drain and adds 80#s to your wieght when pulling yourself up.

Only problem is when you swim out to those rocks "neck deep" you have left all the good fish behind you

I am going with the simms top, seems like the best to me, I have heard several bad things about the aqua skins.......

rizzo · 08-25-2005, 07:39 PM

[QUOTE=#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&]Only problem is when you swim out to those rocks "neck deep" you have left all the good fish behind you

I disagree 100%. I cast before I swim out to spots and get the skunk. I get out farther and more often than not the fish are there. They like the cover of depth in addition the structure I'm fishing. I did not realize how much i was missing out!

This spring 2 partners that I fish with had 30#+ fish 7 nights in a row, from the mainland. They each ended up with a 40# fish from that week. I was there and struggled and got outfished 10 to 1 or worse. I changed my setup (rod and reel), to acheive distance and from that point on caught my fair share of 30s and a 40 to top things off this spring. All fish were WAY out there. In this situation distance was very important. You cant get stuck in the same habit... things change

Pete_G · 08-23-2005, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rizzo

Theres an NRS top around $200 i think. It has double gaskets that hold up to being put on and off. They are made of some sort of a rubber or silcone. Plus theres a gasket around your waist that doesnt let water in so you stay completely dry. It works awesome with a wetsuit especially when you climb up on a rock after being neck deep. If it doesnt have that bottom seal the water comes in and gets trapped above your wading belt. A pain to drain and adds 80#s to your wieght when pulling yourself up.

True latex gaskets are pretty intense, but literally waterproof. Frog's ass, watertight. It's the same sort of gaskets they use in survival suits. I've tested mine many times and NO water comes in thru those gaskets.

I have a kayak drytop (drytops have latex gaskets at both the neck and wrists, traditionally anything else is a splashtop) I bought for surf-fishing, but to be honest I rarely use it these days. The gaskets kind of bugged me. But there's nothing more waterproof.

I've also had both the Aquaskinz and Simms splashtops and had failures with both. I'm really not sure that light neoprene material they use for the neck gasket is up to what surf fisherman throw at it; I've had tears in both products at that spot. They also aren't 100% waterproof in the way latex gaskets are. I'm not going to stop carrying either product, but I'll definitely be cautioning all who buy them to put them on and off carefully. Latex gaskets can fail too (although they definitely last far longer) but they are replaceable.

That's not exactly a glowing endorsement from someone who sells both products, but then again most people who know me know I'll tear any product apart online or in the store (even if it costs a sale) if I don't think it's quite up to par.

I'm with Rizzo, I fish in the wetsuit mostly now and I add a splash or drytop when I need to be a bit warmer. Waders with a carefully put on splashtop the rest of the time.

BasicPatrick · 08-23-2005, 09:27 PM

This discussion has brought up Aquaskinz, Simms & NRS...

I'll give you the difference for me...

Aquaskinz is a sponsor of this site and regularly spomsors/donates/supports the organizations and causes that we on this board care about. If these three products are in the same money and quality range then I have to choose the Aquaskinz as they are a part of this community vs the other two. Have you ever seen Simms donate to your local fishing club, charity tournament or sponsor this or any other web site...

point made...

Headhunter · 08-26-2005, 04:46 PM

i've used many tops and jackets for years. I have a conversion dry top which is the best top I've owned. It keeps you dry and warm, wish it had a hood though. It is good for early and mid to late season. If you want something for the summer, it is too hot. I wetsuit in it all the time, its Rugged. Excellent over waders too and if you have to kick a couple of strokes in waders you can do it with this top. #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& , I never tried carrying a tin boat thru the rocks. A wetsuit is a little easier I would think, maybe a set of fins if its a long swim. No law against casting back to shore either.

Pt.JudeJoe · 08-28-2005, 08:04 AM

I wish they made a lightweight top like the aqua skinz, that had a hood like the extinct Bear tops have . Just something to keep the waves and rain off ,not a skin diving top.

afterhours · 08-28-2005, 08:19 AM

not that he needs any defense, but i had one issue with an aqusskinz product and kadir responded and corrected faster than fast- good co., good man.

TheRattBoy · 08-28-2005, 08:57 AM

I Love my Rampage top !!!!

johnny

Mike P · 08-28-2005, 11:05 AM

Let me just say something here. Sponsors aren't sacred cows. You are allowed to raise issues you have with a sponsor's product. You're allowed to relay any negative experiences as an honest opinion. A better way to resolve an actual dispute with a sponsor might be to PM the person in question and settle it the way business is supposed to be settled, between you and the person you have a dispute with. If you walked into a tackle shop and started yelling at the proprietor in front of a store full of customers, instead of asking to speak with him privately when he had a free moment, I wouldn't blame him in the least if he gave you the bum's rush. But, you do have the right to raise issues with a sponsors product, as long as you keep it respectful and on an adult level.

What you're not allowed to do is get down and dirty with any member here, sponsor or not. Telling anyone here to piss off, eff off, go eff yourself, kiss my ass, or any similar term of endearment isn't going to be tolerated. I'll edit it out, and if it persists, it'll get reported to John and/or Saltheart who have the ability to take more drastic steps.

This site, historically, hasn't had the problems that the 10,000+ member sites have had. We tend to let you guys have your fun, but it seems of late, things are in what I like to call "shack nasty" mode. The problems we have had have been mostly limited to winter months when you can't channel your energies into fishing. I hope this isn't a trend.

piemma · 08-28-2005, 03:56 PM

Where do I get one for $65?

Krispy · 08-28-2005, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Where do I get one for $65?

Ebay, theres some decent ones for low bucks

Spiderman · 08-28-2005, 10:12 PM

It has gotten to be, that unless I know the poster behind the screen name I dont trust their opinion about a product. Between the sponsors and their posse defending the product at any cost and the guys with some vendetta against these companies whether actual or contrived you dont know the truth from the garbage. It was nice to hear a retailer give an honest opinion about a product,Saltwater Edge, though.
Personally, I know hard fishing guys that had trouble with evo 2 tops,leaky material, got rid of them and bought The NRS revolution and are happy. I'll be buying one this fall. My dricore was one of the best $110 spent on fishing gear. I replaced the wrist seals 3 years ago and stay as dry as when I bought it 12 years ago.

Zeno · 08-29-2005, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stripermatic

It has gotten to be, that unless I know the poster behind the screen name I dont trust their opinion about a product. Between the sponsors and their posse defending the product at any cost and the guys with some vendetta against these companies whether actual or contrived you dont know the truth from the garbage. It was nice to hear a retailer give an honest opinion about a product,Saltwater Edge, though.
Personally, I know hard fishing guys that had trouble with evo 2 tops,leaky material, got rid of them and bought The NRS revolution and are happy. I'll be buying one this fall. My dricore was one of the best $110 spent on fishing gear. I replaced the wrist seals 3 years ago and stay as dry as when I bought it 12 years ago.

That was one of the most honest post I have read in years.
Unfortunately I agree with your assessment a 100%.Thankfully ,I can only tell you how my experience is with certain products,not what my friends of acquaintances experienced.When and if I have a problem with a manufacturer and he refused to acknowledge the issues surrounding the problem I will gladly speak my mind even though while doing this in the past I got mercifully hammered by "posse" as you call them........