Wetsuit'n

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by t.orlando

NRS Grizzly, ain't pretty but it works.

Do you wear a top over it of any type? Will take a look at other styles too. Don't know if I'm up for suiting in a wife beater. Besides, me thinks you want everything covered up tight because bug spray is not an option. Thanks T!

[eskimo]

I looked for threads like this a while back but its seemed all the good info is scattered about in different threads.

Not sure if anyone mentioned it but I wear gloves as well. Climbing rocks suck when your shorter and you basically have to jump and flop on them. I leave nothing on dry land as I rather move parallel along the shore from where I am while staying in the water unless I'm moving to a completely different area.

I smoke as well so I use dive rite weight pouches on my belt with a pelican case. I use a produce sealer for all pretied leaders and terminal tackle and just bite them open.

When I started I made the mistake of always getting on the furthest rock I could get out on but that sucks. Makes it a bigger project to move so you don't. If the fish are at the end of your cast then move out but if they aren't there they aren't there so move.

I think a discussion on types of wetsuits and brands will help people as well as I remember searching for it and coming up short. I use a xcel infinti x-zip 5/4. Just a upgrade from my older one. The bigger debate is a dive vs. surfing vs. whatever. Some say more stretch with a surfing wetsuit but less durability then a dive suit etc.

[Spiderman]

Been wetsuitn near 20 years now, hard to believe. Excellent info from Redlite. I am a big fan of scuba divers retractors for holding pliers and boga grip but not my knife as I dont want it to slip out of my hand and flying back to stab me. In the summer if Im not really swimming much, I sometimes fish in a 7mm farmer john with a long sleeve rash guard underneath. I like the protection on the knees and shins.Remember also the thicker the neoprene, the warmer you are and the more you float so if you get into trouble a 7mm will float you higher.
I agree about the boots for ankle support. The wearbars studs work well in boots. Ive tried them in Chota and Simms boots and my only complaint is they are kinda heavy to swim in.
I like a 5 mm neoprene sock. Here a good idea. Pull the leg bottoms of your wetsuit over the top of your booties and boots to keep rocks and sand out of the boots. some even duct tape them also.
I keep a single key to my truck on a piece of dacron around my neck tucked into my wetsuit and lock the rest of my keys in my truck.
Another eel option is to put each individual eel in a baggie with an ice cube. To hook the eel, hold the baggie and hook the eel through the baggie and rip the hooked eel through the the baggie and stuff the ripped baggie away.
Prior to Van Staal we used penn 704 and 706 and some still do. It requires a lot of service and maintenance though.
When you get to the rock you want to fish from, once you get up on it try to stand up as quick as possible to get your body above the wave and not get washed off. If you see a bigger than usual wave coming at you, that you think may knock you off,lean into it and instead of knocking you off it may just stand you back up.
Scout out fishable rocks during the day at full or new moon low tides and take land marks to find them at night. Take a swim with fins and look for white water splashes indicating rocks. Be careful of areas with a lot of current.

[t.orlando]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Do you wear a top over it of any type? Will take a look at other styles too. Don't know if I'm up for suiting in a wife beater. Besides, me thinks you want everything covered up tight because bug spray is not an option. Thanks T!

I wear a thin short sleeve thing underneath. got a 5mil jacket top to go over the whole deal. Then the life-jacket lol.