Wetsuits-recommendations and thoughts

[riverrat2]

If you are not going to be consistently getting wet I would not recomend using a wetsuit. A dry wetsuit will not keep you very warm during the fall and spring, or even the summer for that matter. If you are going to be getting consistently wet than I would recomend getting a 5/4mm with a hood if you are planning on fishing into late november. If you are not planning on using it heavily during the fall or early spring I would get a 4/3. I will be hard to find a 4/3 with an attached hood. I would buy a wetsuit made for surfing, they have a lot more flexability in the shoulders than a dive suit which is nice for casting. Check out ripcurl, or xcel for wetsuits. Xcel has a huge following in the northeast for surfing.

[fishpoopoo]

I've tried a few different brands.

For Rhody and The Cape/Islands I've worn the Henderson Gold Core 5 mm during the warmer weather months with no problems (one piece).

For cooler weather in the spring and early fall I'd advise layering with "drylete" tops and bottoms or underarmor.

I'd get a heavier wetsuit for late Oct/Nov (7mm).

I wear boots with korkers.

I'd recommend the NRS Workboot. It's built like a brick chithouse (I'd also recommend the NRS bootie socks too).

I love wetsuiting. I don't skish, but I do occasionally swim out to rocks or will make a short swim between islands and a wetsuit is great for that.

[Back Beach]

If you aren't going to swim, I wouldn't get one. Went with the breathables/felt soles and a skinz top this year and it worked great. Sometimes I wade chest deep to get to a couple places. For all of the wetsuit surfcasters I see out there, I don't don't see them producing any more fish than the non suiters.Yes, you can get to some remote spots, no doubt, and get fish you ordinarily may not reach. My take is there are just as many great spots to fish where you need not take on additional risk.Keep in mind before you call me chicken dung that my fear of drowning has kept me alive this long. You can get just as messed up in a wet suit if things go the wrong way.