Should "wetsuiting" be its own category of fishing

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by DJ Muller

Come colder weather (late Oct/Nov.) At any time the wind blows in the dark hours, throwing on a drytop cuts the wind and keeps you warm until dawn early light.

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.

[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.