Wetsuit'n

[ProfessorM]

very interesting mike. Not my cup of tea but was always curious on how you guys did it. Thanks for the explanation. Good luck next week. P.

[redlite]

Oh yeah, keys go under a rock somewhere by truck.....other alternative is between the cheeks............

[Bronko]

Thanks Mike.


John R... Sticky?

[numbskull]

Even if you don't plan to swim in it, a wet suit makes wading through awful rock/weed a lot easier. The neoprene protects you better when you fall, and there are no issues with filling your waders and ruining your night.

I can't imagine using my rod for a wading staff in the stuff I stumble through...the reel would get bashed on underwater rocks. This year I've been using a foldable Simms wading staff and like it a lot (too soon to know how long it will last...prior years I used a hardwood mop handle and EVA grip). Pricey, but breaking your leg in some inaccessible place is worse. Really speeds you up and adds fishing time over the course of the night if you do a lot of walking, wading, and hunting in the rocks (I may cover several miles and be in and out of the water dozens of times). Unnecessary if you plan to just set up and wait for fish on a favorite rock.

I'd also note that plenty of LI guys fish plugs in wetsuits. A 4 tube square bag with big drain grommets and attached to your belt is great. 3" tubes will hold a water bottle. I use a small lip gaff to handle fish and find it adequate. I hang it on the bag strap and the point is covered with surge tube looped first on the base of the hook. Supposedly you can carry a boga on a strong retractor clipped across the small of your back instead.

As for footwear.....read this http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...e-korkers.html

By the way, whatever happened to carrying eels in burlap? Mayo jars? Watch out people will think you're from Franklin.

[Back Beach]

Redlite's longest post ever...never knew there was that much info packed into that head of his...

In all honesty, Redlite pretty much encouraged me do do the wetsuit thing, then mentored me at every turn. I pretty much do what he says(besides peeing in my suit, but my courage is building) when we're fishing together. Still haven't figured out how to catch fish like him, but the wet suit thing is a lot of fun and keeps you on your toes.

Kind of scary when a big swell hits you chest high and nearly takes you off the rock, but it is fun and exilerating when done right. I would also add if you're climbing on rocks in a big surf you find a perch with a lot of water around it so when you get swept off its water on bone as opposed to rock on bone.

When you initially start up, your skill set will have to be redeveloped as being in the water differs greatly from being on dry land. Simply tying on a new hook can be a burden if you're getting pounded and trying to maintain your balance.

[Rmarsh]

Great post redlite:
You shared that tip about the D-ring with me a few months ago at a seminar at SWE, when I asked about what to do with the rod when you needed both hands free. I haven't taken the plunge to wetsuiting yet but that d-ring is very useful while wading too, I use it everytime I fish now! Funny how something so simple solves a problem.
Thanks again

[Back Beach]

One other thing too...don't think donning a wetsuit will put you into more fish. My catch rate is about the same and probably lower than fishing on dry land. There's a couple neat places you can get to in a wetsuit, but it has not resulted in more angling success for me, save for a couple decent fish.

You still need to know how to fish, which is my biggest problem.