wetsuit or drysuit or something else?

[kwonsoo]

Okay, the t13 is coming along and should be on the water by next week. I've worn my 3mm wetsuit going out in the past but couldn't control the body heat paddling. sometimes, to the point where, i just dive in to cool my self down. This works for a little bit but who wants to stay wet. What you guys recommend is the ideal clothing for going out in the Big Blue?

kwonsoo.

[str8fishin]

I'm a salty newb and have been bouncing between breathable waders and my 3mm wetsuit.  I like wearing waders a lot more because i stay cool and my butt stays dry. 

[Stingking]

drysuit if you can afford it. next best i think is waders w/ paddling jacket, keep me dry and warm i like to wear layers for all the conditions you see on the water.

[LJR]

I have the same issue. Chest wader seems the best choice but I am afraid if I fell in the water. It will be horrible to swim w/ water inside the wader. Drysuit is the best choice but it cost $$!! I hope to get one soon if I can afford.

[FishingAddict]

I started out with chest waders (no relief zip).  I was on pretty good RF bite at Bean Hollow about half mile from the beach.  After a couple of hours I had to pee.  There was no way I could take the waders off OTW.

I never told anybody till now  that I  peed inside the waders.  That's the last time I wore waders.

[LJR]

I started out with chest waders (no relief zip).  I was on pretty good RF bite at Bean Hollow about half mile from the beach.  After a couple of hours I had to pee.  There was no way I could take the waders off OTW.

I never told anybody till now  that I  peed inside the waders.  That's the last time I wore waders.

and... did you sell your wader on craigslist.org?? 

[barefoot1]

I have gone from the waders/gasketed paddling shirt, to the Kokatat Tempest pants/ with gasketed shirt, and now to the drysuit with relief zipper.  The pants are much better when you gotta go than the waders, and I will still use them in warmer conditions, but that relief zipper in the drysuit is a real blessing!

[FishingAddict]

I started out with chest waders (no relief zip).  I was on pretty good RF bite at Bean Hollow about half mile from the beach.  After a couple of hours I had to pee.  There was no way I could take the waders off OTW.

I never told anybody till now  that I  peed inside the waders.  That's the last time I wore waders.

and... did you sell your wader on craigslist.org?? 

It was loaner from a good buddy and another ncka guy.  I didn't tell him about the incident.  I've used a Kokatat FJ ever since. 

[DaveW]

I never told anybody till now   that I  peed inside the waders.

Yikes!   

Drysuit if you have the scratch.

[Paddleboy84]

Depending on what size drysuit you wear, I may have something to work for you. I got a bunch of last years closeout, but I only have S and XXL left. Stohlquist b-pod is the model.

[The Impractical Fishemen]

I have the same issue. Chest wader seems the best choice but I am afraid if I fell in the water. It will be horrible to swim w/ water inside the wader. Drysuit is the best choice but it cost $$!! I hope to get one soon if I can afford.

I've been in the water once in wader no big deal

Exploding the Waders of Death myth

[ravensblack]

I have the same issue. Chest wader seems the best choice but I am afraid if I fell in the water. It will be horrible to swim w/ water inside the wader. Drysuit is the best choice but it cost $$!! I hope to get one soon if I can afford.

I've been in the water once in wader no big deal

Exploding the Waders of Death myth

Really! What kind of water?

[The Impractical Fishemen]

Really! What kind of water?

On a murky lake last summer I was in the shallows casting a senko and walking around to stretch my legs after taking a leak in the bushes and I slipped off a log into some deep water, waders no belt, no PFD. Water over my head, I swam back to shore no problem. Had water in my waders but then sucked up to my legs and didn't let much in. More water came in once I got my chest above water. Haven't told a lot of people about it, it is a little embarrassing... 

[Great Bass 2]

I've used a 3 mm FJ and dry top, full 4/3 and paddle suit and will say that if you can afford it, get a semi-dry or dry suit for all around comfort. For technical surf launches a full 4/3 would be my choice. I will say that at GS last year in the rain I was deep into hypothermia after 4 hours in a 3 mm FJ and dry top and bought a Kokotat angler paddle suit on Craigs recommendation and have never regretted it. Unfortunately I have gone for a swim a few times and you do take on a little water but it doesn't keep you from fishing and you can swim ok in them too.

[Meat Hunter]

I vote something else. Speedo!

In all seriousness it really depends on what type of fishing you do and preferences. I come from surfing and I must admit I hate wetsuits. One word sums that up: Monkeybutt. So I go the dry route. Waders will work if you don’t fish alone or in the salt often. I tend to do both so I switched to a drysuit. I chose the latex neck gasket and remained bone dry on a 15 min ocean/surf swim. In contrast I have a fair amount of short minute long swims in the wader/drytop combo and it leaks for sure. The waders don’t fill up with water and swimming isn’t difficult but the hypothermia from being wet would be a real downer. A quick reminder of incidents such as the post RBC Sledge/Bloodbath sinking would highlight why waders aren’t solid gear for cold water. As far as money goes my drysuit has been my most expensive single purchase in yak fishing to date.

Thank you Saltydog for harping on the waders thing time and again.   But really dude, all my loved ones thank you as well.