Wet Suits?

I keep reading here over and over that the wet suit seems to be a life saver, but what kind of wetsuit you guys are referring to? The scuba wetsuit, triathlon wetsuit or surfing wetsuit...sorry for the dumb question, I just really have no idea.

Or, can I just use any of them?

Thanks!

If you want to be warm and comfortable on the North coast ,i would advise a 7mm open cell yamamoto rubber suit, Call or go to the Free Dive Shop in West Sacramento and they will hook you up.

I'd say any is better than none. Open cell suits are definitely more comfortable and afford more dexterity. I personally have tried a surfing suit and hated it, I felt like I was fighting the suit everytime I paddled. Haven't tried a tri- suit but that should afford more dexterity at the cost of the warmth factor. Same with FJ wetsuits. To be warm in our waters (submerged) for any length of time, most people need a min 5mm suit and I think the tri suits tend to be 3/2 but could be wrong (never looked in to it). I personally tend to use 5mm opencell 2pc suits.

I own several different wetsuits, but mainly wear a 3/3 during summer/fall and a 4/3 during winter/spring.  These are my primary surfing wetsuits worn for fishing too.  I can wear either for 2+ hr surf sessions and feel great...ice cream headaches not withstanding. 

Long ago I wore a 1/4" farmer john which worked well, but the cut and comfort left something to be desired.  Maybe they are more ergonomic now days.

I wear one of my old surfing wetsuits with the arms cut off and a slit in the crotch for relief of my bladder.  I then wear goretex pants over them to cut the wind chill factor.  Add a nice fleece top and paddle jacket and you're set.

do not go and buy a dive suit or full wet suit. Check out a Famer John type of suit. They are sleeveless and around $100. the cheapest way to be safe. (JMHO) Most real kayak shops sell them.

Thanks guys! So the consensus seem to be that it really does not mater if is a surfing, tri or scuba suit as long as it's comfortable and offer enough protection for the cold...a FJ is a good starting point.
Feel free to add more ideas, thanks!

Just got one of these just for yak fishing,  $70.

http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear-101/049510/Neosport-by-Henderson-7mm-Farmer-John-Wetsuit.html

I have the same suit in 5mm that I added a relief zipper to (a must), but wanted a little more protection, then I throw on a 2mm surf jacket.  For sitting in a yak the expensive open cell suits are over kill and you need a pee hole and you're not gonna want  to add one to one of those suits

i started with a full 4/3 wetsuit, because i already had one. Then came time to piss and it was a PITA. The following season i went out and purchased a Farmer John with a relief zipper and life was sooooo much easier. You'll need a rashguard type of shirt, a splash/dry jacket to keep your upperbody dry/warm, and some booties to keep your feet as warm as possible. Some of the fellas just wear a pair of cheap shoes over the booties.

I'm not the most experienced one here, and I say this will all due respect to Adam and to the other very skilled and awesome fisherman that fish with FJs...but one thing to consider is comfort vs. survival...

The FJ will be way more comfortable and will keep you safe for short periods of time in the water....but if the sh*t hits the fan (your yak sinks for example-it's happened) and you can't get out of the water for an extended period of time (hours) will it be enough to keep you alive?

Ideally you will be with a buddy and have a working VHF and can get assistance before you have to see if the FJ will keep you alive...but if you want to err on the side of caution than you may want to consider a full wetsuit (or a dry suit with layers underneath)...as much as a full wetsuit will decrease your comfort level, it will keep you alive.

Yeah, freedive suits will be more flexible and comfy but they are $$$ and if you snag a hook on one you will be bummed. 

I don't have the answer but just something to think about....I always heard dress for immersion...and for me a FJ will not cut it for extended immersion.

They sell FJ and jacket combos and you can unzip the jacket top to help with overheating...and yeah, I just sit in my piss all day when yak fishing on the ocean.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

That's a good point Jim. I appreciate the input.

Back in the day when I used to do triathlons, you're able to rent the wetsuits (something that I never did because I never did any swim that required them). Is there a place like that? That you could rent different type of kayak wetsuits to see what works for you?
Just brainstorming here...thanks

Like I said I'm no expert, and have incredible respect for a ton of guys on here that fish in FJs on the ocean all the time.....

It's just my opinion, and I only yak fished three times this year, and spent the rest of my time paddling to and from dive sites or underwater in a full dive suit so my opinion on what to wear while yak fishing all day doesn't really count for much.

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

I'm a little leary of the drysuits, (probably really uncalled for on my part) and they're expensive and require proper underware to protect you..  But the wetsuit is 100% foolproof immersion protection, (it's protection already takes leakage into account).  Thicker wetsuits offer more protection.  I feel a 7mm FJ with 7 mm booties and a longsleeve 2mm surf jacket offeres me all I need for a long time in the pacific or the bay.  Many here use a 3mm FJ with a full length zipper (for relief) but I personally just don't think that's enough for a worst case swim to shore.  I've been using a 5mm but finally caught the 7mm on sale and grabbed it, this winter I'll install a short relief zipper and I'll be in business.  A thicker top jacket is too restrictive for comfortable paddling, IMO>>

Just got one of these just for yak fishing,  $70.

http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear-101/049510/Neosport-by-Henderson-7mm-Farmer-John-Wetsuit.html

I have the same suit in 5mm that I added a relief zipper to (a must), but wanted a little more protection, then I throw on a 2mm surf jacket.  For sitting in a yak the expensive open cell suits are over kill and you need a pee hole and you're not gonna want  to add one to one of those suits

Thumbs up on Neosport by Henderson 7mm Farmer John Wetsuit.  The material is more forgiving when you move and stretch around.  My size was just a little to tight.  Gonna get another one, one size up to see how it fits.   

I have a Henderson 7mm Farmer John Wetsuit myself, Wearing the bottoms and a thick wool sweater keeps me nice and warm. The only thing I would change about it is adding a relief zipper.