Introduction

Hello all. My name is Frank Pomilia and I am new to the Kayak fishing world but not to fishing. I have been involved in multiple fisheries since the age of 8, and was a 4th generation commercial fisherman out of San Francisco until I entered the law enforcement field. I love fishing and fish for anything that swims.
I am 70 years young and semi-retired. My youngest son and I were participating in bass tournaments with ABA and Best Bass with some success and my oldest has a 22'Mako which we use in the ocean.
Seeing what was happening with the drought and not being able to launch the bass boat in the past 6 months I decided to sell her and bought a Hobie Pro Angler 12 at the Sacramento boat show. I have her rigged and ready to go but have been dealing with a problem involving my fitting into a dry and semi dry suit. My problem is my neck and wrist size. I have tried XL dry suit and a LK semi dry suit and expecting delivery on a XXL Kokatat semi dry suit. Keeping my fingers crossed. I am being patient and waiting until everything is in place before my sea trial at Clear Lake Ca. I look forward to meeting fellow yakers and possibly joining you on the water. I am very interested in the tomales bay fishery. Tight Lines and safe fishing

Hi Frank, welcome to NCKA 

Welcome to NCKA. 

Welcome Young Retired Frank!    You have to either stretch them gaskets or cut them to make it comfortable to wear.  For my XXL Kokatat I definitely had to cut the wrists, but it came with a neoprene neck gasket that is way more comfortable than the old one I had that is like the wrist gaskets.  I would start with stretching out the wrist gaskets with something like a softball and a football or something for the neck.  But I ended up cutting the wrist gaskets both times even after stretching.  I think I cut too much off this time as well, but with the velco reinforcement it still doesn't leak at all, and have tested it thoroughly.  Good luck!

Thanks for that. Just scared the hell out of me cutting a $1000 suit. I usually tend to cut to much. Did try to strech things on the Large King on the wrist and neck. Pushed plastic cups in the wrist and a small pot in the neck for a few days and no go. Sent it back and hope to get the XXL today. I will follow your lead on this one. Thanks

I did the same stretching and it did help.  But after my hands turned purple after a few hours of fishing anyway, I cut them.  Really didn't do a good job, was at a camp site, and used the only scissors I had and butchered it.  Gaskets can be replaced though if you run into issues. But like I said with the velcro reinforcement it's not leaking at all.  I think that it might be easier to use a straight razor to cut them.  Any jagged cuts can turn to rips.  But on my first DS using a good pair of new scissors didn't have any problem.

Welcome aboard Frank 

Welcome Frank to NCKA. 

Received the XXL and no change in the suit. Apparently the only changes I saw in the three sizes was the length. The cuffs and neck size were the same. My 19.5" neck felt real tight and can barley get my hands through the cuffs. Just could not cut everything and risk the loss of the warranty. Need to look at some other options. I am a firm believer in safety first but comfort is also important especially fishing long hours.
I have heard more negative than positive about the farmer john wet suit. Just really confused as to which way to go and not going until I have that secured. Any suggestions would be appreciated,

I love my farmer john wetsuit and will wear it in warmer weather when fishing the ocean.  Mine has no feet on it, so the bottoms are just open and drain straight out, never fills with water like waders do.  You have to wear good layers with it though, nothing cotton ever including your underwear.  I use a rash guard/swim shirt, then a nice fleece zip up jacket, and then you also need a paddling jacket, but can get away with a rain coat.  The fleece is a lot of your warmth, I like Columbia ones, they go up to big sizes, and they will wick moisture away and eventually dry out.  Used to do a bit of white water rafting and they were money for that too.  The paddling jacket can take a full wave over your bow and prevent your core from getting wet, but really its to cut the wind and keep the heat in.  Booties for your feet, or neoprene socks, or just barefoot if it's warm out. 

You got a semi dry kokatat?  And it has the same neck seal as the cuffs?  There is a full gortex version that I have and was also in that price range, but I swear the neck gasket is way way more comfortable.  https://kokatat.com/supernova-angler-semi-dry-suit-gore-tex-pro/ is the one I ordered.

Yea. Tried two f them and the neck was still uncomfortable. Tried a dry suit and two semi dry gortex.

Hi Frank,
Welcome to NCKA