Should "wetsuiting" be its own category of fishing

[luds]

It's surfcasting with a "pair" depending how far you push the limits. I think you are still surfcasting until you utilize some sort of vessel.

[flyvice11787]

Originally Posted by emgred

If you don't have to swim to where you are going to fish, I think you can still call it surfcasting.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by luds

It's surfcasting with a "pair" depending how far you push the limits. I think you are still surfcasting until you utilize some sort of vessel.

How would you categorize "skishing" then?

[luds]

Originally Posted by flyvice11787

How would you categorize "skishing" then?

Still surf fishing to me. You enter the water through the surf but you don't accept the limits of having to stand on land. I don't see a whole lot of difference between wading waist deep and being willing to actually swim while fishing. Swimming is just taking it a little further. Your not leveraging technology. Other than the boyancy of a wetsuit all you have to count on is your own physicality.

Again, it just amounts how much sack or stupidity you have depending on how you look at it.

[numbskull]

As long as you only use plugs it is all OK.

[luds]

Originally Posted by numbskull

As long as you only use plugs it is all OK.

skishing w/ trebles.

[flyvice11787]

Originally Posted by luds

Still surf fishing to me. You enter the water through the surf but you don't accept the limits of having to stand on land. I don't see a whole lot of difference between wading waist deep and being willing to actually swim while fishing. Swimming is just taking it a little further. Your not leveraging technology. Other than the boyancy of a wetsuit all you have to count on is your own physicality.

Again, it just amounts how much sack or stupidity you have depending on how you look at it.

Problem with that is some of these guys are swimming far out beyond the longest cast anyone can hope to make "from the surf". It's definitely an unfair advantage and that IMO is when it no longer can be classified as surf fishing.

[numbskull]

Of course, the old heave and haul guys likely felt the same way about rods and reels. Curious thing is that with a wet suit, fins, and an eel you probably don't need a rod or a reel to fish effectively. I'll bet that's next.

[Channell99]

I still consider standing on a rock to be surfcasting

[luds]

Originally Posted by flyvice11787

Problem with that is some of these guys are swimming far out beyond the longest cast anyone can hope to make "from the surf". It's definitely an unfair advantage and that IMO is when it no longer can be classified as surf fishing.

Why is it unfair? Because you can't or are unwilling to do it? I won't push myself that far and maybe can't either but imo that doesn't make it unfair. I guess I just give the few who do it the credit I feel they deserve. They are taking a higher risk and if it does result in bigger fish then to me they earned it.

[Vogt]

Originally Posted by luds

It's surfcasting with a "pair" depending how far you push the limits. I think you are still surfcasting until you utilize some sort of vessel.

Agreed.

[spence]

I think people who surfcast in a wetsuit are typically arrogant, selfish and otherwise rude people.

That being said, can anyone suggest a decent wetsuit that won't break the bank?

-spence

[shadow]

just becuase you have on a wetsuit does not mean your swimming far out.Heck I know of spots like charles island in ct. and many other sand bars that people wade very far from shore in waders a wetsuit in on of those spots would be a better choice.

[fcap60]

Originally Posted by spence

I think people who surfcast in a wetsuit are typically arrogant, selfish and otherwise rude people.

That being said, can anyone suggest a decent wetsuit that won't break the bank?

Too funny.

Good point about Skiishing ( or I guess those who wear wetsuits and need to swim to point B ).

[flyvice11787]

In the Montauk Locals Tournament, wetsuits have been put into a separate category from waders because wetsuiters are seen as having an advantage.

[fcap60]

Originally Posted by flyvice11787

In the Montauk Locals Tournament, wetsuits have been put into a separate category from waders because wetsuiters are seen as having an advantage.

...and that's the gist of this post. I'm just wondering if others see it that way

[flyvice11787]

Originally Posted by emgred

I put on a dry top and waders and I'm 60yds from shore on a bar in a back bay in chest deep water. Still surfcasting?
I'm 40 yds out on a rock, again dry top and waders, surfcasting?
I'm 40 yds out on the same rock in a wetsuit because it is more comfortable, surfcasting?

I don't use a wet suit when I fish, but do use waders and a dry top so I'm just posing questions.

If you don't have to swim to where you are going to fish, I think you can still call it surfcasting.

Emgred's answer hits it right on the head.

Originally Posted by fcap60

For example, if I took a kayak or small boat 25-50-75 yards from shore in order to fish a couple of big rocks or island that I could not otherwise get to in my waders, I'm not sure if that is truly surfcasting. Afterall, in this example, the "surf" in "surfcasting" would be missing.

What are your thoughts ?

In your example, the boat/kayak would be considered transportation. Not much different than getting off a boat at Cuttyhunk or any other island not connected to the mainland or a spot that's unreachable by car or foot (getting around private property to a public spot). You would still end up surfcasting, right ?

[Joe]

A distinct sub-culture, and a unofficial cadre of leadership, has already formed around it.
I think there will be a split, but it will be as a result of the sport taking on its own identity, rather than as a result of the traditional surfcasting community rejecting the wetsuiters. In other words, I don't see a surfcasting "purist" movement arising.
It will happen organically. Somebody will write a skishing book, a skishing-specific website will form, skishing tournaments will arise, etc.
Its a very effective method of fishing and the people participating are usually very good fishermen and they definitely have balls.