Wetsuit wading

[Joshua Vandamm]

Just got me a farmer John 3mil and NRS 2mil long sleeve to layer for wading. I’m thinking that should work in water above 50F at least..,(?)

 

question tho is what type of shoes to get? Wet shoes or 5 mil socks with water shoes overtop of them? 

 

Thanks!

[Sam]

Josh, are you wading in rocks or mud bottoms?

 

If rocks, you want a felt sole on your wading shoes.

 

If mud then anything goes as long as you can get your foot out of the shoes in case you get stuck in the mud.

 

I have felt soled boots to fish rocks in the Historic James River. Do not wear them anywhere else.

 

I don't like the water socks and don't wear them. Too bulky.

 

 

[Deleted account]

7 hours ago, Sam said:

If rocks, you want a felt sole on your wading shoes.

Felt soles are illegal in MD.

 

I don't wade with wetsuits much any more, but neoprene booties is what I used most. 3 mil might get cold if you plan to be in much more than TT depth for prolonged times.

[Sam]

3 hours ago, reason said:

Felt soles are illegal in MD.

 

I don't wade with wetsuits much any more, but neoprene booties is what I used most. 3 mil might get cold if you plan to be in much more than TT depth for prolonged times.

I had no idea felt sole boots were illegal in Maryland.

 

So you can't use your cell phone while driving and you can't wear felt sole boots to fish.

 

I wonder if the felt sole boots are an injury hazard.

 

[Gundog]

49 minutes ago, Sam said:

I had no idea felt sole boots were illegal in Maryland.

 

So you can't use your cell phone while driving and you can't wear felt sole boots to fish.

 

I wonder if the felt sole boots are an injury hazard.

 

Maryland has taken a decidedly "nanny-state" turn in the last decade. Expect to hear something about bubble wrap and personal safety soon. 

[Deleted account]

1 hour ago, Sam said:

I wonder if the felt sole boots are an injury hazard.

No, it's intended to reduce invasive goop from being transported around.

[Scott F]

1 hour ago, reason said:

No, it's intended to reduce invasive goop from being transported around.

There is a type of algae known as didymo or “rock snot” that for a while was thought to be spread by fishermen wearing felt soled wading boots so many places outlawed felt soles. Turns out, didymo was already present in most places and growth is triggered by low levels of phosphorus in the water, not by fishermen wearing felt soles boots. Vermont is already lifting the ban on felt soles now that they know they are not the cause of the problem. 

[B-Dozer]

6 minutes ago, Scott F said:

There is a type of algae known as didymo or “rock snot” that for a while was thought to be spread by fishermen wearing felt soled wading boots so many places outlawed felt soles. Turns out, didymo was already present in most places and growth is triggered by low levels of phosphorus in the water, not by fishermen wearing felt soles boots. Vermont is already lifting the ban on felt soles now that they know they are not the cause of the problem. 

I was just going to post, “rock snot” is the thing you should be concerned with most. Especially if you fish in a fast current area. You should look into a wading staff as well. FYI, I wear felt, not aware of any restrictions in my area.

[Deleted account]

2 hours ago, Gundog said:

Maryland has taken a decidedly "nanny-state" turn in the last decade. Expect to hear something about bubble wrap and personal safety soon. 

Tell me about it, if I get home invaded by 11 guys I'm in trouble...

[Joshua Vandamm]

20 hours ago, Sam said:

Josh, are you wading in rocks or mud bottoms?

 

If rocks, you want a felt sole on your wading shoes.

 

If mud then anything goes as long as you can get your foot out of the shoes in case you get stuck in the mud.

 

I have felt soled boots to fish rocks in the Historic James River. Do not wear them anywhere else.

 

I don't like the water socks and don't wear them. Too bulky.

 

 

Thanks. 

Yea I wade anywhere but mostly lakes along the shoreline which can be rock or mud. Probably 80% mud. 

 

Socks are bulky? I have normal hardsole waders also I just don’t like how often water gets inside and I sink into the mud too much because of those heavy lugs. 

12 hours ago, reason said:

Felt soles are illegal in MD.

 

I don't wade with wetsuits much any more, but neoprene booties is what I used most. 3 mil might get cold if you plan to be in much more than TT depth for prolonged times.

Yep. Felts not an option really. What’s TT? Neoprene booties are basically socks with a thick rubber sole right?

5 hours ago, reason said:

Tell me about it, if I get home invaded by 11 guys I'm in trouble...

Eh. Only if 10 of them are willing to die.  LOL but that’s another topic. 

[Deleted account]

2 hours ago, Joshua Vandamm said:

What’s TT? Neoprene booties are basically socks with a thick rubber sole right?

Yeah, neoprene booties are zip up ankle high with rubber soles. I use them to wade in board shorts in FL and other warm spots too.

TT = Testicular Thermometer. I usually only wade thigh high in the winter with the boys above the water line. 

[Joshua Vandamm]

2 hours ago, reason said:

Yeah, neoprene booties are zip up ankle high with rubber soles. I use them to wade in board shorts in FL and other warm spots too.

TT = Testicular Thermometer. I usually only wade thigh high in the winter with the boys above the water line. 

That initial shock won’t be fun. But I’m layering 3+2 mil. 5 should be good, I hope..

6 hours ago, B-Dozer said:

I was just going to post, “rock snot” is the thing you should be concerned with most. Especially if you fish in a fast current area. You should look into a wading staff as well. FYI, I wear felt, not aware of any restrictions in my area.

A staff is probably a necessity on slick rock and in current. I mostly but not always fish calm waters 

[IgotWood]

I’ve spent many years wetsuit fishing in the New England surf. I like 5mm neoprene socks and my Korkers wading boots over them. 50 degree water is about the coldest I’d go out in. You may also find that the farmer John isn’t quite ideal. A one piece, top entry suit would be best, as it lets in much less “new” water in. 

 

The Xcel Inifinty suit was my favorite suit. But it’s a bit pricey. Another benefit to a one piece suit designed for surfing is the mobility. Dive suits and farmer johns tend to be a bit bulky and less stretchy, ultimately becoming uncomfortable very quickly. 

[TnRiver46]

On 10/27/2018 at 4:59 PM, Scott F said:

There is a type of algae known as didymo or “rock snot” that for a while was thought to be spread by fishermen wearing felt soled wading boots so many places outlawed felt soles. Turns out, didymo was already present in most places and growth is triggered by low levels of phosphorus in the water, not by fishermen wearing felt soles boots. Vermont is already lifting the ban on felt soles now that they know they are not the cause of the problem. 

Same thing here 

[Munkin]

On ‎10‎/‎27‎/‎2018 at 5:59 PM, reason said:

Tell me about it, if I get home invaded by 11 guys I'm in trouble...

 

Multiple 10rd Glock magazines will cure this.

 

Allen

[Joshua Vandamm]

6 hours ago, Munkin said:

Multiple 10rd Glock magazines will cure this.

 

Allen

Yea. And the way I see it honestly if you put a bullet in one the rest aren’t sticking around. If they do and 10 Rds doesn’t do the trick your probably done regardless. 

9 hours ago, IgotWood said:

I’ve spent many years wetsuit fishing in the New England surf. I like 5mm neoprene socks and my Korkers wading boots over them. 50 degree water is about the coldest I’d go out in. You may also find that the farmer John isn’t quite ideal. A one piece, top entry suit would be best, as it lets in much less “new” water in. 

 

The Xcel Inifinty suit was my favorite suit. But it’s a bit pricey. Another benefit to a one piece suit designed for surfing is the mobility. Dive suits and farmer johns tend to be a bit bulky and less stretchy, ultimately becoming uncomfortable very quickly. 

Thanks for the insight. 

I got the farmers for versatility... range of temps with the 2nd layer a long sleeve nrs sport so Id be good from 50-65F, was my thinking. In Maryland the temp spans the whole gambit most years. Not a good choice in your opinion? 

[IgotWood]

29 minutes ago, Joshua Vandamm said:

 

Thanks for the insight. 

I got the farmers for versatility... range of temps with the 2nd layer a long sleeve nrs sport so Id be good from 50-65F, was my thinking. In Maryland the temp spans the whole gambit most years. Not a good choice in your opinion? 

I’m sure it will work just fine. You hear a lot of people ask, “what’s the best boat?”. And many of the responses are, “the one that gets you out on the water”. Use it for a while. At some point you will notice a few things that you’d LIKE to have if you buy another suit. Or, perhaps the farmer John may turn out to be just what you’re looking for.