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Wetsuit Surfcasting Pushes Striped Bass Fishing Into New Territory
What’s the most extreme fishing you’ve ever done? For some striped bass anglers, the answer now includes putting on a wetsuit, stepping into cold ocean water, and fishing while waves crash around them.
Known as wetsuit surfcasting, the approach is drawing attention as more anglers learn about a cold-water method that pushes surf fishing well beyond the shoreline.
Wetsuit surfcasting involves anglers stepping off the beach and into the surf during late fall and winter while wearing wetsuits or drysuits. Instead of staying on dry sand or shoreline rocks, anglers move closer to the water where striped bass are actively feeding. The goal is not longer casts, but better positioning in areas that traditional surfcasters simply cannot reach.
While the method has existed for decades in small Northeast fishing communities, its visibility has increased in recent years. A feature published last year by The Atlantic highlighted Montauk-based angler John Skinner and his involvement in wetsuit surf fishing, bringing broader attention to a practice that had largely stayed out of the mainstream.
Fishing from exposed rocks and heavy surf, wetsuit surfcasters position themselves closer to feeding striped bass. Photo: Peyton Riles
Since then, social media has helped spread awareness, with dramatic photos and videos of anglers braced against breaking waves circulating far beyond local surf fishing circles.
For anglers unfamiliar with the idea, stepping into cold water on purpose can sound extreme. As an outdoor photographer, I have spent time wading and swimming out to capture images of anglers fighting fish in tough conditions, and the pull is easy to understand. Being closer to the action changes everything. It shortens the distance, sharpens the moment, and creates a connection that is hard to replicate from shore.
You may be asking if putting on a wetsuit and braving heavy surf is really necessary to catch striped bass. The answer comes down to how these fish behave during colder months. As water temperatures drop, baitfish are often pushed tight to shore by wind, tides, and rough conditions. Striped bass follow, feeding aggressively in turbulent water where prey becomes disoriented. These are exactly the zones that can be difficult or impossible to fish from dry land.
Because of that, the gear used in wetsuit surfcasting is specialized and not something most casual anglers already own. Cold-water wetsuits or drysuits designed for extended exposure are standard, along with wading boots that provide traction on sand and rock. Many anglers keep their rod and reel setups simple, as excess gear becomes harder to manage in rough surf. Safety items such as wading belts, flotation aids, and waterproof lighting are often treated as necessities rather than accessories.
For wetsuit surfcasters, the fight continues even after the fish is landed as anglers navigate slick rocks and breaking waves. Photo: Peyton Riles
As interest in wetsuit surfcasting grows, so does debate within the fishing community. Some anglers see it as a natural extension of surf fishing and a way to reach fish that would otherwise go untouched. Others point to the obvious risks, especially when fishing alone or in unpredictable winter conditions.
Veteran surf anglers caution that wetsuit surfcasting is not something to try casually. A wetsuit may help manage cold exposure, but it does not eliminate strong currents, sudden wave surges, or rapidly changing conditions that can turn dangerous in a matter of minutes.
The post Wetsuit Surfcasting Pushes Striped Bass Fishing Into New Territory appeared first on OutdoorHub.
Continue reading...
Wetsuit Surfcasting Pushes Striped Bass Fishing Into New Territory
What’s the most extreme fishing you’ve ever done? For some striped bass anglers, the answer now includes putting on a wetsuit, stepping into cold ocean water, and fishing while waves crash around them.
Known as wetsuit surfcasting, the approach is drawing attention as more anglers learn about a cold-water method that pushes surf fishing well beyond the shoreline.
Wetsuit surfcasting involves anglers stepping off the beach and into the surf during late fall and winter while wearing wetsuits or drysuits. Instead of staying on dry sand or shoreline rocks, anglers move closer to the water where striped bass are actively feeding. The goal is not longer casts, but better positioning in areas that traditional surfcasters simply cannot reach.
While the method has existed for decades in small Northeast fishing communities, its visibility has increased in recent years. A feature published last year by The Atlantic highlighted Montauk-based angler John Skinner and his involvement in wetsuit surf fishing, bringing broader attention to a practice that had largely stayed out of the mainstream.
Fishing from exposed rocks and heavy surf, wetsuit surfcasters position themselves closer to feeding striped bass. Photo: Peyton Riles
Since then, social media has helped spread awareness, with dramatic photos and videos of anglers braced against breaking waves circulating far beyond local surf fishing circles.
For anglers unfamiliar with the idea, stepping into cold water on purpose can sound extreme. As an outdoor photographer, I have spent time wading and swimming out to capture images of anglers fighting fish in tough conditions, and the pull is easy to understand. Being closer to the action changes everything. It shortens the distance, sharpens the moment, and creates a connection that is hard to replicate from shore.
You may be asking if putting on a wetsuit and braving heavy surf is really necessary to catch striped bass. The answer comes down to how these fish behave during colder months. As water temperatures drop, baitfish are often pushed tight to shore by wind, tides, and rough conditions. Striped bass follow, feeding aggressively in turbulent water where prey becomes disoriented. These are exactly the zones that can be difficult or impossible to fish from dry land.
Because of that, the gear used in wetsuit surfcasting is specialized and not something most casual anglers already own. Cold-water wetsuits or drysuits designed for extended exposure are standard, along with wading boots that provide traction on sand and rock. Many anglers keep their rod and reel setups simple, as excess gear becomes harder to manage in rough surf. Safety items such as wading belts, flotation aids, and waterproof lighting are often treated as necessities rather than accessories.
For wetsuit surfcasters, the fight continues even after the fish is landed as anglers navigate slick rocks and breaking waves. Photo: Peyton Riles
As interest in wetsuit surfcasting grows, so does debate within the fishing community. Some anglers see it as a natural extension of surf fishing and a way to reach fish that would otherwise go untouched. Others point to the obvious risks, especially when fishing alone or in unpredictable winter conditions.
Veteran surf anglers caution that wetsuit surfcasting is not something to try casually. A wetsuit may help manage cold exposure, but it does not eliminate strong currents, sudden wave surges, or rapidly changing conditions that can turn dangerous in a matter of minutes.
The post Wetsuit Surfcasting Pushes Striped Bass Fishing Into New Territory appeared first on OutdoorHub.
Continue reading...