[Crazy-Al]

Hi Folks,

I know some of you are extreme fishers only want the best with no compromises... So, I have a few questions for ya.

When using a hood... How important is a visor?

What do you look for in a "Premium" top?

A pocket, how important is it?

Do you always wear a belt?

Don't mind me, I had a slight argument with a friend and I need your assistance - cause I am trying to prove a point.

Thanks!

"Crazy" Alberto
[email protected]

 

[mattyblazer]

Belt

Hi Al,
I think that without a belt wearing a top is useless, even if you do not intend to go into deeper water, you can always get hit with a big wave and or step into a hole. A baseball cap works as a visor when I am wearing a hood otherwise the hood blocks your vision. Grundens green rubber insulated top(with neoprene cuffs on the sleeves) or Bronco neoprene pull overs is what I use. The only pocket that matters to me is the one in the top of my waders (cigarettes). Dont like zip open tops (thats like wearing a leak) and I wont fish rocks with out korkers (strap on kind stay on better than lace on version). Last is a finger guard, which I feel is a must when your hands are saturated and you are throwing braid.

 

[MIKE TUNA]

Need more info ?????

Is this for fishing on a boat , surf or just hanging out ? I guess your talking out in the cold weather . But you could also be talking rain .

A top , Need some kind of weather conditions . Assuming where talking Fishing . Other then that a cashmere sweater is nice .


A belt ??? A Fighting belt , a belt to hold gear or to hold your pants up ?

You got my attension so help me out here . Need some more info .

I feel confident that you know these answers so I guess we need more info to help out your Friend .

This got to be a surf thing because I just don't understand . But Mattyblazer seems to understand , so I'll crawl back in my hole .

MIKE TUNA

 

[Crazy-Al]

Ahhh… Now I got your attention eh?

Anyway, what kind of jacket I am talking about? Well, let's put it this way… I am thinking more of a durable top that will provide 100% waterproof (not water resistance), able to sustain extra warmth with soft latex wraps for the neck and sleeves to prevent water seepage. Also, adapt outer-layered pockets and possibly a belt for extra support and safety.

It is also a multi purpose for surfcasters, boaters, kayaks, Ice fishermen, fly and light tackle fishers that like to explore tough conditions (things that I like to do most) without sacrificing comfort!

The bottom line is… A NO NONSENSE all purpose top, with tough material (such as neoprene) for protection and not have to worry about the cold or wet!

Currently, I am dealing with a manufacturer and we had several quarrels of what it is needed.
That is the reasons for this post… cause the users are people like you and me that expects nothing but the best and able to withhold the toughest of all conditions.

So, if you don't mind… Let me have it. Be creative, but practical cause this is something designed for YOU in mind!

Thanks!

"Crazy" Alberto
[email protected]

 

[620427]

"It is also a multi purpose for surfcasters, boaters, kayaks, Ice fishermen, fly and light tackle fishers "

i think that is too many different fishing situtations and thus needs to be able fill with just a single garment. (that i could think of).

a feature for one activity could be a negative aspect for another activity.
an example would be side pockets for the boat fisherman (like on the grunden or guy cotten fleece tops), they are very handy to store small amounts of tackle and other essentials, that way you dont to have run to cabin for a hook.
but to the surf fisherman i can see that same pocket causing a problem.
remove it to cater to the surf guy and now you lost some of the boater guys.

but if you guys do come up with a super jacket,
put me down for 2 of them please.

 

[620427]

just another point...

i know from a long time diver friend,
he ABSOLUTLEY REFUSES to put his NEOPRENE wetsuit on ANY BOAT that has BUNKER ON IT.
he says that once you get that smell on on the suit, you can never get it out, he said the same for squid.
this guy has been diving and spear fishing 30+ years.

i know on a boat, i would get get large amounts of blood and bait juice and slime on me,
how would the neoprene be with this type of enviornment ?
i have no experience using neoprene on a boat during fishing.

 

[Crazy-Al]

I understand your concerns and it is duly noted!

The truth of the matter is… I've spent a lot of $$$ on various jackets and test (abuse) it. I fish extremely hard and demanding on my gears…I've use it in my kayak, surfcast under tough conditions (Including swimming), blackfished under very cold conditions (boat and jetties), and even flyfished for Salmon. Understandably, each activity has its unique needs and yet I found several similarities (needs)… For example, it needs to be warm, tough, durable, snug with freedom to move around, 100% waterproof and did I say tough?

We are down to a few factors and that is why I am referring to you! Just making sure that we understand you needs and assuring that there is no oversight.

Just try to picture a perfect jacket… what would you want in it… what are the necessities and expectations.

Again, I had a few disagreements with the manufactures and it boiled down to a few questions...

Visor, belt, pockets and other finer details.

"Crazy" Alberto
[email protected]

 

[MIKE TUNA]

OK #1 The name"CA'S EXTREME SPORTSMAN"

#2 Jacket : Four thin layers .

A :Outside layer , Same material as soft Rain gear . Not the hard stuff .

B :Middle layer , Very thin neoprene
Layer . So it won't be so stiff .

C :Third layer , thin layer of Gortex .

D :Forth layer , Inside layer 100% soft Cotton . Thick !

#3 Wrists : Same exterior material only on interior 2-3" of nylon . With a Velcro adjustment on the outside . 2-3" not the skinny electic that tears into your wrist . This to keep cold and water out .

#4 Neck : Cotton all the way up but with a cool nylon at the very top that folds out 4" depening on how you feel for cofort you can have a choice . Either have cotton up to your head or fold in the Nylon and have 4" of a cooler material .

#5 Bottom no elestic . A 3" belt type that is part of the Jacket adjustable with Velcrow . Also a draw string on the inside at waist .

#6 Pockets , 2 inside below ribs . one on each side . 4 outside .. 1 on each side of chest . 2 on sides for your hands With reusable hand warmers that slip into pocket within the pocket . 2 for hands lined with cotton and all have flaps to keep water out .

#7 Heavy duty nylon zipper all the way to the top with a flap that stays closed with 1" thin Velcrow .

#8 Style , Solid colors kacky Green , dark blue and Maroon .

#9 Lenth 3/4

#10 An optional Hat with ear flaps and fold down Visor . All with toasty warm cotton Material .

#11 An optional matching backpack for gear .

#12 An optional over the shoulder strap that holds an 9 MM UZI for safty and those guys that throw heavy wakes toward your Kayak .

Al Please order me one for tomarrow its suppose to be Reeeeeel Cooooold !

MIKE TUNA

 

[RedEd]

Jacket

I once bought an off the sale rack at EMS Goretex shell that turned out to be pretty impervious. I've used it under the light at Montauk and all season on my 17 foot open garvey. When it gets to salt encrusted and fish fouled I toss it in the machine and badda-bing. For a present last year I got a Simms Guide jacket and thats a Cadilac with it's cuffs and big pockets that will hold enough plugs for a long walk on the beach. I have a bronco neoprene top but I did't use it once this year Anyway I just felt I should write something because I read all of you folks posts everyday and I get alot out of it Thanks very much. See you at the Bash Ed

m

 

[jtzannes]

From a party boat standpoint...

Water and WIND proof (fishing in the bow sucks if the wind gets through your clothes).Tight cuffs (I'm not nuts about velcro here- prefer elastic or neoprene. If there's a liner, it should have a turtleneck - if not, the front zipper should come up to ones nose, not under the chin. A velcro flap over the zipper (no snaps please). Elastic arount the bottom hem. A big belly-pouch style pocket that I can throw a few items of odd sizes in (pliers, my wallet, a pack of rigs, a sinker or two, whatever - pockets are important to me on a party boat because sometimes, if there is no bottom in my spot I like to try other spots on the boat, but I don't want to drag all my gear around with me, I'd rather just take enough to get me through a couple re-riggings. I don't wear my pliers on a belt holster because they're too hard to reach inside my skins, and if I wear a belt on the outside of my skins I can't reach my pockets to get my money to pay the fare or buy a few more sinkers from the mate.) I want to see what you're working on, let me know when it comes out!

 

[GradySailfish]

I don't like Grundens! It is arguable and I may be persecyted as not being a real pureist. However, I just don't like Grundens bibs.

Instead, I wear the Mustang Survival Bib Pants. They are waterproof and insulated all around. They keep you dry, warm and don't let the wind in. And if you fall in, they won't drag you down, instead trhey have some positive flotation. If they get dirty, use some laundry soap and wash them off. Under them, wear long johns and nylon shell sweatpants. That way you legs stay dry and warm.

As for the upper body, wear a tutle neck sweatshirt with a fleece lined pullover, (the Grundens one with rubber wirts is great) or a good sweatshirt (mine have sheeps wool on the inside, it's great. On top of that when applicable I wear my Mustang float jacket, in yellow of course.

On top a wool hat is good. When it rains I pull over my mustang hood.

Bottom line is I never freez, I am comfortable, have freedom of movement, plenty of storage and a certain degree of safety.

 

[MakoMike]

Al,
I assume you're talking about cold weather stuff? You know what I wear in warm weather. Pockets, yes. The more the better. But they should have flaps to keep out water and plastic zippers to keep them closed and keep the "stuff" in. Belt would be handy for the surf but might be a PITA on a boat, so best make it removable. Visor, Probably better off without it, I like to use the hood without a visor at times and I can always put on a baseball cap if I want one. Velcor closure at the wrists and neck can come in handy on a really wet day. Also some way to attach a pair of (optional) gloves, so you don't drop one overboard when you have to take one or both off. Take a look at some high end ski jackets for some other ideas.

 

[newyorkcityman]

the Crazy Jacket

here are some features that would make a jacket attractive to me:
1)water and wind proof rubber exterior (im used to the protection my grundens offer me)
2)hooded (no visor) with velcro closure and drawstring
3)removable belt (velcro)
4)1 big ass kangaroo pocket like the one jtzannes mentioned. maybe velcro closure for surfcasting. no snaps/zips.
5)one small really waterproof pocket for cigs/lighter(maybe a big flap with velcro to seal it)
6)some various sized rubber loops or metal rings around the shoulders/chest or waist for gear (pliers, knives, scissors, lures/jigs)
7)tight neoprene cuffs with no snaps, zippers, or velcro for dry arms whether in the surf or grabbin fish in a bucket
8)a warm, soft removable fleece liner (snap in or zip in) that covers the neck and lower face
9)it's reasonably priced (jacket<$100)
10)it's called the Crazy Jacket

sounds great so far, make sure to post a pic and let us know when and where we can get our Crazy Jackets.

 

[617905]

There goes Al again...

with another marketing research project for yet another one of his b'ness ventures. And just what do all of us get as contributors, a Crazy Al Kitchen Sink Fishing, Boating, Surfcasting, Kayacking, Extreme Surf Fishing jacket when the finished product is available maybe?

 

[jtzannes]

Offering my services...

I'll demo the jacket for ya' - I'm sure my feedback'll be much more helpful then

 

[bassavant]

My Jacket

Alot of good ideas... I've got a Grunden's pullover top that's well over 10 years old. I fish it hard, but take good care of it. What I like:

No zippers, pockets, buttons or extraneous stuff to break, tear or snag.
Completely waterproof.
Pretty windproof.
Snaps close around the neck to keep out those overhead waves when you climb down in the rocks getting a fish.
I use this jacket over layers for warmth and over my wetsuit(s) for wind (and rock abrasion) protection.

What I don't like:
Have to use duct tape around the sleeves to keep out water.
The hood doesn't seal quite as well as neoprene.

My next jacket would fix these two flaws. No visor! Maybe an integral neoprene glove - thin, so you could layer for really cold. No pockets, and maybe no hood so I could use a wetsuit hooded vest with it and not have the hood flopping around. Simplicity and durability would be the top two features.

Thanks for asking, Al!