Dry Suits advice

As I've read around here and looked at the pics, etc, I'm realizing that I'm probably taking a bit too big of a risk heading out w/o a dry-suit. However, to be honest, it never really crossed my mind. In recreational ocean kayaking, it hasn't seemed like an issue. I've gone on several guided paddles around here before getting my own kayak, and plenty of multi-day recreation trips with my wife.

...anyway, long preamble aside...as I've never shopped for dry suits, I'm wondering what factors--given the specific activity of kayak fishing--you'd suggest matter most. I read the thread from 2008 about what people wear under their dry suits, and take to heart the advice to avoid making "relief access" too hard to accomplish with buttons and belts!

I typically run very warm in general (when not submerged in the ocean of AK) so would like to fish without sitting in my own personal sweatbox. I'm still having a hard time getting it into my head that this is safety equipment...I pedal a Hobie around, and the work of pedaling in the summer has mainly been well-offset by shorts and Tevas.

--jeff

Man I won't go in the ocean without my dry suit! I kinda like it, guess I run cold. I just got off the water today and it was sunny and 60 out with a bit of wind. After a couple of hours mostly drift fishing I was getting cold.

Under the dry suit I wore shorts and a t-shirt though. Totally flat seas. I was not concerned about any extended dunks in the water today so I dressed light.

I think all of us up here where the kokatat suits. The t3 angler ones.

I did a bad huli this spring and I only got a couple drips down my neck. They work great! And yes they get hit sometimes but I deal with it or dress light. They breath fairly well. Also dangle your feet and legs in the water. That will cool ya down real quick.