I seem to have a fat layer somewhat like a sealion and I am quite happy to shed my waders really early in the fishing season in Long Beach and areas south. For me and a couple of other guys, our constitutions are awesome and we don't wear waders 9 months out of the year. I don't buy wearing them to protect oneself against scratches and scrapes or potential fishy encounters. A jellyfish would naturally do you a number though and they are not so uncommon here in the South Bay area. I have so much stuff on my tube that losing the waders increases mobility and reduces weight you have to both wear and lug around.

Floatation Considerations: My over-sized suspender PFD assures that I'll be floating right side up if the boat don't float!

JapanRon