If you could only keep one board it would be...

I've had mixed experiences ...I have a really hard time surfing the super wide swallows backside but I'm not a shredder. The ones with pulled in tails like a RNF work great beackside

 

"not wide????" ha ha ha

 

Only for you babe, 6'4"

 

I experimented with a lot of shapes and sizes. These really hold up well in everything. Plus, I like supporting local.

 

I think it's definitely user preference and style of surfing, 'cause so many people say the same thing. But I would argue it's not the tail width (measured a foot up), its about the actual geometry of the fish tail... the tip-to-tip distance, depth of crack, and inside curve of the swallow has to all come together. If you get the proportion of surface area removed between the swallows right... and you combine that with the right geometry, a fish surfs backside just fine.

IMO, pulling the tail in and giving it a little swallowtail defeats the purpose of the true "fish."

 

So as i said before, I'd have to choose a SB that works in everything but excels easiest high and up. Still can glide on small waves but when i want performance i have it.

But just reading through this thread, i might quit surfing if i had to choose only 1 board. Ok ok i wouldn't quit. But feeling diffrent feelings under my feet and switching between diffrent shapes and fin setups is alot of fun to me. For example iv still never ridden a fish and wasn't to try one. I also REALLY want to try a channel bottom twin fin.

 

lol

 

Loving this thread, especially all the discussion about fishes. Y’all have raised some excellent points that I never thought about. I have my quiver pretty dialed, and any new board purchases at this point are either to replace a broken board or get something different for sh!ts and giggles. Sold my lis style fish a few years ago...looks like I’ll be getting a new one soon. Saw a nice old school gloss and polish 5’6” down at wrv shaped by Jordan Brazie that I think I’m gonna pull the trigger on

 

I got 3 fishy's, I'm a regular afishyonado.

1) 5'6" x 21 x 2 3/8 Pavel quad fish, glassed fins
2) 5'8" X 22 x 2 5/8 Hank Warner quad fish w/ LokBox
3) 5'8" X 22 x 2 1/2 Mez double bump quad fish w/FCS2, my daily driver and my #1 pick to be stuck on Gilligan's Island with (along with Ginger & Maryann)

the double bump makes a curvier outline and narrows the fish tail a bit, allowing the fish to behave more like a shortboard but maintaining the speed and drive of an original fish. Kinda sacrifices linking together the flat spots on mushier waves like the original keel fish with parallel rails.

 

I’ve never ridden a true two keel feesh, but feel like I need to. I have a feeling that would be my go to... I’d probably say my fling is most well rounded and it’s very fish like.

BUT that said, I’d pick my “Bodi Biscuit” named after my late pup. A fishomans aka a blunt nosed, swallow tail simmons. It can ride 1’ waves and get going up to head high. I’ve gotten barreled on her and pulled some of my most mellow carves.



Oh and props to soulrider for shaping it for me! 5’2” 21.5” 2.7”

 

Those are purty

 

Wow - that's a fantastic shape

 

Yes, I would have to go with the 9’10 LB. It can handle any type of wave here and it’s fun in any wave.

Although I do gotta agree with all the fish stories on here, a fish would be a fine choice... but I still gotta go with the LB.

Here’s a pic of the board in question finding its home in one of jerseys finest.