What to wear when the cold gets here
 

What do you guys recommend or actually use clothing wise for cold weather
Wet suit or waders
I'm lovin shorts right now
Thats all I got
This is my first season out on the water
I wanna keep goin all year
But I hate the cold and get cold pretty easy
Don't wanna have to wait till next summer
What would be good for me to look into investing in on a budget
Not sayin its gonna get cold
Weather water temp and fish have been badass lately
But if Mother Nature decides to switch things up
Turns the season into fall and then winter
What's your advice on apparel
Thanks

Cold weather?











http://www.glockforum.net/forum/atta...ut-willis1.png

Look... I grew up in SoCal... but spent 12 years on Long Island, NY recently (moved back to SoCal 2 yrs ago)... but took on kayak fishing for the first time while in NY. I belonged to the KFA-NY club (Kayak Fishing Association of New York). They stress safety in our sport, and rightly so. PFDs and Cold Weather Gear are serious considerations for your safety back there... we're talking c-c-c-cold water temps in the fall, winter, and spring. Enough so that to turtle in those conditions unprepared could lead easily to death... hypothermia is no joking matter. Read up on it, seriously.

I know that the water temps here are currently very warm. But yes, even in the winter here in SoCal... hypothermia is a concern... especially if things go badly quickly.

My Immersion Research drysuit may be an expensive investment.... but as they say... how expensive is your funeral? I have two teenage kids, and a wife... I take my safety seriously when on the water in my kayak. Staying warm and dry should something go awry is my first concern. $600 bucks. Ask yourself. Is it worth your life? I know this is SoCal... and temps aren't quite the same as New York... but hey... if you're in the water for an extended time... hypothermia is a real threat to your safety. Kokatat, IR, and many others out there offer protection from the elements. Ask yourself... do I want to come home in a body bag, or prepared for the worst case in a drysuit? You never know. I had a hard time pulling the trigger spending so much on a safety device as a drysuit, but I also have peace of mind that if sh*t happens, I'm prepared to stay in the water if need be until rescued.

I may rarely use it out here in SoCal, compared to what I would've used it in New York, but I'm glad I own it... and when water temps drop... you can count I'll have it on. Food for thought.

I usually wear stocking foot dry chest waders when it starts to get cooler out, but I'm thinking of getting some kayak wader pants. I've always been a bit concerned about the chest waders filling up with water should I get dumped out of my yak. Hasn't happened yet, but I was very nearly run over by some jerk in a speed boat in San Diego Bay last winter. Not so much worried about the cold or hypothermia here, the water rarely gets too much below 60 degrees, but sometimes I've been on the water when it was in the low 40's (air temp).

Dress in layers with your waterproof jacket or windbreaker on the outside and you'll be fine.

I have to find what I got from the OEX's online store. I will post it.

It is a quick drying and warm pants and I have a upper jacket that sit-inside kayakers wear. The neck, sleeves and the waist are tight rubber to seal.

I also bought a wader with zipper for convenience.


Whenever a wader is worn it must be worn with a snug waist belt. Whether fishing or kayaking.

Good question Ro12. I'm interested too.

So far I use easy layers, and I plan for the temperature of the water adjusted for wind, roughness and likelihood of being wet.

First time I pulled up a sabiki that dry suit would have a buncha holes in it. Like someone already said having the chest strap tightened on waders will keep em from filling with water during a quick dunk in the surf.

Waders for a couple of years.

Now heavy duty Splash Pants and a parka.

You can layer under clothes and I use a Thermal or HeatGear Shirt.

I wear board shorts year round. Winter time I'll put on a shirt. :p

holy crap i didn't know Farva posted here!!!!!

http://klipd.com/screenshots/149e0d4...576c82ff-0.jpg

Yup

Thanks for replies guys
Yeah I'm lookin into waders
Wetsuit might be a problem but I ain't sure
Never put one on
Haven't tried waders either though
But my weight fluctuates and to my knowledge wetsuits need to be a tight fit
Now do you guys use boots with the waders
That $600 suit did get me thinkin
I got 2 kids I need to get back home to
But I'd have to put a lot more hours on the water to rationalize that purchase
I'll look into something like that in the future
When I grow a pair and go out at night or early morn
Now say the waders do fill with water even if you're wearing the belt
They look pretty loose
Could you just slip out of em
Or are you screwed
Thanks again

If waders fill up, you may be able to remove the belt and the suspenders and get them off. Worst case scenario is to cut them as low as possible to allow drainage of the water. Just a theory of mine.


I agree that wet suites shrink...wink wink. I had to have mine enlarged by 2" on several places.


The problem with wet suite is that it could get too hot while paddling to get to your spot and then you sit waiting sweaty in the wind. If it is windy.

I do were booths with my wet suite and dive booties if I am in shorts or light pants.

Was lookin through kayak fishing supplies
Saw the NRS Rio outer layer package
I'm guessing it keeps you dry
Does it keep you warm
I've never held waders in my hands
But I'm guessing they gotta be kinda thick
Do waders offer some warmth
Maybe waders with a jacket over top
I really got no clue
Excuse my ignorance

I even wear waders during the summer sometimes. Get a breathable pair and just layer underneath. The waders themselves don't really do a whole lot for warmth but do keep you DRY. There are usually some good sales around Black Friday which is coming up. Just keep your eyes out for a good deal.

Long Johns under the waders works fine, again providing you don't get too hot during paddling.

Definitely breathable waders are the way to go and not the neoprene ones.
Actually I had a pair of neoprene ones and did not like them at all. I only used them for fishing.
Hell of a job to get into, especially with the one piece which had boots attached to it.

I grew up fishing Redondo Bch, Lived on Long Island for 5 yrs, and now in Florida. I can appreciate what you say regarding cold. Lost a friend off SoCal when his sea urchin boat sank -- 6 of his crew were rescued 17 hours later -- surviving because they had their wetsuits on. That was before Personal Location Beacons(PLB's) existed. For $250 a PLB is the best piece of safety equipment in areas where hyperthermia is not an immediate concern. For staying warm, I am surprised a light wetsuit is not more popular. I would think an oversized stock model with lots of zippers that could be left open most of the time to stay cool would be a consideration. Seems like chest wader boots would greatly compromise mobility if you ever flip. In South Florida, I do wear a neopreme jacket during winter.

Thanks for the help guys
I'll look into the breathable ones
Now if I have layers under and it gets hot
How easy or hard are they to get off or back on
Is it possible in a yak
Or is it something you do only when you on dry land

Depending on your balancing skills and having a place to put the wader, you could take them off.

I personally would not risk it.

If you take your top off and leave the waders on, you may not be too hot.

You should always have drinking water for hydration.

Pleas let us know what works. I found my clothing that I was talking about, but did not see any ID on them. I will try to find the paper work if I can.

Best wishes.


P.S. I just saw these:


http://www.ebay.com/itm/dry-pants-wa...item25aed93835

Sorry to butt in on this, but this is why I love to fish the SEA of Cortez, water was 88 degrees this week.

Makobob I've been reading your threads
I can only dream of goin out there with you
I know it's an open invite
But the stars would have to line up perfectly for me to enjoy one of those trips

Those pants look doable mahigear
Saw something similar that was a set on kayakfishingsupplies.com
Also just got done reading their article on what to wear on the water
Lots of good info
But would still like some more first hand experience opinions from everyone

Looks like wetsuits are out for me
So I'm lookin into the waders and layers
Thanks for all the help guys
Maybe see you guys out there one day

some waders are warm, others are just a dry layer between you and the water but are still warmer than nothing but pants. I have breathable waders I use with my belly boat and they will keep me warm in really cold water while fishing. If it's really warm out I don't wear them, they get to hot. Always wear a belt tightly around the outside of the waders so if you go in they don't fill up with water. They are really hard to get out of when you are trying to stay afloat.Find out what the pro bass fishermen are wearing, those guys don't like being uncomfortable.

Good advice I'll be buying wire leaders. What is good tackle for wsb or rooster fish. Those two are the highest on my to do list. Jeff was telling me Krocs work for everything.

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Boardshorts year round. Just keep your shirt on and put a windbreaker on if you need it. This is San Diego. We don't know cold...

Haha

Thanks to the OP. I am glad this thread surfaced. I Tandem Island fish with my wife out of Dana Landing to La Jolla most weekends - we are in our 60's. It is roughly 10 -12 miles from the fishing grounds back to Dana Landing.

Three weeks ago we took on at least 70 gallons of water on a leak that does not come from the bottom. The stern and back seat were underwater when we hit the ramp.

Wife not to happy. I explained she could not pay an amusement park to have this much excitement.

I have been thinking of proper clothing for at least two hours of submersion.

Wow
Now that doesn't sound any fun at all
Is your ride done
Repairable
How far were you when you noticed you were takin on water

The incident like this is why a good bilge pump is a must have as a safety tool on a kayak. Glad you made it back alright.



You are talking getting rooster fish in Baja? Right. Not around here.

I was told that Hopkins lures are a good lure for Rooster fish. I got some to try.


Sorry for side track of the thread.

Definitely talking about Baja!

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We have the tandem at the dealers for the second time looking for the leak. First time they trimmed the forward hatch and installed a new seal. I was not convinced that this much water could come in from the front hatch.

We were heading in making the turn toward the entrance channel at about 180' when it was apparent that we were sinking.

Going to have a hose attached from the back hatch that leads to the lowest furthest spot at the stern. I can bilge pump from the hose for any water that collects furthers back.

May I suggest a kind of backward test?

Put the kayak on a sort of a stand.

Fill the hull of the kayak with water, until you see a leak. Where ever the water is coming in, will now allow the water to leak out.

There maybe a hairline crack that only shows up when there is weight in the kayak. In this case the weight of the water may cause the crack to open.


That could also eliminate the hatch/s.

Curious to see the cause of the leak. Pleas let us know when you solved the problem.

check your scuppers to make sure one hasn't separated where they sandwich together.

Rudder/steering lines

What's the cost for repair

Genius.

I did test it before sending it back to the dealer. First hooked wet vac exhaust and soaped it all down. Typical small leak bubbles emanating from hatches, rudder lines etc but nothing that would let in 35 gallons. On this leak my bait tank did slide forward causing a wet seal and flooding the entire hatch area. I then supported the kayak in four places and filled the inside with 35-40 gallons - not a drop leaked out. So i figured I caused it with the leaking bait tank somehow.

Next time out heavy sailing and realized heavy water intake of approx 70 gallons. Pulled it to level ground and no leaks, drips - nothing for 20 minutes.

Sent it to dealer he resealed forward bow hatch. Tested out of Dana Landing and 2.5 gallons in 30-40 minutes sailing back in. Took it dealer who had Hobie test - no real big leaks.

I will continue to investigate further. Dealer thinks weight in back under sail is causing rudder lines to draw water in.

When I get it back I will test further. I was thinking all along it was seeping in through the scupper holes in the back when a swell would wash over, but Hobie sent pics of scuppers being tested.

In SoCal, the most cold water wear I ever used was a farmer john wetsuit, booties, polypro shirt and light jacket. The water rarely gets below 50°, a drysuit is total overkill.

Now I fish in a much colder place where it rains all the time. When the water temperature is in the low 40's, same as the air temp and it's raining, a drysuit would be good, but most of the time I wear waterproof pants with shorts underneath(polypro long johns if it's cold), polypro shirt, sweatshirt and waterproof shell. Since I know how to get back on my kayak if I get dumped, I don't plan on swimming around for an hour or two figuring out what to do. The hardest thing to keep warm are my hands. Not many gloves that keep your hands warm and are flexible enough for fishing. If you are fishing in any type of marginal conditions, better be wearing that PFD.

We stop fishing when the rod guides ice up, so we do a fair bit of dressing for the conditions.

For all of you who say hypothermia is not a concern in SD:

You do realize that you can go hypothermic in 80 deg water right? Hypothermia is a risk in any water which is cooler than body temp, 98 deg F. Its just the exposure time is longer.

That said, its all about stockingfoot breathable waders, and splash jacket shell. You can put on as many layers as you want under that to handle any day from 80F to 40F. With the waders and the goretex shell, you can go completely submerged and remain mostly dry.

Chris138
Is the brand you talking about Caddis

+1 Exactly correct.

SD, Dec thru Mar, could get water temps into the 50's. Spending an unplanned night bobbing around like a cork with board shorts and a windbreaker sounds like a possible death sentence.

The sound of wearing waders in a kayak brings out the chiken in me tho. I opted for NRS Splash pants & top, layer underneath and keep my Lowrance Link-2 GPS radio and a mini water activated light clipped on my NRS Chinook pdf....and Praying I won't be in the water too long, if the worst happens.

Be as safe as you can be ;-)