What to Wear on the Cold Water?

[Friday]

Hi,
I am preparing to be a kayak fisherman. I scuba dive in the warm water and fished over 25 years on the salt water. But I have a very limited kayak experience. I am aware of overboard and hyperthermia. My goal this year is that practice in calm water (lake or shallow water) until July. Then start kayak fishing in the Chesapeake Bay when the water is warm. Once I have sufficient experience and skills, I want to kayak fish in May and November.

What should I wear when water temperature is 55F, 60F and 70F? The following is the list of water temperatures of last year where I fished:

April 15 55F
May 1 60F
June 1 70F
Nov 1 65F

Should I buy dry suit ($200 – $600)? Do you wear wet suit for diving?

Thanks I advance.
Joe

[chesapeakeblend]

the thread i started a couple of weeks ago may help you

http://www.tidalfish.com/forums/showthread.php?t=192303

mike

[Friday]

ChesapeakeBlend,
I read your thread. I got the good information from the thread. I am picking up my first kayak this weekend. I am going to practice overboard and reentry in the skinny water in March. I have a Lycra skin suit and a 3mm wet suit. I am going to purchase a dry suit (Possibly buy one at KayakProShop.com for $299.00). I am going to wear all of these (or combination) and paddle for hours to see if how sweaty I get before the overboard.

I will post my test result.

Thanks,
Joe

[sts]

I fish a sot, when the water reaches around 55 deg. I like to put my 99.00 dollar breathable chest waders on,and breathable top and a fleece jacket under that and a hat.Late and early season fishing/yakking you need to pick a day with low forcasted wind and alittle bit of sunshine and try to stay ontop of your yak and take a backup change of clothes, blanket,hand warmer and cell phone, packed in a dry bag.I'll be looking for you out there STS

[Friday]

STS,
Thanks for the Info. I learned a lot past few days. It looks weather (air temperature, wind and Sun) is also very important factor after the re-entry. I also learned wet suit is not quite practical when the nature calls on a cold day.

Thanks.

[Shagster]

Actually, when "nature calls", a wet suit may be better than waders: wet suit drain to ankles, while with waders, it ain't going anywhere (except maybe to your feet). If you get a drysuit, look for one with a "relief zipper" if you plan to be out for a while. Last time I went out about 2 weeks ago, I was pedalling my Hobie for over 7 hrs. Nothing quite like that pedalling motion when you have a full bladder, except for maybe appendicitis! I'm thinking that dry suit is looking better and better, even at $400-500.

[Sandtiger]

Posting these links pretty much covers it if you read the links and do some homework in this area. You'll find a lot of opinions and some are just that....... personal opinons. These links were written by professionals.

http://www.capital.net/com/nckayak/nck_safety_p4.htm

http://www.sit-on-topkayaking.com/Ar...Weather.html#1

http://www.nrsweb.com/Cold_Water_Layering.asp

http://www.nrsweb.com/hypothermia.asp

Good reading and keep in mind that wind has nothing on the water. Water takes away body heat 25 times faster than cold air does.