Cold Weather Prep

[blackmax135]

Ok after this weekend I fished my first tournament and was so nervous and worried I was leaving some kind of fishing gear behind I ended up leaving the most important things behind, a blanket, a pillow and a good jacket.  It hailed the day before the tournament and it was 30 degrees the 2 fishing days.  I am definitely not used to that. I won't forget my blanket and pillow next time but now I know I need to invest in something's to protect my self for next time I go out in the extreme conditions (for a southerner).  I'm guessing all the cold weather gear will be going on sale and I want to take advantage. What do I need to go get and is there certain brands you guys suggest.

 

I really give all you northern anglers that go out in that stuff all the time some huge props.  They say all these things in the world make you a man. But you aren't a man until you go 14 miles up a lake going 50mph with nothing but a hoodie and just a pair of jeans.

[LunkerFisher]

For cold weather you gotta start with a good base layer and wool socks. Keeping your feet warm and dry is my best advice from Michigan.

[5fishlimit]

Layering is the best option.  A base layer of some sort of active wear like Under Armor is good followed by your normal clothing, and then the final layer being a Gore-Tex weather suit.  This is how I stay warm on long runs on Lake Erie in the early spring and late fall.

[papajoe222]

In the words of my son-in-law: 'UnderArmor' first." I can't stand the stuff against my skin, so I start out with a light cotton base and then the UnderArmor. My last layer is always something that breaks the wind from getting g through.

[martintheduck]

As a Louisianian who lived in Missouri after hurricane Katrina, I learned a ton about the cold and it's done great things for me hunting... I use the same techniques for fishing now too.

 

 

Start at the feet.... baby powder on the feet, sock liner(silk I think?), wool sock, at least 400g insulated boot. That'll keep you toasty. I don't usually break out the insulated boots until it's less than 40 degrees on the water.

 

 

Next legs ---- Columbia and Under Armor is my go to, period. Wicking material that is form fitting. For pants, I just stick to a pair of jeans. Then, I add some Game Winner (Academy sports) insulated bibs. BEST INVESTMENT EVER!!! When it gets ice cold outside, the bibs are clutch, but when it's in the mild 50's/60's, I will wear a pair of jeans with my bibs and be perfect all day. GREAT for mild fall with just a little chill on the water.

 

 

Next upper body --- Base layer. Columbia or Under Armor. next, it is all about preference.... i prefer to add cotton layers at this point since it's WAY cheaper than all the performance stuff. I add a thin cotton long sleeve shirt. Then a cotton hoodie. Then I bought a $150 performance jacket. Totasty warm for running at 70mph, and perfect on the water... shed layers as day warms up.

 

 

Head --- Insulated beanie. Check the hunting section for these. I pall a "buff" down around my neck to kind of "seal" everything up. And when running, I toss on a balaclava too.

 

 

 

I said all that to say this ---- Yes, I recommend Columbia or Under Armor brands for base layers. I recommend hunting brands such as LaCrosse and Ithaca for boots and hats and stuff. Drake makes a great pair of insulated gloves too. 

 

 

Brose around SierraTradingPost for some great deals ALL the time... and they regularly post 40% off your whole order coupons

[jaymeister99]

Wool socks, keeps you toasty warm and still maintain they're warmth even if they get a bit damp.

 

Layer your clothes. Base layer of long johns, guess I'm a bit old school but I use polypro and it works fine. Then jeans, cotton shirt. Depending on the cold one or two layers of a fleece liner jacket. Then an outer layer goretex jacket. But IMO dont use goretex if you are walking any major distance, it doesn't breath well.

 

I have a military issue set of goretex pants and fleece bibs, works great and its cheap.

 

All this gets used for hunting and colder weather camping too.

[bigbill]

I live in long sleeve camo tee shirts because there super warm. I put on a tee shirt first then the camo long sleeve shirt, then a insulated camo shirt. Then a insulated bib and jacket. If it's that cold I wear the red one piece underwear.

Make sure your lower back is protected and covered really good. My worst arthritis is in 12" of my lower back from logging during the winters.