Keeping hands warm - ideas?

[the reel ess]

Wristbands with hand warmers in them.

[JT Bagwell]

As many others have said, keeping the core warm is key. Don't wear cotton t-shirts because they hold moisture and wear wool socks.

 

I live in Northern, Illinois and what I do to keep my hands warm, is I dry them with a towel frequently and I take breaks a lot to put my hands in my coat pockets where I have hand warmers.

[CrankFate]

On 11/14/2018 at 2:38 PM, Preytorien said:

I'd like to get out and fish, but here in Central IN they're calling for snow tonight. That said, I'd like to try some early winter fishing before ice forms. I have a bit of a tradition to get out and fish a couple hours early on Thanksgiving morning alone and reflect on my blessings, but after fishing last night for only about 15 minutes due to cold fingers, my confidence is low. My hands get too wet with a casting reel, so I'll probably keep it to a spinning reel. But last night I found my fingers were still cold at the tips. Now I'll admit I wasn't using thick gloves, mostly because I wanted the dexterity of a thinner glove. Even using Nitrile gloves underneath didn't help, and the hand warmers I put on the back (top) sides of my hands didn't seem to affect anything either. 

 

Looking for unique and effective ideas you guys might have to keep hands warm in the low 30's - high 20's.

I fish over the winter, even when it’s freezing and there’s nothing to catch but the flu. The only thing that works is waterproof ski gloves. The kind that are big, thick and stitched together, but can be dipped into a bucket of water and still stay dry inside (as long as you don’t dip them in past the opening at your wrist). I don’t know what brand I have, but they cost $79.99 on sale at Sports Authority before they closed down.If you get the ones that are a little small for your hand you’ll still be able to fish.

 

https://m.dickssportinggoods.com/p/hot-fingers-mens-rip-n-go-glove-15hfimmnsrpngglvxaoa/15hfimmnsrpngglvxaoa?camp=CSE:DSG_pg1052497342_ecom_PLA_452&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3PCWlOHr3gIVA1SGCh3aHQ7mEAQYASABEgJY-_D_BwE

 

smoething like these, but a little rubberized on the fingertips and heavier duty

[NHBull]

I was in a cold weather unit for years then was a tester for Northface  and you can't overestimate the benifits of super warming your core.  Years ago they made an electric vest which is now used in by linemen in Alaska, that is so warm it enables them to go without gloves for extended periods of time.  Today these vest cost about 150.00.Heating your neck and Head is also key in this endeavor. Surgical gloves with hand warmers on the top also work well.

 

With today's  technology  there is no excuse for being cold.

[Falkus]

Just ordered myself this after seeing this on the other thread..

 

SeaKnight Neoprene Outdoor Sport 3 Cut Fingers Fishing 

https://www.amazon.com/SeaKnight-Neoprene-Outdoor-Anti-slip-Windproof/dp/B01N7L1S6J

 

 

[Chris at Tech]

On 11/21/2018 at 10:17 AM, the reel ess said:

Wristbands with hand warmers in them.

This right here

[Alex from GA]

My kids bought me a Gerbing heated vest several years ago.  I don't live in the frozen north but works in N GA in 20*.  I wear neoprene gloves with the thumb and forefinger having tabs that fold down.  I also carry a Heater Buddy in the boat if I fish in the winter.

[fin]

I agree with several here that have recommended the glomitts, but I go with a cheapo fleece version. I paid $7 for some at Walmart, similar to these. They're not "waterproof", but they don't really get wet since they're polyester. You can also Scotchguard them. The mitten part folds back quick and easy and sticks in place with Velcro.

 

I've tried the waterproof fishing gloves with finger tabs, and they keep your hands warm and dry, but they are very awkward and hard to remove and store. My glomitts easily wad up and fit in my jacket pocket.

 

To me, heaters are like going back inside and warming up. Good for emergencies, but you just feel colder afterward.

 

Nothing I've tried is perfect, but the glomitts work best for me. Try some cheap ones first and then maybe buy some more expensive ones later if you like how they work.

[Preytorien]

I ended up getting a pair of inexpensive mittens that pull back to have fingerless gloves. I couldn't find anything (within my budget) that I felt would do as well, and it ended up doing the trick great. I"m sure there are options out there I could've gone with that would've done better/more comfortable/etc but this did the trick in a pinch without breaking the bank.

 

This thread has brought up some good ideas though for next season when I can ramp up a bit more.

 

Thanks for the ideas guys! 

[Big Rick]

Don't forget a thermos of coffee!  Nothing quite like warming your fingers wrapped around a mug of coffee while enjoying a day out on the water. Helps heat the core too...

[fin]

On 11/26/2018 at 8:15 AM, Preytorien said:

I ended up getting a pair of inexpensive mittens that pull back to have fingerless gloves. I couldn't find anything (within my budget) that I felt would do as well, and it ended up doing the trick great. I"m sure there are options out there I could've gone with that would've done better/more comfortable/etc but this did the trick in a pinch without breaking the bank.

 

This thread has brought up some good ideas though for next season when I can ramp up a bit more.

 

Thanks for the ideas guys! 

I tried adding another layer to that today and it worked better than expected.

 

I got some cheap thin cloth gloves that were like a dollar at the grocery store and wore one on my right (exposed) hand underneath the fingerless glove mittens so my fingers were never exposed. By themselves, the cloth gloves provide no warmth, but with the glomitts, they make a huge difference. They're thin enough that I can feel the line on my spinning reel good enough to cast.

 

I didn't wear a cloth glove on my left hand. I kept the mitten closed on it until I caught a fish, then opened the mitten and grabbed the wet fish with my left hand so the gloves never got wet.

 

They have to come off when I retie, but that's all. It worked great.