Cold Water Kayaking

[KSanford33]

Do anyone of you fish from your kayak in cold water? If so, what do you do to prepare? I'm thinking of going out on the Hudson next month since it's the only body of water not completely frozen in NY, and other than dressing appropriately, I wanted to see if anyone had any tips. Thanks everyone.

[Bankc]

I don't do it in freezing temperatures.  But as long as it's not too windy and above freezing, I'll go out from time to time.  High winds are very bad.  The spray will get you wet and make your clothes worthless.  Actually, full-body rain gear might not be a bad idea, though I've never used it myself. 

 

Otherwise, dress in layers and wear rubber boots or waders, since you'll likely have to step in the water to launch.  And I like neoprene gloves, as I've found no gloves work well for keeping my hands dry, but neoprene does well at keeping my wet hands warm.  And bring along some hand warmers.  I'll throw these down in my boots from time to time.  Not a necessity, but a very nice luxury.  It's also a good idea to keep a dry bag along with an extra set of clothes or something in case you do get wet.  

 

Basically, it's not the cold, but the wet that you have to watch out for. 

[Koz]

I don’t have the stones to kayak in cold water, even here in the south. The surface water temperature here at Lake Oconee was 55 as of last week. I’ll wait until it hits 60.

 

To be honest, air temperature and wind is also a big factor for me. I don’t mind windy days in the spring or summer, but I don’t want to be out there in 45 degree weather with wind.

[KSanford33]

Thanks @Bankc I'm also not planning on going out unless it's above freezing. I'm hoping to pick out 4-5 days next month when it might hit 40 and go out then. Thanks for mentioning the spray, I hadn't thought of that. Everything else was pretty much what I was planning.

 

 

P.S. Did you choose your screen name because of the artist?

[bulldog1935]

We try to schedule winter salt trips around good tides. 

Basic gear is dry pants that will let you layer beneath, and at least an upper shell. 

Mine, Kokatat Tempest, fit like street clothes and are very comfortable sitting in a kayak. 

Breathable is important, because you sweat when you exert, and you need that to evaporate. 

Unlike stocking-foot waders with neoprene feet, these have GoreTex feet that fit the same kayak shoes you wear without the dry pants. 

my buddy Donny with a red limit - you can see from the island beach and mangroves how much lower winter tides are than spring and fall. 

This was an 18-kt wind to go with the barely-40-degrees, and hell of a fishy day.  Dry pants and basic GoreTex upper shell.  My Pelagic battle gloves are neoprene and when wet keep you warm, unlike synthetic fleece.  A dry suit is $1000 - the dry pants aren't, and the Marmot GoreTex III shell was $130 sierratradingpost color that no one else wanted. 

The beauty of this, you can peel your layers and still be comfortable when the wind dies and the afternoon warms to 70. 

[Choporoz]

I know lots of guys wear dry suits.  I never have.   I break some skim ice most winters.  Lots of layers.  Long johns, jeans, bibs....insulated t, long-sleeved shirt, sweatshirt, jacket(s), NRS boots with foot warmers.  Hand warmers in pockets.  Never found gloves I liked.  Knit cap, hood....sunglasses help a lot

[Bluebasser86]

I don't do anything different other than wear warmer clothes

[Deleted account]

1 hour ago, KSanford33 said:

Do anyone of you fish from your kayak in cold water? If so, what do you do to prepare? I'm thinking of going out on the Hudson next month since it's the only body of water not completely frozen in NY, and other than dressing appropriately, I wanted to see if anyone had any tips. Thanks everyone.

Don't do this without a dry suit, and having practiced in advance, or good life insurance...

[CountryboyinDC]

Dry suit with the appropriate layering is the only way you can be safe with what the water temperatures must be up that way, and a swim would be unpleasant to say the least.  Most people use neoprene booties because they help insulate a little.  Could be an expensive itch to scratch, especially if you're just planning to go out a few times and that's your only use for the equipment.  NY has a whitewater community up there, just don't know about your region.  Maybe some surfers or someone would part with some used kit.

[A-Jay]

This is applicable information that can help in making an educated decision on the OP's subject.

Wearing "warm clothing" can be a fatal false sense of security. 

Stay Safe

A-Jay

[MN Fisher]

As the chart that A-Jay posted said in big letters and underlined

 

ALWAYS wear your PFD.

 

That should always be first on any list when paddling.

[Darth-Baiter]

Dry suit. I hate wearing it.  But if you go in, you’ll have a chance. 
 

my winter waters are 49 deg.  Right above freezing would give me pause.  I’d. Probably wear what the ocean guys wear. Neoprene 

[TcRoc]

I’ll pass . Not worth it to me. Cold and my yak Doesn’t Appeal to me lol . 

[FishTank]

I have tried it a few times when the water temps are in the 40's (air temps in the low 30's) and I'd like to think I got lucky.  I wore the same stuff I would wear on a bass boat.  I had pair of water proof soft shell pants that were lined, a wool sock cap, face gaiter,  a wool base layer, a mid layer and a water proof coat with my pfd on top. They area I struggled in, was my feet and hands.  I used a pair of Glacier Gloves but they are kind of restrictive and on my feet (don't recommend it) Muck winter boots. 

 

My last outing though, the day after Christmas (40 degree water temps and the upper 40's air temp), I wore a new pair of NRS Kayak dry bibs.  These are awesome.  They kept me warm and dry. Next was a good base layer, a new Stormr jacket, and my pfd.  I had a sock cap and gloves.  My mistake was my feet.  I wore what NRS recommended, a pair of neoprene paddling boots. I got me feet wet when my day was over and it only took 15 minutes or less for my feet to start freezing.  My feet were totally dry though but the neoprene and the dry socks of the bibs don't supply any warmth when wet.  Bad lesson to learn.  I am back to drawing board to figure the shoes out. 

 

So if you go and if you get wet/soaked, you're done. Always be in close distance to your vehicle, take extra clothes, and pocket warmers.  And do not go alone. Always be in a place where someone can see you.  

 

[the reel ess]

I do. I just layer up until warm enough. If I get there and I'm already sweating I might shed a layer. But then I don't fish on the Hudson and I live in the south. I'm fishing mostly private waters. Stick some hand warmers in your pockets. Be sure to let someone know where you're going and about when to expect you back. 

[Kev-mo]

What Deleted account and A-Jay said.

 

Google Jeff Little for kayaking fishing in cold water. The life you save may be your own...

[KSanford33]

Thank you for everyone who gave me advice on this. After reading everything (and doing my own research), I went out and bought a dry suit. I've never capsized my kayak, and the Hudson is usually very calm, but I'm not willing to bet my life on it. Hopefully I'll have some pics to add to the daily catch thread soon!

[A-Jay]

32 minutes ago, KSanford33 said:

Thank you for everyone who gave me advice on this. After reading everything (and doing my own research), I went out and bought a dry suit. I've never capsized my kayak, and the Hudson is usually very calm, but I'm not willing to bet my life on it. Hopefully I'll have some pics to add to the daily catch thread soon!

Nicely Done Sir.

Way to set the standard.

Stay Safe

A-Jay

[TnRiver46]

14 hours ago, TcRoc said:

I’ll pass . Not worth it to me. Cold and my yak Doesn’t Appeal to me lol . 

Im with you. If for whatever reason I have to paddle in winter, I stay within a cast of dry land 

[Bird]

Before I sold my kayak, always wore a dry suit with Sealskinz socks and gloves. 

I personally would not venture out into big water in freezing temps in a kayak. 

 

Oh, wear my inflatable PFD whenever I'm on the water regardless of temp.

Good luck and be safe ?

[padlin]

I'd not go alone.

[Bankc]

On 1/25/2022 at 10:17 AM, KSanford33 said:

Thanks @Bankc I'm also not planning on going out unless it's above freezing. I'm hoping to pick out 4-5 days next month when it might hit 40 and go out then. Thanks for mentioning the spray, I hadn't thought of that. Everything else was pretty much what I was planning.

 

 

P.S. Did you choose your screen name because of the artist?

Yeah.  I kind of regret it now though.  I'm not really a big fan of his work.  I mean, I like his stuff.  He's very clever.  But I wouldn't put him in my top 100 of all time.  It was a spur of the moment decision that I'm too lazy to go back and change.

[KSanford33]

I thought it was very clever.

[CountryboyinDC]

5 hours ago, KSanford33 said:

After reading everything (and doing my own research), I went out and bought a dry suit.

Good deal.  If it isn't a new Kokatat, you might want to test it (they test for leaks).  Actually, regardless, test it, and not in the Hudson tomorrow, but make sure the suit and especially none of the gaskets leak.  If you paddle your kayak, some good pogies are also in order.  You can't fish with them, but the ones from Immersion Research and NRS both keep your hands from freezing while you're paddling.  Stay safe!

[TnRiver46]

The good thing about a river is you are probably going to be close to land. Don’t get out into the shipping lane! Haha. I was in a canoe and got dragged out in front of an oncoming barge by a striper once, the back paddle effort was fierce.