Cooler Weather Comfort

[Mobasser]

I'll continue to fish untill our area lakes freeze over. It can get cold. For me, if I get too cold I can't concentrate on the fishing, which can be tough to begin with.                         I like Carhartt jackets, and dress in layers. Along with water, some hot soup, coffee, or hot chocolate can warm you up for a few minutes.                                              Hand warmers in a jacket pocket help with cold fingers. I've beached my canoe, and got out on the bank, to walk around  and stretch for a minute, which sometimes really helps, just to move around and keep your blood flowing well.                  What are some things you do to stay warm and comfortable during cold weather fishing trips? 

[Bluebasser86]

Layers and quality outerwear. Invested in a set of heavyweight merino wool thermals and a Simms Challenger insulated suit. I also get out and walk around sometimes if I do get cold. 

[Jar11591]

My last time out, there was some ice on the edges of the lake. 
 

I have a Yeti brand travel mug, and it keeps my coffee piping hot all day long. Having piping hot coffee on the boat goes such a long way keeping me warm. Handwarmers, gloves, thick socks, and something wind-blocking help a lot as well. 

[A-Jay]

I go the same route as @Bluebasser86 above.

We often have some cold temps by now that routinely include measurable snow.

However it's freaking 70 degrees here right now and I'm asking myself why is it that my boat is being "winterized" today ? 

Btw, I hate fishing in winter gloves.

A-Jay 

 

[imarazorbackfan]

I fish every winter on a power plant lake. It gets to single digits typically, layers are a main focus for main body warmth. My main issue is my hands, I use latex gloves under maxiflex gloves, or just the gloves on not as bad days, gives you full range of motion and a surprising amount of "feel".

[Bankbeater]

Knit cap for my head, layers for my torso, long johns and sweats for my legs.  The rain suit goes over the top of all that to block the wind.

[MickD]

Flannel lined jeans + breathable rain pants, woolen socks, above that lots of layers including a hooded sweatshirt, fleece, and a wind shirt over them both + a  breathable rain parka.  You can take it off if you have it on; you cannot put it on if you don't have it.  

 

A buff for the face, woolen cap over my fishing cap.  Gloves on and off as required.  For some days the ragg mittens that allow the fingers to come out will work.

[Catt]

1 hour ago, Mobasser said:

What are some things you do to stay warm and comfortable during cold weather fishing trips? 

 

Live in the south ?

 

Winters here it doesn't freeze often, with temperatures in the mid 30s to lower 40s.

 

But it rains & the wind howls!

 

Our weather changes constantly, we can have all that above in the morning & by afternoon shorts, t-shirt, flip flops.

 

[TnRiver46]

I like to wear layers of cotton while my buddies who are shivering tell me I can’t wear cotton

 

[T-Billy]

Merino wool base layer, and whatever is appropriate for the days weather on top of that. Fingers are the only part that ever get problematic for me.

 

Edit to add: I ALWAYS carry a pair of insulated coveralls in a dry bag when fishing the cold water seasons. Hypothermia can get you quick if you take an unintended swim. Gotta have something warm and dry to get into.

2 hours ago, A-Jay said:

However it's freaking 70 degrees here right now and I'm asking myself why is it that my boat is being "winterized" today ? 

If it makes you feel any better, I took my first skunking since last spring when the water was in the 40's today. Post frontal, slick calm, and the fish were SUPER spooky. Lots of shallow cruisers that wouldn't even eat a TRD Bug on 6#. Not even the usually pesky redears would touch it. The bass actually ran from a senko. Tried pitching thick tangles looking for a reaction bite. The only reaction was, when my bait quietly dropped in, the bass ran out like the Boogie Man kicked in the door. LOL. Not a single bite in 7hrs.

[Dwight Hottle]

When I'm fishing in cold conditions I like wearing gortex insulated bibs. Keeping your core warm really helps you enjoy the whole fishing experience. I just layer on the top depending on conditions. 

[A-Jay]

1 minute ago, T-Billy said:

Merino wool base layer, and whatever is appropriate for the days weather on top of that. Fingers are the only part that ever get problematic for me.

If it makes you feel any better, I took my first skunking since last spring when the water was in the 40's today. Post frontal, slick calm, and the fish were SUPER spooky. Lots of shallow cruisers that wouldn't even eat a TRD Bug on 6#. Not even the usually pesky redears would touch it. The bass actually ran from a senko. Tried pitching thick tangles looking for a reaction bite. The only reaction was, when my bait quietly dropped in, the bass ran out like the Boogie Man kicked in the door. LOL. Not a single bite in 7hrs.

Thanks for the support but I always like it when you have a good trip.

Especially when you wear that great hat !

A-Jay 

16 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I like to wear layers of cotton while my buddies who are shivering tell me I can’t wear cotton

 

You're a hot mess !

?

A-Jay

[TnRiver46]

10 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Thanks for the support but I always like it when you have a good trip.

Especially when you wear that great hat !

A-Jay 

You're a hot mess !

?

A-Jay

It’s like 52 degrees here in winter, they are pansies 

14 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

Merino wool base layer, and whatever is appropriate for the days weather on top of that. Fingers are the only part that ever get problematic for me.

If it makes you feel any better, I took my first skunking since last spring when the water was in the 40's today. Post frontal, slick calm, and the fish were SUPER spooky. Lots of shallow cruisers that wouldn't even eat a TRD Bug on 6#. Not even the usually pesky redears would touch it. The bass actually ran from a senko. Tried pitching thick tangles looking for a reaction bite. The only reaction was, when my bait quietly dropped in, the bass ran out like the Boogie Man kicked in the door. LOL. Not a single bite in 7hrs.

Dang you fishing in an aquarium? 

[T-Billy]

9 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Dang you fishing in an aquarium? 

LOL. Visibility was 6'-8' at the lake I was fishing today. I pitched into a beaver hut and a half dozen bass came rocketing out of it. Spookiest I've ever seen 'em. Impressive hut though. Those industrious rodents even installed a toilet!!!

 

[Bird]

Make sure you layer up with all your attire apon arriving at the water.

" It's easier to stay warm then to get warm"

Something I learned in the army and also practice during hunting season as well...... it's true.

[Way north bass guy]

15 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

LOL. Visibility was 6'-8' at the lake I was fishing today. I pitched into a beaver hut and a half dozen bass came rocketing out of it. Spookiest I've ever seen 'em. Impressive hut though. Those industrious rodents even installed a toilet!!!

 

That reminds me of a time we came across this one. It’s like they were telling the humans “ this is our bay, come in here with your canoes and you won’t be leaving in one piece” ?

[TOXIC]

This is the hardest part of the season to dress for.  30 degrees in the morning and 60 degrees in the afternoon.  If you dress for the morning temps, you are sweating by noon.  If you dress for the afternoon you are freezing in the morning.  I despise being uncomfortable while fishing.  Neither one is ideal.  The answer, dress in layers and shed them as the day goes on.  We reserve a locker in the boat for clothing and this time of year it fills up.  Here’s my normal winter gear.  I can’t fish with gloves, never have.  I use some fleece gloves running and between spots.  I have a BPS Pro Qualifier suit, bibs and jacket.  I also have a BPS 100mph bibs and jacket but I rarely wear it anymore.  It has to be really cold, like single digits, for me to wear it. Headwear is a non mesh ball cap and a fleece whole head open face baclava made by shimano. Depending on temp base is Under Armor shirt and pants long Johns with sweat pants.  If it’s warm enough I will skip that and go with sweat pants and a long sleeve T-shirt.  Depending on temp, the long sleeve T-shirt will be covered with a hoodie, then a down vest and the Pro Qualifier jacket.  If it’s warm enough, and it’s what I wear most of the time unless it looks like rain, is a hooded windbreaker lined with sweatshirt material.  I’ve found it’s the most versatile piece of clothing I have.  My only oddball clothing is that I wear Shimano Evair (like crocs) shoes with wool socks.  I am amazed how my feet stay warm but they do.  

[Junk Fisherman]

35 to 45 is the coldest I'll fish and I know what I need to stay warm.  I prefer multiple thin layers that allow for a maximum range of motion.

 

Bottom:

1)  Polar weight Cabela's thermal bottoms

2)  Medium weight Marmot thermal bottoms

3)  Cargo Pants

4)  Cabela's Guidewear uninsulated bibs

 

Top:

1)  Thin Duofold mock turtleneck

2)  Thin Adidas thermal top

3)  Polar weight Cabela's mock turtle neck

4)  Hooded sweatshirt

5)  Columbia Ultra Heat vest (added this a couple years ago and it made a big difference)

6)  Soft Shell Marmot Windblocker Jacket 

 

Stocking Hat, face mask if I have a long run, latex gloves with a hand warmer in each palm, and insulated hiking boots with wool socks.  Naturally, I have acquired this assortment of clothes over the years but I have done so much cold weather, open water fishing over the last couple years that I know this will keep me warm in 35ish degree temps.  

 

[WRB]

Our climate is close to ideal one of the positive things about California. Where bass lakes are located cool weather means 60 degrees during the day and about 45 degrees at night during fall and winter. Freezing temps, snow and ice occur at higher altitudes up in the mountains.

Tom

[MidwestBassAttack]

Xtra Tuff deck boots, layers, bibs, and jacket. I’ll often find some nice pockets sheltered from the wind which makes it super cozy

[AlabamaSpothunter]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Our climate is close to ideal one of the positive things about California. Where bass lakes are located cool weather means 60 degrees during the day and about 45 degrees at night during fall and winter. Freezing temps, snow and ice occur at higher altitudes up in the mountains.

Tom

So the Rainbow Trout stocking back in the day in theory could have lived year-round given the Bass didn't hammer them all?

 

I've often wondered this.  Here in the South, trophy managed lakes will stock them in the winter knowing that when the Spring hits and temps start to reach 60 the Trout apparently begin to slowly die off and makes for easy pickings for the Bass.     

[WRB]

AOur reservoirs are deep and 60 degree water down about 50’ is common. Surface water may reach 80 degrees on some lakes.

What controls our weather is over 800 miles of Pacific Ocean currents that rarely exceed 75 degrees, cooler above Santa Barbara. 

Summer day heat can reach above 100 degrees but it cools at night into the low 70’s or high 60’s do to the Mediterranean climate.

Above 6,000 feet altitude it gets cold during winter.

Tom  

PS, A-Jay is packing his tackle to ship to Baccarat as we speak.

 

[Darth-Baiter]

I wear NRS water pants over thermals or my regular pants.  

then a sweatshirt hoodie, a down vest, and my PFD.  knit hat on my head.  NRS boundary boots.

 

I can get down to the low 40's with this gear..brrrrr...

[papajoe222]

4 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I like to wear layers of cotton while my buddies who are shivering tell me I can’t wear cotton

 

Same here.  Top it off with something to break the wind and I'm good to go as long as I'm generating some body heat.

[Darth-Baiter]

cotton kicks butt until I get wet..then game over.