Cold Weather Fishing

[jbigwater]

I am going Blackfishing tomorrow, should be sunny but cold, around 20 degress when leaving port for a high of around 32. Wind is 15kts from the NW. Any tips for dressing to keep warm while out there for 7hrs or so? I have a basic idea but am always looking to improve my personal comfort level.

Thanks,

[okletsfish]

Keep your feet warm and dry.Layer you clothing .I always take my Gruedens with me. Get a pair of them gloves with fold over mittens and a wool watch cap.

[Major Woods]

We were still blackfishing up till last week, got a 23.5" at the local break wall in 6' of water. Not much of a fight in the cold water but nice fat fish.

Keeping dry is key, wool socks, polartec underwear and a heavy duty breathable coat & bibs like Columbia.

[Afishinado]

I found the LL Bean 'Snow Sneakers' did an admirable job keeping my feet warm on the boat.

[ChillOutfishing]

How about a survival and a dry suit for the freezing temp and water. The coldest I had ever been in was 50’s, brutally cold when running, but under the sun it was nice and warm. We have it made in SFL with a high of 78. I will be up in NY for holidays enjoying the cold and snow for a change. Good luck fishing and enjoy

[Snowwolfe]

Breathable rain gear. Blocks the wind and really makes a difference in cold weather.

[Kamper]

I have a coat that's large enough to wear over my PFD. The combination is really warm and I wont have to worry about fighting my clothing to get into it. I only use this combination in the early spring and fall and I'm striclty fresh-water. I'd agree with the above suggestion to have a flotation suit if you can get one in time.

Another possibility is to wear your rain-gear or at least a slicker, this will keep the wind from getting through to your skin.

The new poly-propilene(sp) long-johns are very effective too. You can get a thin that's like silk next your your skin and a heavier layer over that. I have a pair of the army type heavy layer and they developeed "pills" and got itchy after a few washes.

Good luck!

[salmonhead]

dont forget to put some Rv antifreeze in the bilge and keep a hand bilge with you. the antifreeze will keep your pumps from freezing up if there is a little water in the bilge and the extra hand bilge pump is in case it freezes anyway.
As for clothing, keeping your skin dry is of the utmost importance. Skin loses its heat anywhere from 25-35 times faster if wet depending on what sutdy you are looking at. The best fabrics for wicking moisture are silk, wool, ploy pro, etc. Some are better than others. I personally prefer pure silk on the skin and everything else is wool, then a waterproof/ breathable outer layer to keep the major water away.
Remeber cotton is the fabric that kills! cotton absorbs water naturally and only retains 3% insulation factor when wet. Great in the summer while trying to stay cool, but it will kill you in a survival situation or just make you uncomfortable any other time its cold. Cotton also can hold many times its own weight in water, 300-600% i think. Wool on the other hand retains 65+% insulating factor when totally subersed in water. Add to that, wool is naturally hydrophobic. If it gets damp a little bit, it will dry out quickly with your own body heat. Some of the synthetics dry even faster and have come a long way. Most of the high quality synthetics are lighter and less expensive than the high quality wool. One way or the other, dont wear any cotton when its cold.

[jbigwater]

Thanks Guys - as always the info is very much appreciated!!! I will post some picks tomorrow night when I return. Should be a good day ahead of another snow storm.

[ubettcha13]

When I go out in -15 and colder I wear a vapor barrier system under my insulation layer You can do this with plastic bags one on each leg a large Kitchen over your chest and bread or shopping under each sock It will get clammy but I have sat in a blind in 23 below and stayed all day without getting cold This with light fleece LJ by kombi wool pants Upper was lgt fleece turtle fleece by kombi goretex lined wool sweater by remington Military weight fleece top by cabella's and wool parka also by cabela's You could substitute sweat pants and hoodie sweat shirt under you slickers and will be totally warm One thing would be to get a pair of ski goggles If you have to open the curtain to see your eyes won't tear Also get a neck gaitor as well