wearing waders for kayak fishing / facts

[Mooch]

Waders - Many people think in the event that you should end up in the water waders will fill and pull you to the bottom. This is a misconception. The specific gravity of the water inside the waders is exactly the same as the water around you. So they won't pull you down. ESPN recently did a segment showing this. Should you end up in the water with waders on and they fill up you will find it difficult, if not impossible, to get back on your kayak. So what you need to do is keep the water out. All waders, to begin with, are not created equal. There are several materials that are used. The neoprene or breathable style of wader makes a very good item of clothing to wear when additional clothing is used with it to form a system. For kayak fishing stocking foot models are better than boot foot ones but many simply use what they have. The stocking foots allow you to wear more kayak specific boots that will function better than boot foot modes. In the event that water should enter the system it won't enter the boot. A system that is used by many is breathable, stocking foot waders and a kayak dry top. There are several configurations of tops but the common denominator if that they have very good waist and wrist seals. Some models have rubber, neck gaskets, just like a dry suit, and some have a Velcro closure system. If you're wearing a life vest, and you should, than your head will be above water and the weaker Velcro system will work fine. A pair of breathable waders when combined with a breathable dry top forms a very versatile system that works extremely well for a wide range of conditions. The waders actually trap air and act as additional flotation. The other nice thing about waders is that the kayak fisherman often uses the kayak as transportation to go wade fishing. Waders are designed for use while wading and all other forms or clothing don't do this job as well while keeping you dry.

REFERENCE:

http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/articles_view.asp?Kayak_Articles=9

[ChuckE]

I agree.  My neoprene waders kept me more dry and comfortable than anything I've tried so far.  I just need to test this theory in a pool or shallow water to gain more confidence.

Have any of you guys ever tried stocking footed waist-high waders?

They look like they would work just as well as dry pants.  They come in neoprene and breathable models and cost less then chest waders.

[promethean_spark]

The place where waders can drown you is in a creek or river, the scenario being that you trip in the current, they fill up and you can't stand again.  Meanwhile the current pushes you into rocks and under logs, ect.   I believe this was mainly an issue with the old rubber chest waders that didn't cinch tight on the top.

When ethan and I were swamped in his cabo and landed on a reef in the surf, he jumped off the back into water over his head and was able to climb up onto the reef dispite having a few gallons in his nylon waders (mostly from the surf I think) he turned blue and had to focus on getting warm again while I worked at rescuing the gear and boat since I was fine in my wetsuit.  If we hadn't had outriggers to keep us upright even with a flooded hull, we'd have been swimming instead of paddling and he would certainly have died.  So, the waders are ok for a quick emmersion, though it won't be fun.  But if you're out there alone in a situation where it's at all possible you'll be swimming more than a few minutes, you must wear a wetsuit.  If you've got buddies along with kayaks that can hold two people (> 400lb weight capacity) then it's less of an issue.  A drysuit is meant to protect against a relatively quick dunking, not a long swim.

I do have a pair of waders that I wear for some bay fishing (where I'm not facing the surf), they're nylon colemans with boots.  The boots are awful big and clunky, but they're super warm.  I was wishing I had them on saturday, since I had plenty of potential rescuers.

[SteveS]

Completely agree with Promethean here.  You guys are scaring me a bit.

Here in NorCal (even southern NorCal) if you get dunked and are stuck without your boat for whatever reason-- and are wearing waders, you have only a short time before you are DEAD.  

Swimming actually speeds up the process.

An average person, wearing light clothing and a personal floatation device (PFD), may survive 2 1/2 to 3 hours in 50° F water by remaining still.  This survival time can be increased considerably by getting as far out of the water as possible and covering the head.  Getting into or onto anything that floats can save a life.  

http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/tourism/hypothermia.html

[Bill]

I am all about comfort (as those that saw my double ass cushion this weekend can verify) but I don't want to end up dead. I think waders would be fine in a lake but on the ocean and bay I will stick with a wetsuit. Josh's comment about the river currents could easily be applied to a rip current on the beach or a strong tidal current in the bay. Get caught in surf with waders is not fun.

You can pick up 3mil farmer Johns fairly cheaply and they are pretty comfortable.

[Mooch]

-- and are wearing waders, you have only a short time before you are DEAD.

But is this a proven fact?


like I had mentioned in my other posts - I only use my waders on the Lakes or in the Bay.

For the Ocean - I use my farmer johns - ALWAYS.

[Bill]

Is the water in the bay much warmer than the water in the ocean?

Not trying to be a dick, just asking...  

[Mooch]

I really don't know.....I guess it all depends on the time of year.

On Saturday, at the Bay - my fish finder had a water temp of 47 degrees ALL day.  

When the salmon return to Linda Mar this year - I'm willing to be a test dummy regarding the waders. I'll wear my neoprene chest hight waders with my life vest and I'll jump off the yak in 15 ft of water (with someone close by - in another yak - just in case) and see how long I can last in the water. Let's call this the Myth Buster test.

[Bill]

You better pick someone that likes you  

[Mooch]

I'll pick you Bill  

[ChuckE]

Joel, I'll spot for you if you like, but why wait for Linda Mar in the spring?  Why not just find a friend's swimming pool or a boat dock where you can tie a rope and pull yourself out.

I'm willing to reserve judgement on the "perils" of wearing waders controversy until I've had a chance to test it in a safe place with the proper top and pfd.  If I find that I can spend time in the water and still swim to and get back on my kayak without any problems, then you'll know what I'll be wearing on those cold, windy days when a wetsuit just isn't enough.

[polepole]

I am all about comfort (as those that saw my double ass cushion this weekend can verify)

Bill, have you seen this article ... http://www.ftlauderdaleyakfishingclub.org/yakdesign101.html

See "Factor #7" as to what that "double ass cushion" can do for your stability.  I found this article to be a very good read.

-Allen

[Mooch]

OK Chuck - I'm up for it - maybe next week? Or the week after - I'll have my waders with me. Maybe we should video this event. And just out of curiosity - I'll even take off my PFD after the waders are filled with water - just to see if what will happen.

If this all works out on a positive note - I may just wear my waders - even on the ocean on  cold weather conditions (as long as I'm paddling with....as Bill had said earlier "someone who likes me"   )

[KZ]

Hey Bill... as far as your "double ass cushion"... I recently purchased the Endurance Seat Cushion from Jim Sammon's online store and it is worth it's weight in gold.  Very low profile, self-inflating and very comfortable.  If it can make a big-boned Wisconsin boy like me comfortable, it can make anybody comfortable.

As for the wader controversy, I'll be curious to see the results of the Joel & Chuck test.  

From my personal experience, I have a pair of neoprene chest waders that fit quite snug.  I've actually stepped off ledges in the Russian River with them before and gone over the top... really no water got into them.   In fact, they fit so snug to your legs when you're in the water, that I'd have a hard time believing any appreicable amount of water could make it inside, espcecially if you had, say, a belt around your waist to keep water out in such an event.  

If any of you get "Kayak Fisherman Magazine", there is a good article on cold weather kayaking gear in the Winter issue (just came out)... the main recommendation by the author was waist-high featherlite breatheable waders with a whitewater paddling jacket (seals at the sleeves and waist)... looked like he had the paddling jacket tucked into the waders and the waders cinched with a belt.  Looked pretty good to me.

Oh... yours truly has an article called "Fishing for Dinosaurs" in that edition as well... but it's all stuff that you guys already know.

Erik[/quote]

[Potato_River]

Thanks for being the guinea pig joel.  

Even if you find that its ok wearing the stockingfoot waders, you may want to reconsider at Linda Mar or anywhere else there is surf.  

Waves are really really strong, and wader's full of water will further hinder your manueverability and longevity.

Better to be safe, than a bad ass.

Stuart