clothing and pfd's

You'll get use to the wetsuit. If you never wear a dry suit you'll never know what you're missing. It's more of a luxury item than a nessecity.

True, but once you try a drysuit, you'll wonder why you ever used a wetsuit.

I fish the delta a lot, but also fish the ocean. I wore it the other day to fish berryessa even just to get more comfortable in it. It's a farmer john and only 2mm thick, so not quite the protection the thicker ones offer, but for me it's been fine, and paired with the booties and gloves I don't anticipate a problem with short periods of immersion should they happen.

There's also a 3mm version of the same suit, you can also check out the reviews on amazon and other sites.

 

I just grabbed an NRS 2.0 farmer john on Amazon for $70. It's a lot thinner than most wear I think, but it's very flexible and comfortable. I believe it's sufficient for fishing wear I fish.

When I launched at bodega last week it was 34 degrees, I had the wetsuit, NRS booties, NRS pants and jacket with a thermal top on under the jacket. Eventually got hot and had to lose the paddling pants and thermal, definitely nice to have the wetsuit, and it'll be perfect for summer I think, should keep me warm enough should I have an off yak excursion as well.

interesting i would have thought that it would be too cold for just the 2.0  ,  where do you usually fish?   i think untill i get comfortable ill stick to napa river and slowly work my way to the ocean.

is that size chart on the outdoor play site pretty accurate?

I should of looked here before I bought these waders. Its clunky but I stay dry and warm.

https://www.amazon.com/Hodgman-Mackenzie-Cleated-Nylon-Boot-foot/dp/B00PCAHIFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485322905&sr=8-1&keywords=hodgman+mackenzie+waders


I didnt even think of getting a wet suit because I didnt want to get wet at all...

I should of looked here before I bought these waders. Its clunky but I stay dry and warm.

https://www.amazon.com/Hodgman-Mackenzie-Cleated-Nylon-Boot-foot/dp/B00PCAHIFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485322905&sr=8-1&keywords=hodgman+mackenzie+waders


I didnt even think of getting a wet suit because I didnt want to get wet at all...

You don't get that wet in a wetsuit even when you swim or go through the spin cycle, at least I don't more sweaty then anything but a wetsuit cools pretty quick in the summer when wetted down. Just a personal opinion and we know what those are like cuz everyone has one, but I started in neoprene hodgemans cuz I was previously in a float tube and went wetsuit cuz I like the extra buoyancy and sweeted to death in a dry top.... but I personally wouldn't wear loose waders even with a belt it would be a snafu if they got water in them trying to pull yourself out of the water. It has been video taped done in a pool but I'm not going to try it. Just don't get cheap my wetsuit was at the top end for prices. 

This is a very important topic, as "dress for immersion" is known to be a steadfast rule for responsible kayakers.

I see talk in this thread about not wanting to or intending to get wet - that is a dangerous place.

None of us want to or intend to get wet, but we all know that if shit really gets bad out there - weather, gear failure, body failure, wild animal... - if it gets serious and we are in the water then we need to have dressed for immersion, or we have a good chance of dying.

Dressing for immersion means being in the water for more than a dunking or wash cycle.  I feel that the only responsible way to assess how to properly dress for immersion is to look at it like I've described here - what will save your ass when you do end up in the water for 5, 10, 15, 30 minutes or even more? 

Drysuits are great, but they don't offer enough insulating properties to keep you warm when you're in the ocean at 50 degrees or so. 

Wetsuits do offer the protection, but it's not that comfy sitting in a wet wetsuit all day.

I wear a wetsuit under my drysuit much of the time.  Since the wetsuit doesn't get wet it's nice and silky and dry against my skin.  The drysuit blocks the elements as well as the fish slime and bait!

What we don't want to do in this sport is get complacent regarding what we wear and what we are really prepared for.

End of soapbox. 

This is a very important topic, as "dress for immersion" is known to be a steadfast rule for responsible kayakers.

I see talk in this thread about not wanting to or intending to get wet - that is a dangerous place.

None of us want to or intend to get wet, but we all know that if shit really gets bad out there - weather, gear failure, body failure, wild animal... - if it gets serious and we are in the water then we need to have dressed for immersion, or we have a good chance of dying.

Dressing for immersion means being in the water for more than a dunking or wash cycle.  I feel that the only responsible way to assess how to properly dress for immersion is to look at it like I've described here - what will save your ass when you do end up in the water for 5, 10, 15, 30 minutes or even more? 

Drysuits are great, but they don't offer enough insulating properties to keep you warm when you're in the ocean at 50 degrees or so. 

Wetsuits do offer the protection, but it's not that comfy sitting in a wet wetsuit all day.

I wear a wetsuit under my drysuit much of the time.  Since the wetsuit doesn't get wet it's nice and silky and dry against my skin.  The drysuit blocks the elements as well as the fish slime and bait!

What we don't want to do in this sport is get complacent regarding what we wear and what we are really prepared for.

End of soapbox. 

Nice rant Eric and I mean that as a compliment 1000%
For those that skip the longer reads here ya go
"What's your life worth" dress for a long time in cold water!

This is a very important topic, as "dress for immersion" is known to be a steadfast rule for responsible kayakers.

I see talk in this thread about not wanting to or intending to get wet - that is a dangerous place.

None of us want to or intend to get wet, but we all know that if shit really gets bad out there - weather, gear failure, body failure, wild animal... - if it gets serious and we are in the water then we need to have dressed for immersion, or we have a good chance of dying.

Dressing for immersion means being in the water for more than a dunking or wash cycle.  I feel that the only responsible way to assess how to properly dress for immersion is to look at it like I've described here - what will save your ass when you do end up in the water for 5, 10, 15, 30 minutes or even more? 

Drysuits are great, but they don't offer enough insulating properties to keep you warm when you're in the ocean at 50 degrees or so. 

Wetsuits do offer the protection, but it's not that comfy sitting in a wet wetsuit all day.

I wear a wetsuit under my drysuit much of the time.  Since the wetsuit doesn't get wet it's nice and silky and dry against my skin.  The drysuit blocks the elements as well as the fish slime and bait!

What we don't want to do in this sport is get complacent regarding what we wear and what we are really prepared for.

End of soapbox. 

Execellent  post. From reading the old safety threads ,  "dress for immersion" is one of the things that stuck in my head. 

So to me a 2 mm isn't adequate for the ocean period.

It may be fine if you are in your yak with a little bit of water splashed on you but not for long periods of immersion.

So to me a 2 mm isn't adequate for the ocean period.

It may be fine if you are in your yak with a little bit of water splashed on you but not for long periods of immersion.

I agree go with that. Get at least a 3mm FJ (provided you are not diving for Abs etc, then you need heavier gear). You can also buy a separate jacket top which makes changing in and out easier than a one piece. This will also add extra insolation and if it's too hot you can partly unzip the top. I recommend 5mm booties with thick soles for walking rocky beaches. 3mm booties are a little chilly when you are dripping your feet

I should of looked here before I bought these waders. Its clunky but I stay dry and warm.

https://www.amazon.com/Hodgman-Mackenzie-Cleated-Nylon-Boot-foot/dp/B00PCAHIFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485322905&sr=8-1&keywords=hodgman+mackenzie+waders


I didnt even think of getting a wet suit because I didnt want to get wet at all...

Those waders will get you in trouble.  Here's a true story from last year. 

2 kayakers fishing in the ocean decided to head in because conditions were getting nasty.
1 kayaker wearing waders gets hit by a wave goes overboard and his yak turns over.
His waders gets filled with water, he uprights his kayak, tries to get back but fails because to extra weight of water inside his waders and exposure to cold water.
Tries 2nd time but is now exhausted and out of strength and fails 2nd self rescue attempt.
His buddy could not help and calls the USCG, Mayday.
USCG sends Helo and DFW sends a patrol boat. DFW boat deploys inflatable to rescue kayaker.
DFW inflatable helps kayaker and tows him back to launch place.
Paramedics and Fire Dept. were waiting at the beach to check rescued kayaker.  He is in good shape.

 

I should of looked here before I bought these waders. Its clunky but I stay dry and warm.

https://www.amazon.com/Hodgman-Mackenzie-Cleated-Nylon-Boot-foot/dp/B00PCAHIFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485322905&sr=8-1&keywords=hodgman+mackenzie+waders


I didnt even think of getting a wet suit because I didnt want to get wet at all...

Those waders will get you in trouble.  Here's a true story from last year. 

2 kayakers fishing in the ocean decided to head in because conditions were getting nasty.
1 kayaker wearing waders gets hit by a wave goes overboard and his yak turns over.
His waders gets filled with water, he uprights his kayak, tries to get back but fails because to extra weight of water inside his waders and exposure to cold water.
Tries 2nd time but is now exhausted and out of strength and fails 2nd self rescue attempt.
His buddy could not help and calls the USCG, Mayday.
USCG sends Helo and DFW sends a patrol boat. DFW boat deploys inflatable to rescue kayaker.
DFW inflatable helps kayaker and tows him back to launch place.
Paramedics and Fire Dept. were waiting at the beach to check rescued kayaker.  He is in good shape.

Thanks. I thought about that scenario the other day. My plan is to ditch the waders while in the water. Probably easier said than done, I must admit.

My roommate left behind an old wetsuit so I will be using that. Safety First 

My roommate left behind an old wetsuit so I will be using that. Safety First 

Unless he's an NCKA member, and it was an accident. 

I use one up here in slightly colder water but let me say this NOT in the winter haven't been out in a few months but we're hitting the bay this weekend in force for crabs and hopefully the seabass will bite.

Those waders will get you in trouble.

My plan is to ditch the waders while in the water.

Sorry, DB, but I'm not reading you here.  Are you saying you'll take the waders off once you're in the water if it comes to that?

Dressing for immersion means being in the water for more than a dunking or wash cycle.  I feel that the only responsible way to assess how to properly dress for immersion is to look at it like I've described here - what will save your ass when you do end up in the water for 5, 10, 15, 30 minutes or even more? 

Drysuits are great, but they don't offer enough insulating properties to keep you warm when you're in the ocean at 50 degrees or so. 

Wetsuits do offer the protection, but it's not that comfy sitting in a wet wetsuit all day.

I wear a wetsuit under my drysuit much of the time.  Since the wetsuit doesn't get wet it's nice and silky and dry against my skin.  The drysuit blocks the elements as well as the fish slime and bait!

You don't simply wear a drysuit, you cover your insulating layers with the drysuit.  Polypropylene (never cotton) base layers are more than adequate insulation for cold water, and you can vary the weight (= insulating capacity) of the base layers, or add extra layers, to match the water temperature.

When it's really cold, I've added NRS 0.5mm Hydroskins on top of polypropylene layers.  Surely, neoprene will keep you warm, but even the Hydroskins resist your range of motion, and that's what most folks find uncomfortable about wetsuits.

Thanks. I thought about that scenario the other day. My plan is to ditch the waders while in the water. Probably easier said than done, I must admit.

Absolutely, unquestionably, easier said than done.  Try this: put on the waders, put on the PFD, jump in a swimming pool and try to get out of the waders.  You have to loosen, maybe remove, the PFD to get the suspenders off, and now you're in trouble...