Clothes

Trying to get it all together to start yak fishing. Just wondering what all of you were when fishing in the bay or ocean. Pictures I have seen look like wet suits? Any other tips welcome.
Thanks Jack

I think you will find most of the kayak fisherman wear wet suits. I myself have a drysuit becuase a wet suit doesnt keep me warm enough and Im a major wimp when it comes to cold water. (Wimp stands for Why Inflict More Pain).  The whole idea of course is not to fall out of the kayak, but you should always dress for immersion because you never know whats going to happen, especially in the ocean. I have a closed deck kayak which I am now fishing out of, but Ive done lots of trips and Ive been pounded and pummeled and whacked by waves many times, ending up in the water (or having my head buried in the sand like an ostrich). It didnt take long for me to realize how cold the water was and how important it is to be properly dressed. I also learned not to take your VERY expensive Oakley sunglasses kayaking. Hypothermia is what kills most kayakers. It might not seem like you need one, but its not worth not having one by finding out the hard way.  I was kayaking in Monterey Bay one day when I came across a couple of kayakers. One of the boats was empty so I decided to go over and check it out. There was the guy in the water barely hanging on to his boat, it was obvious that he was freezing and exausted from trying to get back in his kayak.  He had a pair of shorts and a cotton t shirt on and that was it. About the only thing he had right was the life jacket. His dumb friends were doing absolutely nothing to help him so I offered my help and was able to help the guy get back in his boat. I dont know how long he had been in the water but I think it was a good thing that I stopped by to check things out, I hope he learned a good lesson.  Anyway, I hope this helps you, have fun but be safe.

Marvmars said it very well.  

I wear a 3-mil farmer john wetsuit with a paddling jacket over it along with a lifejacket and wetsuit booties.  In the winter sometimes I'll wear a sweatshirt under my paddling jacket, but mostly it's just a long sleeve T under the paddling jacket.  

A lot of guys wear a rash guard type shirt over their farmer john.

a full wetsuit has to be safest. a PFD won't stop hypothermia. also, a full 4mm/3mm wetsuit will float you as much as a PFD.  you can dog paddle in if you have to, as long as you don't panic, or a big fish doesn't eat you, you will see dry land again with a little patience.

surfing, I've had my leash snapped and had to swim in a few times from a long way out.  Heck, I've done that in unpopulated areas in other countries. I _love_ my wetsuit. It's a lifesaver. also, you can pee in a wetsuit, but you can't do that in a drysuit,  or so people tell me,

I don't have a PFD, but I do have a kayak and a wetsuit and between the two, I'm only going to die if I pass out somehow. knock on wood...
If it's too hot to wear a wetsuit, a PFD would be a good idea.

A farmer is much easier to paddle in, otherwise some kind of wetsuit on the ocean, paddle pants on fresh water.  Sometimes both if its freaking cold!

90% of the time, this is what I wear for the ocean:
Cap with keeper
sunglasses with keeper
shorts
synthetic shirt
farmer john wet suit
goretex socks
booties
Goretex over britches
Goretex jacket
fingerless gloves
PFD

Pat

The farmer johns with a zipper in the front are useful when nature calls...

The farmer johns with a zipper in the front are useful when nature calls...

Amen to that brother...  

My paddling wardrobe for the Santa Cruz area (water typically 50 deg or less) is:

3 mil wetsuit pants from NRS
NRS all terrain wetshoes
synthetic t shirt
Mysterioso long sleeve paddling shirt
Paddle jacket with neoprene cuffs & collar
PFD
floppy hat (required for all kayak fisherfolk   )

When I used to regularly do tours in this area the shop I worked for would hold rescue practice sessions outside the harbor in the wind & waves. Water temp was usually 50. I would add a 3 mil neoprene shirt to the above and could stand 5-6 repeated stints of 10-15 minutes in the water each time. On land & paddling it was too warm, but in the water I wanted it all. The conundrum is that to realistically be prepared to spend an hour in the water you'll be too bulked up with clothes to comfortably paddle. The drysuit is an option and works for some but I hate losing the ability to shed layers if the sun comes and beams on you. There's no better feeling than paddling wearing only a PFD, it's like motorcycling without a helmet. Just don't flip.
-Sean

...and before someone makes a joke out of that, I meant "only wearing a PFD" as upper body clothing.  I do not recommend paddling an SOT in central Cali waters wearing nothing except a PFD, unless you're a masochist with a thing for really cold water
-Sean

Don't forget teasing from the SO due to cold induced shrinkage!

I wear farmer johns and a heavyish nylon jacket.  For sturgeon this winter I'm adding paddle pants for extra warmth.  I only get cold fishing at anchor like that though.  Most other methods are enough exercise to keep me ok.

My main safety measure is to always paddle with a buddy, just like scuba diving.  99.9% of the time your buddy can fetch your yak, paddle you to shore, ect, and save your life if something bad happens.

50' water is very cold for CA.  Usually it's between 50-60'F.  That's still deadly cold though.

For ocean fishing  I would first recommend  a 3mil farmer john with a zip front.  Typically these purchased new range from 120-140 in most stores.  

I use a wet suit that I purchased used for 99$ from sonlight surf shop in Pacifica.  I cut the arms off above the elbow to allow for light resistance when Paddling.  The suit is a 4/3 and keeps me warm on all occasions.  I have also paddled long distances and never felt too warm, I imagine in areas other than Northern California or Foggy HMB and Pacifica you could get a bit warm.

As for the Bay I use Dry pants most of the time but if the weather is sketchy I will wear my wetsuit just in case.


Jason

I've been using a long sleeved under armour type of shirt as my first layer (under the farmer john, when I do break out the wetsuit).  Its great, keeps me cool while paddling and protects from the sun when the jacket comes off.  It drys quick when it gets wet too.  I think its working out better than the rashguard I used to wear.

this might help =

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=94

I have several wetsuits in various thicknesses and styles, but if I was starting from scratch I would layer them. Start with a farmer john of 3 mil and make sure it has a zipper in the front that goes way down.  Peeing in your wetsuit is enjoyable only to the kinky. Then find a top to go over the farmer john for the colder days.

Over the wet suit you will need something wind proof. Wind goes through wet suits. Summer or moderate weather this can be a lightweight wind and water resistant parka.

For winter I wear a poly whatever under shirt under my wet suit and a heavier parka. Anything, else you need for warmth should be able to keep you warm while wet. Also remember to have a warm hat, you lose a lot of heat through your head.