winter wear

What does everyone wear while kayaking in the winter.  Neoprene hip waders, wet suits, ?  I started yakking last spring and find myself looking for something to keep me warm and dry while on the water.  Or as warm and dry one can get in a kayak.

Where will you be kayaking this winter?  Up here at Lake Almanor, I've gone out when the temperatures were well below freezing.  Since it's on a lake, I don't worry as much about falling off the kayak as I would on the ocean, so I don't bother with wetsuits.  Here's an example of what I'll put on for a winter trout/salmon trip on Almanor:

-chest waders (just the canvas/thin ones, neoprene isn't necessary)
-thermal underwear
-jeans on top of the thermal underwear
-thick wool socks
-long-sleeve shirt, then heavy sweatshirt, then Gore-Tex jacket, then life vest
-beanie, or faux fur hat if it's really cold
-fingerless wool gloves (ABSOLUTE NECESSITY if you have poor circulation in the hands, like me)

Sometimes I'll put one of those shake-up heater pouches into each boot if it's really cold, and they work great in keeping your feet warm.  The biggest problem I come across in the uber-cold weather is when my line is constantly freezing in my guides.  It's a pain in the ass to fish when that happens.  Of course, if you're doing your winter fishing in the valley or on the coast then you won't have to worry about such things.

My sturgeon wear:

Underarmor
fleece
Level six superior Jacket
Level six reign pants ( been saving for these)
neoprene fingerless gloves
thick socks
wading boots
fleece lined yak wool hat 

My sturgeon get-up:
Rei poly long underwear top and bottom
Heavyweight fleece mtn hardware) top and bottom
Wicking sock
Snowboard poly sock
Ragged-ass 5mm booties
Fleece hat
Kokatat paddling dry suit
Patience

Drifting River Wear.

3.5mm Cabala's stocking foot neoprene waders chest or waist high, cheap, tough ,comfy, easy to patch and keep you warm even when leaking.
Mysteriso Socks
Poly underwear light when nice med or lite poly sweat pants when colder or if I will be doing a lot of wading.
Poly Hoodie
Hooded Rain/Wind Shell
Wool Fingerless or poly glove liners
Depending on how much wading/walking I do either Crocs,booties or wading boots.

My sturgeon wear:

Underarmor
fleece
Level six superior Jacket
Level six reign pants ( been saving for these)
neoprene fingerless gloves
thick socks
wading boots
fleece lined yak wool hat 

Bro, you sturgeon fishing in Alaska?



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My sturgeon wear:

Underarmor
fleece
Level six superior Jacket
Level six reign pants ( been saving for these)
neoprene fingerless gloves
thick socks
wading boots
fleece lined yak wool hat 

Bro, you sturgeon fishing in Alaska?



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No, but it gets pretty cold just sitting there in the dark/rain.

  I have no idea about fishing in freezing temps, and don't intend to find out, but this kind of hood really helps prevent heat loss from head and neck in cold, wet and somewhat windy Mntry Bay winter conditions.  Though this one is 1mm, I think my O'Neill's surfer hood is 3 mm.
 
http://www.nrs.com/product/2029/nrs-mystery-storm-hood

I guess that if you can keep from getting it wet, a fleece hood would feel warmer even if both neoprene and fleece were equal in retaining heat .
 

Whatever pants you get make sure its easy to peee while on your yak. 
I use a Kokatat angler drysuit and REI heavy weight fleece underneath.  The relief zip is a must have for long hours OTW. 

Thought that was a built-in hot water heater?