Are waders safe to use while kayak fishing?

Here is a nice video that puts a great case about the safety of using waders while kayak fishing. I was always wondering but this clears up and lot of questions. I will not think twice about going out and getting some waders now.

http://www.kayakanglermag.com/blog/buzz-bait/493-is-it-safe-to-kayak-in-waders.html

Yeah, that is a great video.  It was posted a year or so ago but never hurts for those that weren't around then.

What about for those of us who don't fish in swimming pools? 

I think we need a real test where people are likely to get dumped.....in the surf.  Who's game to test their waders in some chest high sets?

Last May I took my yak out solo.  I was headed for the bay but at the last minute headed up to the delta and launched into Minor Slough, about 20 minutes later my yak was about half full of water and I just barely made it to a mud bank before it became completely unmanagable.  Had I been a mile or so out into the bay or ocean I would have spent allot of time in the water. Cracked hull.

You'll probably never catch me in waders in a yak. A quick splash and remounting of the yak isn't how it goes all time.

Here is the original thread about the Great Wader Debate.
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,11698.0.html

Part of the myth goes back to the days of old when waders were worn by shore fisherman or surf fisherman.  Rubber didn't seal up as well and it was far easier to end up with a wader full of water.  If you were fishing in fast current it was easy to get sucked down stream and harder to get buoyancy.  I seem to recall reading a few of those old Field and Stream Stories in the back of the magazine where fisherman would retell their tale, and that one always seemed to show up at least annually.  New fabrics allow different things to happen, would the same thing happen with neoprene waders, or rubber ones, I would not want to bet my life on it.  Wearing anything improperly will have the effect you least desire.  The flip side is many of us through either the boy scouts or the military or somewhere learned to tie or pant legs in knots and use them as flotation devices.  Which shows even a pair of Levi's can save your butt if you remain calm and think things through.  Ultimately if you don't drown first hypothermia will get you.

Had I been a mile or so out into the bay or ocean I would have spent allot of time in the water. Cracked hull.

You'll probably never catch me in waders in a yak. A quick splash and remounting of the yak isn't how it goes all time.

Having been about a mile offshore, in the bay, with a stiff wind and tide pushing me further out and looking at a possible swim.....I will never wear waders, period. 

Its that split second experience of....holly s**t this IS happening....that makes you fully appreciate your safety gear, wetsuit being part of it.     

I often wear waders with a dry top.  I would be willing to put that to the surfbail or swim test.

What about for those of us who don't fish in swimming pools?  

I think we need a real test where people are likely to get dumped.....in the surf.  Who's game to test their waders in some chest high sets?

+1
Waders do not equal drysuit or wetsuit. Why bother trying to prove a product is safe for something it wasn't intended to be used for.  
Waders are not for immersion in cold water & you can bet they will fill up in the surf. I know my wetsuit is always wet inside after a good surf.
Anyone trying to promote waders for anything other than their intended usage 'WADING'.....just ask yourselves "Why am I advocating something that could be potentially harmful lethal?".jim

I wear high quality breathable waders when neccessary. I can't wear a wetsuit.
About 10 years ago I was a passenger in a drift boat that flipped over in the Eel, in fast water. I wasn't wearing a wader belt or pfd. I obviously survived, but didn't think I was going to. I grabbed onto some willow bushes and pulled myself to shore. I can still remember how difficult it was move with my waders full of water. Once on shore I had to lay on the shore with my feet above my head in order to drain out, and hypothermia to contend with. I was glad to have been wearing a thick wool sweater, keeps you warm even when wet.
I've also dumped myself out of the kayak in the Klamath estuary. By then I had learned my lesson. I now always wear the wader belt and pfd. I also know my limits, I don't go asking for trouble. If it is nasty out, I stay close or don't go out at all.
My 2 centavos...

damn juan that sounds rough, glad you are still around, cameron

Hey Juan, Have you ever tried a spring suit? Real easy on & off compared to full suit. Next time I know you're going to be OTW I will bring my 2ml for you to try out if you want. Wearing that would def help against hypothermia. A little extra cushion under the butt too.  jim

When I got crushed at Muir I was wearing waders. I got fully tumbled and went in over my head.

The only water that got into my waders was what my shirt wicked in.

I always wear waders, a PFD, and I pull the chest string as tight as possible.

What about for those of us who don't fish in swimming pools? 

I think we need a real test where people are likely to get dumped.....in the surf.  Who's game to test their waders in some chest high sets?

+1
Waders do not equal drysuit or wetsuit. Why bother trying to prove a product is safe for something it wasn't intended to be used for. 
Waders are not for immersion in cold water & you can bet they will fill up in the surf. I know my wetsuit is always wet inside after a good surf.
Anyone trying to promote waders for anything other than their intended usage 'WADING'.....just ask yourselves "Why am I advocating something that could be potentially harmful lethal?".jim

+2

When I caught my very first ling at my very first outing at HMB, I flipped my yak by the reef line (about a mile offshore) and the only 3 things that saved my ass that day was my 3 mil farmer john, PFD and a marine whistle (did not use VHF radios back then). The FJ kept me warm, PFD kept me afloat and the whistle was used to signal my buddy (Pier) to come help me.

IMO: my best example scenerio (and similar situations has happened to a couple of our own NCKA members already - read "This Happened to me")

* Your by yourself and miles from shore, your kayak starts to leak and it fills with water before you can even make it back to shore. Kayak gets top heavy and flips. You fall in 55 degree water and you can't self rescue cause the kayak is now full of water and is completely submerged. You have your VHF and hail for help but you know it will take a while for your rescuer to locate you, which means you'll be on the water for quite a while. Would you rather be in waders or a Farmer John?

I will admit to wearing my kokatat dry pants.....over my 3ml farmer john. 

I propose we have a wader vs fj real world test this summer. If it's as rough as last year we will have everyone interested in participating jump off their yaks out in 200ft of water at Albion and attempt to swim in un-assisted. Those asking for assistance, after they get hypothermic, cramp up, or realize waders do not work too well to swim in, will be pushed back under water with the butt end of a rod or paddle until they SUCK A LITTLE WATER & CRY UNCLE! Then we can finally put this absurd issue to RIP! If everyone did what they thought they could get away with vs what is known to be safer we wouldn't have as many fishin buddies. jim