Gearing up for GS6 I need some advice...

Hi Guys,

I have a few questions for you GS veterans concerning keeping warm and safe at GS6.  It will be my first time at Shelter Cove and want to keep myself warm. I have been kayak fishing for less than a year and saftey is my number one priority.  I have a farmer John wetsuit, but it is only 3 millimeters thick.  I also have an older Kokatat Gore-tex dry top that was given to me by a friend who was into whitewater kayaking a few years back but stopped kayaking.  He had all the seals replaced in it just recently, so it seems good as new.  My question is do you guys think it is a good idea to wear my farmer john underneath my Kokatat?   Will this keep me warm at GS6?

I might also purchase the dry pants to go with the top, but don't really want to spend the cash before GS6, but might if you guys think it is worth it?
 
Also, I’m thinking of purchasing some neoprene socks to go under my dive shoes.  Which brands do you like?  My feet tend to get cold more than any other parts of my body. 

Thanks,
Birddog

I would err on the side of caution/warmth...last year I about got hyopthermia and I didn't even fall in or nothing!

 

I would recommend 7mm for safety and comfort...or one of those full on fancy dry suits...
It sucked paddling in early cuz I couldn't stop my hands from shaking enough to reel...

This year I'll be in a 7mm john with dry pants/jacket on top, and will have a 7mm zip-up jacket as well that I can take off if I need to for comfort/paddling...

My 2 cents at least...

 

Sincerely,

Jim

ps...here are the 4mm neoprene socks I wear diving, and I will be wearing them inside my zip up dive booties this year as well.

http://www.neptonicsystems.com/argos.htm

the original set up sounds good for all the GS's except last years. Last year it was really cold and rained all night (the night before the event). So I think lots of people started the day a bit chilled and only to get colder. Hands by far were the major issue for most. I was cold just watching Jim put on his wet suit that he left out in the rain the night before. For a big guy he can squeal pretty high!

I wear a 3mm FJ and paddle pants with neoprene seals at the waist and ankles and a dry top with seals at the waist and wrists.  I also wear NRS Titanium socks under my NRS Titanium booties.  Being cold has never been an issue for me.

Birddog,
I'm gonna guess that you've been in similar if not colder conditions as a hunter.  I didn't go to GS5, but GS4 wasn't that bad.  3mm FJ and dry pants have done the trick for me. U can even wear waders over your FJ.  For the top, I wore paddling jacket over some warm fleece.  As previously mentioned, gloves may be just as important. I wear the ones handed out @ Albion last year with. The finger part cut off so I can tie knots and stuff.  I PLAN ON UPGRADING AND GETTING THOSE GLOVES THAT CLAYMAN WEARS UP @ ALMANOR. THEY LOOK LIKE CASHMERE WITH THE FINGER PART CUT OFF.  If it's warm enough for Almanor, it's good enough everywhere else.

Peace 2 U

You're getting good advice here, Bd - GS5 was the coldest time I've ever been on the ocean!  But we have to be ready for that type of brutality.  Hopefully 3 mil and paddling gear over it will do, but be ready to add layers.  I ran for years with the Titanium liners and booties like FishNBrew mentioned, and now I wear giant Boggs (Darth Vader Boots) over my drysuit and big socks - the Boggs worked great with the wetsuit too as long as I didn't have water down in there.  Warm feet are vital for me.

GS5 was the coldest time I've ever been on the ocean!  But we have to be ready for that type of brutality. 

ditto...I just shivered sitting at my desk thinking about it.....

Im gearing up for my first gs to i went with the full blown dry suit an poly sweater, pants, wool socks, polartec base layer for wicking top an bottom, some neopren gloves i use for fishing the charters so my hands dont cramped, im bringing a jacket wind breaker type with a hood to put on over just incase of rain so none sneaks down my neck, i found some awesome booties for 20$ from dolphin scuba (order a size big) i didnt an im a lil crammed. so far thats my made list

I was cold just watching Jim put on his wet suit that he left out in the rain the night before. For a big guy he can squeal pretty high!

Yeah..that really, really sucked...hungover and stripping down in the cold and dark and putting that wet freezing stuff on...I think Zilla heard me squealing and felt bad for me and called me over to the hot Ling bite he had going on in an attempt to get my blood flowing!

 

This year I am leaving tourney day gear INSIDE my car the night before!! 

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

http://www.dolphinscuba.com/Storm_6_5mm_Deluxe_Boot_p/bt_3064-dps.htm

booties link

Great info here guys thanks.  I'm going to go with the dry top and dry pants over my farmer john.  I'm also going to order some paddling socks to ware under my booties.

Thanks for the insights.

may be overstating the obvious but I had an extra dry beanie in my hatch. It was nice to swap them out when the first one was water logged. This year I also added this to the mix

http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/accessories/headwear/rain-hats/seattle-sombrero-23577.html

GS5 was the coldest time I've ever been on the ocean!  But we have to be ready for that type of brutality. 

ditto...I just shivered sitting at my desk thinking about it.....

More paddle suits and dry suits were purchased by NCKA after GS5 than any other year.  Was so hypothermic I couldn't put a piece of squid on a hook. I bought a Kokatat paddle suit and love it. The 3mm FJ and dry top was not enough in the rain and wind.

GS5 was the coldest time I've ever been on the ocean!  But we have to be ready for that type of brutality. 

ditto...I just shivered sitting at my desk thinking about it.....

More paddle suits and dry suits were purchased by NCKA after GS5 than any other year.  Was so hypothermic I couldn't put a piece of squid on a hook. I bought a Kokatat paddle suit and love it. The 3mm FJ and dry top was not enough in the rain and wind.

Yup, I bought my DS after not fishing at all during GS5.

The weather is gonna be better this year!