Kokatat SuperNova Angler Paddling Suit

Well there are a few things that make a huge difference in making kayak fishing easier, more comfortable and safer.
1. Seat
2. Paddle
3. PFD
4. Immersion suit

I used a neoprene farmer john with dry top and neoprene booties for my first 5 seasons saltwater kayak fishing in NCAL and it worked fine with only a few times where being cold ended a trip. Then I went to Gimmie Shelter 5 and fished for hours in the rain and was close to hypothermia by noon. When I got home, I decided to buy a paddle suit and ended up with a Kokatat SuperNova Angler Paddling Suit because Craig recommended it. I think there were at least a dozen people who got the same suit after GS5, and we can be recognized by the blue color which is no longer offered. From June 2011 to December 2013 I wore over 100 times on the ocean and have never been cold. It is so much more comfortable than a wet suit also. As far as how they do if you capsize and have to swim, I had 5 minute swim in the surf zone in 2011 and it did fine. One thing I noticed is that even though a paddle suit leaks a little around the neck a little, a cup or 2 of water in the suit does not make you cold. In 2011, I got waked heading out of the jaws at Moss Landing on a ghost hunt. I self-rescued and paddled out to the Pajaro and fished all day. When I got back to shore and took the suit off there was a cup of water in each foot and yet I was never cold. In a FJ/dry top, I wouldn't have made it to the Pajaro. So for what we do, I think a paddle suit works fine and you don't need a dry suit as long as you are wearing proper clothes underneath the suit.

I really loved my paddle suit but in December the cuffs tore and I noticed after a short swim it leaked more water than usual. I will admit that I admit I am not good at putting the 303 lubricant on the cuffs regularly. I sent the suit to Kokatat to have a new collar and cuffs installed  and have it tested for leaks. A week later I got a call from Kokatat and they told me the material on the  back area had delaminated and couldn't be repaired so they sent me a new suit. I was kind of bummed that I wouldn't get my old suit back because it had really good juju and the new suit is no longer made in blue. Ended up getting a new suit mango colored. Anyway, Kokatat is a great company and their customer service is excellent and I don't think the fabric delamination reflects on the overall quality of the product. Kayak fishing is extremely hard on clothing and equipment. Made in Arcata, CA too. If you do have the GS5 edition of the suit you may want to check it for leaks.

Scott

GS5 sold more drysuits that any ad ever will.  I had an awesome experience with Kokatat as well when I sent in my Tempest pants for repairs.  I love my SuperNova, I spent the money and will never look back.

I love mine. I started doing wrist and neck gasket repairs a few weeks ago too. I've done a few dry suits now and am pretty comfortable with the possess. Wish I could pressure test 'em too. If you suit starts absorbing water instead of shedding it you can get a spray on or wash in DWR treatment and bring them back to life. I carry a patch, zip tech, cotol 240, aquaseal and some spare latex material in a small container every time I hit the salt. Nothing worse then ending a weekend early because of gear failure.

If I knew then what I know now, I should've bought a drysuit in the first place. Started with farmer john that led to tempest pants/jacket, then drysuit.

If I knew then what I know now, I should've bought a drysuit in the first place. Started with farmer john that led to tempest pants/jacket, then drysuit.

Many of us went down that same path.  Farmer john, then waders, then quickly to drysuit.  In 2007, nobody used drysuit.  I know.  I was researching them at the time and could probably count on one hand the number of people here that used them.  I bought my first Kokatat Goretex one that year.


-Allen

Just wow...
Glad I bought it too.
Great company!!!

Where do they sell this product line?

From Modesto I would go see Dan in Lodi. Headwaters Kayak Shop!

I am so happy with mine. Got it through Headwaters when they had the killer deal in 2012. I tore a hole in the crotchular region and Kokatat fixed it for me--very good customer service. The latex neck gasket takes some getting used to though. On freshwater lakes, I just use waders or Kokatat Tempest pants. But in the ocean...I couldn't imagine NOT wearing my Kokatat drysuit.

If I knew then what I know now, I should've bought a drysuit in the first place. Started with farmer john that led to tempest pants/jacket, then drysuit.

Many of us went down that same path.  Farmer john, then waders, then quickly to drysuit.  In 2007, nobody used drysuit.  I know.  I was researching them at the time and could probably count on one hand the number of people here that used them.  I bought my first Kokatat Goretex one that year.


-Allen

Yeah, I used them for work but it was way too expensive (~$1k) for personal use back then...
Even thought neoprene neck gets stinky (like wetsuits) on SuperNova, but so comfy that I like it way better than rubber.
Maybe, I should send them for service before the salmon opens...

We still offer 15% off to NCKA members on brand new Super Nova Angler suits. This is our way of making it a little easier to be safe and comfortable on the big blue ( or rivers for that matter) we have some suits in stock and can order through KokAtat and have suits in a few days. The factory is located here in Nor Cal. As Scott mentioned all the suits have a lifetime warranty so one suit will last you forever. So what's your favorite fishing rod and reel combo worth? Spend the $500 and buy a dry suit. The cheapest insurance you can buy for cold water kayaking.

My only complaint is that my hands go numb because the wrist gaskets are so damn tight.

Thought my head was going to pop with the neck gasket…  but I guess I need to know more about how to fit these puppies…

Put a paint can in the neck for a day?

I was same, farmer john for a decade or more, then my precious wife got me one for my birthday.
Paired with my new fleece union suit and big thick ass nrs knee boots it is the bomb.
I will never go back.

I think I'll go put it on now

Thought my head was going to pop with the neck gasket…  but I guess I need to know more about how to fit these puppies…

Put a paint can in the neck for a day?

That there is funny, like a big zit. It'll stretch out, just be patient.