What to wear

What do folks wear during cold months for fishing on your kayak?  All I can think of are either a pair of nylon pants and thermal pants or my chest waders.  I really don't want to deal with a wet suit.  Any suggestions?  I have sit on top kayak.

Dry suit or wetsuit

Depends where you are fishing. I use waders in fresh water and layer under. Use wader belt for sure. Ocean, wetsuit or dry suit. Layer under dry suit and layer over wetsuit with dry pants and dry top.

Depends where you are fishing. I use waders in fresh water and layer under. Use wader belt for sure. Ocean, wetsuit or dry suit. Layer under dry suit and layer over wetsuit with dry pants and dry top.

+1

I just learned that you can rent  Farmer john wetsuits and dry suits at some dive shops in the Sacramento area, to try to give you the chance to try out wetsuit....

Wetsuit or drysuit.

Don't forget that lake water also gets plenty cold to kill you in the winter, too.

Depends where you are fishing. I use waders in fresh water and layer under. Use wader belt for sure. Ocean, wetsuit or dry suit. Layer under dry suit and layer over wetsuit with dry pants and dry top.

X2 this.  Good gloves and a beanie are a must as well.

For me it is a wet suit on the ocean.  Waders on the river and lake.

Dry pants like the Kokatat Tempest or NRS Black Rock: http://www.nrs.com/product/25861/nrs-mens-black-rock-dry-pants-closeout
And a cheapo paddling jacket/top.

i used to wear gym shorts and a t-shirt but these guys got all bent outta shape...nrs farmer john wetsuit and a long sleeve -work t for the sun on arms...pfd...ad a hoody if it is 12 foot swells and wind 

Freshwater: I'll echo several others by saying chest waders with layers underneath.  A Gore-Tex or paddle jacket on the torso with layers underneath.  When it gets below freezing, I'll wear thermals, wool socks, beanie/fur hat, and fingerless gloves.  I would imagine a drysuit with layers underneath would be the best way to go, but since I don't own a drysuit I can't confirm this.  I've been wearing the aforementioned attire for my winter fishing for several years, and it's served me well.

Sometimes I'll put those expose-to-air hand warmer packets in each boot near my toes, and they can sometimes make all the difference.  Same thing with gloves.  I have crappy circulation in my hands so I tend to wear gloves whenever the temperature drops into the low 40s or lower.  With the gloves, you want to try your best to keep them DRY.  Once they're wet, they're essentially useless and you may as well not wear them.

In the middle of winter, the lake I normally fish is usually in the mid- to high-30 degree range.  Falling into that water would spell trouble real quick.  I always check the weather forecasts before heading out to fish anywhere, but it's especially critical to check in the winter so you can plan your trip accordingly.  The last thing you want is to get caught in a freezing windstorm with several miles between you and the launch.

Used to wear waders and a ski suit underneath.
Now it's a drysuit and, if cold enough, ski suit under.

Hell yeah Tote  .

Tote, that is pretty hardcore....I would be hiding inside next to a warm fireplace.

Tote
I had to turn on the fireplace ( gas ) after seeing that video.
Now i want as hot drink.

Tote, your pics and video made me go into my photo archives from past winters.  These are from late December 2012.  The fur hat was put to good use that day.  Turned out the fishing was as great as the fur hat!  Landed over 20 trout within a few hours.  Winter fishing can be amazing as long as you're adequately prepared for the elements.