What to wear?

First No judgements just an observation ...nobody intends to roll or capsize unless thier practicing roll/recovery..do not take this the wrong way ... You asked for advice ...you got it ... if your friend has been doing this for 15 years why ask here.....You don't want to follow it that's ok .. People here are giving their opinion and your deflecting it back why you shouldn't do this or that ...No judgements ..wear what you want ,wet suit; dry suit ; combo pants / top ..that's a lot of money for gear , understandable; .I have friends that still wear wets suit their fine with it ...nobody is going to care what you wear ..as long as your safe

Again good luck with your choice, see you OTW 

P.S. I started with a wet suit ...tried a Kokatat Angler .. No more wet suit ... Unless I start diving

 

In the ocean we dress to survive without our boats.  What if they sink or are blown away by the wind?  Wetsuit or drysuit.  It's not only about staying warm while on the kayak. 

Josh

Josh, first I hear you and everyone needs to do what they feel is the right thing to do, for some that may be way over protected and prepared but it makes them feel safe.

What if it sinks? Well I'll question you, how is it going to sink unless you were attacked by a shark and it punctured the hull? I read about a guy that had that happen and he was still able to get back on and peddle in. I may not be thinking of every possible way but I'm only thinking of the most reasonable possibilities. If your hull is in good shape there is no reason that it could just sink. Second how is it going to blow away in the wind? I'll tell you what if I'm fishing and the wind comes up and I can't return to my launch area I'm going to look for the nearest area to come ashore. If I can't come ashore safely anywhere and feel stranded I'm getting on channel 16 on my VHF and calling the coasties! I'm not fishing when a small craft advisory is reported and I'm not fishing when weather might threaten my safety.

I'm not a novice boater and have been fishing on friends ocean boats for about 10 years and have been a boater for about 20 years owning 3 boats between 21 and 32 feet and have taken the USCG boaters safety classes and was a member of a yacht club in the Delta.

Form my point of view if I get in trouble and think it could be life threatening I'm calling channel 16 from the VHF attached to my uppers by a lanyard.

I don't think you understand kayak fishing.  I suggest you take a Surf Zone Class with Monterey Bay Kayaks or CA Canoe and Kayak so you can get a feel of things and understand what gear you need.

In the ocean we dress to survive without our boats.  What if they sink or are blown away by the wind?  Wetsuit or drysuit.  It's not only about staying warm while on the kayak. 

Josh

Josh, first I hear you and everyone needs to do what they feel is the right thing to do, for some that may be way over protected and prepared but it makes them feel safe.

What if it sinks? Well I'll question you, how is it going to sink unless you were attacked by a shark and it punctured the hull? I read about a guy that had that happen and he was still able to get back on and peddle in. I may not be thinking of every possible way but I'm only thinking of the most reasonable possibilities. If your hull is in good shape there is no reason that it could just sink. Second how is it going to blow away in the wind? I'll tell you what if I'm fishing and the wind comes up and I can't return to my launch area I'm going to look for the nearest area to come ashore. If I can't come ashore safely anywhere and feel stranded I'm getting on channel 16 on my VHF and calling the coasties! I'm not fishing when a small craft advisory is reported and I'm not fishing when weather might threaten my safety.

I'm not a novice boater and have been fishing on friends ocean boats for about 10 years and have been a boater for about 20 years owning 3 boats between 21 and 32 feet and have taken the USCG boaters safety classes and was a member of a yacht club in the Delta.

Form my point of view if I get in trouble and think it could be life threatening I'm calling channel 16 from the VHF attached to my uppers by a lanyard.

Some of us are quite ambitious in our kayaks.  I have been 5 miles offshore on my kayak in pursuit of salmon and I am not alone.  A shark attacking my kayak is a real possibility that I prepare for. 

Kayaks get old, the plastic deteriorates, hatches don't get closed, drain plugs do not get put back in, shit happens and it has to many on the forum. 

The wind comes up, the fog rolls in, Mother Nature is not predictable and can catch you off guard and has to many on the forum.

Guys fall off their kayaks and become too fatigued to get back in their kayaks without assistance.   

I love the idea of a kayak because we each are responsible for ourselves.  I don't preach, I don't give unsolicited advice, but you asked and I answered. 

Josh

I used to be Navy Corpsman and an E.M.T. ..doesn't make me a
Neuro-Surgeon 

Gnarley, I was hesitant to spend the money for a dry suit also, until I started reading the firm recommendations of the experienced board members here.
I was wearing a dry suit at my first outing in the ocean at GS9 where several experienced kayakers fell out of their kayaks.  I was too inexperienced to be aware that the conditions I was in were that dangerous. Luckily, I made it back safely.
Here is a good post from an experienced member who almost didn't make it back on a different day:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=69017.0
Also, read Raydon's post from last week about how many things can go wrong:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=73443.0

In the ocean we dress to survive without our boats.  What if they sink or are blown away by the wind?  Wetsuit or drysuit.  It's not only about staying warm while on the kayak. 

Josh

I'm just not feeling the need for a dry suit, really. when I did it last year I wore field and stream water resistant pants and a waterproof shell. Although they don't seal at the ankels, wrists, waist and neck I felt safe, warm and dry. I had no intention of getting wet or rolling. if I did I'd be back on top and heading in ASAP and would not be in the water very long.

SO with that what I'd feel may be what I need are something like Stohlquist Treads Paddling Pants and a Torrent Jacket-Long Sleeve Paddling Jacket, they all tighten up where needed in case I ended up in the water and would certainly slow down water getting inside.

Why wouldn't these do what I need and why would the be a bad idea? I have a friend who's been doing this for about 15 years and he doesn't wear a wet or dry suit and bought his kayak uppers and lowers at REI for he and his wife back then and doesn't have problems with them.

I'm not going diving in the pacific ocean, but it's my intention to stay comfortable and dry. If I'm not staying dry or have gone in the water it's time to get out!

I don't think you understand kayak fishing.  I suggest you take a Surf Zone Class with Monterey Bay Kayaks or CA Canoe and Kayak so you can get a feel of things and understand what gear you need.
[/quote]

I think I do and I don't want to be as hard core as many that I've read about. I have a lot of respect for those guys! I have a lot of places to fish and up to a mile off shore between Marin and Mendocino counties. My goals are for salmon, lings and rockies. I have no intention of ever fishing in bad weather or launching in rough surf. I'm pretty conservative and don't mind saying so since it will help keep me safe. I do understand why some go to extremes to protect themselves, you can call it insurance, I get it but I have no intention of going to the extremes some of these guys do since I'm not fishing like they do. I will practice rolling in my pool and in the Russian River for practice.

The Ocean and boating can be deadly, I get it and I'll take appropriate precautions for the type of fishing I intend on doing. Had I started this type of fishing when I was 25 maybe I'd go hard core, but at 57 I'm not hardcore about anything and just want to have fun catch fish and be safe.

First No judgements just an observation ...nobody intends to roll or capsize unless thier practicing roll/recovery..do not take this the wrong way ... You asked for advice ...you got it ... if your friend has been doing this for 15 years why ask here.....You don't want to follow it that's ok .. People here are giving their opinion and your deflecting it back why you shouldn't do this or that ...No judgements ..wear what you want ,wet suit; dry suit ; combo pants / top ..that's a lot of money for gear , understandable; .I have friends that still wear wets suit their fine with it ...nobody is going to care what you wear ..as long as your safe

Again good luck with your choice, see you OTW 

P.S. I started with a wet suit ...tried a Kokatat Angler .. No more dry suit ... Unless I start diving

 

Why ask here from others? Because no one knows everything and there is always something to learn from others even if you may disagree with them.

 dont disagree with you... wear what you want .... gave my opinion based off my experience ..  just think it`s interesting you ask opinions or advice .dont seem to care for it , tell us about your friend, give us your boating resume ,like your trying to convince us , hey you can wear what like as I said.. I have friends that wear all of the a fore mentioned items ..what ever works..   I dont judge them or disagree with their choices  and your right no one  knows everything 

good luck with your choice .be safe see , see you OTW

You absolutely do not need to wear a dry suit. I fished the ocean for years wearing a farmer john, a splash jacket, and sandals, even in the winter. It all depends on your cold tolerance. I know a member here who fishes the ocean wearing board shorts and no shoes in the winter. Obviously, he is a lot more tolerant of the cold than me. After a few trips on the ocean, you will learn if your splash gear is enough to keep you warm and dry.

You absolutely do not need to wear a dry suit. I fished the ocean for years wearing a farmer john, a splash jacket, and sandals, even in the winter. It all depends on your cold tolerance. I know a member here who fishes the ocean wearing board shorts and no shoes in the winter. Obviously, he is a lot more tolerant of the cold than me. After a few trips on the ocean, you will learn if your splash gear is enough to keep you warm and dry.

Thank you Krusty

I catch alotta fish and sometimes the party starts early, Sooo I'm always ready ,but safe and warm!

I catch alotta fish and sometimes the party starts early, Sooo I'm always ready ,but safe and warm!

    

Bwahahahaha! I love it!

Just FYI, I wear a full-on one-piece wetsuit and wetsuit walking boots, but then I paddle to where I can rock-pick abalone most of my trips. I also fish and ab-pick up in Mendo County, where it tends to be colder in the Spring and warmer in the Winter. Yeah, I know, it's screwy. Figure out where you are going, then work from there, I suggest. If you fish Port of Sacto, cut-offs and ragged tennis shoes will work. All as long as you have your PFD on your bod and sunscreen on the exposed bits.

yep summer inland wet/dry shorts or pants..LS shirt  ..PFD..over the side for a dip when it gets to hot .self rescue back on board ..repeat 

I catch alotta fish and sometimes the party starts early, Sooo I'm always ready ,but safe and warm!

Bond.  James Bond