Cold Water Apparel

back in the day I would wear an 8mm one piece to scuba dive (monterey/carmel).  I could remember just how hot it would get when i wasnt in the water.  felt great when i was in the water.  problem with a wet suit is that you need the flow of water in the suit for it to work properly.  unless you are pouring water in your suit (or rig a device to pump water in your suit) you will typically be hot to overheated.  i guess a thinner suit would work if you are out with a buddy or two.  if out alone, go thicker as it could save your life

My cold wear attire up here in Oregon is my slippers pj’s and a tee shirt.... sitting on the couch......  because it’s too damn cold this time of year for this arthritic old fart to be messing around in the ocean. But I use a surfers 3/4 in the saltwater when it’s not too damn cold. Surfers wetsuit are WAY more flexible when it comes to fishing in my book YMMV!

I use a 3mm "super-stretchy" full suit.  If going out further, I'll add a 1.5mm shorty.  I always wear a shirt and pants on top to keep the water off the neoprene and block the wind (and it does a good job blocking the sun and keeping me a bit cooler, too).

Like Mojo said, ocean kayak fishing is pretty much done for the year up here in Oregon.

Look for sales at NRS for their 1.0 and 1.5mm Hydroskins.  Those are mighty stretchy.

3mm will just do fine


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As I send thousands of people out into the ocean annually on kayaks a can tell you a 3mil is perfect. We use 3mil farmer johns here at the shop and I make all my guides where them when out on the water. I am having a used sale right now of Farmer johns if you are interested

As I send thousands of people out into the ocean annually on kayaks a can tell you a 3mil is perfect. We use 3mil farmer johns here at the shop and I make all my guides where them when out on the water. I am having a used sale right now of Farmer johns if you are interested

have some women's used farmer johns?

As I send thousands of people out into the ocean annually on kayaks a can tell you a 3mil is perfect. We use 3mil farmer johns here at the shop and I make all my guides where them when out on the water. I am having a used sale right now of Farmer johns if you are interested

have some women's used farmer johns?

 

As I send thousands of people out into the ocean annually on kayaks a can tell you a 3mil is perfect. We use 3mil farmer johns here at the shop and I make all my guides where them when out on the water. I am having a used sale right now of Farmer johns if you are interested

have some women's used farmer johns?

 

oh lord, haha, FOR THE GIRLFRIEND lol.

As I send thousands of people out into the ocean annually on kayaks a can tell you a 3mil is perfect. We use 3mil farmer johns here at the shop and I make all my guides where them when out on the water. I am having a used sale right now of Farmer johns if you are interested

have some women's used farmer johns?

They are universal. But I do have some brand new womens farmer janes

Kokatat paddle suit, fleece suit underneath, neoprene boots and big ass snowboard socks underneath was my go-to for sturgeon in winter. water temps were usually hovering around 48-50, sometimes a bit less.
Winter water is f'ing cold.

Like Eric said, dress for immersion.
For sturgeon i always assumed if i got dunked i was in the water and gone from the yak, with a little luck getting picked up by a boat after yelling my ass off on Ch16. worst case making a slow backstroke toward rat rock, and managing to hit Mcnears right at the point, or worst worse case beaching at San Pedro Pt. after missing Mcnears

control your pace when paddling or pedaling and you won't overheat.   

As I send thousands of people out into the ocean annually on kayaks a can tell you a 3mil is perfect. We use 3mil farmer johns here at the shop and I make all my guides where them when out on the water. I am having a used sale right now of Farmer johns if you are interested

have some women's used farmer johns?

I have the feeling there may be a number "Johns" who both farm, and feel they have been used by women!

I suggest a Kokatat Angler drysuit and appropriate layering underneath.  Raydon was in the water at TC for an hour and came out OK.  http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=85449.0

For sturgeon i always assumed if i got dunked i was in the water and gone from the yak, with a little luck getting picked up by a boat after yelling my ass off on Ch16. worst case making a slow backstroke toward rat rock, and managing to hit Mcnears right at the point, or worst worse case beaching at San Pedro Pt. after missing Mcnears

control your pace when paddling or pedaling and you won't overheat.

Yeah something like that, 7mm FJ, 5mm boots, 2mm jacket,

I suggest a Kokatat Angler drysuit and appropriate layering underneath.  Raydon was in the water at TC for an hour and came out OK.  http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=85449.0

Good suggestion, however you can’t judge it sufficient for all ‘cause it worked for Raydon - he’s a lot tougher  specimen than most!

The original question was asking about which wet suit to use, but since others are chiming in on the benefits of dry suits I'll add my thoughts. I use a Kokatat Gore-Tex Angler suit. I wear a Mountain Hardware base layer, Polartec 300 pants & top. That works good if I am paddling a bit with decent weather. If the weather looks a little colder, or I'm just drifting or motor trolling I add a synthetic vest.

The Gore-Tex breaths great and is super comfortable. I wore it during two separate surf zone classes where most of the time was spent being  thrashed by the waves. I stayed warm and dry both times (a very small amount water came in at the neck area).

Keep in mind that the goal of being dressed for immersion is so that you don't go instantly into shock if you go in. Then you can self rescue, or remain alive for a few hours until you are picked up by someone else. They call off the searches pretty fast if you are without a transponder, or radio.