[623858]

This past Tuesday I went out on the Jet. Although the Togs were not to be had, the Porgy?s were biting (medium size). Overall it was a good day.
Except one thing!
I was not dress warm enough. I almost froze my butt of. Thank goodness it warmed up later in the morning. Even though I have a pair of Grungen bottoms, I?m learning that even though they keep the fish blood or an occasional wave from wetting me, they do not insulate you from the cold. I know that this is a common sense question but sometimes common sense is taken for granted. This is my first time fishing in the fall and I plan to fish well into the winter this year. If anyone have any hints on how to stay warm this winter, (hands, feet, face, etc.) please share it with me?
Posiden.

 

[LkyLindy]

Layers

Posiden-

The key to staying warm is Layering-You can start of with the new hi tech thermal underwear that wicks the sweat away from your body then cotton shirt,pants socks,-you can go with something like guy cotton bibs or mustang wear, insulated boots, head cowling-glacier gloves or the like-man you'll swear you're in the tropics if you dress right

 

[Hunt n' Fish]

Keep your extremeties warm and you'll be amazed at how warm you'll stay. I just bought a pair of Lacrosse insulated rubber boots that my feet almost sweat in in this weather with only one pair of socks. If you need to wear two pairs of socks, but keep your boots loose. If they're loose the blood will flow easier and you'll stay warmer.

Between warm boots and a warm hat you'll stay really warm. In the cold weather, I wear them plus sweat pants under my jeans, and a sweatshirt with a carhart coat and I'm set. If you wear waterproof and wind proof clothes, you'll stay even warmer. Stop the water and wind and stay warm.

 

[624005]

Layer

Posiden,
Layering and the type of material is key. On top I layer with a regular t-shirt first, then a long sleeve polypropylene underwear top, then a long sleeve cotton T, a long sleeve fleece pullover and a gore-tex jacket with hood. For the bottom, fleece pants (Polartec 200) with rain paints over them. Feet get two pairs of socks, first cotton, to wick away moisture, second merlino wool and they go into a good rubber boot. Hands go into Kenai fleece gloves with the finger slits. Sometimes a disposable handwarmer goes inside the glove. Always bring extra gloves. I wear no hat. That's wear I vent most of my heat.
Layering gives you the opportunity to adjust your clothing according to conditions. And bring extra clothing. If you dress too light for the conditions and you don't bring extra clothing you're screwed.

 

[618563]

EVER NOTICE YOU ARE NEVER COLD WHEN U ARE CATCHING FISH? INTERESTING...MAKE SURE U HAVE THE INSULATED GRUNDENS..AND IF U SHAVE YOUR HEAD, WEAR A HAT..LAYERS ARE GOOD, BUT THERMAL UNDERWEAR IS A MUST..CHECK OUT YOUR LOCAL ARMY NAVY STORE FOR GOOD PRICES TIGHT LINES

 

[bigbillybass]

same thing

i was out sat night and although i dressed with layers, and two pairs of socks my feet were freezing, i ordered from cabelas socks that hae a pouch in them to hold one of those air activated hand warmers, i'm sure this will help you as well.

 

[wader]

Suggest adding a pair of neophrene chest waders to your gear. With thermals, & other layering - warmth will not be a problem.

 

[max171]

warmth

christ! thereis no formula , it comes down to your tolerance to the cold,get the good boots vikings and the liners...dont overdue the layers, you
will be warm and imobile , whats the point keep in mind th typre of fishing, if your off bottom fishing in 200 ft odds are youll be workin hard liftin the 20 oz bank..if you are at the reef just sitting there and they are not chewing every part of your being will be cold...

 

[623888]

Polypropalene thermals,insulated boots,neoprene gloves and layers and layers of clothes.A thermos with something hot helps also.Bring extra clothes cause you could always take em off if you need to. Stay warm

 

[616357]

Although I know it is really not making you warm a flask of whiskey is helpful with all the above. As long as you are not at the help

 

[619627]

I must say, that Fenderbender mentioned both the premier materials and products that are available for winter fishing. And he gave you the correct way of layering your clothing....you cannot just put a load of clothes on and expect to be warm....you have to allow air pockets, and most all of, let it breath! Once you starting sweating with all those clothes on, you will eventually cool, and you will feel colder.

One thing that no one has mentioned, which i found through experience working on small open boats during the winter, was to purchase a thermal one piece MONKEY SUIT...just slide it on like a immersion suit, and boy it keeps you so warm. I have had mine for years, and anytime i go out in the late fall and winter, it comes along with me. Instead of bringing a load of clothes and jackets, you wear your regular cold weather clothes and get into one of these....but most of all, get excellent cold weather socks and boots, and remember most of all, a good cap. Stella Maris in Sheepshead Bay sells a cloth multi colored hood made by Grundens which cost around 15 dollars. Not only does it cover your ears, but the back of the neck, and could be pulled shut by a heavy duty draw string. I wore one on my last trip, and its another piece of clothing i would not leave home without. Finally a good pair of neoprene gloves should be carried....they allow you to work in the cold weather, and provide enough warmth so your fingers do not go numb.

EC NEWELL MAN*

 

[Scratcher]

I'm going to take issue with using cotton to stay warm. Ask any skier/ice-climber/mountaineer and they will tell you that cotton stinks in the cold. The reason is that it holds moisture and that moisture conducts your body heat away very efficiently. Sure, its ok if you don't sweat at all and if you don't get wet from rain/waves/spray. But with fishing there is ALWAYS the chance you will get wet. And when you do cotton will kill you, while the synthetics like capilene or polypro or fleece will keep you warm even if wet. And, if the unthinkable happens, and you take a dunking, you'll be real glad that the synthetics don't hold water when you get out. Other than that, dress in layers and make sure you have a wind and waterproof outer layer. Breathability is another factor - helps get rid of heat-robbing moisture. And wear a hat - a disproportionately large amount of heat loss comes occurs from the head.

 

[wader]

I trout fish in White's Pool (back of the Nissequoge) in January & February. General Clothing is something like this:

2 pairs of wool socks - 1 pair battery heated
thermal underware (tops & bottoms)
jeans
tee shirt over the top thermal
turtleneck over the tee shirt
sweater over the turtleneck
neophrene chest waders over the sweater
windbreaker over the waders
woolen hat

Now I'm standing waist deep in the water with occasional ice forming on the sides of the pool. Outfit keeps me nice & warm

 

[Hipshot]

One thing about disposable hand warmers, let them perk for 10-15 min. before you put them in your gloves or boots. They are activated by air (oxygen), if you cut down on the air supply too soon they will never get up to giving off good heat. They work better in gloves because they get more air, in boots especially, if you don't give them a change to warm up and get perking they are a maybe.
Tight lines and stay warm!

 

[618563]

MAX171 IS RIGHT

*SMACK* "YA GOTTA BE A MAAAAN" -THE GODFATHER

LOL

 

[623858]

A thousand thanks guys,
I learned a lot from this thread. I think the lesson for today is to dress in layers, leaving pockets of warm air in between layers. This way I can always peel off if I get hot. There was a guy who got on the boat. He looked as if he had on 6 coats. My biggest concern is that I didn?t want to be so bulky, that can?t be comfortable. And now, thx to you guys I know that that?s not the way to go. I?m going to price some Polartec fleece and Neoprene items. EC I already have a one piece thermal underwear. I?m definitely going to pull that out of the closet. The next time I?m at Sheepshead Bay I going to pick up a Grunden hood from Stella Maris.

 

[613098]

Poseidon,
WE VIKINGS ARE MADE OF STURDY METAL AND FEEL NEITHER HEAT NOR COLD!
Now that I got that BS outa the way, let me add a few pointers. There are lots of high-tech clothes out there that work well. The one basic rule for extreme cold is NO COTTON!!!! The second rule is NO COTTON!!!!. Cotton gets wet if you sweat and then you will freeze. Layer up from your long johns with synthetic fabrics or real wool. I really like Polartec fleece. EC is right on the money about neoprene gloves - they really are great. Many layers, with a windproof outside is the way to go. I've been fishing, hunting and hiking in the winter for many years now, and the new fabrics are a regular Godsend. Warm head and feet will go a long ways to being comfortable. And remember, you can always take something off, but you cant put on what you didn't bring.
Save the alcohol for when you get home. Actually a candy bar with its sugar boost will often warm you a bit. Of course, if the fish are really on the bite, you could fish naked and you wouldn't notice it! Good luck.
Denmark

 

[MakoMatt]

To all, there is a lot of good advice here, just one thing I would add. This applies mostly to the guys that run their own boats, fish offshore, and do not have heated cabins. BRING A BLANKET & AN EXRTA SET OF CLOTHES, leave it on board stowed below. If you, or someone else happens to take a spill in the drink this time of year, it could save a life. Hypothermia will begin to set in quickly, and there is a chance you would not make it back in time. Someone could die. A little planning will save you from having the Coast Guard dispatch a chopper to have someone airlifted from your vessel, or worse.

Just my $.02
MakoMatt

 

[Billy40]

Although I look like a duckhunter/flyfisherman, on a boat in the middle of Winter, I stay warm by wearing: Neoprene waders. I also just bought a Bronco Neoprene zip up jacket. Add a pair of wading boots, and I look like an idiot - but I promise I'm as warm and more comfortable than everyone else.

If you have any Capeline or breatheable tee shirts, they will keep you dry when you sweat. The only problem I have is my feet get cold beause they sweat but I am going to find a pair pair of breatheable socks to try and fix this.

AS stated, I look funny, but I'm always warm, ad dry. Clean up is easy as well.

 

[613098]

Mako,
Good idea about the extra clothing in cold weather. I dunno that I'd want everyone on board to bring a change, but perhaps one set of big old clothes stashed in the cabin. One thing I always carry is a couple of those mylar space blankets and a similar sleeping bag, for just the reasons you gave.
You are obviously a careful boater, and probably have taken some flak from the macho types about your caution. However, THEY are the ones who always seem to get into trouble.
Denmark