future paddler here!

im hoping it will serve all my needs. this way I can take my friends out on the river or lakes if they want to go. I also ordered the lowrance elite-4 gold(I think the chartplotter will be more important in ocean fishing then the fishfinder) one more question for everyone; what are peoples opinion on a immersion top and bottom compared to a dry suit? I cant justify paying 700 for dry suit when I can get immersion pants, jacket, and boots for just over 200.

thanks for the help!

   Regarding your question about immersion gear--- That is what I do (seperate pants and dry top). I wouldn't mind going full drysuit.... but I have a messed up back and neck that makes getting into a full drysuit a real pain. In practicing getting back onto my kayak ---  I get a little water inside the separate pieces-- but not enough to bother me at all.
   And like you mentioned-- the price was much more comfortable too.

have you ever flipped your kayak? how bad is the gear when you get completely dunked?

im hoping it will serve all my needs. this way I can take my friends out on the river or lakes if they want to go. I also ordered the lowrance elite-4 gold(I think the chartplotter will be more important in ocean fishing then the fishfinder) one more question for everyone; what are peoples opinion on a immersion top and bottom compared to a dry suit? I cant justify paying 700 for dry suit when I can get immersion pants, jacket, and boots for just over 200.

thanks for the help!

I couldn't justify that kinda expenditure either...until I went for a rather long swim.  I am curious, I don't think anyone would shell out $700 for a drysuit if a $200 option worked. 

What am I missing here?   Not being critical but is this really an alternative?  The two piece stuff I priced basically cost the same as a one piece...they were just two pieces...

I've got four kids eyeing up kayaking that would need a new drysuit every other year.... I need an afforadble alternative even if its not 100% perfect!!!

have you ever flipped your kayak? how bad is the gear when you get completely dunked?

  Yes I have . More than once I'm proud to say. Most often has happened launching and landing. Or if I'm just testing myself or a new technique. And when practicing self-rescue-- I'll go for a little swim to test my self and gear. Like I said-- you'll get a little damp . My semi-dry top lets a little dampness around the neck-- no gusher. And (depending on my own preparation) I've had some moisture around my waist.
  I have never had to take what I'd consider a long swim while kayaking. At least not since I started wearing any safety gear. There were many years of no safety gear at all , but I have been playing this game since 1974. So when I was young, dumb, and invincible---(and also on the swim team in school)--- I would have been embarrassed to even put on a PFD. I know better now.
  Rudy--- there is no reason you couldn't go with separate pieces for your kids. I got the Kokatat Hydrus dry pants with footies for $180 and a NRS semi-drytop for $120.... both at Next Adventure in Portland. They are at a age where they grow every day so this could give you the flexibility as they grow without killing the bank . At least give it a shot at first. And buy good fitting PFD's.

Has anyone used waders, and a splash top? Would eliminate having to buy knee high boots of it would work.

Neoprene chest waders and a water proof wind breaker in pc water I got wet but luckily it was a warm sunny day.

Has anyone used waders, and a splash top? Would eliminate having to buy knee high boots of it would work.

I use waders and a semi-dry top, similar to Mark. My experience mirrors his also - a little water leaking in the middle after awhile, but not an alarming amount. My PFD gives me enough buoyancy that my semi-dry neck opening doesn't really get wet. I would avoid a splash top. The dry top differs in that it seals at the waist (imperfectly), wrists, and neck. Semi-dry has a neoprene seal at the neck which leaks a little when immersed but is way more comfortable. A splash top typically seals only at the wrists, if that.

It would be more conventional for me if I wanted to go fly fishing also. That's why I was leaning more towards waders and a dry top.

Finally got the kayak. Now it's time to test it out. Does anyone have a pre-paddle check list they use when. Going out. I was just looking for a template. Then I'd make it more for me.

Thanks!

PFD,whistle,safety knife,cut if you can afford one,dry suit /wetsuit,boat,paddle,mirage drive if applicable,first aid kit,pole,big game clip,bait,tackle,invasive species permit,fishing license, always tell someone your plan and if you change it in the middle of the drive tell them that also. Don't make yourself dead!

Going on the maiden voyage today at the local lake!