Appropriate fishing attire question

yep you got it... another new Kayaker. I am wondering what is the most appropriate fishing attire for a guy on a budget? I obviously want to stay warm and dry not to mention safe. I understand layering and such but wanted the perspective of guys out there in the know. Thanks for the help.

Minimum is a pair of shorts and a pfd, but not around here.  Honestly, the best option around here is a pair of chest waders, a paddling jacket and a well fitting pfd.  If you're already a fisherman, you likely already own the waders.  A surfer's wetsuit and pfd is another option, all be it a bit less comfortable one. 

Minimum is a pair of shorts and a pfd, but not around here.  Honestly, the best option around here is a pair of chest waders, a paddling jacket and a well fitting pfd.  If you're already a fisherman, you likely already own the waders.  A surfer's wetsuit and pfd is another option, all be it a bit less comfortable one. 

For the colder months more protection is definitely needed. But we are slowly sliding nearer the warmer months around here.  Once the water temp hits the low to mid 60's I think you could get by with shorts and pfd etc.. Depends on the body of water, larger body of water, far from shore, error on the side of more protection. 

I started out my plastic fleet years ago with two 9 ft sink rec yaks.  Paddled coastal bays for years in shorts, PFD and a hoodie.  I dumped a few times and it was cold, but a warm car or home was close by.  I always made sure to know my limits: No cotton cloths, dry cloths in a dry bag, paddled protected parts of the bay, no heavy current, etc.  Most important is a quality PFD

I have a semi-dry suit (Kokotat), and can't imagine fishing the salt in anything else except a full dry suit.  They are pricey however, and I tend to thin blood by heritage.  Even 62F water is cold.

I wear 3mm neoprene chest waders with a Kokatat dry top when on the lakes during the colder months and year round in the salt.  It isn't the best setup, but it definitely works.  What you wear underneath makes a big difference in comfort.

This might help a lot if you didn't see it:

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,3276.0.html

What happened to the thread we had going where everyone could put up a gear profile for what they wear, what they use, yada, yada, yada....  Did I miss something or am I just not looking hard enough for it?

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,2559.0.html

Yokut..
welcome.

what area do you live in? 

 i make fleece socks and hats and can do vest and working on the 1 piece union suits to. and i do it for a resonable price compared to what you buy brand new in stores if your interested in warmth.

SG

Yokut..
welcome.

what area do you live in? 

 i make fleece socks and hats and can do vest and working on the 1 piece union suits to. and i do it for a resonable price compared to what you buy brand new in stores if your interested in warmth.

SG

Hey Marilynn,
I'd be interested in a pair of fleece socks to fit inside my dry suit. If you have a crazy, colorful fleece to work from...even better.

Jay

Here is a bit of information on kayak fishing wear.

Jay........what size shoes do you were? And how many pair do you want?


SG

I've got a question for the fishing wader wearing kayakers... do ya'll wear somesort of a belt or anything to help deter water from filling up your waders in the event of a swim? And what about foot wear? I was thinking Crocs might work well (less cumbersome than felt boots).
oh and squidgirl, I'm down in the Portland metro area.

I've got a question for the fishing wader wearing kayakers... do ya'll wear somesort of a belt or anything to help deter water from filling up your waders in the event of a swim? And what about foot wear? I was thinking Crocs might work well (less cumbersome than felt boots).
oh and squidgirl, I'm down in the Portland metro area.

Yes, you for sure want to wear a belt with breathable waders. A really nice thing to pair with the waders as mentioned earlier is a good semi-dry/dry top.  Before I got a pair of Kokatat Tempest pants, I would wear a pair of neoprene waders with a dry top.  I went to a dive shop and bought a pair of booties that were about 3 sizes bigger than my normal shoe size and wore those over the feet of the waders and they worked great. (Neoprenes were also great because of the extra buoyancy they provided)

I started out with dry pants and poly shirt.fleece plus rain jacket. Was scared that if I was in the water for very long, the risk for me was too great of waders filling up even with the belt and self rescue could be a bear - IMO. (I love coming home to a good snuggle with my bride). Now have a full dry suit and love it.  holt

  where's our Jim Sammons Waders in the pool video??   be nice for folks to make their own determination.

oh, bother... ok here's the link from Jims own site; http://lajollakayakfishingadventures.com/Videos.shtml