Gear for kayak angling in the NW

Good price on the endurance top, new? In my humble opinion I might opt for the paddling pant if they are of the dry suit type. And then it depends on how cold you want to fish. Over here if we fish lake Chelan in winter the dry suit is gona be the better bet because wet suits are just that, wet. And if it is cold it is hard for your body to bring that cold water up to body temp in a wet suit. And I am talking water close to freezeing. I am not really familiar with the weather on the west side, so I couldn't really comment on that. I have a NRS grizzley john and I have fished cold water in it and I am only good for a few hours in 60 degree water, the colder the shorter the time on the water. A dry suit you can layer and stay dry, that helps a lot.
Matt

That 3 mm NRS farmer john should be just about perfect for most of the conditions you'll hit on the salt in the westside.  I had an NRS 3mm that I somehow lost.  And I just checked the Warmer's FJ I have only to discover it is 2mm.  D'oh ... no wonder it felt colder than the NRS.

Lake Chelan did chill my bones.  It was <40 degree water when we were there.  Next time, I won't get my feet wet and I'll probably wear a water proof layer over my wetsuit to keep it from getting splashed.  I can't justify a drysuit in my mind ... yet!

-Allen

I use the NRS Farmer Johns and an NRS Endurance splash jacket and am very comfortable out there in Puget Sound.  Not enough trips with the splash jacket yet, but the initial trip was very nice.  Mind you, I'm not really immersion testing them for long periods    The Farmer Johns were commfortable on most days all summer long last year.

God luck with your choice,

Gary

 Every year a small group of us(I.Q depleated) kayakers on New Years go on a survival trip just to hone our skills...a one mil painters tarp and a tool of choice...and a few small items..the things we don't skimp on are polly prop. underware and layers of polly we can take off ,a pair of stocking foot waders sealed with a dry top is a( must )we use heat pack inserts in the feet of our waders when it's really cold...the waders you can take a unexpected dip in 30 degree water(tested by me)without even puting a damper on your day..the heat packs also work good in the tops of your gloves..extra socks wool polly blend are a must ...if you can keep your hands and feet warm the rest of you will stay happy...as for winter kayaking it is a truely rewarding time of year to be out there but never underestamate the power of cold water for the unprepared...it could make a winter outing in to a true survival trip..Jim l

In the ocean I wear either my 7mm farmer john bottoms of my wetsuit or my 3mm paddling wetsuit, depending on time of year and conditions. Either a paddling jacket or top of my wetsuit over that. If something happens I definitely want exposure protection. You never know how long you might be in the water due to an unfortunate mishap.
On cooler lakes I wear breathable waders. A belt cinched around the waist, then a paddling jacket over that with the draw cord pulled tight, then my pfd over that. It holds out the water very well when you layer it like this. The jacket and pfd keep enough of the water out so you will have no problems getting back into your yak should something go wrong.

I know this is an old topic, but as I am just getting ready to buy my boat I am wondering what other items to budget for.  I am mainly going to fish small freshwater lakes in Southwest Washington area.  Although I do hope to get a trip or two in to do some saltwater fishing but that is a few years off I'm guessing because I have no experience what so ever on the ocean!   Hopefully I'll catch a trip with some folks on this site someday.

Now back to my question - Has anyone actually tested the breathable hip wader with a cinch belt and paddling jacket combo for survivability?  By this I mean has anyone hopped into the water to see if they sank?  I am leaning towards this option as it sounds the most comfortable / layerable for fishing.  I have a one piece 3mm and one piece 7mm wetsuit for diving, but I can tell you I have no desire to sit on a kayak and fish for several hours wearing my 7mm suit - it's a bit restricting!

As always any feedback is appreciated.  Hopefully in the next few weeks I can start contributing to giving feedback from experience as my new boat should be in my hands tomorrow!

I've tried it.  I'm still alive!!!   

Best to try yourself so you have practice of actually entering the water and getting back on your yak.

You don't want to be in your 7mm.  And probably not your 3mm if it's a one piece.  A farmer john 3mm is a good alternative.  Farmer johns are less restricting on your arm movement.

-Allen

I do the breathable wader/drytop combo, and I've checked it out in my local lake. I got wetter from sweating!

Thank you polepole and Sicko!  I feel much more comfortable with the combo now.  I will try it out myself but I at least feel better spending the money knowing it has worked for someone else.

I choose the combo because I already owned the waders. The top is a full dry top (not a semi-dry), and not of the best material, so not very breathable. The latex neck seal is a PITA. But, I feel relatively safe on cold days on cold water. I may end up with a semi-dry top, too, for warm days on cold water, so that I can more easily vent some heat.

What I wear sounds like what most are wearing in the salt.  I have a 3mm Farmer John which I wear all the time.  It depends on the time of year.  Note!  I have the bare minimum clothing for survival.

Winter time:  I wear a 3mm Farmer John with a rash guard shirt.  I aslo wear a thin fleece sweater with a good quality drytop. And of course a quality life jacket at all times.  Next purchase will be a marine radio.

Summer:  I mostly wear the Farmer John, rash guard shirt,fleece sweater, and a life jacket.  Sometimes I wear my drytop.  Semi dry top next on wish list.

Whatever you choose to wear, make sure it fits good and comfortable.  Do not loosen your life jacket or other articles of clothing.  The ocean is a powerful energy source and will rip whatever clothing you have off, if worn to loosly.

It has been said that there is always safety in numbers.  Always make sure you are safely dressed no matter what because you might be the one saving another person in the water even though they may have the right clothing.  Always think about what you would need if you where to get seperated, or everyone with you needs a hand.  Dress as if you were to enter the Ocean alone.

In my mind waders of any sort will not cut it in the ocean.  It is trully remarkable what the Pacific Ocean can and will do.  I am not claiming to be any type of expert, I 'am just speaking from experiance, and witnessing events on the Ocean.  Remember, the Ocean changes very very fast from good to bad and back without reason.

COASTAL PRIDE

While there may be added safety in numbers, please please please make sure you have are prepared for, and have the ability to, self rescue.  Even when in numbers, people have a tendency to drift apart and may not even know you are in need of help.

Waders in the open ocean ... perhaps there is no place for them in the OPEN ocean.  In more sheltered areas, I have no problems.  However, I have been known to put on a shorty or full farmer john under my waders.

BTW, this weekend in a pinch, I used my 3/4 surfing wetsuit because that's all I had.  I hadn't used anything but a farmer john before because I thought it would constrict my arm movement.  But ... I didn't notice any problems.

I also have both a handheld GPS and a handheld VHF that stay attached to me.  A compass as well.

-Allen

Don't forget a net.  Landing a thrashing salmon with hooks flailing around its head is hazardous to your health.  Been there, done that. 

What kind of salmon net do folks use?  A regular boat net with the handle cut down?

Clothing: As a lifelong surfer, I am partial to wetsuits. For kayaking, a 3 mil farmer john(with a long front "comfort" zipper), is the one I use most. 2 mil shorty in the summer. For a top, I'll use a fleece pullover with an old Gore Tex jacket if it's cold, a light jacket if the conditions are moderate. A 3/2 full suit if it's nasty. I've got 3 mil booties and 1 mil bootie "sox", but I'm looking at a beefier pair of booties with a sole on the bottom for scrambling over rocks. I might check out some neoprene waders, but if you went over the side, even with a belt, good luck swimming. Usually wear a hat and sunglasses(with "croakies", so they don't go overboard).
Safety: I've got a PFD, but almost never wear it. I'm a good swimmer, I could probably go a couple miles if I had to, so if I can see shore, I'll make it in. If your kayak is watertight, leash up to the boat so you don't get swept away. Don't even go out in the ocean if you can't climb back on your kayak after getting dumped. I usually carry a handheld VHF radio and my trusty Garmin eTrex Vista GPS because when it's foggy, you can get lost real quick. Small first aid kit in a waterproof bag.
Other gear: Some guys have those collapsible paddles they keep below deck, probably not a bad idea. I keep a spare jacket, energy bars, first aid kit, ID and fishing license in a roll up waterproof bag below deck. I usually take at least one liter of water. I carry a ten foot or so length of rope so I can lash a ten foot fish to the side of the boat. I'm an old man, I'm on the sea, it could happen. More likely used as a stringer, leash or to tie onto a dock or another boat. I usually catch and release so I use one those lip grabber things if I can't lip 'em. If I'm going big, I got a gaff/club combo I only use once or twice a year for a big one and for sharks, well, I have stainless steel needlenose/line cutter pliers and I just cut the line.