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I haven't seen this question here yet so I'll cast it out there. What are some of the tricks, tools, methods etc. do you guys/gals use to keep warm when fishing in cold weather. I know you float-n-fly guys must have some answers. What brand of gloves? boots? socks? Space heaters? Battery powered underwear? Its getting to be that time of year and I plan to get out there some maybe even float-n-fly myself. Want to know what the Arctic Experts have to say!! Thanks in advance for your help!
High end UnderArmor underwear.
Heavy Wool socks with Gortex boots, with at least 1200 grams of thinsulate insulation
Good coveralls with gortex and heavily insulated.
Good headgear and face masks.
Good gloves
Hand warmers and foot warmers
A portable small sportcat bottled propane heater for extreme cold.
Take blankets and extra clothes in case you fall in the drink and have to strip immediately
When you think you have on enough layers and have brought enough clothes put on and bring some more. You can't produce them if they aren't there but you can take them off if it get's to warm.
Call somebody and tell them where you will be and what time you will be back.
the smart way? stay home.....but for those of us fools who can't stand not to be on the water staying warm is a must....i dont have the underarmour but have heard its the cats meow for a bottom layer...i usually just layer up under my coveralls and good gloves are a must....motorcycle helmet keeps the head warm while running...and ive found that using the hand warmers in my boots works wonders...all of mhalls suggestions were good ones
Cold?????? It's 40 degrees down there for cripes sake. :rolleyes:
C'mon up for some walleye fishing in January and I'll show you cold........
[QUOTE=MichiganJoe;392847]Cold?????? It's 40 degrees down there for cripes sake. :rolleyes:
C'mon up for some walleye fishing in January and I'll show you cold........[/QUOTE]
Our low this morning here was 14 degrees and the high is suppose to be 36.
However I won't get in a peeing match with ya on Temps where you live brother, you can have it, lol.
Not an eskimo here...only get out when its not below 35 or so....in years past the temperature wasn't a factor.....but one thing I did learn was at temps below 26 or so,fishing with a rod 'n' reel gets to be nearly impossible.....after you make the cast at temps below that,about half way back to the boat the line wants to freeze in the rod eyes....was watching a jimmy houston show him saying the temp was 15 and he was making three or four cast in a row with no ice freezing....unless he had a heated rod i doubt the temp being 15....when the temps are going to be below 25 degrees I found the best decision was to pick another day...
that propane SportCat heater does wonders if it's not too breezy..........well worth the money
everything everybody told you is right on point, one of the things that will warm you up the most is seeing your float go down and a good Smallmouth, Largemouth, or even a 20lb Striper. layer up take some extra close and you will be fine, if it gets too bad you can always go home
Gary
I just put on a ton of layers. I don't have any expensive long underwear, but I do own 4 long underwear tops and 2 bottoms and I wear them all. Top that with another shirt, sweatshirt, coveralls and jacket and I don't have any problem staying warm.
It's the hands that you can't do much for.
One thing I noticed, the hand holding the rod gets the coldest. Maybe it's because you're holding the metal where the reel connects. I may wrap that metal with some sports grip or something to help cut the cold.
[QUOTE=know1;392865]I just put on a ton of layers. I don't have any expensive long underwear, but I do own 4 long underwear tops and 2 bottoms and I wear them all. Top that with another shirt, sweatshirt, coveralls and jacket and I don't have any problem staying warm.
It's the hands that you can't do much for.
One thing I noticed, the hand holding the rod gets the coldest. Maybe it's because you're holding the metal where the reel connects. I may wrap that metal with some sports grip or something to help cut the cold.[/QUOTE]
Michael I've been using Tennis Racket handle wrap for years it works wonders and it also helps with wrist and hand fatigue.
Snow mobile bibs and jackets are far warmer than Carhart, BPS gear etc. I fish all winter long and never get cold wearing them. They are much lighter and so much easier to move around and don't wear you out casting. Mine are 100% waterproof and are far superior to what you buy around here. Carhart style stuff is built to be rugged and warm not just warm.
Another huge asset is a bomber hat (fur with fold down ears). These will keep the back of your neck warm and the heat in your head. The absolute best $30.00 you will ever spend.
When it gets in the 15-18 or lower though it does start to be a hassle because your eyelets freeze up and bait casters load up with ice but spinning reels have less problems. Shake your rod down in the water and the ice melts instantly until it freezes up again. 2 weekends ago was 18-23 in the morning and stuff was freezing up the first 3 hrs of daylight.
[url]http://www.furhatworld.com/aviator-trapper-hats-c-42_65.html[/url]
[QUOTE=mhall;392869]Michael I've been using Tennis Racket handle wrap for years it works wonders and it also helps with wrist and hand fatigue.[/QUOTE]
That's what I was thinking of doing. I may need to run out and get some.