How does everyone dress for COLD WEATHER FISHIN??

[jeremys]

this will be my 1st winter on the water, I kinda looking for advise or tips that will keep me warm, other than catching fish...I'm kinda figuring that I can dress like I do when I hunting the late season, 3 shirts, 2 pants, wool socks, tom boggin',gloves and Hot Hands. OR break out the Gore-Tex insulate??
What have you fishermen found that works best???

[wtucker]

The only thing I can add is go buy a 50 dollar full face motorcycle helmet. It will be the best winter weather money you ever spent.

[Moose1am]

Layers is the key to staying warm and dry. The first layer of clothing next to your skin should be able to wick moisture away from your skin. Some of the newer synthetic fabrics will do this better than others. Cotton gets wet and when that happens it looses it's abilty to insulate you. Polypropylene plastic fibers can't absorb moisture so they stay dry as compared to cotton fibers. A mixture of polypropylene fibers and other synthetic fibers works best for the long underware. Check out the new Cold Gear underware that is on display at Dick's Sporting Goods Stores or in the BPS or Cabelas Catalogs.

Next layer I like to use is the new thinsulate pants and long jacket. Under the jacket I wear a thinsulate vest that can be removed or left under the jacket. A wool shirt under the jacket and onto of the long underwear helps.

I also have used a thinsulate coveralls at times.

I wear a thinsulate stocking hat and gloves. My boots are insulated with Thinsulate as well. Until last year my feet were always getting cold. My new boots with thinsulate insulation kept my feet warm last year when I fished in cold weater in Dec.

Thinsulate is composed of plastic fibers that are screeded lenghtwise which causes them to trap air between the fibers. If you look at the material under the microscope you will see how they work. Air is the insulator. This works as well or better than Goose Down Feathers which was what was used in the past. But goose down does not breath like thinsulate and once down gets wet it's going to let the cold though.

I also plan on using these small chemical heat packs to keep my hands warm. It's very hard to keep the hands warm with fishing. Getting minnows out of frozen water is hard on your hands.

Some guys that I know keep several pair of cotton gloves with them and when one pair gets wet they just remove them and put on a new dry pair of cotton gloves.

I plan on trying to use a 5lb propane tank and a catalytic heater in my boat this winter. I am looking for one of those plastic milk crates to hold the propane tank so it won't tip over inside the boat.

Regards,

Moose1am

[hangone]

Cabelas Guidewear. The best money i've ever spent.

[Rowdy]

One pair of socks!!!!! But use powder in them.I like tennis shoes with lite rubber boots over them. Last year I got some Muck boots,I really like but are a little bulky

Rowdy

[Jose]

ONE WORD: LAYERS

[yearlyangler]

I would invest in a motorcycle helmet for those skin biting rides over the lake, as well. You can find some real good buys on new helmets on e-bay at very affordable prices. I bought a couple around the $50 + $12 each for shipping. both were brand new and were in the $200+ price range originally.

[smalleychaser]

I was once told many years ago by an old fisherman that started me off fishing in the winter that " Once your out there on the water that its a whole lot better to have it on and be able to take it off than to be out there and not have it to put on. I wear a set of Polar Carharts over jeans, hooded sweat shirt and
long johns,usually come out of the coat until running. Also I like to take a wool scarf to wrap around my neck when running, helps keep the wind out. A helmet is a must except for using the trolling motor. My 2 cents worth.

[Toadman]

Get yourself some Under Armour Cold Gear. They are a little expensive but worth the price. I also have some gore-tex MT50 coveralls from Cabela's. They are the best I have ever had. I put on the Under Armour, some jeans and a hooded sweat shirt for days in the mid 40's. When it gets colder I put the coveralls on. I had to work outdoors last winter in Chicago and the temps were in the single digits to teens and I still had to open the arm vents on my coveralls. The stuff ain't cheap. But you will stay warm and comfortable.

[Guest Author]

I bought a snowmobile suit, best thing I ever did. The looked at bibs, but got my shoulders sore..I like the one piece suit.
and long johns, don't forget the long johns..I also bought a pair of felt lined jeans, they work well....Oh yea, and the rest of the stuff mentioned above....

[MEANMOUTH]

GET SOME GOOSEDOWN COVERALLS, THEY ARE AWESOME!!!! I CAN WEAR A PAIR OF JEANS AND A SWEATSHIRT, AND PUT THE GOOSEDOWNS ON AND STAY VERY COMFORTABLE. MEANS ALOT WHEN THE FISHING IS SLOW, GOOD LUCK, TCOBB

[jfw]

I use layers ....Like the other guy said its easier to take them off that not have enough...


I have an insulated hooded jaceket that is really thin but walrm and heck and it lets you cast freely....I can remeber days on the Ohio catching sauger when ice was forming in the eyelets of my pole and I was warm ..

Also the Life jacket always helps with another layer ...please wear your PFD even when the big motor is off