Cold Water Gear for Kayak Fishing | 3 Keys To Staying Safe

[@timhunt2500]

I yak fish lake MI and the rivers. 40F and below half the yr. Full wet suits, vest+ extra float. Great points man all around. Love the D-bag idea! Put it on your boat and leave it. Let it be a staple. God speed! WHOOHOO!

[@AGuyNamedRicky]

Most guys out here making video about what product to buy. Chad makin videos about general safety. What a guy :)

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Thank you! 👊🏻

[@dougr2279]

Thank you for your service young man and thanks for your tips.❤

[@BrianParkerson]

Your previous cold weather videos really helped me this year. I purchased the Sidewinder Bibs and NRS layering system you recommend and it was a lifesaver! Thanks Chad.... your recommendations have always been spot on! 👍

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Thanks, glad they helped

[@Mrfrerob]

Wisconsin yak fisherman here. Fell in a river a few weeks back at 38 water temp 37 air temp. Spent maybe 5 mins in the water till i got out of the river, I firmly believe if I had not been wearing a wool base layer top to bottom with socks, and hat there was no way I would have stayed conscious that 5 mins to even make it to shore. Until you experience what cold water does to your body you can’t understand how quick you loose the ability to function.

[@juketreks2192]

LOL. Thanks for the reminder. As if capsizing in Rudee Inlet in February in 43 deg f water 15 years ago isn’t enough of a reminder but thanks to Ruthless I get to see the pictures.

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Ha!! I remember that day!!

[@ThaiXLe]

As outdoorsmen, we get complacent and say this wont happen to me. This info is coming from a retired professional who have seen tragedies from over exposures on the water. Thank you Chad. This is the most valuable video of your I have seen.

[@richardgibson899]

I have always waited until the weather gets warm, but where I used to lived it could be 70 outside but the water is about 45. There is one other thing kayakers need to worry is sun protection. I have to go to a Dermatologist to keep from developing Melanoma. I wear a hat, sun screen, and a neck gaiter. I am glad you put this out, so if I one day go fishing in the cold I will know what todo.

[@ChadHooverFishing]

I have a video coming on that too. Thanks for putting that out there

[@bobfitz3352]

Yup about to ask for the same thing, fishing in the southern heat is brutal, thanks for any advice

[@hapakat1318]

Thanks for posting this. You have saved more people than you know.

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Thank you sir

[@andrewdaigneau7322]

Fantastic info. I appreciate your history as search and rescue and really will implement this advice as I prepare for my first winter season kayak fishing. Thanks again

[@rickwieland7920]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge about kayak safety. I just purchased my first kayak, a vibe sea ghost 130 so I'm excited to get on the water, however I know I need to spend some time learning how to paddle first so I don't have problems down the road. God bless you and I hope we meet up one day!

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Thanks. Check out my video on how to paddle a fishing kayak

[@AddictedAngler]

i been swiming since i was 5 years old , and played water polo for 2 years , i fell in 38-degree water , the only thing that saved me was my PDF, most ppl will not realize what happens in cold water . my body refused to function for 1-3 min. real good tips

[@juhavuorinen6305]

Good thing is that you get better at rapid cold water immersion. Jump in to ice water in jeans,boots and shirt wearing you PFD stay there few minutes swim around, repeat over time maybe 5 to 10 times (have someone ready to rescue you if needed), eventually you notice, you don't react to innitial cold the way you first did, you kind of get familiar with the cold. Here in Finland that is mandatory training in merchant marine school/college.

[@paulmarsden573]

Invested in a dry suite three years ago. Well worth it after you amortize it out over the additional days you get on the water. I can fish year round. Our lake gets drawn down over the winter. I spend a lot of time in the winter months cruising around and marking the brush piles.

[@MrJaxnbeFishing]

I’m late but thank you for this video! Snow just hit here in Syracuse & I want to go out one last time🙏🏾

[@A.Blair_Fishing]

You dont remember texting and chatting with me, but your advice about both business and fishing has been fantastic. Good tips and go team Bonafide!

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Thank you sir. I probably do remember it though…… LOL

[@A.Blair_Fishing]

​@@ChadHooverFishing well i stand corrected! Hope all is well!

[@underdogoutdoors]

I use a neoprene 'farmer John' suit, never fell into cold water with it yet to test. You're info is always spot on, going to put together a dry bag & check out the stuff at NRS- Thanks Chad.

[@michaele8157]

great video chad. i really appreciate all the info you give. you've been a massive help getting me and my girl started in kayak fishing.

[@TWC6724]

I was literally searching for this info yesterday brother. Crazy

[@ChadHooverFishing]

That’s funny. This was supposed to release yesterday

[@acnjshink]

Chad, I'm glad you release this content during this time of the season it's spring and everyone is on the water but the water temps in most places are still in the 50-60's. The weather during this time of the year is constantly changing and fluctuating so some days are great while others are disappointing. All that being said one of the most lasting #KayakFishingTips that I ever watched was #JimSammons #3GoldenRules and one of them is #DressToSwim, always be prepared to swim when #KayakFishing in the gear for the time of year and conditions your fishing.

[@quietlife4me]

Wanted to fish cold weather this year...but about fainted when I found out the price of a real drysuit was about the cost of the kayak itself

[@izaiahyahir3378]

@Jaiden Rhett definitely, have been using Flixzone for years myself :)

[@joshuamatias1990]

@Jaiden Rhett yea, been watching on flixzone for months myself :D

[@juhavuorinen6305]

You can get 1piece for 500 and 2piece for 1000usd, it's less than 1 high-end rod, is your life worth 500usd ? That's the only question ultimately.

[@rdking58]

As always great info, explained in simple terms for us dummies, lol. I notice all these little gadgets on your NRS life saver. Could you also put together a video on those and how they make it easier to fish and kayak. Again great info.

[@FishHuntFreedom]

One of Chads best vids because this is an often overlooked part of what we all do 👍

[@dumb2knot]

Great video very informative 👏 appreciate all you do for our sport

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Thank you and thanks for watching.

[@Vet4Bass]

Personally for FL my go to cold weather gear is a Slingshot Borat style. NRS should make one.

[@fabfishing7422]

Always Excellent, Helpful and Informative! Thank you Chad! 👊💪

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Thank you. Glad you liked it

[@fabfishing7422]

@@ChadHooverFishing Absolutely buddy!

[@TCoffman]

Chad, thank you for this video. I'm in upper North Dakota. We won't see 120 for a long time. LOL. This was a helpful video.

[@timmace1983]

Parked by your truck in Watauga , Tx wanted to chat with you for a few about some of your equipment.

[@Adventures101.]

Great video was hoping you were going to get to that NRS medical kit first aid kit do you have a video on that by chance . Be interesting to see what you recommend bringing with you when you're out on your kayak Thanks . Or that could be a whole new video for you.

[@thedlhigg3882]

Great info. Thanks for putting it out there.

[@FishingwithD]

Great vid Chad!!! Always helping! Do you have a link to those waterproof bibs and jacket?

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Thank you sir

[@TMVBassin]

i have to say old school itchy wool is better than micro fleece , it can still hold heat even if wet

[@ChadHooverFishing]

You can say that. But, here is the problem, it’s bulky. It inhibits movement, and when it gets wet it will make it hard to get dry, so, overall and especially in a paddling situation it’s not as good as microfleece. It’s also harder to carry, it mildews easily from getting wet and even from condensation in the ditch bag. So I won’t argue with you on the statement you made in it’s context, but overall and for the purpose of this video, microfleece is better and again, like I said, it’s the most bang for the bucket.

[@daveperkins7645]

As Mr Hoover pointed out, wool is heavy and bulky. Fleece is absolute garbage when wet. Good product in the middle, actually ridiculously great product, lamilite garments by wiggys. I personally have sleeping bags and garments from this company and can vouch that the stuff weighs next to nothing, packs down well and is extremely warm, even if saturated, too warm for me actually, I can only use the lowest level (L6, I want to say) of the lamilte without being uncomfortably warm. Solid stuff, made in usa, not cheap but not expensive, for what you get.

[@eMBurr]

Great information. Better safe then sorry!

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Amen!!

[@chrishayes4939]

What about nrs endurance pants with nrs boundary boots for the lower half?

[@coloreye7963]

Chad, I’ve fished all my life in Tennessee. I moved up to NW Ohio in 2016 and picked kayak fishing back up in 2020. I have been packing all my gear away once it got too cold the past few years and NOT going to do so this year. I plan to fish up here until we ice over and then I’m planning to come home once a month to fish this winter. Full dry or semi? Thank you in advance.

[@kendallturnage9058]

Ice fishing bibs and coats are the best cold kayaking clothes I have found. Windproof, waterproof , breathable and floatation is built in. Search for videos of demonstrations..

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Be sure to search for videos of people in the water or trying to swim with those as well. 😜

[@BeardedStigg]

Heres a tip if you go out yakin when it's cold wear a life vest from nov1 to may1. My first time I didnt have one and it was mid April dec busted my ass and gave me a ticket. Lesson learned dont go out in the cold without my vest on lol.

[@MrDamon70]

Question? Where did you get your life vest and they knife as well? I I've been trying to find a fishing vest and I love the knife as a well. Thanks for information. Great video !

[@prairiewolfoutdoors]

Chad, I strongly recommend trying merino wool as a base layer. You might end up re-doing this video. Being prior Marine Corps I vouched heavily for micro fleece. Until I got a base layer set from badlands gear for hunting. First Lite has a good set as well.

[@ChadHooverFishing]

It’s definitely superior for what you stated, but not for getting wet, not for getting dry and not for bulk, weight, mobility and price point. But yes, in a perfect scenario you are 100% correct.

[@juhavuorinen6305]

@@ChadHooverFishing I like merino too, here in Finland where I live merino base layer is about 150usd, proper drysuit 500usd and up, I also have other safety stuff, my total cost is bit over 1000usd, I think my life is worth more than that, going fishing tomorrow water is now 42f air 32f, I will be warm, dry, floating regardless if fall out of my boat or not 😀

[@Mandarigma]

Chad, where do you store your ditch bag? In the kayak or some place on top incase the kayak ditches you?

[@ChadHooverFishing]

Inside the kayak. It’s the best place for it in my opinion. Sometimes on camping trips I will store it on top of the deck in the back

[@TWC6724]

Chad, this is totally off topic, but I moved to the mountains of NC from Texas and found a lake I want to fish just over the border of Tennessee. I assume I would have to get a Tennessee fishing license in addition to my NC license. Can you do that online somewhere in Tennessee? Or would I have to go in person to get one?

[@hiPeeks]

What semi-dry jacket you use and size? I'm am basically the same size as you.

[@spider8429]

If you are fishing in water that is below 60 degrees buy a drysuit. Yes drysuits cost anywhere from $600 to $1500 for gore Tex ones. Wear layers underneath. Also buy a balaclava that is waterproof. A lot of people say that cost as much as my kayak. Ask yourself this question is your life worth $1,000

[@tennesseenative2043]

Great content bud. Hypothermia ain't no joke.

[@JasonShumate]

If I need more than a hoodie then I’m probably not going lol. I’m a 50 degrees or more kind of adventurer.

[@pmvassago1]

NRS has nothing in stock!!