Cold Weather Fishing Gear You Need To Stay Warm
- By: Pat Ogletree
- on
We get asked about cold weather fishing gear all the time.
Equally as important as staying warm in the winter is staying DRY.
Especially for those kayak anglers out there.
Learn more below!!
Cold Weather Fishing Gear [VIDEO]
Not a member? Then click here to join the Insider Club today so you can get access to Smart Fishing Spots, discounts on the tackle shown below, and much more.
Frogg Toggs Insider Group Discount
The first thing you need to address are the base layers.
You need clothing that will absorb and hold in your own body heat.
Next, I recommend fleece-lined pants to keep your legs warm.
It is important to go with synthetic material – stay away from cotton at all costs!
If cotton gets wet, it will actually pull the warmth out of your body making you colder.
Depending on how cold it is, you then need another synthetic top or hoodie.
As far as for your feet, go with wool socks.
On top of all of those layers, I personally put on my layers.
Some people out there are against wearing waders while kayak fishing.
However, you want to make sure you stay dry.
Waders will keep you dry.
If you’re concerned about filling up with water if you fall out of the kayak, you need to wear a wading belt.
That is a standard practice anytime you’re wearing waders.
As for the top outer layer, depending on the temperature, I’ll wear some sort of shell jacket.
You want something that will keep water out and keep you dry.
It is also an excellent idea to wear a wool beanie hat to keep your head and ears warm.
You’d be surprised how much heat that can keep in.
One last thing is gloves.
If you do wear gloves, make sure they are waterproof so you can release fish and stay dry.
Other accessories you may want to have with you include hand warmers.
FINDING THE FISH HELP
To help make sure that you are targeting the right areas based on the latest feeding trends and upcoming weather forecasts, make sure to use the following 3 resources because they will save you a ton of time.
1. WEEKEND GAME PLANS (UPDATED WEEKLY)
These regional game plans will show you exactly what types of spots to target in under 10 minutes… just click the video to start, and you’ll be informed on what to do on your next trip.
2. SMART FISHING SPOTS PLATFORM (UPDATED EVERY 15 MINUTES)
This exclusive software literally shows you where the most fish are likely to be feeding based on exactly when you’ll be fishing. It factors in the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly see which areas to target throughout the day.
3. COMMUNITY REPORTS (LIVE FEED)
The Insider Community platform is what you can use to see what is biting near you, and you can get to know other members who fish in your area. Plus, you can use it to keep a log of your catches so you can use past trips to help predict future catches.
Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Jeff and Pat, thanks for the recommendations. I will try out some off the options after the holidays to ensure a better fit. Cheers
I found a Palm kayak dry suit on clearance and love it. My wife wears breathable waders and a paddling dry top. Both made us feel confident that we’d stay dry if we capsized. Of course, we always wear a PFD on top. We layer underneath with polypropylene base layers and polar fleece jackets and wader liners when needed.
Pat, any recommendations on waders and waterproof gloves?
We’ve had better luck with Frogg Toggs than with Cabela’s breathable waders. Most of that experience has been wadng and surf fishing.
I had a pair of Shimano-branded neoprene gloves with fold-back index and middle fingers. My hands stayed wet and they were hard to take on and off. I now have a pair of Frogg Toggs neoprene gloves that work well until it’s time to tie knots. Thankfully they slip on and off easily.
I’ve also used half-finger wool gloves and they insulate even when wet, but your hands will be wet. The plus is that you’ll have more dexterity with the half-finger.
David, honestly I don’t wear gloves except in the warm months so I don’t have any recommendations for those but as far as waders go I have been using some Frogg Toggs, I believe they are the Canyon line, which has preformed well for me. My only complaint is the stocking foot is really small. I have small feet and these are tight on me. Check out the reviews on the other lines and see if that comes up if you have an issue with that. Also, make sure and look for the discount code for the Insiders in our Group Discount page. I believe it’s 30% off.
Nice treatment of an important topic
Thank you Randall!! Appreciate you watching!!
Thanks Pat! Yes, I agree to layer up. I like the waterproof glove idea. As soon as my hands got wet this past week it was brutal. Thanks for looking out for us!
I agree! There’s something about getting your hands or feet wet in the cold that will make you miserable! Thanks for watching!
Definitely spot on Pat and the information within this video is Most Definitely 100% Spot On ….. I have fished both way north in Midwest and down here in the sunshine state of Florida which I call home …. This information is very informative and can most definitely save lives as well …. You hit the nail on the head by dissecting each layer of clothing and the whys and why nots …. A Job very well done …. !!
Thanks Thomas!! I appreciate you!!
Yeah well pat I’m lucky in the fact I have a yak and skiff but I found out long ago it’d virtually impossible to stay completely dry while fishing out of a yak your very close to the water line and only a slight wave or wake drink another boat will put water in the yak i have an older hobbie outback 2010 model and where the peddledrive is located even with the little water flap that was facing the angler in the hole where the drive is located doesn’t keep the water out 100 percent plus the fact when launching your still going to have to get your feet wet because you need to hold the yak in the water and tgen climb in unless you walk it down a boatramp and carry it and then place it into the water and even that’s questionable plus the fact that alot of ramps are not big enough to do that without getting into some other anglers way I don’t use my yak really anymore on acct i love my skiff better plus the area i used to use it in most has changed so much and when it gets really cold I don’t want to get even a little wet I’m lucky I don’t get sick easily but still donot chance it phenomena is no fun and I know my skiff can handle waves and weather better thus keeping me dry pretty much gaurenteed and although nothing is perfect or gaurenteed I would trust my boat much more then my yak I have gotten wet quite a few times in my yak but very very few in my boat and I do dress in layers if its really cold although you southerners to me are a joke in what you call cold weather considering I’m originally from mich but retired from the navy after my 20 year career was over and decided to stay here in Florida permently because all the land I used to love to hunt on is either developed on or now posted with no chance of going on it again and if I can’t do what I love to do on an area then i can’t see staying or in my case going back not to mention the very high cost of living up north but as far as cold when I was about 13 in 77 I saw gas freeze into slush when trying to start my snowmobile and that was the norm back then now with the global warming not so much anymore anyways I think you get my point thanks for the info and all you do👍😉
There’s definitely a difference between dressing for the cold in the south and up north!
Thanks for watching!
Hi Steve just addressing what you said about the cold I also lived up north in Wisconsin and its cold there but northern Florida gets cold too and its a different cold than up north . Cold is cold once your on a boat and the wind hits you , you’ll wish you had a good warm jacket. I recently bought a light striker ice jacket and bibs and still got a good pair of boots from up north . Im ready for winter fishing in big ben area . Bring it on . Lol I hate being cold . Important to stay warm so you can enjoy your day fishing no matter what temperatures are . Have fun . Dawn
Good info Pat.
Was wondering if the “Layers” sometimes feel TOO restrictive?!?. Lastly, is that chest piece your fishing tackle bag ? I’d like to know more about this as well 🙏
Many thanks
Thanks David!!
The layers aren’t too bad. You just start with the thermals being fitted and tighter with the outer layers looser. The important thing is to make sure you can remove some of the layers as it warms up during the day. You don’t want to over heat.
That chest piece is my PDF. It has a zippered compartment on the front. I typically put my phone and glasses in it but it could hold a small amount of tackle if needed.
The hand warmers you were talking about in video works great in pocket close to skin in chest area. It will warm your whole body. That will let your body keep hands and feet warm. I have done this for years working outside in freezing weather and love them in keeping me warm.
Great tip John!! I’ll have to try that!
I fish NE Texas in the Sabine Lake (saltwater), this location has a ship channel going from the Neches River to the Gulf and is approximately 35’ deep but is going to be dredged to 50’, The rest of the lake is between 5’ and 8’ depending on the tides, should I be using a SV fish finder or is my 2015 Striker 4 sufficient to do the job, I purchased the boat with one in the dash and one on the trolling motor.
If the Side Scan is in the budget, I would get one. They work great for looking along structure like the bridges and gas wells to see where the fish are holding.
I recently got a lowrance hds live with side scan and it’s my favorite setting. It’s amazing how accurate you can see bait as well as larger fish with it. I’m nearby in Calcasieu Lake, LA and was fishing 50’ water this past week. It worked like a charm. I’d recommend getting one with SideScan as well.