Is Wearing Waders & Kayak Fishing Dangerous?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2022
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Immersion gear is a critical piece of kayak fishing equipment especially in cold water and cold weather regions where it can be the difference between life and death. However, investing in a quality dry suit or semi-dry suit can be a financial challenge for any kayak angler. Many anglers already own waders and waterproof rain jackets but many rumors swirl about the efficacy and safety of using waders and a jacket on your fishing kayak. In this video I complete a real world immersion test of a properly fitted wader/jacket and one not so properly fitted.
Featured in this video:
- Orvis Pro Wader: www.orvis.com/men-s-pro-wader...
- Simms Challenger Jacket: amzn.to/3SJYyBf
- NRS Boundary Boot: amzn.to/3fBVkkw
- Old Town Lure Angler PFD: amzn.to/3C3KriO
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Great demo. There is definitely another approach to "cold" weather and water fishing. I live on the east coast, but unfortunately not quite far sout as Florida so we do have a couple of months of highs averaging about 60 and lows around 40 so the water can get to about 57/58. In these temps specifically, I actually wear less or as little as possible, but just enough to be comfortable. No dry suits or extra pants etc. My approach is if it's sunny and the air temp is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit, I wear shorts and maybe a lightweight jacket or pullover...because I keep another set of dry clothes in a dry bag should I need them. With less clothes on to get wet and get me cold, I simply use a small shammy to dry off any wet areas on my body and I'm immediately back to wear I started and just move more to pick my body temp back up if needed. I'm over a half century old and have been boating for 40 years and it has worked so far, but I would not try this approach with temps any lower. I've probably utilized the dry clothes in my dry bag about a half dozen times, usually when I've stayed out too long and have a cold/sundown paddle back and was a little wetter later in the day. In my center console, on the coldest days, I wear water proof pants and whatever else that keeps me warm, but i always have a second outfit or even two stored in a dry bag. Most importantly, I find nothing replaces knowing the weather forecast, water conditions, current and having some safety plan for whatever a worst case scenario could be for the particular trip you're on. I will go out tomorrow to very familiar areas with access to land within 60 yards of my location no matter where i turn and it will be 66 with 60 degree water temps....i will wear shorts and a hoodie probably, but if I forger my dry bag with spare clothes or my phone, I will turn around and go back home and get it! The xtra efforts are ALWAYS worth it, because your life is worth it! Always remember that. Take care everyone
I gotta commend you on taking your time and energy to make this video. Thats a ton of work to make this content. Im glad to know that i can possibly do this on my jetski. I am in colorado and the water is icy cold in the mountains all year round
A drysuit has allowed me to extend my yak fishing season. Here in New England, the primary fall target is blackfish and squid when the air temps are in the 30-40s and water temps in the 50 degree range. Now factor in saltwater tides/current and wind. You dump in that, things can get ugly real fast.
Even if you have a drysuit........ Puget sound WA 48 degree water 50 degree air 1 mile off shore. Tore drysuit open on down rigger while flipping over. Drysuit to sea anchor. 3 man group rescue. All experienced kayakers with rescue skills. Make sure the what ifs are thought through and be safe out there.
Thanks for taking the time to demonstrate self rescue! I personally use a dry suit but when I take friends out they're generally in something similar to what you are currently wearing; I'll have to make sure they are nice and buttoned up.
Great content! I use a dry suit when its cold. The waders work better than I would have expected, but then your self rescue was quick and efficient as it should be.
This was a good Important video you did. Thanks you for doing this video to show how important it is to keep your warm in the winter time Kayaking. My lil brother just got into kayaking back here on labor day weekend for the first time & he was asking about warm clothes for the winter time. He was watching the video with me and he said thanks you too for the video. He just got his first kayak 3 weekend ago & he is loving kayaking. We both say thank you For sharing this video.
This is very important for allot of people new to kayaking. Awesome
Video man.
excellent demo! thanks very much. I have been curious about this exact issue (whether waders are appropriate in my canoe), so its just perfect that this popped up on my feed! 👍
Great video. As a researcher and tester myself, I appreciate the test scenario.
THANK YOU!
I wear muck boots and people always say I’ll drown with THOSE!
Please. Life jacket, 180 lbs…I’m not sinking with muck boots on. 😂👍
Excellent video. I have done what you did the second time before. Great reminder.
Great video! Thanks so much for taking the time to go through all this to help keep us all safe! It is much appreciated. Thank you again and may God bless you richly!
I got sucked into the Sandy once after taking one wrong step along a gravel edge that dissolved under my foot pressure. I was spun facing upstream, and water poured into my waders. I didn't have a belt on, and I was instantly soaked to my toes. And I was only 20 ft from a 15' deep hole. I had rods in one hand and frantically clawed at the bank to gain ground. I drifted several feet downstream before I could get out. It happened very fast. It was just before daybreak, and no one knew where I was. If I had put my belt on, I would have been less wet, and much less likely to sink in the deep hole downstream.
Nice Job man Very Cool to see real actionable evidence on this! great job man!
I live and fish most of Idaho for Kokanee . When a sudden storm hits , the winds seem to come first and i'm glad i'm in a boat . I don't have a problem with kayaks or kayak fisher men , i just feel safer in the boat . FYI . They stocked CJ Strike with kokanee last year so that will be a new Kokanee fishery i hope .
Nice. I have wondered what would happen of my float tube popped while out on the water.....
I'm older, shoulders are shot. I'll definitely practice this summer but as a backup plan I'll use the kayak as a float to get to shore. Your efforts are truly appreciated.
I would suggest kayak dry pants and top with a wet suit instead with a trial run first, and a guick dump test. Having shoulder issues means it's harder to get back in. Don't just try on a calm day either, try it with wind, current, or waves. You need to know your limits. Also a kayak with positive floatation a is must and some are better than others. His is an Old Town they tend to have decent flotation
Great content! I think it's a good idea to practice self rescue in warm conditions to get a base line of ones abilities. If you can't self rescue in warm conditions, you're surely not gonna pull it off when it's cold. Dumping into cold water can be followed by an adrenaline rush depending on the reason why you dumped your kayak. Adrenaline will take a lot out of you making it even more difficult to self rescue.
Awesome! Great reminders thank you so much!
I'm planning to use 5 ml neoprene waders and a wet suit top. Always use a life jacket. Thanks for the info.
Thanks for this! I’m buying a Kayak soon for fishing and duck hunting and I wanted to be able to get in and out of the kayak in waders but honestly I was scared that was a “death trap”, glad to see it’s not and I can move forward with my plan!
For sure. Who wants to duck hunt in a drysuit right? Just wear that wading belt though!
Same for me, a kayak is needed to bring back the ducks, but I was not sure about the waders. I am thinking also to use a rope to attach myself to the ground so I don’t have to rely on swimming or getting back in the kayak. What do you think? Here water is reaching 3-4 celcius during the season.
Thanks, good info.
I slipped in 3 ft water in waders and my boots instantly began to float. Causing me to go upside down. Waders and kayaking is a no for me. I’ll be saving up for proper immersion gear .
Thanks for the little PTSD reminder 😂
Whether wearing waders or a dry suit an important safety step is squeezing all the air out. You'll notice in this video I had no such issue with "buoyant" legs or feet.
Were you wearing a PFD? That will usually keep your head up.
@@spiltmilt you have to test out neoprene waders vs breathable waders I think neoprene is a death trap
I doubt it considering neoprene is what wetsuits are made of.
Having your pfd on should stop your boots from flipping you.
A huge oversight here is the average level of physical fitness. Many many individuals are over weight, elderly, or lack upper body strength. I would be surprised if more than 25% of people could self rescue. This is why people drown with waders on. Lack of situational awareness and poor conditions. A young man in a controlled setting in this case isn't a reasonable representation of the risk. Great vids. Keep on it.
I 100% agree. Also a big thank you for calling a 40 year old man young! I've been around many kayakers who have flipped their kayaks. Interestingly most of the situations that were the most problematic were in perfectly calm water with no current. The problem was the angler was as you pointed out either over-weight or lacked the strength to self rescue. Even in those situations, two of which involved cold water, the angler in the dry suit became hypothermic. The kayak industries move toward bigger, heavier, and more stable kayaks has given many people a false sense of security about kayak fishing and its inherent dangers.
You did the test without all the gear you add to the kayak. Try it with downrigger, pole holders and anything else that would hinder a self rescue
For me it wouldn't make a lick of difference because of the way I rig my kayak I keep the center re-entry point wide open for just that reason. A lot of kayak anglers do not though and yes it does seriously hinder their self rescue ability.
whelp, natural selection
Also the style of wader would probably make a difference. I’ve seen people kayaking in the old, heavy rubber waders with big, clunky boots.
Oooooo a question that’s always plagued me. Watching now. Thanks Tyler
Great info. Thx
I love your demos and gear reviews! Which is not true for most channels I watch...
Awesome video, thanks for sacrificing yourself to test the benefits of waders with an accidental dunk into the water.
Great stuff. Thank you
Neoprene waders, fit pretty snug, and is pretty much the same as a diving wet suit bottom. You can still get water in them, but it is like a wet suit the neoprene will keep you insulated. I fish from a float tube with the lower half of my body submerged for hours with no body temperature loss.
great video idea!
When it's cold I wear my neoprene waders. They fit me fairly snug. If I ever came out I would bob like cork.
Awesome and informative content! But a little side note: I hope that was a private boat launch lol
Great video and thanks for the demo. I think it goes to show that a dry top plus waders with belt would actually be a really good combo that is affordable and versatile. I would be curious how the equation changes if your boat was fully rigged as your normally fish it. It seems like rod holders etc would get in your way trying to reboard
I’m pretty new to this activity but it seems a wise move is to keep one side relatively clear of gadgets.
It’s a balancing act, but I know for me I’m not a fan of all that clutter up front.
@@GassyWookie I try to do the same but if you are trolling two rods it’s kind of hard. That being said the riskiest areas around here, Columbia and ocean, don’t allow two rods so there’s that
Wow you are the man... Thank you.
Just the video I needed! I have waders and dry top but what boots are you using? Thanks for the knowledge!
NRS Boundary Boot: amzn.to/3fBVkkw
Amazing thank you!!!
Hi. Im a fan of your content. I really enjoy your videos. I do think that you really need to put an emphasis on how important it is to be properly prepared in this video. Waders are extremely dangerous when they fill with water. Many new kayakers have little to no experience in self rescue and those are likely the ones who would be wearing waders for immersion. I have seen many kayakers struggle to just right the kayak after flipping. That only becomes harder as more time is spent overboard and fatigue sets in. Also you are performing your self rescue in calm flat water. That drill is much more difficult in rough water or offshore with swells. I do feel that you did a decent job of explaining the risks of waders but I think you need to explain more on how dangerous they can be. Bottom line is a drysuit or wetsuit should be part of a kayakers safety plan and waders really shouldn't be considered unless properly worn and experienced in self rescue like you demonstrated. Thanks for the video and look forward to your next one
I have many many videos discussing the importance and superiority of dry suits and semi-dry suits. However, I commonly encounter people wearing waders, bibs, or no immersion gear at all in situations they should be, in facts is more common than people actually wearing dry suits. I felt this was a fair topic. Ultimately people are responsible for their own lives and the biggest problem most people are ill equipped to self rescue due to lack of practice, upper body strength, and obesity.
@@spiltmilt I hear you on that. I don't think waders should be promoted as safety gear though. What if the kayak sinks or you become separated from it. How long do you have before they fill with water, hypothermia begins and fatigue sets in while wearing waders in the water? You should promote this video as "if you are going to wear waders, than this is what you need to do" versus promoting them as an acceptable form of immersion gear
@@arthudson81 I hear you . Finally a person with a brain in the comments section, waders have no place on water craft,there called waders for a reason.This bloke seems to think it's a nonsense that waders are dangerous,what qualifies him to think that ? I can tell you with absolute qualified certainty that waders are lethal .
really good safety video, full marks.
Thanks Roger!
I'm not a kayaker, but what a great video!
Great job thx u
Thank you for this video. Can you explain how you flipped the kayak backvover once you were under the water? I appreciate your videos and always learn something from them.
For Old Town PDL kayaks the process is very easy. Simply reach and grab the PDL drive (not the prop) and let your bodyweight tip the kayak back over.
@@spiltmilt Thank you! 😊
More worried about wearing out the inner leg areas from peddling my kayak. Could get expensive.
I think the main issue would be someone trying to decide what to buy will probably be looking for validation to buy the piece that will be multipurpose like Waders incase they ever want to shore or river fish. But if you're going to be kayaking more often than not you really should be recommending a dry suit if they're going to be on big or cold water. Dress for the current and forecasted conditions and refer to any kayaking water temp chart when making your clothing decisions. The close calls or worse reported usually include weather, currents, rough seas or a combination sure you can be in and out on calm water but its not always the case. Dress for the worst and make it home.
Sure and I have many videos including this one that explicitly state that dry and semi-dry suits are the best choice. However, given that about 80% of people I see posting in various Northwest kayak fishing forums never seem to wear appropriate immersion gear I thought I'd address a commonly encountered substitute.
I never see much talk about wetsuits when it comes to kayaking. I use a farmer John wetsuit and wear really thin, light, quick dry hiking pants and long sleeve t-shirt over my wetsuit. I don’t get too hot and I’ll have good thermal protection if I end up in the water. Dry suits are hot, humid and uncomfortable. I am pretty tired of seeing guys kayaking in jeans and rubber boots, though. That’s a good way to become an anchor.
@@TheMachoGabacho wetsuits are a good alternative for sure. I can’t recall open vs closed cell, but one is great if you get too hot you just splash some water on yourself and it’ll evaporate taking some heat off yourself. Thickness still relative to water temp
@@spiltmilt that’s fine, I haven’t seen your other vids to be fair. The main takeaway should always be dressing for your water conditions.
If I wear waders I use a dry top or splash jacket at least. In the tests I’ve done I’ve not taken on more than a cup of water.
Yes a dry top over waders is a much better choice. Very little opportunity for water intrusion the wrist, waist, and neck. Good choice.
Great video, I wear waders and dry top and have tested with it on and have not had water get in, but I also can get back in quickly. Good info for everyone. Hey looks like you have lost some weight, if so how are you doing it?
Yes I think in terms of efficacy and cost efficiency the waders + dry top combo is a solid one.
As for the weight loss, yes I've lost a little over 30 lbs since May. I am using a diverse approach of fasting, calorie reduction, and exercise. It's been very effective and I feel great.
@@spiltmilt Thanks for the info and I am also looking at the Mustang dry suit you wear and might get one of those.
That's great. Be sure and use this link it helps me out alnk.to/2uDk46J
Neoprene waders keep you warm and add buoyancy even when wet. Not breathable though, but inexpensive
I wouldn’t ware that type of top an actual dry top that has the seal on the waist and all just like an actual dry suit is a perfect seal when using waders
I've found a pretty cool combination that works for me. Some spots I fish I get out of the kayak and walk the bank to fish. I run my wading boots, knee high waterproof neoprene socks, and bibs. Sturdy foot and ankle support, feet stay warm and dry, body stays dry and I won't fill up with water. Anybody else run something like this?
I think waders are dangerous in rivers without wearing a wading belt. I see too many people in drift boats winter steelhead fishing with no belt
100%
Have you considered using the belt outside of the rain jacket and cinching it all down tight?
I've tried it. It tends to slip and move around. I prefer the loops on my waders.
Next time you are in Idaho let me know...we will get sone lines wet
Yhe main point spend as little time as possible in the waret a d keep the top of tour waders above the water.
You dont sink in wader if the waders are full of water. You just wouldntbe able to move. If your trying to get in a yak you are havinh to move a hunderd plus pounds of water.
what drysuit do you use and what do you recommend.
I used the Mustang Survival Hudson Dry Suit. Its currently on sale for Black Friday here alnk.to/bP9ISRr
Its the most comfortable, easy to get in and out of, and durable drysuit I've found thus far. I've used and liked the Level 6 Emperor but found the latex gaskets to be a bit overkill for me and wasn't a fan of the rear entry. I've had several negative experiences with Kokatat quality and customer service but others swear by them.
Does anyone know what type of kayak carrier this is?
If you are looking for info on my roof rack system this video covers it Transport Two Fishing Kayaks on an SUV
th-cam.com/video/JGqqEeaQ4Zg/w-d-xo.html
Waist high waders?
YES
Tucking your jacket inside your wading jacket is even better because then water only enters around neck and sleeves
Would you not want to wear the belt on top of the jacket?
Without belt loops to hold it in place it might be more of a hindrance
No thanks we have big waves on our lake. Fighting that and extra weight in cold water is a pass for me, even on a river its a no thanks. I have a wet suit and dry ( both half and full) they are relatively cheap, with kayak pants. I started with a wet suit first and saved for the dry. I do start kayaking early with the first ice out and Im on the water until its below 40f. Your banking on getting in ultra guickly and not fighting current, waves, or real cold. I also always have a dry bag with towel and a change of cloths. I didnt do the colder water temps until I got a dry suit. You admitted to being cold on a 60 degree day and you had a calm non windy day.
A dry suit is far superior I agree.
My guess is that most people don't practice that.
Not a real life scenario.
All those layers will sink you in no time.
But a good vid either way.
Won’t sink you but can hinder self rescue
@@spiltmilt agreed!
If you are fishing in waders, it's a death trap. Most people are not in shape to handle swimming and recovering with 3lbs to 60 lbs of extra weight trapped in waders. A gallon of water is 16 pounds. You can have a few gallons in seconds after entry. Not to mention it's trapped against you. The only way to kayak is a dry suit or a wet suit in water Temps above 60. If water Temps go below 60. Simply just do not go. With water Temps at 60, you got maybe a solid 10 to 20 minutes before your core temp drops in a submerged situation. If water temps at just above 50, maybe 5 minutes max. Not worth the risk.
LOL. Apparently you didn't watch the video. Just the same old non-sense everyone spews.
@@spiltmilt I watched it , but tightening up the waders , even extremely tight is just asking for disaster. I think you are better off without them than with for the shear reason of mobility , there is no insulation in waders , and if there was it would be even worse. Getting up on a kayak for most of us , is not an easy task , especially with all the gear in the way. If you had absolutely just regular clothes for warmth. You could fall out and recover faster. Once inside , then you strip everything off and get dry as fast as possible and always carry a dry warm set of cloths in a dry bag with you. Head to shore fast as possible. When waders are not the normal thing you use , getting out of them inside a kayak versus regular cloths is extremely hard in a kayak. You are just adding a more complicated layer to remove , on top of your regular cloths.
In my opinion if you can't readily self rescue or rig your kayak in a manner that inhibits self rescue you have no business being out on in situations where cold water immersion is an issue.
@@spiltmilt well , size and weight of the people involved plays a lot into that. I know more overweight and out of shape kayakers that I do ones that are in the fitness you are in. However, you are right, if you can not recover easily and you do not practice that on a regular basis. Then in a cold water environment , you have no business being there. However if its a choice of risk people are willing to take. If someone wants to take that risk , that's on them. I stop going once the water gets below 65 degrees. I know my limits. Not worth the risk. Far as rigging , I use railblaza mounts for everything , so in seconds I can have my entire side free of mounts.
@@Obxhatman 65 degrees lol. What do you get 3 months of fishing?
Good info
WETSUIT if you can't afford a dry suit, especially on salt water. I can self rescue wearing a wetsuit pretty much immediately, very flexible.