thegarb

How's the kayaking in the winter months around here? I'm debating whether to get a yak now or wait until it gets warmer. Or would I befine provided I wear the right gear? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Baitcaster

I've got my wetsuit , so hopefully I'll be out there.

I want to chase the stripes in blackwater and go after specs and reds in the bay .

there will be blues , reds, and bo's in the surf but I don't think I'm ready for that yet .

fat guy/little boat

Wool cap on head. Light jacket and resign yourself to being cold from the waist down and your good to go. Winter has some of the most pleasant paddleing once that sun gets up there a bit.

We are lucky-- what we call winter is like spring to most of the people who paddle and fish.

thegarb

That settled it for me. Guess I was already twisting my own arm enough. Just needed that little extrabit from y'all. ha. Thanks for the replies! I've beenwanting a Malibu Mini-X for a few months now... and as of 1/2 an hour ago... I have one.:letsparty

Chris V

If you're in the O.B. area you'll probably see me out there chasing reds and bobos. Just make sure you dress appropriately.

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Framerguy

Always keep your eyes open for some closeout sales on stuff down here. For example, last year I bought a set of polyester long johns at Bass Pro for 50% off. They are warm, wick away moisture quickly, and are very light weight. Coming from up North, I am a firm believer in layering for cold weather rather than wearing the heaviest thickest parka you can find. Last winter I went out many times and wore my skivvies, this set of poly longhandles, a sweat suit, and light jacket and the only area that stayed cold were my feet and they are cold all year long anyway!! I always have a set of Frogg Toggs with me in case of a sudden shower and, if needed, I can slip them on to break any wind that kicks up.

Winter is a good time to check out the surf and near shore fishing from your kayak as the winds are out of the North more often and that helps to lay down any breakers that would drench you going out or coming in. I have gone out in January and February and it was like launching on a huge lake!! No breakers and I stayed dry and warm all day long!

Good luck and keep us posted on your catches.

YakFlies

Looks like you didn't need too much convincing. There's tons of reds to be caught. Be careful not to flip in this cold water though. Don't forget to post reports!

The best cold weather kayaking investment I have made so far was waterproof socks (thanks Tex). They are about $30 at basspro. I wear a normal pair of socks then the waterproof ones, and then shoes. My feet are nice and warm, and also dry!

Here's a link for those socks:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st..._SearchResults

thegarb

Yeah, didn't need too much convincing at all. Just needed to get a little more pumped up about it before I spent the money. ha. Thanks a lot for the info! I don't know how, but I forgot about Bass Pro...:doh Blasphemy, I know. I'll say 3 Hail Redfishes and swear off of Land Shark until noon.I'll definitely be hitting them up today and checking out the stuff you guys recommended. Thanks again!

YakFlies

So have you taken it in the water yet? I went fishing in my revo less than an hour after I got it.



Some links you might want to check out are

www.321fish.com Kayak fishing tournaments

and www.gulfcoastkayakfishing.com

Framerguy

Hey yakflies, your links don't seem to beworking.

Here's a direct link tothe 321site.

And here's the link to the GCKFA site.

Sealskinz are great socks for wintertime use. I wear them in a similar fashion but I slip on a pair of river shoes over everything else.

BTW, who won the Revo in the drawing on that last 321 tournament you and Tex cleaned house on???