Having seen how to keep warm when fishing in a kayak during the cold season, let's move on to the parts exposed to the outside conditions.
Protecting the lower body
Here again, we will take into account the air and water temperatures. We are in autumn and the temperatures are not extreme, so to complete our equipment, we will put on water-repellent pants, with integrated socks, it is the best. They will bring the waterproof barrier to the foot protections already in place.
To finish dressing the bottom, a pair of neoprene booties, always take one size larger than your shoe size. This will allow you to play on the different layers underneath, a pair of wool socks for example for the coldest sessions.
For the top a light garment like Kway for example, waterproof and windproof. This will be sufficient for the autumn season, it is necessary to think that over all that we wear the vest. The outfit will be completed by a pair of specific fishing gloves.
For my part, I wear mittens, and sometimes full gloves, at the beginning of the winter session, made of neoprene and kevlar. These are thin gloves that allow you to fish while keeping them on your hands during the whole fishing action.
Use overalls and a jacket
For colder sessions, we will keep the same clothing as before, adding a fleece for example in the layers above the neoprene, always adapting the thickness of the neoprene. It is especially on the outer layers that we will make some changes. Instead of water-repellent pants, I will prefer waterproof overalls, always with integrated socks and equipped with the pissette function. It is important, in winter, to be able to relieve yourself easily of a pressing need, especially after having swallowed three or four coffees. These overalls also have a belt to tighten.
Over that, I'm going to put on a watch-type jacket, with a neoprene collar seal, which is also found at the cuffs to reinforce the waterproof barrier side. The jacket also has a hood and pockets with waterproof closures. It also has a belt, which when tightened makes the whole thing waterproof, even in strong chop. You'll stay completely dry underneath.
The use of full-body drysuits
For even colder outings, in the middle of winter, there are also full-body suits, completely waterproof. Even if you fall in the water, the dry suits will remain waterproof. This equipment is designed for the coldest among us, and I know some who wear them even in summer. So they are full wetsuits, you can even float on the water with them, thanks to the amount of air trapped inside, but the big problem is that they are quite expensive.
Expensive equipment to maintain properly
As you can see, our practice can continue in the cold season while being warm and comfortable in our slippers, but this comes at a price. In order to keep these different outfits in perfect condition, after each session, it is useful to put them in the washing machine on a short program, 30°C. Some of my outfits are over five years old and still look like new. When they are stored, I keep them on a hanger, put soap on the zippers and sprinkle them with talcum powder, especially on the neoprene parts.
Being properly equipped will allow you to enjoy the beautiful days of autumn and winter. You will be able to fish for species that are not present during the rest of the year such as cod, pollack, or squid for example, while testing new techniques adapted to these different specimens.
