Recommended clothing for cold water wading?

[time4me]

I live in Northern California (San Francisco Bay Area) and would like to do more waist to chest deep wading at some local beaches, but don't have the proper attire for this. The water is very cold here.

What do the rest of you wear for waist to chest deep detecting?

Thanks,

Jim

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[THC]

I wear neoprene waders all through the year including the winter. You will start getting your hands wet above the waist level. I use long rubber gloves with warm gloves underneath, when the temps drop really low. Waders are easier to put on and take off and you don't get wet.

 

[southern gent]

I hunt rivers and swimming holes year round. I usually wear a wetsuit. If it's below 40 degrees I wear a liner in my suit. Your going to get cold no matter what, the trick is to learn how cold you can get. Not to say that anyone should do something stupid, as I did. However I was interested to know my threashold for 40-50 degree water. It turns out that I can hunt for 45 minutes befor needing to warm up. But I do need to warm up, so I take provisions for just that. This treasure hunting thing is most often trial and error, but err on the side of safety. The worst I ever did, I stayed in the water for two and a half hours. I knew something was wrong when I could'nt feel my hands or feet, but when I started feeling hot all over I decided I should get out. The treasure will be there later, or even if it isn't, you should be. Be safe! HH! Chris

 

[lonewolfe]

wetsuit, booties, gloves, and being in Cal. where you're talking about hunting,

I'd recommend a shark proof wetsuit!

HH

Lonewolfe

 

[Sandman]

I sometimes use a dry suit even when wading and it saves you from wind chill too. Nothing is as cold as diving under the ice for sunken snowmobiles or drowned ice fishermen. But if you don't get out an just do it, you'll miss out on all the fun.

Sandman

 

[northeast hunter]

#1 reason NOT to wear waders:

"A 42-year-old Oconomowoc man drowned in Lake Nokomis Sunday evening."

Stay safe, use the right equipment? ?

you can buy a wader safety belt ....and you should wear a floatation device

 

[THC]

Canoeing Jacket

I still like the waders, because I know my lakes in my region, that don't have a sudden drop off. To protect against the cold and freak waves ;-) a buddy of mine wears a canoeing jacket over his waders. The rubber arm cuffs don't let any water in and the waistband can be pulled real tight to seal off that area. Like I said - I know my lakes, but this setup is not really recomended, if you are not sure about your bottom conditions or you are wading around in murky waters.

 

[gldhntr]

wetsuit = wet = cold..........i would go with the dry suit, rubber footies and gloves....have water skied in one with snow on the ground and was sweating the whole time, never not once cold or wet ................gldhntr

 

[tb]

Hello,

As the others stated, do not wear waders in the ocean. There are too many variables as opposed to calm water hunting. Check out www.diversdiscount.com. They have pretty good prices. You might check out a semi-dry suit. They're easier to move in than a dry suit and should keep you plenty warm. I use mine in 42 degree water and have no problems. Surf shops might sell them, but you'll be paying for the logo.

Good luck and keep us posted on what you decide,

tb

 

[Sandman]

Tb is right. Wearing waders in the ocean is asking for trouble with freak waves; one dunking and an under tow will take you on a cruise to deeper water and hungry fish.
Stick with a dry suit or wet suit that you can at least wear something under it to conserve heat. Waders are ok if you only go in knee deep, but there are underwater cuts that you might not see till you step into one. Wearing a life preserver my look weird to a beach walker, but it's not their life.

HH,
Sandman