How do you stay warm

I know this is not a big issue but right now it is important. How do you stay warm in cold water. Just wondering what you guys do.

I live in Texas!

Seriously though, I start off with a couple of pairs of those white knit "underwear" pants and one shirt of the same type. Then I may do some flannel or wool. But MAINLY!!!!, a good set of winter coveralls.

I've seriously, broken ice to get on the lake. I didn't quit fishing because I got cold, but maybe the fish were, because they just weren't biting.

I have a [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] size foot, but my waders are [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], ALWAYS BUY A LITLLE BIGGER WADER, so you can put on some thick socks. Heck, you don't even need waders in summer....so buy some that'll help you when it gets cold!

Now, in another thread, someone mentioned "Hardcore". I have to confess this: if you bundle up properly, you can actually be fairly comfortable. I had a similar comment made to me once. The truth of the matter was, on that day , the weather was around freezing, and the wind was blowing a bit.

It was MUCH tougher to stay warm in a boat than a tube!

To sum it up in one word insulated coveralls!!!!

For these "brutal" SoCal winters it can be rough.   

Fifty degree water and forty degree mornings are about as rough as it gets for me.
When it is cool I wear fleece sweatpants under my waders and a fleece pullover under a nylon rain jacket. The windproof outer wear keeps heat in and cold out.  The fleece and nylon do not absorb water. I never wear cotton in the cold, because once it is wet it takes forever to dry and it hangs on to the cold. I have a few nylon rash guards that I can stack underneath as well. I don't worry about what socks I wear as the neoprene booties on my waders seem to do a good enough job .

I hope this helps.

I forgot to mention something EXTREMELY important. A wool stocking cap. 90% of your body heat escapes through your head.

Now....(if I could just find a cap that keeps the intelligence in!!!)

T-shirt, long johns top, a thick hoodie and a Simm's Pac-lite fly-fishing jacket.
Board shorts so's not to over heat during the chilly SoCal winter.

Alright, don't be hatin....simple but true. STAY HOME?

My problem is the exertion of setting up and hiking to the water always makes me a little sweaty, no matter how cold it is, and I've had this issue my whole life, so I've been wearing polyester long johns since they first came out. Those and a rain jacket or a hoodie are all I usually need. I have a "fisherman's wool sweater" that I bring with me but I haven't needed it yet. This is my first winter since getting a tube, so still experimenting.

The biggest issue for me is that I'm used to adding or removing layers of clothing as needed and I haven't found a way to do that on the tube.

You are right Bob it is tough to add or remove clothes on your tube. You really need to plan a head or just learn to deal. I have had to bail out a few times as the temp came up and i got way to hot.

Learn to plan better ahead ...

SP Dan <"))><

Ornery Bob wrote:My problem is the exertion of setting up and hiking to the water always makes me a little sweaty, no matter how cold it is, and I've had this issue my whole life, so I've been wearing polyester long johns since they first came out. Those and a rain jacket or a hoodie are all I usually need. I have a "fisherman's wool sweater" that I bring with me but I haven't needed it yet. This is my first winter since getting a tube, so still experimenting.

The biggest issue for me is that I'm used to adding or removing layers of clothing as needed and I haven't found a way to do that on the tube.

I always have a 5 gallon bucket behind the seat. Jackets, way more lures than I need, and a place to drop the record fish I am going to catch.