Cool water hunters, what temps do you start wearing a wetsuit?

[Cfmct]

the things we do for the gold!!

Yup lol...

 

[CW3]

I went out today for 5 hours in 38 degree water.

3 mill chest waders

I have wading pants to wear over my blue jeans. I got them from Cabela's 20 years ago. They are like sweats but insulated.

Air temp was in the mid 60's. I wore a t shirt and a hoody. I also use the trapper gloves to stay dry.

At the end of the day my feet were getting a little cold but no to bad.

For water over 50 degrees, I would wear the same waders, just not use the insulated wading pants. Then, I also have a pair of uninsulated chest waders.

 

[OBN]

I went out today for 5 hours in 38 degree water.

3 mill chest waders

I have wading pants to wear over my blue jeans. I got them from Cabela's 20 years ago. They are like sweats but insulated.

Air temp was in the mid 60's. I wore a t shirt and a hoody. I also use the trapper gloves to stay dry.

At the end of the day my feet were getting a little cold but no to bad.

For water over 50 degrees, I would wear the same waders, just not use the insulated wading pants. Then, I also have a pair of uninsulated chest waders.

Thank you!

38 is to cold for me now at this age. Just about the temp I will start getting excited about getting out, 40 I will venture out, 50 I can get away with a lot..

 

[CW3]

For times when the water is cold and the air is warm, just a pair of chest waiters are gonna let you control your upper body temperature better.

I wouldn’t even put the waiters on till I got where I was going. Then just slip your boots off and stick the waiters on.

I’ve never had a dry suit or a wetsuit. I need to look into both.

 

[Bluetube1000]

Hi Joe, 45 degree water with the sun out and I’m comfortable for 6 hours in a 7/5mm one piece wet suit. Cloudy with a breeze is uncomfortable until there’s a gold in the scoop.

 

[OBN]

Hi Joe, 45 degree water with the sun out and I’m comfortable for 6 hours in a 7/5mm one piece wet suit. Cloudy with a breeze is uncomfortable until there’s a gold in the scoop.

Thanks BT............. I wish I could handle cold that well. I know I got a message from your hunting partner the other day saying he was going wetsuit. Its 60F here now I should give it a try. I know the load difference in weight is a lot easier and I'm more agile which I need on the boat.

You guys are digging enough gold to be warm all winter!

 

[3.14R8]

I'm setting here watching the winds and water temps. I want to get out today in the wetsuit but water is still chilly at 63/64. (I'm a old goat) Normally I can do 68F up with farm johns ..7mm with a 2 mm top. And I can go drysuit but its going to be warm today, in the 80..so I will sweat to dead before I even hit the water. Most of my hunting is in waist to chest deep.

Tell me what you wear in your water temps.. 50 degrees and up

I used to snorkel hunt all day in Lake Huron with a 3mm shorty 10 years ago but now I haven't been without a full farmer john 5mm or 7mm while diving and at least a 5mm bibs while wading with a sun shirt. I don't check temps because I know they're cold already! Best of luck to you this year OBN.

 

[PaulRevere’sGhost]

I was on an errand I think it was three days ago and it was warm out. I had shorts on and a sweatshirt. There’s a small beach a half mile away so I drove by and the tide was out. Time for a quick hunt. I walked a straight path from the parking lot to the water and stepped in. Surprisingly the water was bearable. Knee deep I got some iron grunts and a clear low tone 11/12 on the elite. One scoop, first target . First time ever I got a ring IN the water first target, as I seldom hunt IN the water. I followed the shoreline knee deep 1/8 mile and turned around waist deep now. Ended up with 18 cents and some broken sun glasses. I should have left the minute I found the ring. It’s stainless, but still was a thrill.

 

[OBN]

I was on an errand I think it was three days ago and it was warm out. I had shorts on and a sweatshirt. There’s a small beach a half mile away so I drove by and the tide was out. Time for a quick hunt. I walked a straight path from the parking lot to the water and stepped in. Surprisingly the water was bearable. Knee deep I got some iron grunts and a clear low tone 11/12 on the elite. One scoop, first target . First time ever I got a ring IN the water first target, as I seldom hunt IN the water. I followed the shoreline knee deep 1/8 mile and turned around waist deep now. Ended up with 18 cents and some broken sun glasses. I should have left the minute I found the ring. It’s stainless, but still was a thrill.

I know the feel, can't tell you how many times I have found gold early and should have left. Some reason it incites me and I want more.

 

[LongJohnSilver1]

I dive in a 3mm with a fleeced hooded vest. Waters about 15c right now, and I can last 4 - 6 hours. I find the quality of the seal is more important. If a wetsuit has lots of holes it can be twice as thick and still leave you shivering