Comfort On The Water

December 10th, 2009 Posted in Boating

Even if the idea of roughing it to you means getting dirty and being happy no matter what is thrown your way, there’s no point in tolerating bad weather without being properly prepared for it. How can you expect to have a good time fishing if you’re dripping wet and freezing cold? You can take some time to prepare for whatever Mother Nature throws your way and be comfortable while you fish.

Those who live in the Northeast know the saying if you don’t like the weather wait a minute and it will change. While this might be a catchy phrase, if it does change dramatically (and even the most seasoned outdoor lover will admit 30 degrees is dramatic) you want to be prepared. Whether you are venturing out on what appears to be a relatively comfortable spring or summer morning or a relatively warm fall or winter morning, change happens fast. The best thing you can do to stay comfortable regardless of the weather is to dress in layers. Layers allow you to add or remove clothing depending on the time of day and other factors.

Many times you may have headed out on a summer morning – and discovered that it was comfortable day of around 65. Thinking you’ve heard the weather forecast and they are expecting a thirty degree increase you might tend to under-dress – a light weight jersey and perhaps a button front shirt to ward off the morning chill. However, no one prepared you for getting out on the boat and finding out that it’s rather cool as you whisk across the water and the breeze picks up. In this case, you would have been better off with a lighter weight jacket or even a windbreaker. The same holds true if you tend to be a night-fisher. It’s warm when you climb on board the boat but as the sun goes down, you begin to feel that evening chill.

Light jackets and windbreakers are smart because they are lightweight and easy to stow. They do not take up much room, and can easily be stuffed in to a corner, backpack, tackle box, or even cooler. As the sun goes down, the temperatures follow suit, and you will soon be glad for that light jacket to seal out the cold and seal in your body heat. Rain jackets often are dual-purpose, with the ability to protect you from water (spray and drizzle) and break the cool wind, too. If you utilize a light jacket, make sure that buttons or snaps protect the zipper, since zippers tend to leak when they get wet.

If you compare fishing to snow shoveling it’s pretty simple to see the theory behind layers – anyone who lives in a climate prone to winter snowstorms knows well how easy it is to get too warm while shoveling. The same theory is true when you’re fishing. And like shoveling, you remove layers, the cooler air begins to cause your sweat to evaporate and before you know it you are too cool. Unlike shoveling however, it’s pretty simple to keep your activity level fairly moderate fishing. Even then, layering remains your best option as you can remove layers if you get to warm and you can add them back as you cool down.

Use layers to stay comfortable during the freezing winter months. Make sure that you create a layering system that works for you in your fishing conditions. When a fisherman is comfortable, he or she will fish longer, increasing the likelihood of catching bigger fish and more of them. Making better decisions is much simpler when you are comfy, and any fisherman knows the importance of using any advantage possible. After all, why would you choose to be cold and miserable?

Clothing is not the only important thing to consider, you should also consider your fishing supplies. Some of the most popular fishing equipment is Penn Fishing Reels including Penn International 965, Penn 360 Slammer, and Penn International 975 LD.