Any recommendations for what to wear on the water?
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Hi All,
For those of us without a commercial fishing background does anyone have recommendations for what to wear when working on the water? After a recent outing to check on my kelp lines in the rain and the cold, I'm questioning whether I need to upgrade my everyday rain gear.
I'm specifically looking for suggestions for gloves, hats, rain jackets, and rain pants.
Thanks,
Justin
@justin_realmuto My go-to wet weather gear are Grundens. I tend to wear the bibs, along with Xtratuf boots (because I'm Alaskan, and it's the cultural standard-bearer) as a baseline, and then add a Grundens rain jacket on top if it's wet out or if I'm working the lines and know I'll get wet sleeves. Most marine supply stores will carry some sort of insulated water proof glove, which can also be helpful.
@lindsay_olsen Thank you Lindsay for the Alaska-specific suggestions. Also, love the course, you run a great session.
@justin_realmuto I work in aquaculture in WA state, and I wear, especially during the winter night tides: Grunden's foul weather outerwear (I refer to 'em as my rubbers), wool layers are best underneath, Darn Tough wool socks, Bellingham Glove or Showa insulated waterproof gloves are a favorite as well. Xtra Tuff or Grunden's boots are the best footwear, but hip waders are great for launching a boat.
@jackie_dexter Thanks Jackie. Appreciate the reccs.
@justin_realmuto the PVC jackets and bibs from Stormline are great (all the bright yellow and blue ones on their website). Their midweight gear is inexpensive and get the job done. The bib with kneepads built in is especially helpful when working from smaller boats. Fladen floatation suits are also excellent if a little warm. For gloves I'd get any fingerless sailing gloves with minimal straps or anything that fits the keywords "cut resistant" and "food safe". Hat, whatever won't blow off your head or weigh you down when wet, I like a snood as it can also protect your face from the cold.
And as an aside: socks, any walking socks you'd regularly use, for me it's Danish endurance. Dunlop steel toe cap boots are good, specifically either the Fieldpro (yellow normally) or Thermal safety wellingtons (orange and blue usually).
Always go for dungaree / bibbed trousers or a one piece to avoid water seeping in below the jacket. And tuck your boots into your trousers, not your trousers into your boots.
@iskander_bond Thank you so much for the extensive list and pro tips. Much appreciated.
@iskander_bond Thank you so much for the extensive list and pro tips. Much appreciated.
@jackie_dexter Thanks Jackie. Appreciate the reccs.
@lindsay_olsen Thank you Lindsay for the Alaska-specific suggestions. Also, love the course, you run a great session.