Originally Posted by
muzzy125acc
I have never fished between September and March. But I plan to this year. What gloves do you guys use?
I mainly fish with just the brown jersey gloves as much as possible and keep several pairs on board to change out for dry. I always keep those chemical handwarmer packets to use inside my gloves either on the palm side or the back side of my hands. Either side they really help out. For the real bitter stuff I also have a pair of flip mitt gloves. Glacier Glove Kenai Neoprene Palm with Windbloc Back Flip Mitt : Fishwest Online Fly Shop
I always consider my hands as very problematic while winter fishing but that problem can best be alleviated by making sure my head neck and feet are always warm and toasty. If I get behind at keeping warm in those areas my hands will become an impossible situation. I always wear a wool neck gaiter when the temp gets into the mid forties. When I used to hunt I found that that neck gaiter was a real efficient neat and easy heat regulator and would allow me to wear lighter jackets if I was wearing it while bird hunting and thus continued using it while cold weather fishing.
Originally Posted by
muzzy125acc
Do you leave your life jackets on in case of falling overboard? I am sure I will be fishing alone a lot.
Yes I always have my inflatable vest on while fishing and I also fish alone while winter fishing and fully realize that if I do go into the water I'll probably be a goner since I doubt if I would be able to get back into the boat on my own. When I am alone I really slow down and become very deliberate with every thing or move I do while out there.
Originally Posted by
muzzy125acc
What clothes and boots you use? I have got plenty of warm windproof hunting clothes I can use. Didn't know if something was better.
I always start with a wicking base layer of long underwear. How to Choose a Base Layer (Long Underwear) then add a second layer of long underwear when its colder then jeans and a wool shirt. For my outer layer I've been using these and love them IceArmor Extreme Suits (Gray/Black) - Suits - Outerwear and when I got them I don't think the Arctic Armor was available. Arctic Armor Some friends have bought these since I got my Ice Armour and really like them but one thing I've noticed is it seems to me the Arctic Armour's outer fabric is not as durable as the Ice Armour fabric is from what I've seen of their suit but that's just MHO.
As for boots I'm able to get by with the cheaper Micky Mouse type boots with the rubber and leather outer and the thick felt liners inside with a light polypropylene base layer sock and with wool socks. Just try and have the boot large enough that the two sock layers don't make it real tight for your feet.
Originally Posted by
muzzy125acc
Also what do you do for ice at the ramp? Just trying to get prepared before its on us.
Sent from a Droid.
I consider a four wheel drive as a necessity for the winter ramps. Some folks carry ice melt and sand but I haven't. Also note that considerate fellow winter fishers try and sling as little amounts of water on frozen ramps for fellow fishers that will be using the ramp after them. A considerate fisher will stop with the trailer wheels at the water line letting the trailer drain as much as water possible before continuing up and out of the ramp. As you can tell it just makes my blood boil seeing those unconscious and inconsiderate fishers sling all that water on a frozen ramp to freeze up and make it more difficult for the next fisher wanting to use that ramp.
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