Comfort on the Water

Being outside means getting dirt on your hands, roughing it, and being happy no matter what weather comes your way, right? This does not have to be true, although you can head out for a long trip without even preparing. However, how easy is it to focus on catching fish when freezing water is dribbling down your neck? Being prepared for fluctuating weather means dressing for comfort and success.

There are wildly fluctuating weather conditions in the northeastern section of the United States. Summer can often be severely hot, while winter can be mind-blowing cold. Using a layering approach is the best solution in most cases, as it is not uncommon to see as much as a 30-degree temperature difference in as little as 8 hours. You can really benefit from being able to adapt for whatever is blown your way. The key is being able to add or take away a layer of clothing to stay dry and comfy while outside.

Summer mornings can be cool, even when the early morning news is predicting temperatures reaching ninety. Many fishermen dress in a comfortable flannel shirt layered over a flimsy t-shirt when they leave at 5AM, anticipating these warmer temperatures. However, when they are on the water cruising along, they will quickly chill. Stash a windbreaker or light jacket to the mix and you will be comfortably warm. Those who fish at night face the opposite problem. It’s nice and warm when they leave the dock, but temperatures quickly drop and that t-shirt becomes less comfortable by the minute.

One of the most significant benefits to a light weight jacket or windbreaker is the small amount of space they take up and of course they weigh so little making them easy to carry.  Many fishermen find they fold up conveniently and stow right in a tackle box and they can be easily reached if needed. Windbreakers offer dual benefit – especially if you purchase the right kind. Some have only snap or only zipper closure. You’re really better of purchasing one that has a dual closure – as the snaps over a zipper can help keep water out especially if you’ve got wind and rain.  The other benefit of course is this material helps seal your body temperature in while it keeps the wind and rain out.  A hood is also helpful and most windbreakers and light jackets have ‘stow-way’ hoods that hide inside the collar.

You cannot stay healthy if you don’t stay warm during the winter. That said, anyone who has ever worked outside during the winter understands the need for layering. As you work, you begin to sweat, and the cool air plus the sweat equal the opposite of comfort. Expend as little energy as you can, and dress in layers so that you can add or remove one to stay warm (or not) as needed. In the cold, take off a layer when you start feeling too warm. Add that layer back as you cool off to stay very comfortable with little hassle.

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 975 Reel and Penn 209.