Thread: Wow what a few days on the water

I have one of the Artic Armour suits (the bib overalls and jacket) that has been mentioned here and absolutely love it. Over the years, I tried everything from goose down to thinsulate for warmth, and I've never found anything that will beat Artic Armour. I also like the fact that it will float ( I tested it back during the Spring after the water had warmed a bit) and it floated me with no trouble at all, and I weigh in at about 235lbs. But....in cold weather, I also wear a Mustang auto-inflatable suspender-type vest. Now....both the Artic Armour (at about $275.00) and the Mustang hydrostatic suspenders (at about $200) are expensive, but guess what? My grandkids think I'm worth it! And I always want to return from a good day fishing on the lake in cold weather to play with my grandkids again. So guys, what I'm saying is this: dress warmly in the cold weather when out on the water, and ALWAYS, ALWAYS WEAR A GOOD LIFE JACKET!!

I also saw where someone mentioned about putting your foot on the lower unit on your motor and using the lift button to get you back over in the boat after a fall in the water. I know it will work in a pinch, but it's really dangerous. I know a guy down in Tennessee who tried that a couple of years ago after falling out of his boat into the frigid December water, and he was so cold that he could hold to the motor and his foot slipped off the lower unit and the stainless steel prop ripped his leg open like a butcher knife! Turned out there were a couple of guys fishing near enough to hear him screaming and came to his aid. One of them was a para-medic and knew how to work a tournaquet to slow the bleeding until they could get him to a nearby hospital. Had the para-medic not been fishing that day, or the hospital been a little further....he may well have lost his life...and if not his life, at least his leg. After that happened......I had a ladder mounted to the back of my Ranger.

One thing nobody has mentioned is getting to your boat once you fall in. A heavy boat that sets low in the water will not be as affected by the wind. You get a day this time of year with a 15mph wind & you can't swim fast enough to catch my boat if you leave it. I have a Lowe 180w, Aluminum boat. Lite & high out of the water. This time of year the fish are going deeper & most of your fish'n is gonna be pretty far from the banks, so swiming to the shore may not be possible either. You need some way to insure that the boat will stay with you. The remote Ipilot is a good option.

I can tell you first hand. I have been a Riverman for well over 30 years & have been in cold water. You won't swim far I don't care how good'a swimmer you are or how good'a shape you're in! Your body just won't do it. Remember, even if you drown, in cold water it is possible to bring you back. There are documented cases of people being revived after being sumerged for over an hour in fridged water. Wear that life jacket! If they can't find you, they can't revive you!

Stay safe.

Hey Kyfishman,
I am curious which one of the Artic Armour suits you got. I see one with a soft lining that they say is the most popular but the hardest to get on and one that you can get in easier. I have been looking at these for a couple of years and really want one now. You are right about coming home to the grandkids. My Dad did not get to enjoy his grandkids very long. We miss him a lot!

Terry,
When you gettin off the boat. I hope I have a few more GOOD days of fishin left this year!

Originally Posted by ifish

Terry,
When you gettin off the boat. I hope I have a few more GOOD days of fishin left this year!

Buddy
I didn't end up going and probably won't have another chance this year. Just out of curiousity did you fish Sun/Mon or Mon/Tues?

Austin

Originally Posted by ifish

Terry,
When you gettin off the boat. I hope I have a few more GOOD days of fishin left this year!

Either the 27th or 29th, depending on which boat I'm on. I got the fever bad!

Originally Posted by pab1981

Buddy
I didn't end up going and probably won't have another chance this year. Just out of curiousity did you fish Sun/Mon or Mon/Tues?

Austin

Hey Austin,
I fished Sun. & Mon. Looked for you and didn't see you fishing . Had a blast out on the drops. Like we talked about the biggest fish were on smaller stuff.

Originally Posted by Wiskers

Either the 27th or 29th, depending on which boat I'm on. I got the fever bad!

Hey Terry,
I got the fever bad also and can't get back out till after the New Year. Hope everything is going all right on the big boat.Looks like you are going to be spending Christmas with all them hardankles.That sucks big time for you right now with your new family! Dang water is high and fast as you know! Be safe my friend and go catch some fish when you can. Life is short!