Parka and bibs: Insulated or non-insulated?

[jazzwannabe]

For typical California winter fishing. What do you guys wear?

[BassManDan]

INSULATED!

Odds are in the winter/rain/haulin' @$$ in the boat, you're not gonna get too hot.

[BILLYS]

INSULATED!

Odds are in the winter/rain/haulin' @$$ in the boat, you're not gonna get too hot.

+1

[GregD]

I prefer the uninsulated bibs/parka. That way I can layer in insulation myself and remove/add layers based on the current temperature.

There have been days where it was 35 degrees at launch where I added a couple of fleece insulating layers underneath, but by afternoon it's getting up near 60 and no layers underneath were needed.

[W.C]

I have the thinsulate gortex from Cabela's. I asked that same question before I got them 7 years ago. most everyone said to get the uninsulated ones because the weather in californis is'nt that cold. Well I didn't listen and bought the Tinsulate extrem weather Gortex bibs and parka. Let me tell you, I'm so happy that i did. I here in Cali but when I made the state team I had to go fish in Montana, we had rain,high winds , snow , hail and a Tornado all on the same day!!!! My gortex kept me real real warm and I fished threw all of that, I've been in real bad weather and have never once plan on fishing in that kinda of stuff, but with my suit, I never ever have to worry about it at all!!!!! It's been the best investment I have ever made when It comes to fishing... I'm prepaired no matter what... I have given this advise to alot of friends who have also bought it and they were also glade they did. when Its not all that cold, I just wear some shorts and a t-shirt under it and i'm better than okay. Its going to be your choice what you get thats for sure but let me tell you if you buy the uninsulated one's you won't regrate it untill you fish in some real bad stuff like in Shasta or Clear lake!!! it alway ez to take of Layers but if you have to stuff you non insulated gortex suit than wear a life jacket over all that stuff, in rain and cold.... you will be misrable the whole time. "sorry about my spelling" trust me when I tell you to get the thinsulate one's.... I'm about ready to buy myself another set just cause I got to fat and now my Gortex looks like spandex lol .... good luck and I hope that I helped you some. you will get alot of opinion on this topic but its you that will have to live with it.!!!!

[buddy brown]

I have a pair of the mustang insulated flotation bibs.. they are warm even on the coldest pyramid or castaic morning. The flotation foam is good if you fall in the drink

I've also got the BPS pro qualifier parka and wear layers under that.

So I would say insulated bibs and layers under the parka to take off as the day warms

[Smitty]

If you can only choose one go non insulated. Insulated is way too bulky and alot warmer than you need. Underarmour cold gear as a base layer, then long sleeve t shirt , good fleece on top of that and uninsulated gore tex is the best set up I have ever found. I had an insulated jacket and hated it. It was good on Shasta or Oroville if it was below 40 all day but that doesnt happen too often.
Smitty

[adman]

I suppose if you want to end up with 2 sets of rain gear then get insulated for the extremes of winter fishing. But "generally"you will be pretty warm (read sweating like a pig" ) under the most likely winter/rain conditions in SoCal and even NoCal. I have a snowmobile suit which I use for the extremes...Shasta in January... and it works well under my non-insulated rain gear. It is important to remember that in winter conditions the heavy clothes we wear will make us sink like a rock, that said and as has been mentioned for gloves and socks, nothing is better than wool. If you rely on thinsulate rain gear and do get wet and cold you will not get warm again. With wool as layered warmth, even if you get soaked, you will be warm enough to safely get to safety. Just an opinion, but a considered one.

[StockOption]

I prefer the uninsulated bibs/parka. That way I can layer in insulation myself and remove/add layers based on the current temperature.

There have been days where it was 35 degrees at launch where I added a couple of fleece insulating layers underneath, but by afternoon it's getting up near 60 and no layers underneath were needed.

+1

[rich mendoza]

did you look at the guidewear systems parka and bibs? it has a removable fleece liner. best of both maybe???

[jazzwannabe]

did you look at the guidewear systems parka and bibs? it has a removable fleece liner. best of both maybe???

I did, but it looks like they don't have anything in my size this time of year. I'm getting a late start on winter gear.

I was checking out this stuff as well, but it's made for ice fishing and might be overkill for California:

http://clamcorp.com/IceArmorClothing/Ou ... fault.aspx

And this:

http://outdoorprostore.com/arctic-armor.html

[blkdog812]

ditto. to smitty
you can layer under and it should cover most cal weather with non -insulated

[acm95301]

I like Uninsulated...It allows me to use layers....so that the wind/rain wont get me...but I'm rarely cold.

So I have sweatshirts and jackets and wind breakers etc.....layers allow me to dial in the right amount of comfort.