I have artic armor bibs which float. The biggest concern/danger when walking is steep banks and not being able to get out of the water.

I've gone long distances in a kayak but during winter there is no reason to risk it. If someone gets wet it's fairly easy to paddle a couple miles back to the vehicle and you would stay plenty warm paddling. I can always test this theory my tipping David over.

As far as depth I'll fish where they are. That's the reason for a cork. Paul did a seminar on creek fishing during a CAT meeting recently and talked about how they'd found them as shallow as 2' deep. Should be easier to hunt them down in a kayak rather than walking overgrown banks.

With me workn up in y'alls part of Texas I've been driving a gas saver & mostly bank fish or bum a ride with Ketchn...
I've been looking into maybe getting a kayak to tie to the roof, just haven't committed yet....
Sound like you're about to have some fun in one.....

All my fishing is out of a yak. Cold weather I wear thermals with waders over.