I'm up here in CO and many of my lakes have opened up and are free of ice. Water temp is 38-39.

I'm very careful when using my kayak in cold/very cold water. This weekend looks good weatherwise. Am I getting
my kayak out too early? I've never once flipped my kayak but am a little hesitant to get out on water that cold. What say you.

No unless the fish are biting and you are going with several other cold water experienced kayakers who have a vested interest in your safe return. Watch some cold water hypothermia videos on YouTube.
The fact that you have never flipped your kayak is a big strike against you.

Its a sit on top if that makes a difference-but point taken.

No, and not just no, but he’ll no if you are hesitant.

Bank fish somewhere there is trout with a tiny hair jig and you will get bit.
At first ice melt, I’ve had some of my best bank trout days with tiny flies and tiny hair jigs.

This is going to come off rude but I am truly not trying to be. If you need to ask that question then no, don't do it. Like stated PowerLizard get a few buddies together that are experienced and go with them but if you are not comfortable with it then its not worth it. The coldest water I found this year in OK/TX was 42*. I have fished in sleet, snow and rain and have had to break ice at the boat ramp to launch not to mention strong winds. I am comfortable with my kayak and my abilities but at the same time I have driven to the lake a lot of times and decided against it once I got to the ramp and really accessed the conditions. There is nothing wrong with waiting for another day.

Dress to swim, have dry bag with change of clothes and go whenever you feel comfortable.. Cold water should make everyone that goes out more careful.. I’ve only been out once where water was frozen so thick you couldn’t get through it… in the back of shallow cove where you had to stab paddle through ice and pull your way along. The shallower it got the thicker the ice. Didn’t catch anything in that area but did in open water that was deeper.. I’m still confident I can get back in my kayak if I have to.

From my perspective, I am a firm no. Saying this, I admit that I am a wimp and hate the cold... LOL.

Seriously, I personally don't fish from my kayak below 60-degree water temp and strongly prefer 70+. Even this is problematic once your muscles go from 70+ degree air temp to 60 degree water.

In short, as much as we love to fish and take relative risks when fishing from a kayak, I personally don't think it's wise to take extreme risks and this one feels extreme to me. If you dump in 38 degree water without a drysuite and cannot get back in the kayak immediately, you lose the ability to get into the kayak in about 3 minutes and will likely lose consciousness in 15 to 30 minutes.

https://www.useakayak.org/references/hypothermia_table.html

If the above table is correct, 50-degree water temp is the demarcation between "dangerous" and "death"

Plus #1.

https://www.coldwatersafety.org/golden-rules

read it all, especially Rule 5, then decide if you should go.

I've experienced all but 7 of the items below:



Think About What You'll Do If ...

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Incapacitated by cold.

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Blown out to sea by high wind.

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Paddle breaks, blows away, or is lost in rough water.

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Ankle leash breaks and boat blows away.

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Waves dump water into cockpit and boat fills with water.

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Capsize and can’t get back in boat.

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Cell phone and/or VHF radio lost when boat blows away.

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GPS unit breaks.

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Lose prescription glasses– can’t see.

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You get lost.

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Hit a rock and smash hole in boat.

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Dislocate shoulder.

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Caught in thunderstorm.

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Night falls - can’t see anything.

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Paddle float blows away.

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Become seasick and can’t remain upright.

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Deep cut on finger.

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Exhausted - can no longer paddle.

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Lose cover to rear hatch.​

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Fog rolls in - can’t see anything.

I'm not here to persuade you to do something dangerous or out of yo r comfort zone so take my opinion with a grain of salt. Some years I chase crappie all winter in Creeks and have kayaked in TX when air temps are in the 20's and a thin sheet of ice lines the banks. I won't stay off the water due to temperatures. Wind is another beast though and will not get on a lake in high winds. Now this is usually creeks vs a big lake so take that into consideration. Also it depends on your skill level and the stability of your boat. It it is even a little bit tipsy I wouldn't do it. Whatever you do make sure you wear a pfd.

i have seen at least 9 people flip on Lake Arlington due to wind
we try to get them to my Mom's dock to let them settle down

It’d be pretty selfish of you if you did. You potentially put first responders and your family in a bad situation.

I carried a hard hat around years ago thinking I would need it some day.. never had to use. Had to go to bank and get under kayak on Palestine one time.

https://www.facebook.com/1305833313/videos/896351011655499/

Bet this guy wished he had one. make sure you have audio on to get full effects

.... i`m sorry plz Forgive

PSA: your hatch cover makes great head gear in an emergency!