Bass Fishing life vest?

IAFrogger · 02-14-12, 10:51 PM

For too long I have been putting off getting a quality life vest for bass fishing. All the lakes I fish are no wake lakes so speed boating is not a concern. I have a couple old bass pro shop zip up vests that I keep in the boat. Very uncomfortable and too bulky to comfortable fish while wearing.

I am wanting to get more serious this year with early season fishing. I generally do most of my fishing on Mondays since this is my day off work. I generally have the lake to myself. Falling overboard in cold water and bulky clothing is not something I hope to ever experience, but in the event it would ever happen I want to be wearing a life preserver.

I have been looking at some of the CO2 inflatable vests and also the belts that require you to pull the vest over your head once inflated.

Just looking for any feedback from others that have found a style they really like for bass fishing. I would prefer to spend as close to $100 as possible.... but would consider more for the perfect vest.

bamabassman · 02-14-12, 10:57 PM

i have the inflatable vest. love it. but sinc i mainly fish water less than 6 ft most of the time. i take mine off. jsut can't seem to cast as good with a vest on still. i know i should wear it always and that is the reason lisa got it for me. i'll try more this year. i lvoe the thning too by the way. don't know about the belt vests.

Tavery5 · 02-14-12, 11:39 PM

Bass Pro will have several on sale during their Classic event, there will be a Bass Pro auto for $75

carolina-rig-01 · 02-15-12, 02:40 AM

I have the Mustang H.I.T. inflatable vest. I like it alot because if I ever get thrown out of my boat at high speeds and get knocked unconsious it will inflate on its own, but I don't have to worry about it just going off from moisture or humidity. However since getting knocked unconsious is unlikely for you, I would go with the kind you have to deploy by pulling the rip cord.

DVT Mike · 02-15-12, 09:57 AM

Something to keep in mind, cold water can shock and disorient you if you fall in. Spring for an auto inflating vest. I compromised slightly and got the pill style trigger rather than the hydrostatic one and haven't had any accidental deployments fishing a variety of weather. I still have a full vest I wear when it's really cold.

joedog · 02-15-12, 11:01 AM

bass Pro's Spring sale has inflatable vests on sale. $35 savings.
I really not sure exactly what your lookig for.
There's so many different ones now days.
Just thought I'd share something your probably already aware if.

dizzy_ghs · 02-15-12, 02:49 PM

This is the one I got. I fish by myself most of the time. Generally I don't worry about hardly anything, but I lost a good friend to a accident last year when he was fishing by himself, so I invested in this:

http://www.amazon.com/Absolute-Outdo...9331672&sr=8-1

02-14-12, 10:51 PM	#1
IAFrogger BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 48	Bass Fishing life vest? For too long I have been putting off getting a quality life vest for bass fishing. All the lakes I fish are no wake lakes so speed boating is not a concern. I have a couple old bass pro shop zip up vests that I keep in the boat. Very uncomfortable and too bulky to comfortable fish while wearing. I am wanting to get more serious this year with early season fishing. I generally do most of my fishing on Mondays since this is my day off work. I generally have the lake to myself. Falling overboard in cold water and bulky clothing is not something I hope to ever experience, but in the event it would ever happen I want to be wearing a life preserver. I have been looking at some of the CO2 inflatable vests and also the belts that require you to pull the vest over your head once inflated. Just looking for any feedback from others that have found a style they really like for bass fishing. I would prefer to spend as close to $100 as possible.... but would consider more for the perfect vest.

02-14-12, 10:57 PM	#2
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	i have the inflatable vest. love it. but sinc i mainly fish water less than 6 ft most of the time. i take mine off. jsut can't seem to cast as good with a vest on still. i know i should wear it always and that is the reason lisa got it for me. i'll try more this year. i lvoe the thning too by the way. don't know about the belt vests. __________________ so many lures, so little time.

02-14-12, 11:39 PM	#3
Tavery5 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 2,427	Bass Pro will have several on sale during their Classic event, there will be a Bass Pro auto for $75 __________________ They call me Ishmael

02-15-12, 02:40 AM	#4
carolina-rig-01 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 6,387	I have the Mustang H.I.T. inflatable vest. I like it alot because if I ever get thrown out of my boat at high speeds and get knocked unconsious it will inflate on its own, but I don't have to worry about it just going off from moisture or humidity. However since getting knocked unconsious is unlikely for you, I would go with the kind you have to deploy by pulling the rip cord. __________________ You only live once. But if you do it right, once is enough.

02-15-12, 09:57 AM	#5
DVT Mike BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Milford,PA Posts: 312	Something to keep in mind, cold water can shock and disorient you if you fall in. Spring for an auto inflating vest. I compromised slightly and got the pill style trigger rather than the hydrostatic one and haven't had any accidental deployments fishing a variety of weather. I still have a full vest I wear when it's really cold. __________________ Visit us at www.delawarevalleytackle.com

02-15-12, 11:01 AM	#6
joedog BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: JANESVILLE,WI. 53545 Posts: 3,415	bass Pro's Spring sale has inflatable vests on sale. $35 savings. I really not sure exactly what your lookig for. There's so many different ones now days. Just thought I'd share something your probably already aware if. __________________ "Fishing isn't life or death... it's more important than that."

02-15-12, 02:49 PM	#7
dizzy_ghs BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Southern, WV Posts: 38	This is the one I got. I fish by myself most of the time. Generally I don't worry about hardly anything, but I lost a good friend to a accident last year when he was fishing by himself, so I invested in this: http://www.amazon.com/Absolute-Outdo...9331672&sr=8-1

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