Life Vest

G-Man · 01-20-11, 11:08 PM

Can anyone give me some direction on a Life Vest for Bass Fishin??
What to buy?? Where to buy it?
What do you think of the Bass Pro Shop...Mustang Survival Competition Inflatable PFD Vest with HIT™ - Model MD3183 BC
Id appreciate some direction here.
Thanks in advance

woody · 01-21-11, 12:01 AM

Welcome to the site G-man.

I've never owned an inflatable PFD, so what I thought about them wouldn't count for much. As far as where to purchase one, well I think its safe to say that you can find them at most sporting goods stores. I believe the one that I wear, I paid around $30 for it. I forget what brand it is, so. Anyways, I'd like to add that, whenever I'm running my boat's big motor, I always have my PFD and KILL SWITCH on. It's a good practice. Well have fun shopping for your life vest and "good fishing!"

-Mark

MIbasser · 01-21-11, 12:13 AM

I have a Mustang but not the HIT. Mine is both manual & automatic. I think they are great to wear. Check with local laws as most inflatables need to be worn at all times to count.

I've heard a lot of the guys with the "go fast" boats actually prefer a full blown zip up jacket http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shop...02751/-1591179 as they know if you ever get thrown out at high speed you will float and don't trust an inflatable.

But as Woody said - kill switch and jacket on at all times!

keithdog · 01-21-11, 12:30 AM

I just bought a new vest last year after looking at a bunch of them. I ended up buying the Cabelas Full Motion vest. It costs $50.00 and is VERY comfortable to wear. Not bulky at all. I highly recommend this one.

Bender · 01-21-11, 01:32 AM

I have a couple Cabelas ones that are very comfortable. But they do get warm so I got a Mustang but not the hydrostatic one. I wish I had paid a little more for it. Mine is great to wear but for some reason the indicator went red and the ring on the CO2 cartridge broke. It never inflated and I have bought two more and broken both of them upon installation. Mustang sent me a replacement but it's not the right part. I need to send the whole thing in to them.

I hope I never have to find out how well it works but it is nice to wear.

walkeraviator · 01-21-11, 07:49 AM

I prefer Neoprene Ski Jackets. They tend to be less bulky and dont ride up as much when i sit down. The down side is that they are a little more expensive. BPS has a nice one for a good price: http://www.basspro.com/XPS-Neoprene-...05474/-1647130

bassboogieman · 01-21-11, 10:13 AM

Hot weather I usually use a Sterns (self) inflatable, too hot for the full vests I have. Cooler weather the full vests are fine - and warmer. Mine just happen to be my boat brand vests. One note on the inflatables - they vary in bouyancy - the Mustangs are all good, probably the best available. Some of the cheaper ones don't have the bouyancy for an adult (IMO). Get one rated at 35#. I really think the dual inflatable - having both a hydorstatic and manual inflation is best. If you pass out or hit your head going overboard, you likely won't be able to manually inflate the vest. The newer vests have mostly eliminated hydrostatic vests inflating in the rain. AND ALWAYS have a spare arming kit onboard for the inflatable, or a back up standard vest.

carolina-rig-01 · 01-21-11, 02:23 PM

I bought my grandpa a Mustang inflatable life jacket with HIT a few Christmas' back. He is getting up there in years and I was concerned with his ability to save himself if he fell in (becoming clumsy in his older age lol). He promised me he would wear it from the time the boat hit the water until he was on the parking lot at the end of the day, and so far he has kept his promise. He said that the first 5 minutes or so that he wore it he knew it was there but after that he didn't even realize it was on him. Like MIbasser said, check your local laws. Here if you take it off you better have a regular life jacket in the boat or you are considered without a life jacket at all. And if it deploys it no longer counts as a life jacket also. Neither of those laws make much sense to me because if you fell in you would have just as much trouble grabbing a traditional life jacket as you would the inflatable type, but anyways that's how the law reads.

cassidyta · 01-21-11, 06:12 PM

Kory,

The reason that they don't count it as a regular jacket is that you can not have it tossed to you and have it float right. In most places (of course, misery might be different) you can also get by with a tossable floatation device like a ski belt or seat cushion that is calssifed as a PFD.

Steve,

I think it is all a matter of how big your water is. All of my lakes are small so I wear a basic BPS model that ran about $20. I only wear it when under the main motor and take it off when I am on the deck. I am not saying that it is the best practice, but I am comfortable that I will be okay if I fall while fishing.

carolina-rig-01 · 01-21-11, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassidyta

Kory,

The reason that they don't count it as a regular jacket is that you can not have it tossed to you and have it float right. In most places (of course, misery might be different) you can also get by with a tossable floatation device like a ski belt or seat cushion that is calssifed as a PFD.

Steve,

I think it is all a matter of how big your water is. All of my lakes are small so I wear a basic BPS model that ran about $20. I only wear it when under the main motor and take it off when I am on the deck. I am not saying that it is the best practice, but I am comfortable that I will be okay if I fall while fishing.

That is what I figured their reason was for the law. But we are required to keep a throwable flotation device in the boat anyways, and that is why I don't understand why the throwable won't suffice. Maybe I need to re-read out state laws to make sure I am not mistaking.

cassidyta · 01-21-11, 08:05 PM

I am sure it has something to do with Missouri sister-wife laws. :-)

carolina-rig-01 · 01-21-11, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassidyta

I am sure it has something to do with Missouri sister-wife laws. :-)

LOL your just upset because all you have to be proud of is Nancy Pelosi.

bigbasser · 01-22-11, 12:04 PM

G-man remember the an inflatable is ONLY a lifejacket when it's being worn, if you take them off they're no long considered a PFD. bigbasser

G-Man · 01-22-11, 03:49 PM

Thank YALL

everettvet · 01-25-11, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carolina-rig-01

LOL your just upset because all you have to be proud of is Nancy Pelosi.

And that is not saying much at all!!

Cass,
If you are in her district please tell me that you didn't vote for her!

And back the subject of the thread....
A life jacket must be comfortable for you to be willing to wear it. Try several on and then remember that if you will be fishing in the winter or spring, you will have a lot more clothes on than in the summer months. Take that into consideration when picking out a jacket!

Old Hooker · 01-28-11, 12:02 PM

I recentley bought a Bass Pro Shop XPS Platinum vest for about $70. It was the most comfortable vest of the ones I tried on. I think it will be just fine for everything I do.

walkeraviator · 01-28-11, 08:33 PM

Was at the boat show watching a smallmouth fishing seminar, when the army corps guys got up to talk life vests. they let a guy put one on and they inflated it. Then they discussed legality. Not only a state law, but on navigable waterways, the coast guard rule is that if an inflatable is not on your body it is not legal flotation. They said as many do on here... the best life jacket is teh one that is comfortable enough that you will wear it.

01-20-11, 11:08 PM	#1
G-Man BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 106	Life Vest Can anyone give me some direction on a Life Vest for Bass Fishin?? What to buy?? Where to buy it? What do you think of the Bass Pro Shop...Mustang Survival Competition Inflatable PFD Vest with HIT™ - Model MD3183 BC Id appreciate some direction here. Thanks in advance

01-21-11, 02:23 PM	#8
carolina-rig-01 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 6,387	I bought my grandpa a Mustang inflatable life jacket with HIT a few Christmas' back. He is getting up there in years and I was concerned with his ability to save himself if he fell in (becoming clumsy in his older age lol). He promised me he would wear it from the time the boat hit the water until he was on the parking lot at the end of the day, and so far he has kept his promise. He said that the first 5 minutes or so that he wore it he knew it was there but after that he didn't even realize it was on him. Like MIbasser said, check your local laws. Here if you take it off you better have a regular life jacket in the boat or you are considered without a life jacket at all. And if it deploys it no longer counts as a life jacket also. Neither of those laws make much sense to me because if you fell in you would have just as much trouble grabbing a traditional life jacket as you would the inflatable type, but anyways that's how the law reads. __________________ You only live once. But if you do it right, once is enough.

01-21-11, 06:12 PM	#9
cassidyta BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,928	Kory, The reason that they don't count it as a regular jacket is that you can not have it tossed to you and have it float right. In most places (of course, misery might be different) you can also get by with a tossable floatation device like a ski belt or seat cushion that is calssifed as a PFD. Steve, I think it is all a matter of how big your water is. All of my lakes are small so I wear a basic BPS model that ran about $20. I only wear it when under the main motor and take it off when I am on the deck. I am not saying that it is the best practice, but I am comfortable that I will be okay if I fall while fishing. __________________ If you have ever wondered if you should retie, the answer is yes.

01-21-11, 08:05 PM	#11
cassidyta BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,928	I am sure it has something to do with Missouri sister-wife laws. :-) __________________ If you have ever wondered if you should retie, the answer is yes.

01-22-11, 12:04 PM	#13
bigbasser BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Posts: 154	vest G-man remember the an inflatable is ONLY a lifejacket when it's being worn, if you take them off they're no long considered a PFD. bigbasser

01-21-11, 12:01 AM	#2
woody BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jonesville, Indiana Posts: 3,597	Welcome to the site G-man. I've never owned an inflatable PFD, so what I thought about them wouldn't count for much. As far as where to purchase one, well I think its safe to say that you can find them at most sporting goods stores. I believe the one that I wear, I paid around $30 for it. I forget what brand it is, so. Anyways, I'd like to add that, whenever I'm running my boat's big motor, I always have my PFD and KILL SWITCH on. It's a good practice. Well have fun shopping for your life vest and "good fishing!" -Mark

01-21-11, 12:13 AM	#3
MIbasser BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Okemos, MI Posts: 1,447	I have a Mustang but not the HIT. Mine is both manual & automatic. I think they are great to wear. Check with local laws as most inflatables need to be worn at all times to count. I've heard a lot of the guys with the "go fast" boats actually prefer a full blown zip up jacket http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shop...02751/-1591179 as they know if you ever get thrown out at high speed you will float and don't trust an inflatable. But as Woody said - kill switch and jacket on at all times!

01-21-11, 12:30 AM	#4
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	I just bought a new vest last year after looking at a bunch of them. I ended up buying the Cabelas Full Motion vest. It costs $50.00 and is VERY comfortable to wear. Not bulky at all. I highly recommend this one.

01-21-11, 01:32 AM	#5
Bender BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Brighton, MI Posts: 2,414	I have a couple Cabelas ones that are very comfortable. But they do get warm so I got a Mustang but not the hydrostatic one. I wish I had paid a little more for it. Mine is great to wear but for some reason the indicator went red and the ring on the CO2 cartridge broke. It never inflated and I have bought two more and broken both of them upon installation. Mustang sent me a replacement but it's not the right part. I need to send the whole thing in to them. I hope I never have to find out how well it works but it is nice to wear.

01-21-11, 07:49 AM	#6
walkeraviator BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1,119	I prefer Neoprene Ski Jackets. They tend to be less bulky and dont ride up as much when i sit down. The down side is that they are a little more expensive. BPS has a nice one for a good price: http://www.basspro.com/XPS-Neoprene-...05474/-1647130

01-21-11, 10:13 AM	#7
bassboogieman BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Parkesburg, Pa. Posts: 3,762	Hot weather I usually use a Sterns (self) inflatable, too hot for the full vests I have. Cooler weather the full vests are fine - and warmer. Mine just happen to be my boat brand vests. One note on the inflatables - they vary in bouyancy - the Mustangs are all good, probably the best available. Some of the cheaper ones don't have the bouyancy for an adult (IMO). Get one rated at 35#. I really think the dual inflatable - having both a hydorstatic and manual inflation is best. If you pass out or hit your head going overboard, you likely won't be able to manually inflate the vest. The newer vests have mostly eliminated hydrostatic vests inflating in the rain. AND ALWAYS have a spare arming kit onboard for the inflatable, or a back up standard vest.

01-22-11, 03:49 PM	#14
G-Man BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 106	Thank YALL

01-28-11, 12:02 PM	#16
Old Hooker BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Shadow of the Smokys, East Tennessee Posts: 249	I recentley bought a Bass Pro Shop XPS Platinum vest for about $70. It was the most comfortable vest of the ones I tried on. I think it will be just fine for everything I do. __________________ To fish or not to fish. What a stupid question! -Jim

01-28-11, 08:33 PM	#17
walkeraviator BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1,119	Was at the boat show watching a smallmouth fishing seminar, when the army corps guys got up to talk life vests. they let a guy put one on and they inflated it. Then they discussed legality. Not only a state law, but on navigable waterways, the coast guard rule is that if an inflatable is not on your body it is not legal flotation. They said as many do on here... the best life jacket is teh one that is comfortable enough that you will wear it.

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