Fishing Lifevest ???

IAFrogger · 03-05-11, 09:35 AM

Anyone have a fishing lifevest model that they really like? I generally do not wear a lifevest while fishing... only when running from point A to B. But have been thinking of trying one for early season due to cold weather, cold water and bulking clothes. Can't imagine I would be able to swim too well if I managed to tumble overboard while by myself.

It's a little different in the summer in shorts and a t-shirt... but bulky clothing might spell disaster.

I am looking for a quality lifevest without a lot of bulk... was considering the self inflatables, but have concerns about catching the "ripcord" on something and setting them off.... especially the belt self inflatables..

pro reel · 03-05-11, 09:57 AM

I have a mustang brand, manual / auto inflatable. It's great! It's very lightweight and easy to wear while fishing. Don't worry about the ripcord. Although they always show the rip cord in pictures, it actually tucks into a flap for normal use. If you fell in the water and it didn't auto inflate, then you need to know what side the cord is in, reach in and pull out the handle and then jerk it. The only problem with mine is it's the auto type that works by getting wet. If you were to wear it in a rainstorm, it could posibly auto inflate. The pill that gets wet is in a covered compartment, so that would be rare, but posible. If it's a heavy down pour, I put an oversized poncho over the vest to keep it dry. The best type is the one that auto inflates by water pressure, but those are the most expensive.

bcklash · 03-05-11, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pro reel

I have a mustang brand, manual / auto inflatable. It's great! It's very lightweight and easy to wear while fishing. Don't worry about the ripcord. Although they always show the rip cord in pictures, it actually tucks into a flap for normal use. If you fell in the water and it didn't auto inflate, then you need to know what side the cord is in, reach in and pull out the handle and then jerk it. The only problem with mine is it's the auto type that works by getting wet. If you were to wear it in a rainstorm, it could posibly auto inflate. The pill that gets wet is in a covered compartment, so that would be rare, but posible. If it's a heavy down pour, I put an oversized poncho over the vest to keep it dry. The best type is the one that auto inflates by water pressure, but those are the most expensive.

The only way to go. You don't even know you got it on.

bassboogieman · 03-05-11, 11:54 AM

It's all been said.

bassinbob · 03-05-11, 02:31 PM

Do they make them to fit a size 58 chest?

bassboogieman · 03-05-11, 04:05 PM

Double D's? Just inhale deeply - you won't sink. You'll definitely want one with 35# of floatation, and they will fit a pretty big person - they fit more like a horse collar, than a vest and the straps are pretty long. 58" chest might be pushing the limits though, especailly if worn over a jacket. I'm a 53" chest and mine works fine.

nofearengineer · 03-06-11, 12:14 AM

That's great to hear, Boogie! It's common knowledge that I am the ba$tard offspring of Sasquatch, and I was skeptical if I could wear one of these comfortably.

I just scored a new one off of ebay for $132.50. Unfortunately, it's the "BB144" model, in yellow and black, but like most $hit, it still floats.

I'm looking forward to fishing safer.

walkeraviator · 03-06-11, 07:41 AM

Im thinking about getting the manual inflate one you wear around your waste like an old ski belt for when i am fishin, and stick to my old high impact ski jacket for big motor time.

bassboogieman · 03-06-11, 12:34 PM

Excellent point walker.... I wear my inflatalbe in hot weather, virtually all the time. But cooler weather I prefer a regular lifevest. It affords just a little extra protection and it's guaranteeeeeeeed to work if you are ejected from the boat at speed.

nofearengineer · 03-06-11, 12:36 PM

I got the hydrostatic version, where it doesn't inflate just because it gets wet...it has to be 4" under water for the pressure to cause it to deploy.

I was hoping I could wear it fly fishing too, but I think a manual deploy one would be better for that. When bass fishing, you're not planning on going in the water...ever. And if you do, there's a better chance of being stunned or unconscious. Fly fishing, I think the chance of getting dunked is greater, without needing automatic deploy and wasting the charge. Those re-arm kits are spendy!!!

carolina-rig-01 · 03-07-11, 01:30 AM

I bought this model this weekend at Bass Pro http://www.basspro.com/Mustang-Survi...04824/-1646278 . I tried it on at the store as well as the H.I.T. version and for the difference in price I decided this one was comfortable enough. However I bought my grandpa the H.I.T one a few years back for Christmas and today I tried his on and decided that for the money I would much rather have one like his than the one I bought. So I am going to return mine and buy the H.I.T. life jacket. They are expensive but the more comfortable they are the more likely you are going to be to wear it. Plus I knew that if I was flying down the lake in a tourney takeoff with my heart in my throat and running into some fog and the dang thing deployed there is a good chance I would have a heart attack so the H.I.T. looks even better now lol.

carolina-rig-01 · 03-07-11, 02:28 AM

I just ordered the H.I.T. life jacket and will be returning the other one I just bought. I wanted to let everyone know that if you are in the market for an inflatable life jacket to check out Tackle Warehouse because they are much cheaper than Bass Pro. The H.I.T. jacket I just bought was $50 cheaper through Tackle Warehouse and the re-arming kit is $20 cheaper as well. Plus you get free shipping on all orders over $50.

dave0943 · 03-10-11, 06:15 PM

Have any of you guys used a belt style. I've seen them and the idea of not having anything above the waiste is interesting. I'm not sure how they would work. Would you be stable, up in the water? Or would you have to work hard to keep your upper body from going under. The idea is cool. Like a belt!!

Lvitch · 03-10-11, 07:17 PM

we had a guy in our club with an auto inflate vest, he went over and spent a good 10 min in the water and the vest never inflated, it was about a 6mo old Mustang. After that, I wear the good old bulky kind (but only when I run). There are some auto inflate types that go across your chest / shouder, and also some you wear like a belt that are comfy and should help as long as they inflate in that "just in case" situation.

03-05-11, 09:35 AM	#1
IAFrogger BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 48	Fishing Lifevest ??? Anyone have a fishing lifevest model that they really like? I generally do not wear a lifevest while fishing... only when running from point A to B. But have been thinking of trying one for early season due to cold weather, cold water and bulking clothes. Can't imagine I would be able to swim too well if I managed to tumble overboard while by myself. It's a little different in the summer in shorts and a t-shirt... but bulky clothing might spell disaster. I am looking for a quality lifevest without a lot of bulk... was considering the self inflatables, but have concerns about catching the "ripcord" on something and setting them off.... especially the belt self inflatables..

03-05-11, 02:31 PM	#5
bassinbob BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Pitts. Pa. Posts: 3,801	Do they make them to fit a size 58 chest? __________________ you can have my fishin rod when ya take it from my cold dead hands

03-06-11, 12:14 AM	#7
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	That's great to hear, Boogie! It's common knowledge that I am the ba$tard offspring of Sasquatch, and I was skeptical if I could wear one of these comfortably. I just scored a new one off of ebay for $132.50. Unfortunately, it's the "BB144" model, in yellow and black, but like most $hit, it still floats. I'm looking forward to fishing safer. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

03-06-11, 12:36 PM	#10
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	I got the hydrostatic version, where it doesn't inflate just because it gets wet...it has to be 4" under water for the pressure to cause it to deploy. I was hoping I could wear it fly fishing too, but I think a manual deploy one would be better for that. When bass fishing, you're not planning on going in the water...ever. And if you do, there's a better chance of being stunned or unconscious. Fly fishing, I think the chance of getting dunked is greater, without needing automatic deploy and wasting the charge. Those re-arm kits are spendy!!! __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

03-10-11, 07:17 PM	#14
Lvitch BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 180	we had a guy in our club with an auto inflate vest, he went over and spent a good 10 min in the water and the vest never inflated, it was about a 6mo old Mustang. After that, I wear the good old bulky kind (but only when I run). There are some auto inflate types that go across your chest / shouder, and also some you wear like a belt that are comfy and should help as long as they inflate in that "just in case" situation. __________________ Big gals always make us smile!

03-05-11, 09:57 AM	#2
pro reel BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 761	I have a mustang brand, manual / auto inflatable. It's great! It's very lightweight and easy to wear while fishing. Don't worry about the ripcord. Although they always show the rip cord in pictures, it actually tucks into a flap for normal use. If you fell in the water and it didn't auto inflate, then you need to know what side the cord is in, reach in and pull out the handle and then jerk it. The only problem with mine is it's the auto type that works by getting wet. If you were to wear it in a rainstorm, it could posibly auto inflate. The pill that gets wet is in a covered compartment, so that would be rare, but posible. If it's a heavy down pour, I put an oversized poncho over the vest to keep it dry. The best type is the one that auto inflates by water pressure, but those are the most expensive.

03-05-11, 11:54 AM	#4
bassboogieman BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Parkesburg, Pa. Posts: 3,762	It's all been said.

03-05-11, 04:05 PM	#6
bassboogieman BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Parkesburg, Pa. Posts: 3,762	Double D's? Just inhale deeply - you won't sink. You'll definitely want one with 35# of floatation, and they will fit a pretty big person - they fit more like a horse collar, than a vest and the straps are pretty long. 58" chest might be pushing the limits though, especailly if worn over a jacket. I'm a 53" chest and mine works fine.

03-06-11, 07:41 AM	#8
walkeraviator BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1,119	Im thinking about getting the manual inflate one you wear around your waste like an old ski belt for when i am fishin, and stick to my old high impact ski jacket for big motor time.

03-06-11, 12:34 PM	#9
bassboogieman BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Parkesburg, Pa. Posts: 3,762	Excellent point walker.... I wear my inflatalbe in hot weather, virtually all the time. But cooler weather I prefer a regular lifevest. It affords just a little extra protection and it's guaranteeeeeeeed to work if you are ejected from the boat at speed.

03-07-11, 01:30 AM	#11
carolina-rig-01 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 6,387	I bought this model this weekend at Bass Pro http://www.basspro.com/Mustang-Survi...04824/-1646278 . I tried it on at the store as well as the H.I.T. version and for the difference in price I decided this one was comfortable enough. However I bought my grandpa the H.I.T one a few years back for Christmas and today I tried his on and decided that for the money I would much rather have one like his than the one I bought. So I am going to return mine and buy the H.I.T. life jacket. They are expensive but the more comfortable they are the more likely you are going to be to wear it. Plus I knew that if I was flying down the lake in a tourney takeoff with my heart in my throat and running into some fog and the dang thing deployed there is a good chance I would have a heart attack so the H.I.T. looks even better now lol.

03-07-11, 02:28 AM	#12
carolina-rig-01 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 6,387	I just ordered the H.I.T. life jacket and will be returning the other one I just bought. I wanted to let everyone know that if you are in the market for an inflatable life jacket to check out Tackle Warehouse because they are much cheaper than Bass Pro. The H.I.T. jacket I just bought was $50 cheaper through Tackle Warehouse and the re-arming kit is $20 cheaper as well. Plus you get free shipping on all orders over $50.

03-10-11, 06:15 PM	#13
dave0943 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Iron Mountain, MI Posts: 174	Have any of you guys used a belt style. I've seen them and the idea of not having anything above the waiste is interesting. I'm not sure how they would work. Would you be stable, up in the water? Or would you have to work hard to keep your upper body from going under. The idea is cool. Like a belt!!

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