No Life jackets

[roosterfish]

Was just thinking, Why don't Most people wear life jackets, myself included? It's kind of silly when you think of the name and most people stuff them away in a compartment.

 

[Vollmer]

I wear mine when cruising.

 

[Sub_Elect]

I don't mainly because they are big bulky and uncomfortable. I have been thinking about getting some of the inflatable ones but they are so expensive! I THINK I would wear them but I don't know that for sure. Fishing more tourneys this year has me thinking that I should get a couple. Anyone have any opinions on them?

 

[DirtyMike]

I use the scheels onyx almost all of the time unless it's super hot out. Then its only while running. Sub, I think it was $80 on sale.

 

[Jigaman]

I wear a scheels brand auto inflating one every time I am on the water for the last 3 years now. I swim like a coot and would be in big trouble if I fell in. very comfy even when hot out. I usually forget I have it on until I jump in the truck to load the boat.

 

[NDSportsman]

I think I've only worn mine a couple times under extreme conditions. I'm not a great swimmer but I could probably save myself if I had to. I've seen a great swimmer (a navy man even) damn near drown because he was fighting his life jacket. Had he simply relaxed and floated on his back as intended he'd have been fine but he kept trying to swim on his stomach. Funny thinking about it now but was quite scary at the time.

Does anyone wear one while on the ice? Just curious.

 

[westwolfone]

I only wear one when it's super rough out and my life jackets are probably 20 years, don't even know if they'd float me or not.

I am going to bite the bullet and buy a couple of the self inflating ones this year and force myself to wear it more often. With everything else a person buys for fishing, $200 - $300 isn't that big of an investment for something that could save your life.

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[Zogman]

I only wear one when it's super rough out and my life jackets are probably 20 years, don't even know if they'd float me or not.

I am going to bite the bullet and buy a couple of the self inflating ones this year and force myself to wear it more often. With everything else a person buys for fishing, $200 - $300 isn't that big of an investment for something that could save your life.



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Yup, did exactly what you said last year.

 

[Jigaman]

I will add that about 3/4 of the time I am trolling or drifting and also fish by my self alot. Would be a shitty feeling to be struggling in the water while your boat is moving away from you. Those auto inflating vests are really comfy and after a day or two of using it you wont even notice you have it on. Even a good swimmer could be in trouble if they fell in when the water was cold in the spring/fall. buy one.

 

[Riverbottoms]

I use the scheels onyx almost all of the time unless it's super hot out. Then its only while running. Sub, I think it was $80 on sale.

Same and Me. they are really comfortable also

 

[johnr]

I also don't walk around with a condom on, just in case...

 

[Yoby]

I generally don't wear one in the boat, but then again I use the life jackets as seat cushions in the jon boat.

 

[LiebelsGuide]

I have went to all inflatable life jackets, they are comfortable and always on. It works great with clients, they fit pretty much everyone(i do have others standard ones available for XXXXL and children), and my safety standards are now simple, you must wear one.

One thing to note with inflatables is that they must be worn to be considered a flotation device by the G&F. So if you have them in the boat but not on they can cite you for not enough flotation devices, unlike the old life jackets. But what is the point of the life jacket if it's buried in a compartment?

 

[NodakBuckeye]

I wear mine while running and ask whomever is with to do the same. Bad about not wearing all the tine but would if I had the inflatable type.

 

[defiant1]

As far as boat regulations go, do the inflatable life jackets still count as a legal PFD if they stored in the boat vs. being worn?

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Disregard, I overlooked the post above:

"One thing to note with inflatables is that they must be worn to be considered a flotation device by the G&F. So if you have them in the boat but not on they can cite you for not enough flotation devices, unlike the old life jackets. But what is the point of the life jacket if it's buried in a compartment?"

 

[tikkalover]

I have the vest type in my boat and don't wear one. Should I wear one? Yes, especially when running WOT, but I don't like them because they are bulky. I have been checked by the warden a couple of times and when I pull them out from under the floor (I have a tiller) they have told me they don't do any good under there. They suggested if I wasn't going to wear one, I should at least pull them over the back of the seat or just lay them on top of the floor for quick access.

 

[fnznfwl]

I also don't walk around with a condom on, just in case...

I hope not. A guy shouldn't have to worry about taking a wrong step and falling in.

 

[LBrandt]

I am pretty much a puddle duck in water. Ass up, Head down so my life jacket is on before I even get in the boat.

 

[ORCUS DEMENS]

Get the D&#^m life jackets. I always wear one in the kayak and always wore one anytime my fishing boat is moving (Motoring, trolling, drifting). I also have the cutoff lanyard attached to the jacket when motoring and trolling. I have no desire to watch the boat leave without me. Ask your significant other if you should be wearing one. If they say no time to be looking over your shoulder.

 

[dakotaeye29]

I went to inflatables in the boat, wear them most of the time, always when alone. They are a good investment, just wish they made them in kid sizes.