LIFE VESTS [ PFD's ]: Has anyone used these inflatable vest's ? I want to go fishing by myself, not by choice. Often my friends or family can't go when I want too. My wife worries...

cactus jack Loc: tucson az

Has anyone used these inflatable vest's ? I want to go fishing by myself, not by choice. Often my friends or family can't go when I want too. My wife worries about that !!! I have all the required vest's for a 2 man or woman, but there bulky and hard to fish with wearing them. So I don't with a partner on board. But she might be right by myself. Any comments welcome. Thx, fishing smaller lakes in southern AZ. PARKER CANYON LAKE, and PATOGONIA LAKE. CJ.

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

Ya gotta keep momma happy an be safe

Pickle Loc: Duplin co, NC

I've never had one but have talked to several people that do and they like them. There are two different kinds out one that self inflates when submerged, and one with a rip cord you pull when needed. Just make sure you keep a check on the dates on the inflation cartridges.

Ivey Loc: South Central Tennessee, Tim's Ford Lake

I've got one I use during tournament fishing. They're small comfortable and easy to get on and off. There's two types , one inflates automatically when you fall in, that's what I use. The other has a tab you pull if you fall in, I'd. both types are Coast Guard approved.

I never fell in with either but the self inflating just makes more sense to me.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Cactus Jack: If you fish alone, go with the inconvenience. I've used the inflatable vests with rip cord and yes, it's easier to cast without one, but when you are alone, you don't have a real choice.

Once with a guide, wife and granddaughter, we were fishing in Lake Sabine, we had just moved and were planning to tie up to a channel marker. I was in front of the boat and as I tried to throw the rope around this piling, the wind blew the boat away as I was reaching around to grab the rope, leaving me hanging on the piling and out of the boat. The guide said he was really scared, but it wasn't but a few yards to the shore, so I wasn't really concerned. I quickly swam over to the boat and climbed back in, and was a lot cooler, since it is in August! What if I had been alone? Just Sayin,...RJS

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

cactus jack wrote:

Has anyone used these inflatable vest's ? I want to go fishing by myself, not by choice. Often my friends or family can't go when I want too. My wife worries about that !!! I have all the required vest's for a 2 man or woman, but there bulky and hard to fish with wearing them. So I don't with a partner on board. But she might be right by myself. Any comments welcome. Thx, fishing smaller lakes in southern AZ. PARKER CANYON LAKE, and PATOGONIA LAKE. CJ.

cj, I am a kayaker and I have the inflatable vest one that inflates upon entry to the water. Very comfortable and don't even realize its on. In the summer I use a light shirt underneath it and it works well.

Also I stand in my yak 99% of the time and no problem casting.

Purchase at West Marine and tried on a few while there to get the right fit. Something you don't want to mail order in case it doesn't fit.

Egghead

I've used the pull cord type, and have seen em work accidently. Not in the water tho. So yes they work. My only concern about self inflating is. There man made. They are SUPPOSED to inflate when they get wet.??? But will they. Have you ever bought anything with a good warranty that failed.??? It's one of those things that your going to bet your life on. Ya ever lost a Bet.??

JRK227 Loc: Cedarburg, WI

Since I normally fish alone, I always wear my inflatable vest. I'm 71 and value my safety. They are comfortable to wear and well worth the investment.

Helen Loc: Originally from Ohio, on Lake Erie. Now Fl i

I have both an inlatable and a vest, non-inflateable. Inflatable wins, hands down.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

We use them fishing the jetties a lot. If you fall in there it's a good bet you could end up unconscious in water that's moving at 5 or 6 knots. Not a happy place to be.

boatmaster53 Loc: Baker Fla.

Guys I just want to add this. Buy a good inflatable. My first one was a bass pro shop one and every time it got damp it went off. You sure didn't use it in the rain. I bought a good one on ebay for just a little more and it has to be four foot under water to go off. If you buy a few replacement kits you'll see where the cheaper ones aren't so cheap.

Big dog Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York

cactus jack wrote:

Has anyone used these inflatable vest's ? I want to go fishing by myself, not by choice. Often my friends or family can't go when I want too. My wife worries about that !!! I have all the required vest's for a 2 man or woman, but there bulky and hard to fish with wearing them. So I don't with a partner on board. But she might be right by myself. Any comments welcome. Thx, fishing smaller lakes in southern AZ. PARKER CANYON LAKE, and PATOGONIA LAKE. CJ.

Where I’m at, a pfd is Required between Nov 1 and May 1 for all persons on boats 16’ or less. If I want to fish or hunt ducks I have to wear one. I wear an inflatable one and it’s not a big inconvenience.

Doug Lemmon Loc: Rochester Mills, PA

They MUST STAY DRY! With that said, they cannot be stored in a boat outside. when not being used they have to be kept dry or they will deploy. READ PRODUCT REVIEWS!

As PB stated.. Not sure that I would want to mail order.. Some fit around the neck area differently, so fit and comfort are different for everyone.

Always an option also is the "Fanny Pac" inflatable. Belt goes around the waist and the PFD is in a small pouch.. if you go in, it inflates and you pull it over your head. Nice option to keep things off the shoulders.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

The ones I have are self inflating and also have a pull cord. Tucked inside is a tube you can blow into to inflate it. Just incase. Got it from West Marine. Its a Mustang Survival.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Gordon wrote:

The ones I have are self inflating and also have a pull cord. Tucked inside is a tube you can blow into to inflate it. Just incase. Got it from West Marine. Its a Mustang Survival.

Sounds like the one I purchased. The canister needs to be replaced I believe every 2 years.

Good way to check out the old canister is either jump in or drop the vest in the water. Then install the new canister.