I recently bought a Super Fat Cat, have chest high neo waders, and am now looking for other gear. Specifically life jackets. I am attracted to the inflatable suspender type but see there is also a belt inflatable too.
Can you give me some input regarding life jackets in general, do you use one, do you prefer one, is the belt type a good solution, etc. ALSO… what abouth the auto-inflatables. I have slipped in shallow streams and just got wet, but wouldn’t like the inflatable to deploy just for that.
I’m an overweight, retired guy, an active couch potato with bad knees with a healthy respect for water.
BTW:
That shallow stream was the Colorado Blue River, in mid-winter about 5 degrees f, and I also discovered that a fly reel doesn’t work worth a darn when it’s frozen solid. A good lesson for carrying a spare reel.
Outcast Super Fat Cat in Colorado high mountain lakes. Life is good indeed.
LadyFisher,
Thanks for the info. I am convinced.
I just ordered a Stormy Seas EXP100 inflatable vest Currently ON SALE at [url=http://www.kayakproshop.com,:b79a6]www.kayakproshop.com,[/url:b79a6] for $130 and Free Shipping. I can tell this is going to be a good year!
Outcast Super Fat Cat in Colorado high mountain lakes. Life is good indeed.
bobin4trout;
Welcome to a great place. Pull up a chair and relax. Drop by the Chat Room once in a while.
I just got a float tube last spring and don’t care for the regular PFD so your first post had some good info in it. I’m going to check it out.
You might also consider a rod holder and an anchor. Handy item’s when it’s time for a snack.
I feel more like I do now than I did when I got here!
I strongly suggest anyone that is in a boat of any kind to invest in a good coast guard certified type III floation vest.
They make some very comfortable ones that are designed with fisherman in mind, with lots of pockets for fly boxes and adequate arm room for casting.
I also suggest you ‘take a swim’ with the vest on and fully clothed in your fishing get up. Use a swimming pool or a warm pond somewhere and test it out.
My first vest did not provide adequate floatation, even though it was rated for kayaking. Don’t wait until an accident to find out you PFD won’t keep your head above water or let you swim easily.
I was reading your post, and for a minute, thought it was mine, and I’d forgotten about it. ie: Old, bald, fat guy, with bad knees.
You’re singin my song bud. We aren’t required to wear a vest here, but we are required to have one on board. Sounds like you’ve got your problem solved. Now, if you’d just tell me where to get a pair of waders with a 54 waist, and a 28 inseam, that doesn’t have a size 14 bootie, I’d be your servant for the summer.
If you have any doubts at all, I’d go with Ladyfisher’s suggestion of a full vest PFD. I didn’t myself, here’s why–
After wearing my bulky canoeing PFD vest on my float tube all last summer, I finally went with the belt pack PFD for my float tube and wading. The big vest was too uncomfortable. I’m VERY cautious around water, and I simply don’t get myself into any hairy float tubing or wading situations…I’m on shore at the bar having a relaxing beverage well before conditions get bad – and I’m in my canoe in the middle of bigger lakes here in CO, not my tube…my tube stays near shore, always. Always!
I did the dunk test with my belt pack and waders on a hot fall day last year-- no problem, but I’m aware that if I had fell and hit my head, I would not be able to pull the vest over my head. Something to think about for sure. I’m usually wading small streams, and I never get in over my hips.
SO the belt pack is fine for me–but maybe not for you. Depends on your float tubing habits.
DANBOB
PS – read the Stormy Seas website, linked to from Ladyfisher’s review. It’ll make you think!
[This message has been edited by danbob (edited 03 February 2006).]
I don’t have a float tube yet. However, I never go near water without my Sospenders. If I get dunked or in trouble, I yank the rip cord and they inflate. When not needed, they are no more trouble than a pair of suspenders. As I also fish out in Lake Michigan I got them in bright orange so if I did go in, someone could find me. Required or not, a PFD is a good idea.
Well I will get some slings and arrows thrown at me now. I don’t use a PFD. I doubt very seriously if boaf my pontoon boat bladders are going to go flat at the same time…or even at that, so fast I can’t react. I gonna cathc it on this one I bet. But I don’t bother with them…and they are required here.
Well I will get some slings and arrows thrown at me now. I don’t use a PFD. I doubt very seriously if boaf my pontoon boat bladders are going to go flat at the same time…or even at that, so fast I can’t react. I gonna cathc it on this one I bet. But I don’t bother with them…and they are required here.
