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Posts: 61
Location: Avilla, IN | I am seriously considering the purchase of a flotation suit. A substantial part of its use would involve ice fishing. Are flotation suits warm enough to use for an all day ice fishing trip?
Thanks for any input! |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | The Mustang I have is warm enough to fish until ice up - I don't ice fish. I wear jeans and a sweatshirt underneath and I'm warm into the 20's. If it gets colder I'll add some high performance under layers and all day in the the teens would be comfortable. |
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Posts: 8828
| Been looking at the Mustang suit for quite some time. You can buy the coat seperately, or the bibs/coat combo, and they also sell a one piece suit. Seems the one piece suit would be best should you go in the water late in the fall. For those of you who actually HAVE the Mustang gear:
Which one do you have?
Is it bulky and uncomfortable, or can you still move and cast in it?
Has anyone actually TESTED the suit? (intentionally or unintentionally)
I know that in full late fall gear (polypro, fleece, bibs/coat, gloves, hat/etc) I probably won't stand a chance if I go in. I've toyed around with the inflatable vests, but having that around my neck all day? Well, it sure beats dying, but I'm not sure it would even keep one afloat with 3 layers of waterlogged clothing. |
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Posts: 97
Location: Pickering, ON | You should consider it required gear from mid-October right through to May - for the boat and on the ice.
I have a one piece Helly Hansen, and it is definitely warm enough for ice fishing. On the ice I typically wear long johns top and bottom, lined jeans, a t-shirt & hoodie under the floatsuit. Pair it up with a good toque, good socks and boots, and you should be warm enough.
A floatsuit is an absolute must on the ice. A non-floating snowmobile, hunting, or ski suit on the ice could be a death sentence.
Edited by JeffinPickering 12/16/2010 12:39 PM
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | My personal opinion is that the two piece suits are designed to keep you floating. I've never seen a two piece suit that is anything but a flotation suit. The one piece suit is a true anti-exposure suit.
They are just as comfortable as any other one piece suit and not bulky at all. No I haven't tested it yet because the water was too cold by the time I got mine this fall. I will be testing it in the spring once the water warms into the 60's. I believe all manufacturers suggest that you test your suit once a year. |
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Posts: 67
| The one piece is the way to go , when new they can be a little stiff , but the more you wear it the more supple it becomes , and don't worry it will float you with all your clothes on and big bulky boots , very warm almost too warm in most cases , I have both Jacket and pants and a one piece go with the One piece Mustang  |
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| Probably the wisest way to look at this is the worst case scenario -you are in the water, below the ice- what now?
Is your choice of apparel going to help you here or hinder you?
Also don't overlook quality gloves and boots. When I was 13 I froze my hands solid, like hamburger that has been in the freezer for a month. Through and through my hands were solid like granite. Up until then I didn't know much about frostbite, just what my uncle had told me about him being in the battle of the bulge in WWII, cost him a few toes. I got lucky, lost all the skin off all my fingers and I won't go into even trying to describe the pain just suffice it to say YOU DO NOT WANT TO GO THERE.
Frostbite sneaks up on you, oddly enough my hands felt warm actually and then at some point you realize that part of you is frozen but then it's too late. |
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Posts: 20248
Location: oswego, il | Do they make these suits in anything but a loud color? The other question I have is are they watrerproof? I fish in the rain and snow in late fall and winter and would like something like this to keep me dry as well. |
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Posts: 814
| Todd, You can get the integrity line in all black for sure, I also know the mustang ms2175 comes in 85% black with orange shoulders. I spoke with 2 major retailers and a gentlemen from thornes....all three have said these are the warmest things out there and are 100% total waterproof. There are a few photos late in the year in the big fish album with a gentlemen wearing the ms2175. I will be getting one for sure, I do alot of solo fishing and the thought of becoming a corpse over 500 bucks just doesn't sit right anymore. Landfall navigation or columbus supply are your best bets in terms of selection. |
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Posts: 8828
| Todd, I am sure you could call them and get yourself a nice pretty pink one! |
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Posts: 339
Location: Denmark | There is one brand NORFIN, that makes flotation suits in camo.
http://norfin.info/?pname=cat&mid=20&id=37 |
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| Mustang Survival Suits are not rain proof,you will get wet after long hours in steady rain.We ware Cabelas Guideware over top,be sure to put pillow portion of the Mustang Survival Suit on the outside,on the auto imflation suits this pillow turns your body to put you face up in the water. |
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Posts: 342
Location: Passaic, NJ - Upper French River, ON | Mustang Ice Rider - 2 pc snowmobile float suits, variety of colors. Complete floatation, dry, very warm and flexible, reinforced in knees and elbows.
The foam will drain dry after immersion, hopefully before it freezes on the outer layers. Moisture = Muerte.
Edited by gimo 12/17/2010 8:25 AM
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Posts: 8828
| Take a look around the website. There's so many choices I'm actually more confused now than I usually am! |
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| I wore the one piece suit off the VA coast one winter for a striper trip in a 23-footer. We got caught in a storm on the way back and I was soaked through to the bone. No, they are not waterproof but they will definitely keep you warm throughout the winter. And they will keep you floating if you go in. I've convinced others that muskie fish that they should own a suit, especially the guys that fish solo. |
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Posts: 97
| Todd, you need loud colors at least on the shoulders. Bobbing in the water, you don't want to blend in---You want to be seen. |
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Posts: 378
Location: Michigan | Is there a one piece floatation suit that is rainroof? Is the Mustang considered to be the best value for the dollar? |
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Posts: 90
| I have an MS2175 and it is awesome! It is almost too warm sometimes. Another buddy that has a survival suit says owning one is a courtesy to your loved ones. If you don't make it, at least your body can be recovered for a funeral!
http://www.mustangsurvival.com/products/product.php?id=287 |
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| [url]http://www.idigear.com/arcticarmor.php |
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| The Arctic Armor suit is what you need. Myself and my guides have been wearing these for the past two seasons for Fall Musky - Ice Fishing - and even early spring fishing. Waterproof - Windproof - Warmest suit made - and it will float 3 people. Worth every penny ($320 - $340)
Pat
Hellraiser Tackle
Captain Hooks |
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Flotation Suits