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Posts: 264
| I'm looking to get a float suit specifically for the early spring and late fall for open water and for trips to Canada. (Northwest Territories in early June for pike and lakers) I'm looking for something that is as light as practical and as flexible as possible for casting and free movement and least amount of space packed in a bag for travel.
After looking around, I'm leaning toward the Striker Ice Trekker jacket and bibs, but would like to hear any other recommendations and opinions on other options.
Thank you all,
Talmooner |
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Posts: 191
| Should make it much easier to recover your mortal remains |
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Posts: 1211
Location: Walker, MN | Out of all the ice suits I have owned, the Striker is probably the roomiest with good range of motion. Very warm too.
The Strikemaster Surface suit is very nice, I just wish they made it in tall sizes. |
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Posts: 264
| Masqui-ninja - 2/15/2021 10:03 AM
Out of all the ice suits I have owned, the Striker is probably the roomiest with good range of motion. Very warm too.
The Strikemaster Surface suit is very nice, I just wish they made it in tall sizes.
Yeah, I would prefer a tall as well. That is part of the reason I am looking at the Striker.
Thank you for the reply.
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Posts: 32
| I bought the Striker Ice Predator suit with the removable liners.It makes it very versatile. It’s very warm, and with the investment. JoeP |
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Posts: 1191
| I am happy with my Striker Climate suit. You can remove a layer in both the bibs and parka, however, probably doesn't pack as small as you may want. With both liners in, it needs to be really cold, or else you will get hot. |
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Posts: 492
Location: midwest | I think that Trekker suit would be just what your looking for. Not a heavy ice suit but still warm and allow flotation. |
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Posts: 32
| Sorry. I meant the Climate Suit. Well worth it. JoeP |
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Location: Walker, MN | TCESOX - 2/15/2021 10:59 AM
I am happy with my Striker Climate suit. You can remove a layer in both the bibs and parka, however, probably doesn't pack as small as you may want. With both liners in, it needs to be really cold, or else you will get hot.
They are bulky and heavy, definitely the down side with these suits. When it get really cold, they are awesome though. |
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Posts: 1679
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | I have a climate suit I wear late fall. Jeans, undershirt, sweatshirt only. No long johns or you will be hot if it is over 40-45 degrees. I prefer to do this vs wearing so many layers. The bibs are bulky, but the coat is no worse than anything else you would wear on the lake in these temps. |
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Posts: 264
| All,
Thank you for the great info and suggestions. I will need to give another look at the Climate and Predator without the liners and see how those compare to the Trekker.
Does anyone have experience with other brands like Ice Armor or others for comparison?
Thank you
Talmooner |
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Posts: 34
| The key is balancing comfort while fishing and thermal protection if you end up in the water. Mustang and Stearns make "anti-exposure" suits that are USCG approved PFDs. These are one-piece suits that provide both flotation and remarkable thermal protection.
I have used suits form both of these manufacturers for fishing in the early (late Feb and early March in IL). I have also used them extensively for sailboat day races and long distance racing (1 - 3 days) on Lake Michigan (Chicago - Mackinaw) and Lake Ontario (Lake Ontario International). I have found them to be completely waterproof, comfortable to wear for many hours, and plenty flexible. They are expensive ($400 - 600), but could save your life.
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/mustang-survival--anti-exposure-work-...
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/stearns--the-challenger-anti-exposure... |
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| 60503 - 2/15/2021 10:45 PM
The key is balancing comfort while fishing and thermal protection if you end up in the water. Mustang and Stearns make "anti-exposure" suits that are USCG approved PFDs. These are one-piece suits that provide both flotation and remarkable thermal protection.
I have used suits form both of these manufacturers for fishing in the early (late Feb and early March in IL ). I have also used them extensively for sailboat day races and long distance racing (1 - 3 days ) on Lake Michigan (Chicago - Mackinaw ) and Lake Ontario (Lake Ontario International ). I have found them to be completely waterproof, comfortable to wear for many hours, and plenty flexible. They are expensive ($400 - 600 ), but could save your life.
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/mustang-survival--anti-exposure-work-...
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/stearns--the-challenger-anti-exposure...
My brother in law is a commercial fisherman in Alaska and when he heads out tomorrow for the first crab season of the year on his boat, he will be wearing aMustang survival suit. When I was there in May a couple years ago, he wore it when we took a big skiff across Icy Straits to get to their place. It had been 60 in Juneau, but in low 40s on the water. In warmer weather (relative term ) he wears just the suit, now he will wear more warm clothes under it. I am guessing if you can haul salmon nets and crab pots in it, you can fish musky. But, very pricey. |
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Posts: 347
Location: Vilas County, WI | After extensive research here and on the google machine I went with the Striker Predator suit. I wear it for fall musky fishing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling. It blocks the wind, repels the elements, and keeps me plenty warm. I also like all the pockets and the adjustable cuff on the pant leg. Very impressed after two seasons. |
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Posts: 264
| Thanks All.
Appreciate the info on the Mustang one-piece, but I am really looking for the jacket-bibbs combo so I have the option to also wear the jacket alone while on land.
And, I should have asked this before but for those who have Striker gear, is it waterproof enough to keep one dry in an all-day soaker rain?
Thank you
Talmooner
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Posts: 34
| Just remember that the Striker suit may float, but its not a PFD. I always wear an auto inflating PFD if I'm not wearing my anti-exposure suit.
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Posts: 1191
| talmooner - 2/16/2021 9:51 AM
Thanks All.
Appreciate the info on the Mustang one-piece, but I am really looking for the jacket-bibbs combo so I have the option to also wear the jacket alone while on land.
And, I should have asked this before but for those who have Striker gear, is it waterproof enough to keep one dry in an all-day soaker rain?
Thank you
Talmooner
Only had mine for three years, and haven't been in a heavy rain, while wearing the suit yet. However, last winter, when the lakes were all slushy, I laid in liquid slush for about 10 minutes while repairing a flip over, and had zero water penetration. |
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Posts: 264
| TCESOX
Well that's quite a test even with no rain!I
LOL
Thank you for the info.
Talmooner |
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Posts: 1211
Location: Walker, MN | I didn't trust mine on rain days for years...then I got caught in some. They are surprisingly water resistant. Obviously not Gore tex. |
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Posts: 1209
| I have Eskimo brand float/ice fishing suit and use it as you describe , my buddy has a striker ice set, they both work great, they both add some safety to the equation, not enough to solely rely on but yeah. Ps they both stay dry for about 7 hours in the rain before becoming waterlogged and wet. As far as comfort casting no problems, maybe getting a fish out of the net can get a little tight but no issue in my opinion. Strongly suggest you follow through with this thought process. |
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Posts: 264
| FishySam and all
Thanks for all the great info. Not sure yet on brand and model but will be looking to make this purchase soon.
Thanks all
Talmooner
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