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Muskie Fishing -> Muskie Boats and Motors -> Opinions on inflatable PFD's
 
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Message Subject: Opinions on inflatable PFD's
VMS
Posted 1/10/2019 12:59 PM (#927989)
Subject: Opinions on inflatable PFD's





Posts: 3467


Location: Elk River, Minnesota
Hi Everyone,

Have not made the switch to these yet in my rig, but am going that direction quickly. Wondering what brands and models people have tried and would love to hear your opinions on comfort while fishing. I have never tried one on, let alone fished with one on....

How comfy are they? Do they get in the way of fishing at all? Are they hot to have on over the neck? Do they scratch or get uncomfortable around the neck, etc.

Thanks everyone!!

Steve

25homes
Posted 1/10/2019 1:17 PM (#927995 - in reply to #927989)
Subject: RE: Opinions on inflatable PFD's





Posts: 983


VMS - 1/10/2019 12:59 PM

Hi Everyone,

Have not made the switch to these yet in my rig, but am going that direction quickly. Wondering what brands and models people have tried and would love to hear your opinions on comfort while fishing. I have never tried one on, let alone fished with one on....

How comfy are they? Do they get in the way of fishing at all? Are they hot to have on over the neck? Do they scratch or get uncomfortable around the neck, etc.

Thanks everyone!!

Steve



These are what I use. I don't even realize im wearing it most of the time. We have a Mustang and an onyx and both have been Great...not bulk don't take up as much space in lockers. Cant go wrong Ill never get a reg life vest again!! You don't feel on the neck there is no bulk to them at all..Like I said I really don't even realize Im wearing it!!
mlure
Posted 1/10/2019 2:09 PM (#928011 - in reply to #927995)
Subject: RE: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




Posts: 166


Been using then for years. Sometimes I forget I am even wearing it. We have the Cabelas vests.
mlure
Posted 1/10/2019 2:12 PM (#928012 - in reply to #927995)
Subject: RE: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




Posts: 166


Been using then for years. Sometimes I forget I am even wearing it. We have the Cabelas vests.
jonnysled
Posted 1/10/2019 4:42 PM (#928044 - in reply to #928012)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's





Posts: 13688


Location: minocqua, wi.
i made the move about 3 years ago. i have two mustangs and 1 cabellas model ...
pklingen
Posted 1/10/2019 6:15 PM (#928054 - in reply to #927989)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




Posts: 858


Location: NE Ohio
went that way 3 yrs ago and won't look back. GREAT safety item. use the mustang self inflater (HIT) model.
North of 8
Posted 1/10/2019 6:29 PM (#928055 - in reply to #928054)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




I have a Cabela and an Onyx. Fish by myself most of the time and have a routine. Let the boat down on the lift, get in, start it up and then put on pfd. Wear it any time I am in the boat.
One thing I would suggest is to look at the part of the vest that goes against the back of the neck. The Cabela's is kind of a course weave and after a long day on the water with a t-shirt, your neck would get scraped pretty good. The Onyx has a softer material there and is more comfortable for long periods of time. Not a big deal, just made sure I wore a shirt with a collar after the first time. The biggest thing with an inflatable is that you will wear it. No pfd is of much use if you don't wear it. My brother in law and I rescued two guys last summer that got tossed from their fishing boat and were not wearing pfds. The life jackets were in the bottom of the boat.
jchiggins
Posted 1/10/2019 8:51 PM (#928063 - in reply to #928012)
Subject: RE: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




Posts: 1757


Location: new richmond, wi. & isle, mn
mlure - 1/10/2019 2:12 PM

Been using then for years. Sometimes I forget I am even wearing it. We have the Cabelas vests.
same
Vilas15
Posted 1/10/2019 8:56 PM (#928064 - in reply to #928063)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




Posts: 177


If you get one make sure to get an auto-inflate model that doesn't require you pulling the cord. The manual type won't help any in the situations where you'd need a life jacket the most, during emergencies when you can't swim due to being knocked unconscious, etc.
MOJOcandy101
Posted 1/11/2019 11:46 AM (#928099 - in reply to #927989)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's





Posts: 705


Location: Alex or Alek?
I got the onyx as a gift last year and wear it when fishing alone. As others have said you forget that its on.
39 degrees
Posted 1/11/2019 5:58 PM (#928148 - in reply to #927989)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




Posts: 102


I purchased a mustang. I choose the one with the most buoyancy when inflated. I decided to do that so no matter how much clothing or heavy boots I am wearing I would float. I can also see a scenario when a boat partner without a pdf needs to hold on to me. I also choose a model that needs to be submerged (water pressure) to activate. I had another brand inflate in my garage because of the humidity. Like others said, I forget I am wearing the mustang.
7ovr50
Posted 1/12/2019 5:25 AM (#928173 - in reply to #927989)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




Posts: 426


I've been using the Mustang (HIT) model for several years now. I went with this model because It can get soaked by spray and rain and not inflate unless it is submersed in water. I always wear it when fishing solo. The vest is pricy but you what's your life worth? BEST investment I ever made.
RLSea
Posted 1/12/2019 7:40 PM (#928222 - in reply to #927989)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




Posts: 479


Location: Northern Illinois
The kids bought me a Mustang HIT for my birthday 3 years ago and made me promise to wear it. I fish with a partner and always wear it and don't notice it unless I'm not wearing it.
NPike
Posted 1/13/2019 8:12 PM (#928298 - in reply to #928222)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




Posts: 612


The trouble is that I've spent so much on boat, motor, rods reels, etc, At some point I need to draw the line on expenditures and I'm not going to pay >> $100 for a life jacket (hey call me cheap).
Bubba_J
Posted 1/13/2019 9:34 PM (#928300 - in reply to #928298)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




NPike - 1/13/2019 8:12 PM

The trouble is that I've spent so much on boat, motor, rods reels, etc, At some point I need to draw the line on expenditures and I'm not going to pay >> $100 for a life jacket (hey call me cheap).


That's makes about as much sense as buying a brand new truck and deciding to save $100 by not having seat belts installed... $100 is about the cost of 4 new lures that we probably don't need. Lures won't save your life.
Andrew M
Posted 1/14/2019 12:25 AM (#928303 - in reply to #928064)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




Posts: 4


Vilas15 - 1/10/2019 6:56 PM The manual type won't help any in the situations where you'd need a life jacket the most, during emergencies when you can't swim due to being knocked unconscious, etc.

Second that - it's really the only way to go. TBF I think I read that half of all recovered bodies in lake or at sea had their fly down. The speculation was that there's been some drinking going on, so more than one way to go unconscious!

VMS
Posted 1/14/2019 6:58 AM (#928312 - in reply to #927989)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's





Posts: 3467


Location: Elk River, Minnesota
Guys?

I don't believe that was the intent of NPike's message... He by law has to have PFD's on board.. He's just not going to go inflatable when there are other approved ones out there at a much lower cost, and will get the job done very very well.

I'm in that debate right now with my wife on this very issue... She say's it's a lot to spend for something we already have that works just as well..

Steve
7ovr50
Posted 1/14/2019 7:08 AM (#928313 - in reply to #928303)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




Posts: 426


Andrew M - 1/14/2019 12:25 AM

Vilas15 - 1/10/2019 6:56 PM The manual type won't help any in the situations where you'd need a life jacket the most, during emergencies when you can't swim due to being knocked unconscious, etc.

Second that - it's really the only way to go. TBF I think I read that half of all recovered bodies in lake or at sea had their fly down. The speculation was that there's been some drinking going on, so more than one way to go unconscious!

I fish alone a lot. If I slip or fall into the lake due to and accident, illness or I was thrown from the boat well running one of several senerios will occur. I will be unconscious , deceased or in panic mode.. My Mustang (HIT) will inflate when submersed with no help from me no matter what happened. I float! End of story. Every one who owns a boat and tackle has spent thousands of dollars to try and hook up a Musky. Really you won't spend $200 bucks on yourself to be COMFORTABLE in all weather and fishing conditions (including casting). (How many wear vest after the power motor is off?) Wearing a (HIT) vest will ensure you will get another chance to use your investment (or notify your family) should the unexpected happen. Go figure.... I can't agree more with the above posts
North of 8
Posted 1/14/2019 7:52 AM (#928318 - in reply to #928313)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




I know it sounds a little morbid but I have heard guys say 'what good will a pfd do me if I have a heart attack or stroke and go over the side dead?' In 2017, a boat belonging to a guy in his mid 40s was found on a Vilas county lake. He was a musky fisherman, doing what he loved, out at night by himself. The authorities looked, volunteers looked but his body was not found for over a week. He had a wife and kids at home. When they found his body, they could not determine the cause of death because of decomposition. If you should have a fatal medical event, wouldn't you want your family to have that closure?
WjColdWater
Posted 1/14/2019 8:16 AM (#928321 - in reply to #927989)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




Posts: 1


I switched back to a Mustang standard foam vest. There has been to many documented failures on mechanical self inflating vests. This vest will always keep you afloat. Also running at speed it’s the only vest to wear. IMO
Smell_Esox
Posted 1/15/2019 9:00 AM (#928397 - in reply to #928321)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




Posts: 267


WjColdWater - 1/14/2019 8:16 AM

I switched back to a Mustang standard foam vest. There has been to many documented failures on mechanical self inflating vests. This vest will always keep you afloat. Also running at speed it’s the only vest to wear. IMO
This is an important observation. I'm required to wear a life jacket for work. I hate wearing the old traditional foam or whatever type life jackets because they can be hot and cumbersome. So we have automatic deploy life vests, I believe we got them from Gander Mtn. Always, in the back of my mind, I think is this thing going to work if I fall in and need it. The chance of failure is always there on a mechanical device. Make sure you periodically check to make sure they are functioning properly. Check for corrosion, etc. Some of the components in the triggering device need to be replaced on a periodic basis. Don't take for granted they will work.
BrokenWing
Posted 1/22/2019 6:52 PM (#928990 - in reply to #927989)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's





Posts: 106


Location: On Lake St Clair Michigan
Mustang, I have had them for over 10 yrs. Auto is the only way to go
North of 8
Posted 1/23/2019 7:29 AM (#929020 - in reply to #928990)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




Just got a flyer from Bass Pro Shop and they have one of their better self inflating pfd's on sale. If you are looking for one, might be worth checking out.
Will Schultz
Posted 1/23/2019 12:49 PM (#929065 - in reply to #927989)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's





Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Just want to add, since I don't see it mentioned, in most places these ONLY count as approved PFD's on board your boat if you are wearing them if you only wear it when running spot to spot you need to have other PFD's on board.
esoxaddict
Posted 1/23/2019 1:31 PM (#929069 - in reply to #929065)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's





Posts: 8702


A few buddies have started wearing their PFD's under their parkas in the fall for comfort and to avoid having them get in the way casting. Sounds like a bad idea to me. Seems the vest might not inflate when you need it if it's underneath your coat. Thoughts on that?
bbeaupre
Posted 1/29/2019 11:45 AM (#929558 - in reply to #927989)
Subject: RE: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




Posts: 390


Stay away from the auto-inflate ones if you fish in any sort of rain, believe me!
Landry
Posted 1/30/2019 4:26 PM (#929724 - in reply to #927989)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




Posts: 1023


I wear an auto inflate bps model when fishing solo.
A foam vest is better when under power imo. More reliable.
7ovr50
Posted 1/31/2019 8:18 AM (#929758 - in reply to #927989)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




Posts: 426


Hydrostatic inflator technology is the only style I wear. Vest must be under water to inflate. There has been no accidental inflation of my vest in five years of wearing it. I never remove it when fishing solo even in heavy rains. Great product. Several of my friends wear the same vest as mine with complete satisfaction. My 2 cents
RLSea
Posted 1/31/2019 8:23 PM (#929829 - in reply to #927989)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




Posts: 479


Location: Northern Illinois
This ^^^^^^
Smell_Esox
Posted 2/1/2019 8:48 AM (#929853 - in reply to #929069)
Subject: Re: Opinions on inflatable PFD's




Posts: 267


esoxaddict - 1/23/2019 1:31 PM

A few buddies have started wearing their PFD's under their parkas in the fall for comfort and to avoid having them get in the way casting. Sounds like a bad idea to me. Seems the vest might not inflate when you need it if it's underneath your coat. Thoughts on that?
I think it will inflate no matter what.
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