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Life vest #13200853 07/01/19 03:21 AM
Joined: Feb 2014
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Smurfs Offline OP
TFF Celebrity
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Joined: Feb 2014
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need some suggestions on a comfortable life vest to fish in, while fishing out of my new Jackson Mayfly. The universal one I have know isnt cutting it!

Re: Life vest [Re: Smurfs] #13200862 07/01/19 03:38 AM
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Dougfresh Offline
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Really like my chinook. Comfortable, lots of storage, and it’s even kept me afloat a few times smile

Re: Life vest [Re: Smurfs] #13200903 07/01/19 04:18 AM
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,149
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Ocelot Offline
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NSR Chinook. Does not limit my motion and it is not hot.
Will definitely keep me afloat if something happens.
Even has a couple handy pockets and place to mount a knife.
You can get a good deal on one if do not go with latest model.

Re: Life vest [Re: Smurfs] #13200904 07/01/19 04:18 AM
Joined: Dec 2012
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lconn4 Online Content
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Onyx, Mustang, several good brands of auto or manual inflatables. I bought an Onyx at Academy last go around... lots of colors to choose from.

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/on...-jacket-026023317p#repChildCatid=1017604


A good rule of angling philosophy is not to interfere with another fisherman's ways of being happy, unless you want to be hated.
Zane Grey, Tales of Fishes, 1919

https://vimeo.com/73372194
https://vimeo.com/72859045

Re: Life vest [Re: Smurfs] #13200978 07/01/19 12:01 PM
Joined: Apr 2019
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Jerry713 Offline
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OP comfort and life vests don't always go together. Technically the inflatable PDF's are comfortable. If you decide on an inflatable make sure you know they are nothing more than the ole orange 5 dollar life vest that goes around your neck and in many situations can get you in trouble rather than save you. Many of them actually come with a tag that says you need to be a strong swimmer to use one. IMO for kayak fishing inflatable PFD's are not good.

I wanted something with a high back for the back support but didn't want the back portion of the PFD to be thick. I found the Stohlquist Keeper to be best for me. NRS makes good ones too. They are all going to be a little bulky at first but it's something you'll get use to. Some PDF's have a high back to them and some have a low back. You'll need to find one that best fits with your seat/back.


You get out of it what you put into it!
Re: Life vest [Re: Smurfs] #13201022 07/01/19 12:39 PM
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 352
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JohnF67 Offline
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I've got an OSO Bay Charter. It's a lot like the Stohlquist or Chinook, with a little less storage (which is fine with me) and a lot less price. I can personally attest that it will keep a 205lb fisherman afloat in 47 degree water long enough to right his kayak and climb his dumb a55 back in.

[Linked Image]


https://www.austinkayak.com/Oso-Bay-Charter-PFD-Life-Jacket/ACK25823P.html

Re: Life vest [Re: Smurfs] #13201051 07/01/19 12:53 PM
Joined: Jul 2018
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Ocelot Offline
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Inflatables also require maintenance that most people do not even know about and do not follow.
It does not take long looking through the forums to see issues with them inflating without being in the water.
This could put one in the position to either wear the inflated vest or, go without. Unfortunately even those who always were their life jacket decide to go without just that once.
You should also go onto the site for any inflatable you are interested in and look for recalls and issues.
A non inflatable is always available to wear and will keep you afloat.

Re: Life vest [Re: Smurfs] #13201066 07/01/19 01:05 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
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Tallgrass05 Offline
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I recently got the newer model NRS Chinook on sale for $90. It's pretty comfy and has decent pockets.

Re: Life vest [Re: Smurfs] #13201134 07/01/19 02:12 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,257
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Neumie Offline
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Here's a list I compiled of PFD's designed for paddling; Click.

Some have more fishing friendly options, some are more basic in design. Anyway, you'll be able to find one in your budget which should be comfortable to wear. It is important to try one on before purchasing as each maker cuts the foam and sews them up a little different, so you'll want one to fit your build.


"Water is life's matter and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water." -Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man." - Heraclitus
Re: Life vest [Re: Smurfs] #13201299 07/01/19 04:49 PM
Joined: Jul 2018
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YakfishinTx81 Offline
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I can tell you from personal experience, to buy what is comfortable to you or you will not wear it like you should. Mustang Elite for me, no more bulky standard foam vests, I will trade maintenance & a higher cost over discomfort any day. I've intentionally tested my inflatable & I've also fallen out of my kayak sight fishing this spring (oops) and both times it performed flawlessly. I now just keep my old PFD inside the rear hatch of my kayak in case i forget my inflatable, or if i were to ever have an issue with it i have a backup. Personal preference honestly, others will feel different and that's okay.


Ray
Re: Life vest [Re: Smurfs] #13201805 07/02/19 01:15 AM
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christian myrick Offline
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Our fam uses chinooks too. Tough to beat. The new ones i like better than the older style chinook. I like the pockets more and the strap control pockets. Shoulder straps on the old ones needed to be taped or they slap ya in the face for going out in the wind.


Re: Life vest [Re: Smurfs] #13201946 07/02/19 03:32 AM
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Clay34 Offline
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I had a two year old Chinook in the dark gray/green color for low profile spooky fish and then wanted to take the boat offshore (Great Lakes) and wanted something with some higher visibility for that. So I bought the Chinook Offshore version in Blaze orange. The Offshore version comes with a pocket for my VHF Marine radio.

The new version of the Chinook vs the old version is more than just a few pocket changes. Check out some YouT vids. They are both great.


Many go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not the fish that they are after. Henry David Thoreau
Re: Life vest [Re: Smurfs] #13202274 07/02/19 02:58 PM
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Jezreel Offline
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I am so glad to read this thread, although I'm sure this has been discussed many times before. I have been using an inflatable in my Jon Boat for 2 years now, but have REALLY been thinking about getting something that will assure that I float properly. I believe I will be ordering an NRS Chinook very soon. When my wife and I paddle in our sit-inside Yaks, I use a better PFD, but I would like to get one that I can fish in.

Re: Life vest [Re: Jezreel] #13202326 07/02/19 03:50 PM
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Posts: 111
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janie Offline
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OP, thank you. Great thread, and I'm one who needs to pay up for a better PFD. My current one is simply to hot to leave on all day. Chinook time!


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