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Life vest
#13200853
07/01/19 03:21 AM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 8,475
Smurfs
OP
TFF Celebrity
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OP
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 8,475 |
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!
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Re: Life vest
[Re: Smurfs]
#13200862
07/01/19 03:38 AM
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 111
Dougfresh
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 111 |
Really like my chinook. Comfortable, lots of storage, and its even kept me afloat a few times
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Re: Life vest
[Re: Smurfs]
#13200903
07/01/19 04:18 AM
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,149
Ocelot
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,149 |
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.
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Re: Life vest
[Re: Smurfs]
#13200978
07/01/19 12:01 PM
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Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,234
Jerry713
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,234 |
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!
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Re: Life vest
[Re: Smurfs]
#13201022
07/01/19 12:39 PM
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 352
JohnF67
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 352 |
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. https://www.austinkayak.com/Oso-Bay-Charter-PFD-Life-Jacket/ACK25823P.html
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Re: Life vest
[Re: Smurfs]
#13201051
07/01/19 12:53 PM
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,149
Ocelot
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,149 |
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.
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Re: Life vest
[Re: Smurfs]
#13201066
07/01/19 01:05 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 43,998
Tallgrass05
bill maher's protege
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bill maher's protege
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 43,998 |
I recently got the newer model NRS Chinook on sale for $90. It's pretty comfy and has decent pockets.
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Re: Life vest
[Re: Smurfs]
#13201134
07/01/19 02:12 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,257
Neumie
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,257 |
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
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Re: Life vest
[Re: Smurfs]
#13201299
07/01/19 04:49 PM
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 163
YakfishinTx81
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 163 |
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
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Re: Life vest
[Re: Smurfs]
#13201805
07/02/19 01:15 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,723
christian myrick
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,723 |
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.
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Re: Life vest
[Re: Smurfs]
#13201946
07/02/19 03:32 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 407
Clay34
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 407 |
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
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Re: Life vest
[Re: Smurfs]
#13202274
07/02/19 02:58 PM
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 363
Jezreel
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 363 |
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.
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Re: Life vest
[Re: Jezreel]
#13202326
07/02/19 03:50 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 111
janie
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 111 |
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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