Pfds/ Life Jackets

[tbone1993]

Lately I have been fishing tournaments as a co angler and now have the opportunity to use a boat from time to time. As a co angler I am stuck using my boaters extra life jackets. They work but I would much rather have my own PFD that I could  carry on the boat and be comfortable rather than using an over/undersized jacket.  Does anyone have any solid recommendations that they would honestly trust their own life with.  It is a life jacket so my budget limitless.  

[Darren.]

If I were you, I'd look at some of the Mustang manual/auto inflatables.

 

Because I'm in a kayak, I tend to prefer a non-inflatable vest, but if I were in the back of a boat, I'd wear an inflatable all the time, probably. A life is a terrible thing to waste.

[Teal]

Mustang auto/manuel. Low profile, light, can wear all day and not know its there.

I dont always wear it on the bass boat, but when im on the river on my jon boat it is a must.

[tbone1993]

If I were you, I'd look at some of the Mustang manual/auto inflatables.

 

Because I'm in a kayak, I tend to prefer a non-inflatable vest, but if I were in the back of a boat, I'd wear an inflatable all the time, probably. A life is a terrible thing to waste.

 

 

Mustang auto/manuel. Low profile, light, can wear all day and not know its there.

I dont always wear it on the bass boat, but when im on the river on my jon boat it is a must.

Any specific models?  I would change the cartridges regularly but I would like to know that the straps hold up and things of that nature.  

[Darren.]

Any specific models?  I would change the cartridges regularly but I would like to know that the straps hold up and things of that nature.  

Some of the other guys may have other recommendations, but here's a link to BPS's inventory:

 

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Navigation?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&searchTerm=mustang

 

If money is not an object here, I'd personally look at this model: 

 

http://www.basspro.com/Mustang-Survival-Competition-Inflatable-Life-Jacket-with-HIT-Model-MD3183-BC/product/98131/

[tbone1993]

Some of the other guys may have other recommendations, but here's a link to BPS's inventory:

 

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Navigation?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&searchTerm=mustang

 

If money is not an object here, I'd personally look at this model: 

 

http://www.basspro.com/Mustang-Survival-Competition-Inflatable-Life-Jacket-with-HIT-Model-MD3183-BC/product/98131/

Took a look at those on TW. Sounds like Mustang is running away with it in the PFD department, I was already looking at them so thats good. 

[BassnChris]

Mustang is the way I went...........just bought it a couple of months ago so I can't speak to durability just yet, but have heard very good things about them.

Take care in storing it. I have heard tales of them inflating after being left inside the truck in the summer, or put away damp.

I kind of go over the top sometimes......but I will treat it like it was a high end electronic device......seeing as how I am trusting it with the task of saving my life.

Like Aretha says, "R.E.S.P.E.C.T."

[Long Mike]

I've had a Mustang auto-inflate for about three years.  It's held up very well.  The straps and stitching are as new.  I confess that I was remiss in leaving the vest in the boat for several months and the humidity finally got to it and it inflated and got mildew stains all over it.  Like Chris said above, I now treat the vest like part of my electronics.  It doesn't stay on the boat for any length of time.  Would I buy another one?  You betcha!

[Brian Needham]

I would trust my life to anything the USCG says I should.

 

I got $40 jobs from bass pro........If I intended to wear one all day I would go with the mustang. I guess I am a little old school and like to "trust" all the padding on the older style ones, and I only wear one while under power.

[slonezp]

Another vote for Mustang. I have a couple of their low end models. Plain looking and smaller in size than the fancy models, but with both auto and manual deploy.

 

Brian, I fish all day with the Mustang and forget it's even on

[Silas]

I researched jackets about 3 months ago.  Decided on the Mustang H.I.T. model.  The other models use a different method for the start of the inflation.....moisture.  But, in very HUMID regions, and possibly in the rain, they may self inflate.

 

I live in South Louisiana.  It rains all the time!!  And the humidity is always high.

 

So I went with the model MD 3183 Mustang Survival.  Type II PFD.  Hydrostatic Inflator Technology (H.I.T) 

 

They are pricy:  around $300.  I looked around online and picked up one for about $230.

 

I am super pleased with it....literally forget it's on.  I wear it ALL the time in the boat.  I'm getting pretty old, and I'm likely to lose my balance one day and fall out.  It takes 4 inches of water to inflate automatically.  Or you can pull a cord manually, or you can blow it up orally.

 

Pretty fail proof!  Also this one has more buoyancy than the normal 24 lbs.  Comes in red or blue.

 

Mustang makes several cheaper models from $109 to $175.  I looked at those.  Nowhere near the quality of this one.

 

As you stated, how much is your life worth?

[Maico1]

Mustang H.I.T.....

[Fishes in trees]

I got a Mustang H.I.T.    A few years ago I feel out of the boat - in early April - into 46 degree water - 16 or so feet deep.  I wasn't wearing a life jacket.  I was fortunate I got back into the boat.  Later, in the evening when I got home from fishing, I got on the phone and ordered an inflatable life jacket.   A year or two later I found out about the H.I.T. technology and how it was better than the standard auto inflatable and so now that is the one I use.  

 

I was religious about carrying a life jacket in the boat and I generally wore it when the big motor was running, but I didn't wear it when I was fishing.  Now I do.   All the time.  Even in the hottest days of the summer.  Falling out of the boat was a wake up call for me.

[tbone1993]

I got a Mustang H.I.T.    A few years ago I feel out of the boat - in early April - into 46 degree water - 16 or so feet deep.  I wasn't wearing a life jacket.  I was fortunate I got back into the boat.  Later, in the evening when I got home from fishing, I got on the phone and ordered an inflatable life jacket.   A year or two later I found out about the H.I.T. technology and how it was better than the standard auto inflatable and so now that is the one I use.  

 

I was religious about carrying a life jacket in the boat and I generally wore it when the big motor was running, but I didn't wear it when I was fishing.  Now I do.   All the time.  Even in the hottest days of the summer.  Falling out of the boat was a wake up call for me.

I was fishing on Table Rock two weeks ago in 4 layers including bibs and snow boots water temp ranged from 46-48 air tempt was anywhere from 25-32 . Had I fallen in I would have been dead from the additional weight. Being in 100- 200ft of water can be really scary when you take a pee off the back and the boat rocks a little bit. 

[jhoffman]

When the water is cold enough to kill I wear it the entire time

[J Francho]

Mustang HIT.

[wnybassman]

Another vote for the Mustang H.I.T.    I have caught myself forgetting it was on after I got in the truck to head home.   I have had mine for 3 or 4 full years now (I'll have to look at the expiration, I know they are good for 5 years) and the only signs of wear is the red material has gotten slightly fuzzy due to use.   Even relatively comfy in the summer heat.

[Traveler2586]

Mustang is the way I went...........just bought it a couple of months ago so I can't speak to durability just yet, but have heard very good things about them.

Take care in storing it. I have heard tales of them inflating after being left inside the truck in the summer, or put away damp.

I kind of go over the top sometimes......but I will treat it like it was a high end electronic device......seeing as how I am trusting it with the task of saving my life.

Like Aretha says, "R.E.S.P.E.C.T."

X2, I have a BPS model and wear mine all day while on the water, I forget I have it on.  When I get home, it goes in the house and hangs on a hanger to keep it safe.

 

When you get one, buy an extra cartage for it; and keep the cartage in a dry box for storage on your boat, it wont do you any good at home.

 

Question: How often do you guys change out your cartages?  I have one person tell me he does it every season; and another person says he's never changed his.   And has anyone ever tested theirs by jumping in the water or a pool?

[Traveler2586]

Mustang is the way I went...........just bought it a couple of months ago so I can't speak to durability just yet, but have heard very good things about them.

Take care in storing it. I have heard tales of them inflating after being left inside the truck in the summer, or put away damp.

I kind of go over the top sometimes......but I will treat it like it was a high end electronic device......seeing as how I am trusting it with the task of saving my life.

Like Aretha says, "R.E.S.P.E.C.T."

X2, I have a BPS model and wear mine all day while on the water, I forget I have it on.  When I get home, it goes in the house and hangs on a hanger to keep it safe.

 

When you get one, buy an extra cartage for it; and keep the cartage in a dry box for storage on your boat, it wont do you any good at home.

 

Question: How often do you guys change out your cartages?  I have one person tell me he does it every season; and another person says he's never changed his.   Has anyone ever tested theirs by jumping in the water or a pool?

[wnybassman]

Question: How often do you guys change out your cartages?  I have one person tell me he does it every season; and another person says he's never changed his.   And has anyone ever tested theirs by jumping in the water or a pool?

 

Should be an expiration date on it somewhere.

 

And no, for $79 a pop for a re-arming kit, I have not tested it by jumping in the water.   lol

[ww2farmer]

Should be an expiration date on it somewhere.

 

And no, for $79 a pop for a re-arming kit, I have not tested it by jumping in the water.   lol

If some one would like to pay-pal me $80 to buy him the re-arm kit, I'll push him in the water while taking a video to put on you-tube............for research purposes of coarse.

[J Francho]

If some one would like to pay-pal me $80 to buy him the re-arm kit, I'll push him in the water while taking a video to put on you-tube............for research purposes of coarse.

 

This must be caught on film.

[A-Jay]

If some one would like to pay-pal me $80 to buy him the re-arm kit, I'll push him in the water while taking a video to put on you-tube............for research purposes of coarse.

 

Would it be possible to have the boat on plane at the time ?

 

A-Jay

[tbone1993]

Would it be possible to have the boat on plane at the time ?

 

A-Jay

I'll throw in to see this ... for science lol

[Brian Needham]

Would it be possible to have the boat on plane at the time ?

 

A-Jay

 

 

only with the proper insurance release forms....