Looking for PFD Comfy Enough to Fish In

[NorthernBasser]

Hi guys. Soon, I'll be taking delivery on my new boat. And honestly, I'm not the strongest swimmer. So I'm thinking about getting a PFD that's light and comfy enough to where I can keep it on all day while fishing. Not the most ideal situation, but I wanna be safe out there.

 

I definitely want one that automatically inflates when it's submerged in water (but not getting wet from the rain). 

 

I know Mustang is #1, or so it seems. I really don't wanna spend $250, but if that's what it takes then so be it.

 

Any recommendations? Best place to buy?

 

Thanks.

[NorthernBasser]

I'm trying to figure out what's really different between these 2.

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Mustang_Elite_28K_HIT_Inflatable_PFD/descpage-MEIK.html

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Mustang_Elite_Inflatable_PFD/descpage-MEI.html

 

[Rahlow]

Have you looked at Academy Outdoors. They have a couple of Mustangs less than $150

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/mustang-survival-elite-28-k-hydrostatic-auto-inflatable-personal-flotation-device#repChildCatid=4934708

 

Amazon too,,,

https://www.amazon.com/Mustang-MIT-100-Inflatable-Automatic/dp/B00T59QROA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1527554937&sr=8-2&keywords=mustang+pfd+automatic

[NorthernBasser]

14 hours ago, Rahlow said:

Have you looked at Academy Outdoors. They have a couple of Mustangs less than $150

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/mustang-survival-elite-28-k-hydrostatic-auto-inflatable-personal-flotation-device#repChildCatid=4934708

 

Amazon too,,,

https://www.amazon.com/Mustang-MIT-100-Inflatable-Automatic/dp/B00T59QROA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1527554937&sr=8-2&keywords=mustang+pfd+automatic

Thanks. I think I like the ones with the fuller back like the first one.

 

My question looking at that first link is, is that an older model? I don't see that on Mustang's site. And I know these things have a shelf life, where you have to replace the CO2 cylinder. SO I don't know if buying an older model would be ideal?

 

I really have no idea. Just thinking out loud I guess. 

[fishwizzard]

Are you 100% sold on an inflatable one?  There are some pretty comfortable PFDs out there for kayak fishing.  

[NorthernBasser]

5 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

Are you 100% sold on an inflatable one?  There are some pretty comfortable PFDs out there for kayak fishing.  

I guess not. I just figured those were the most comfortable since they aren't bulky like the other ones. I want something that can be worn all day long while fishing. 

[Rahlow]

Cylinders need to be replaced from time to time on the inflatables, just part of having one.

[moguy1973]

While I use inflatables because they are light and take up less room than traditional PFDs as said above you never know if they are good to go when you need them to be.  There isn't a real good way of testing to see if they will open if you go over board.  I guess you just have to trust them to work.

 

I use ones from Bass Pro and also have some back ups I bought at West Marine for about $50 on sale.

[fishwizzard]

20 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

I guess not. I just figured those were the most comfortable since they aren't bulky like the other ones. I want something that can be worn all day long while fishing. 

Look at Astrals' line of PFDs.  They have one called the Ronny that is very slim and a "Fisher" model with pockets that add some bulk.  

[Abby]

My inflatable blew up on me by getting wet. I bought a mesh upper pfd from cabelas and it is pretty comfy for the kayak or boat. The whole family has them and they are reasonable price, especially on sale..

[KayakFish107]

If you do happen to be interested in regular pfd’s, the NRS Chinook is a great one. It’s a high back design meant for kayaking, but I use it for everything. It probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to stop into a local store and see what they have to try on. What works, is comfortable, and fits well for one person maybe be less than ideal for another. Example: A lot of people recommend the Stohlquist Fisherman or Keeper, and I tried a Keeper on and didn’t really like it. Tried on the NRS Chinook and it feels totally different and I like the fit. Might be the exact opposite for a different person

[moguy1973]

I use a Stohlquist Fisherman when I'm in my kayak and it's a pretty comfortable vest with lots of adjustments.

[thinkingredneck]

Best one is one you'll wear.  I have an inflatable that is comfortable.

[Bigbruce]

If your not a good swimmer than spending $250 is worth your life. I would buy what is the best bet to to save your life. I’m an excellent swimmer and wear a small vest. If I was not a good swimmer I would buy the best protection possible.

[NorthernBasser]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll definitely look into all the other suggestions too.

 

I kind of had my mind set on one of the Mustang auto inflatable ones, just because they seem like they'd be more comfy, as well as cooler in the hot summer sun.

 

But now with people talking about them possibly failing, that had me a little worried. Have there been a lot of cases documented of this? 

[moguy1973]

3 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

Thanks for all the replies. I'll definitely look into all the other suggestions too.

 

I kind of had my mind set on one of the Mustang auto inflatable ones, just because they seem like they'd be more comfy, as well as cooler in the hot summer sun.

 

But now with people talking about them possibly failing, that had me a little worried. Have there been a lot of cases documented of this? 

I haven't personally heard of any but I'm sure there are stories out there of them not going off.  I'm a good swimmer and hopefully if I do ever need it I'll be in a state of mind to be able to pull the cord if it doesn't automatically go off.  I have heard of them going off by themselves though.  My buddy had his go off while being completely dry in his kayak and my uncle had one go off when we were fishing last summer in the blazing hot weather.  Then you have to worry about keeping a recharge kit onboard so you can reset them.  I usually keep a regular vest on my boat too so if I ever have to drain the vein I can take a dip with that vest and not have to inflate one of my inflatables.

[Rahlow]

Law Enforcement around here wears the Mustang, there is an indicator that reads green = good, red=bad on the inflator, , I read bad reviews on the cheaper models by a different manufacturer, mostly good reviews on the Mustang. If I buy one , I would buy extra cylinders or recharge packs, 

[Beetlebz]

There's a difference between a $50 inflatable and a $250 inflatable. The cheaper ones use a dissolving card... they're the ones that go off once they get wet. The higher end ones have a pressure tripping mechanism. It's far more reliable and inflates when the vest is submerged past a certain point. 

 

We bought some cheaper ones for the fire department boat... the first time we hung them up to dry we came back the next morning to find we had to repack them all.

[Bassun]

On 5/29/2018 at 11:15 AM, moguy1973 said:

 There isn't a real good way of testing to see if they will open if you go over board. 

 

You can always put one one, jump in the water and see how it works...then reload the cartridge with a new co2 canister.  If you have doubt, well worth a canister.

 

My sister in law cannot swim.  To convince her that even my smallest jacket would hold anyone up (an old cheap meshy thing with hardly no floatsome) I put it on and jumped off a dock and dead sticked myself.  Then I gave her a sports style jacket and she had 100% confidence in it.

 

So I have two modes of wearing a jacket.  If I'm with someone, or if I'm solo.  With someone, I generally only wear a PFD when the big motor is on (boat rule, motor on - jackets on.  Period.)  For those days, I wear my inflatable.  If I am solo, I wear a mesh fishing vest all day.  I bump my arms on it and its annoying in that regard, but otherwise really comfortable.  The inflatable seems to ride up and irritate my neck if I fish in it.

 

My wife, however, hates the inflatables.  She prefers the sports vests and swears they are more comfortable.  We lost hers during a boat packing incident (aka it blew off the boat on the way home), but she doesn't fish in them so...

 

I would NOT write off the mesh fishing vests as an option for all day.  Go to BPS/Cabellas/etc. and try a few on.  Then wear it a bit.  Walk around, air fish, etc.  Something comfortable while standing still doesn't cut it for fishing in it.  Keep in mind how much your shoulders and arms move.  Also consider the heat of the day.

 

One other thing, if your boat does not have a ladder --- Get an emergency soft ladder and have it available when solo.  Getting back into a boat is hard enough in open water.  Doing so when cold, exhausted, injured, etc. is even worse.  It's kind of like always using the kill switch... an ounce of prevention may just save your life.

[Jig Man]

I was also needing one that I would wear.  I talked to a friend of mine who works for the Corps of Engineers to see what they use.  He said Mustang.  He said he could work all day in one and not even notice it.  So I bit the bullet and bought one.  He was right.  After wearing it a few times I hardly notice it at all.  My other inflatable drove me nuts when I tried to wear it all day.

[TOXIC]

Also remember that you need to have a vest style PFD in your boat if you ever take the inflatable off.  In order to be legal the inflatable has to be worn at all times.  If you have a vest style in the boat as well as the inflatable, you are legal if you take the inflatable off for any reason.  

[Jig Man]

48 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

Also remember that you need to have a vest style PFD in your boat if you ever take the inflatable off.  In order to be legal the inflatable has to be worn at all times.  If you have a vest style in the boat as well as the inflatable, you are legal if you take the inflatable off for any reason.  

It is only legal in MO if you have the vest pfd out of the box where it is readily accessible.

[Bassun]

IIRC in VA the law is that any PFD must be immediately available, unless you are under 13, then it must be worn at all times when on deck.  You must have 1 PFD per occupant, plus at least one Type 4 throw ring or cushion.  But you do not have to have a "vest style" if you take off your PFD.  

[TOXIC]

I can guarantee you that you need both.  I have seen tickets issued for only having inflatables and a throw cushion.  Stipulation is that the inflatables must be worn to be counted.  

[NHBull]

Regardless of the pfd you buy, you need to know how to get back in the boat and practice it when the water warms.. I am serious.......hypothermia has killed guys in pfd’s that could not get back in.