Vest or backpack??

[bilgerat]

Which do you prefer? I'm leaning towards the backpack, Cabela's has a good deal going on right now. But a vest looks like it might be the ticket also.

Opinions?

[BassFishingMachine]

Never used a backpack for fishing before, so I can't say anything about that. I use a vest, and I find it to work out nicely. I have a ton of pockets which I can fit everything I need. I'll explain to you the pockets available on mine.

1. Big zipper pocket on the back, which can fit 1 typical size plano (it can also fit one small 12inch by 5-6inch plano along with the average size plano) Understand that I have planos with various baits, one plano for topwater, one for frogs, one for jerkbaits/cranks etc. I take an empty misc plano, and I'll take a bunch of various baits out of each individual plano that I want to use for that day, I put them in the misc plano and shove it in the back of my vest, now I have all the hard lures I wanna use for that given day.

2. I also have 2 medium size pockets on the front of the vest, in one I fit a tube of megastrike and a bottle of yum spray scent, and in the other I usually keep empty, for a spare pocket incase I need the room.

3. Four fairly large zipper pockets on the right and left of the front bottom of vest. In these pockets I can fit bags of soft plastics with ease, I can get about 4 bags in the one pocket, and 4-5 in the upper pocket, so if you count all 4 pockets were talkin around 16-20 bags of softplastics. More then eough no? =P

4. Patched onto the front of these 4 large pockets are 2 small pockets, 2 on the right side of the vest, and 2 on the left side of the vest. In the first of these pockets I fit my bass hooks, Gamakatsu EWG - a pack of 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0 an 5/0, and a pack or two of straight shank hooks.

The 2nd small pocket I fit packs of bullet weights that are free sliding, various sizes etc.

In the 3rd small pocket I fit peggable bullet weights, usually ones that are made for pegging.

And in the 4th small pocket I fit tiny trout hooks, a pack of bait size hooks (for live worms), my spinnerbait trailer hooks, and a couple of packs of splitshots.

The vest also has 2 "phone cord like" tubings that stick out on the front of the vest. These are to connect a clip to, so you can put a tool onto. I put a pair of hemostat pliers on the one tube, and a pair of nail clippers on the 2nd tube.

Now with all that being said, theres more then enough room to fit everything you need, no? Only disadvantage is it can get heavy at times, but I don't usually have a problem, you get used to it, of course im young, so maybe if I was older there'd be a prob. All goes well for me .

This is the exact vest I use. Take a look at it to get an understanding of the pockets I am referring to. http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Henrys-Fork-Mens-Vest/dp/images/B001BPX1Q8/ref=dp_image_x_0?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&img=0&color%5Fname=x

[roadwarrior]

I'm on my third:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0018716902478a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=SAFARI+VEST&sort=all&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1

8-)

[Marty]

"Vest or backpack??"

Neither works for me. I carry too much for a vest and a backpack isn't accessible enough. I've always preferred a shoulder bag. While lipping a bass with my left hand I can use my right hand to get pliers, measuring tape, scale, or whatever.

But that's a personal preference. Whatever works for you is the right choice.

[Paul Roberts]

Depends on how much stuff you need/want to carry. I use a backpack for shore fishing, 'cause I tend to carry a lot of stuff.

I do have a strong recommendation. I haven't found a "fishing" type pack I like. I really like the backpacks from outdoor gear stores like EMS or REI. What I look for is something that has many small compartments in the front to organize all the terminal gear and peripherals. Any backpack will hold 3600/3700 boxes, but for me it was organizing the peripherals, and comfort, that matters. It also has to hold a water bottle and lunch.

A good one of the type I'm talking about can be on the expensive side, but not too much more than a "good" angling pack, and there are MANY to choose from and they do go on clearance.

[bilgerat]

Couldn't pass this deal up:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp;jsessionid=EYCTYJCX101B5LAQBBKCCOFMCAEFKIWE?type=pod&id=0042540&_requestid=54317

It doesn't come with the boxes, but I have a ton of them already. I'll still get the vest too. Maybe they'll pop up in the bargain cave soon.

[Steven Ladner]

Backpack for sure.

[Redsyn]

I use to use backpack but if you leave it on for a while when fishing my shoulders would feel the fatigue after a while.

This is what I bought to replace my current fannypack.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_103318____SearchResults

For $12.88 you can't beat it. It was onsale this after thanksgiving sale and the quality was so good and the belt/padding/material was so good I picked up 2 just in case this one rips which I doubt so I'll have another one. you can wear it like a fanny pack in front of you and you have access to the bag easily.

[Pantera61]

Couldn't pass this deal up:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp;jsessionid=EYCTYJCX101B5LAQBBKCCOFMCAEFKIWE?type=pod&id=0042540&_requestid=54317

It doesn't come with the boxes, but I have a ton of them already. I'll still get the vest too. Maybe they'll pop up in the bargain cave soon.

I sent ya a message

[Other.]

I use a fishing vest. I have everything I need right right at my sides with out having to dig into a backpack. Also they are a lot easier on your shoulders then a backpack is.