life jackets

[zappaf19]

Well it is snowing today and I am putting on coveralls to keep warm. I put my life jacket under my coveralls. This makes it hard to cast. My real question is I don't think that with winter clothes on my life jacket will keep me afloat. I hate to be catfish food. Any ideas on life jackets or how to stay afloat for cold water fishing? Yes I can swim.
Bill

[drill instructor]

Always put it on the outside

[Ranger690]

I have been thinking of getting a Stearns Flotation jacket for winter fishing. Anyone have one?

Dayton

[whizkids]

I have a sterns floation jacket and pants. Never liked them, too bulky. They are still in the closet. My wife gave them too me and I have worn them 2 or 3 times.
Someone want to make a reasonable offer?
As to the life jacket and wet clothes. My life kacket has the following disclaimer
( do not carry heavy objects) A lot of wet clothes would qualify as heavy I do believe. Heavy boots, thermal underwear, clothes, lifejacket , insulated jumpsuit and a parka. I wear the life jacket, hoping It will help me come up close to the boat. It would not float me for long.
I have fishe from a bass boat for years. I just bought a used Stratos multi species boat. I took my 7 year old grandson in it for the first time last Friday, the first thing he said when he saw. " I can't fall out of that boat". That may not be entirely accurate, but it is certainly harder to fall out of it.

[Roberta]

Ice fishermen are always advised to wear flotation suits, but who the heck can afford them? Besides none of that stuff is available in sizes small enough to fit me anyway. My life jacket is rated for a few pounds more than I weigh, so if I'm dressed for cold weather, it I'd still sink like a brick. - Roberta

[Crappie Chatt]

Falling into the cold water is deadly, even with PFD's. Now, even if you are floating, you must "try" to get back into the boat with all the wet clothes. Even if you are in fine shape, you weigh twice as much and are loosing strength by the second.. The boat I have got now, has a ladder on it, just exactly for these situations. Last year I saw a large man fall in with a PFD on and 2 other men couldn't pull him in the boat. Lucky for them they were close to the bank and had to drag him to the shore holding on to him. By the time they got him back to the ramp, hypothermia was setting in. Took a trip to the emergency room. I have a large mans PFD that goes over my coveralls and I NEVER GO OUT ALONE!!!! I've heard of people making rope ladders for this instead of putting a fixed ladder on. I would recomend having one or something to assist you in getting out of the water as quickly as possible. Having a blanket in a sealed plastic bag and hand warmers would help too. We loose to many fishers each year needlessly. Be exta safe!!! It's better than making a call to your friends family telling them how sorry you are for their loss. <*)}}}><

[Eager Beaver]

I have a sterns floation jacket and pants. Never liked them, too bulky. They are still in the closet. My wife gave them too me and I have worn them 2 or 3 times.
Someone want to make a reasonable offer?
As to the life jacket and wet clothes. My life kacket has the following disclaimer
( do not carry heavy objects) A lot of wet clothes would qualify as heavy I do believe. Heavy boots, thermal underwear, clothes, lifejacket , insulated jumpsuit and a parka. I wear the life jacket, hoping It will help me come up close to the boat. It would not float me for long.
I have fishe from a bass boat for years. I just bought a used Stratos multi species boat. I took my 7 year old grandson in it for the first time last Friday, the first thing he said when he saw. " I can't fall out of that boat". That may not be entirely accurate, but it is certainly harder to fall out of it.

This is my Multi species Boat and wouldn't trade it for any other kind of boat. I fish up in SD. and Minn and this boat will handle big water very easily. This is a very nice boat for taking little kids out in, very safe.




My Dad couldn't swim and was 87 yrs old and felt really safe in it.

[Ranger690]

Whizkid, what size is the jacket?

Dayton

[sinkum]

I Have 1 Of The Sterns Flotation Coats I Really Like It
Works Real Good On Long Boat Rides In The Winter I Tried
It Back In The Summer To See How It Floated Me Real
Good Dont Know How It Would Work With A Bunch Of
Clothes An Boots Hope I Dont Have To Find Out It Is
A Little Bulky Trying To Fish But Not As Bad As Regular
Lifejacket

[Tunica]

I wear one in the winter a float coat that is...duck hunting or fishing it does cramp your style but I'd rather be looking up at the sky than looking up at the top of the water.