Personal Floatation Device(PDF) recommendation for float tubing

[troutfly]

I do a lot of lake fly fishing in my Fat Cat and while out on the water, I have thought about what happens should the bladder tube pop. Got bombed by an osprey a couple of times this year and wondered what would happen if he missed and hit my tube with his talons. What's plan B? Hold onto the Styrofoam seats?

So, the question is, does anyone have any recommendations for a PDF (personal floatation device) to be worn on a float tube also with a vest on? Not interested in a PDF vest.

Thanks for any and all comments/suggestions?

Russ

[Larry S]

Russ,
Check out the SOS type flotation.
Best,
Larry S

[Scott V]

A Fat Cat has 2 separate tubes, so if one goes out you still have the other to hang on to. With that in mind I would go with an inflatable PFD. Non restrictive and comfortable for a PFD.

[Darian]

How about a waist pack, CO2 inflatable PFD???

[SHigSpeed]

How about a waist pack, CO2 inflatable PFD???
I own one. Never use it as all of my tubes have at least two chambers. That said, I would be more likely to wear it on moving water.

_SHig

[fishnbeatsworkin]

My tube has 5 air chambers. I threw it in my buddy's pool, got in it fully geared up & purposely tipped it over several times to see what would happen. I was surprised to find out how much floatation the air in my waders gave me. Plus my fins had some flotation. Based on my experiment & the 5 air chambers (older model Outcast Trinity) I don't worry about a PFD unless I'm at Pyramid or somewhere else known for wind & waves. In those cases I wear a lightweight Cabelas cool mesh PFD. They are always putting them on sale for about $20. They have them on sale now. I'd post the link, but Cabelas links are way too long.

[Cmcculloch]

Re: waist pack inflatable PFD's must be able to fit over the head to support you. After I bought it I put it over my head and it was tight enough to pull my glasses off my head.

[Fly Guy Dave]

I have one of the seat cushion type of PFDs that I sit on when I'm using my tube. It keeps me a little bit higher out of the water and is there to grab onto in case of a catastrophic tube failure. When using my pontoon, I wear a good old fashioned vest type PFD, since I usually use that on moving water exclusively.

[Charlie S]

Like others have said, an SOS type should meet your needs. If you travel to fish you should know there are lakes in Oregon that require you to wear a PFD when on the water, not just to have one with you. It is a good idea to have one with the automatic inflation feature. You probably will never need it but if you do......

[troutfly]

Thanks to all of you for responding. Good Information.

A couple of clarifications: 1) The Fat Cat I have has only one bladder, so if it blows for some reason, your only option of floating is the Styrofoam seats and back. While the seats are good, I would not like to consider that my last resort. 2) when I said I wasn't interested in a PDF vest, I meant I was referring to a PDF fishing vest (with all the pockets) with the PDF built into it.

I am interested in the slim PDF's with auto and manual inflation that will fit under a regular fishing vest, and therefore I am looking for any recommendations in that area. I know Cabelas has a bunch. Anyone buy any of those?

Thanks again.
Russ

[bigfly]

Russ, for what it's worth, I think a PFD is required in CA. as well.
Floatation must be carried....
A sheriff, in a boat cited a friend, here on Stampeed.
I bought the manual inflate model and have wondered about the auto model......
One good bonk on the head, and it's davy jones locker for ya.
I don't wear a vest on the lake, pockets on tube suffice.
Be heads up out there......

Jim

[Scott V]

A PFD does not need to be worn in California, but you must have one with you. Even on float tubes.

[bigfly]

Scott, who's going to throw it to you, or help you put it on?
I've had many close calls....I used to look for them....often.
Now I wear it (PFD) every time I go out.
Once the cold water gets you, you won't be swimming.....

Just called Coast Guard...not required to wear it, but must have with....
Placer Sheriff called back....CA. same deal, must have with.
Apparently the floaty seat doesn't count.


Jim

[FlyBum]

I purchased one of the waist pack models, but mine actually inflates into full life vest and you pull it over your head. I wear mine whenever I'm on my NFO Renegade, but If I get knocked out it won't do me any good though. Since it's a waist pack I've been considering using it as a wader belt too, because sometimes I wade more agressively than I should.

[Charlie S]

Good info here. I'm glad others chimed in (thank you Scott V and bigfly) with the CA requirement. I just looked up the law and there does not seem to be an exception for float tubes, kick boats or pontoon boats.

[troutfly]

Thank you all again for the wonderful insight and information. Looks like I will be searching out some type of PFD before my next outing.

Russ

[troutfly]

One last piece of information regarding use of PFDs in a float tube in CA. Per CA Dept. of Boating and Waterways it states the following (the last sentence is important to read):

"Float Tubes—A float tube is typically a nylon-encased rubber inner tube/tubes, or a
hard plastic tube, with a built-in seat through which the operator’s legs dangle in the
water below. Some have small gear storage spaces. A non-motorized float tube is
propelled by the use of swim fins, while a motorized one is propelled by an electric or
hand-pump motor, often with the additional aid of swim fins to steer and help propel.
Motorized float tubes are required to carry proper life jackets; non-motorized float
tubes are not."

This can be found at:
http://www.dbw.ca.gov/Pubs/Hunters/HuntersAnglers.pdf

I am not saying you shouldn't have a PFD, but in CA, for most tubers it is not a legal requirement.

[bigfly]

Russ, as with most things in life, there is the letter of the law and the spirit.
I just use uncommon sense, and get along fine.
It's kind of a sink or swim situation, when on the water....
$39.00 is what my vest cost (Camo too)...
Bought mine after I had a scary night fishing...two foot waves with teeth....midnight fright!
It wasn't like that when I went out.....
A ret. hwy patrol died the next morning, in the same weather, in a boat. (No vest on, and jibonked by swinging downrigger weight.)
(Took a while find him, and put folks searching at risk. I happened to be the last to see him........)
I mosied right down to "Sportsman's depot" the next day.


Jim

[gene goss]

Hi Russ....i accidently droped my co2 self-inflatable PFD into Lake Davis at the start of a fishing trip and was without a PFD the rest of the trip.....i now use a PFD vest, and it makes a great cushion for a lunch breaks or a nap.
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w300/eugene047/davislakesept19-12012_zps60e10a75.jpg (http://s179.photobucket.com/user/eugene047/media/davislakesept19-12012_zps60e10a75.jpg.html)

[bigfly]

Gene makes a good point.....
The replacement re-charge for the vest was about $12.
I carry a spare....

[Andy Guibord]

There are three types of PFD. There is the manual inflating type that are activating by you pulling the cord. Secondly there is a manual/ automatic one that you can manually pull if the automatic devise does not work. This second kind can sometimes accidently go off do to excess moisture such as humidity and rain. Thirdly is the most expensive and that is the hydrostatic PFD, This last one will only go off do to water pressure, not moisture. This one activates when you fall in at least 2 to 4 inches of water. These are used by the military and the police. They need reliability.