Recommend PFD

[troutfly]

Hope this is the right place to post this question.

Does anyone who uses a Fat Cat, float tube, or something similar ever use a PFD (personal flotation device)? I am thinking about getting a PFD when I go out in my Fat Cat. I know the Fat Cat has styrofoam seat that will provide some floatation support should the single bladder burst, but as I have gotten older I think it might be in my best interested to stack the odds in my favor should a burst occur.

I want one that will automatically inflate when I hit the water and I want to wear it with my fishing vest. I know there are vests with the PFD built in and I am not interested in that.

so, the questions are:
1) do you wear one with your vest and does it interfere with your fishing?

and

2) what would be your recommendation.

Thanks for reading and more thanks for your thoughts and suggestions.

Russ....

[JohnD]

For my pontoon I went with a Kayak type pfd like this one here
It has lots of room around the shoulders so doesn't interfere with casting/rowing. I picked it up from STP pretty cheaply.

[Cmcculloch]

I always wear a PFD in my float tube. It is inflatable with a tug on the handle. I stayed away from the automatic inflate type as I didn't want it to go off with a big splash or in the rain. It doesn't get in my way while fishing or rowing. You would need to wear it over the vest. I've changed from a vest to a chest or fanny pack for my fly gear.

[Ed Wahl]

I've never worn a pfd while tubing and I don't recall anyone that I've fished with wearing one either. But if you feel the need I'd go with the inflatable like Cm just mentioned. Seems very unobtrusive.
I don't wear a vest while tubing either, just put stuff in the pockets and hanging off my shirt.

Ed

[Magic]

I have been using a pfd for years...currently I use the Mustang pfd with auto inflation. They come in several colors, etc. You can buy from many places including Bass Pro Shop and Amazon. They get an excellent rating..5 out of 5 stars at Bass Pro Shop. I use all the time for both my pontoon/kick boat and when I am wading rivers. I don't notice wearing it and I have a fly pack/vest that sits on top of it. BTW, it saved my brother-in-law's life when he fell in and did not have his wader belt on. His waders quickly filled up with water but his pdf opened and he floated over to the side of the river. If you fish long enough you will eventually have an accident on the river. This will give you a good edge of protection. Good Luck.

[Magic]

BTW, the auto inflation won't go off in the rain or with a big splash...I have worn it in both situations. Check out the Mustang website...it will only inflate with water pressure. They show on the website a person getting sprayed by a hose and it will not go off. You need to be in the water. It also has a rip cord if you decide you want to inflate yourself too.

[betty]

I actually have been escorted off a lake in Oregon by the sheriff because I was not wearing a PFD. One that you sat on was not good enough. I have always worn one, but that day I was in such a hurry to fish, I forgot it. There are other places that require a PFD.

I don't wear a vest. Too hot and too bulky and there's no need. Instead, I wear a lanyard (with nippers, hemostats, extra spools of tippet). And I keep permanently in my float tube pocket a plastic ziplock baggie with some other essentials (split shot, extra indicator, gum, spare car key, bandaids, fly floatant, sun block, etc, etc).

Suggest you look at other sources for PFD's and not just fly fishing sources. Check out boating stores (West Marine for example). Sometimes they are often much cheaper than fly fishing stores.

I like the flat fitting suspender kind that inflates with a tug on a pull handle.
My two cents.
Betty

[Loomis 1]

The Mustang will be your best choice if you go with an inflatable. The Ca. Dept. of Boating and Waterways issues the Mustang to Sheriff Marine Patrol Officers throughout the state. Make sure you get the one that is pressure activated, not the one with the dissolving pill. The pill is the one that can go "bang" in a heavy rain storm.

[Loomis 1]

Left out one issue. With quality comes a price. Some guys have to have the latest and greatest $800 rod. The next guy can buy his rod at a garage sale for $25 and catch just as many fish. You can find inflatables at less than half the price than the Mustang. Seeing how the sole purpose of the PFD is to save your life, especially since you are only needing one (I have 4 in my boat) now is not the time to be cheap.