life jackets anybody wear one?

[jepik]

life jackets anybody wear them? what type,belt inflate, strap,inside or out of jacket? how does it work in side of coat..as you can tell i know nothing about them ,so any help wo uld be appreciated...thank you

[Northlander]

I wear a bigmans lifevest over my gear. It straps between your legs as well as around your body. Great for 1st ice.

[jepik]

northlander...where did you go to buy one at? do you happen to know if they make a inflate able big enough to fit you.thank you

[Northlander]

Yes you can get inflatables for us big guys. Try Cabelas 1st and maybe Marine General. Mine was gotten at Northwest Outlet in Superior Wi. but its a standard livevest not a inflatbale. Its huge though and will fit over the biggest jackets. Plenty of floatation.

[Mr.Perch]

Always! Got a comfortable one meant for canoeing, always under my coat with ice picks in

the pocket. All winter long if you ice fish a lot, enough years you will go through unless

you are really lucky. Get a comfy life jacket and you will wear it if its not comfortable it

will not get used.

[Poutmaster]

I always wear mine at first ice. I just use a big one from my boat, and I wear it outside of my coat. I usually take it off once I'm fishing, and put it back on when I leave. It really doesn't get in the way, and better safe than sorry. I also keep my ice picks around my neck.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I wear one at first ice and late ice. Its a regular open water vest and I wear it on the outside of my clothes. Like said before I wear it when Im on the move, once Im at my spot and everything looks good I take it off but keep it handy.

[rod bender]

I use (or hope I don't have to use) SOSpenders. I have the manual inflatable but sometimes think I should have forked out a few more bucks for the self inflatable. I did extend the handle and put a "bobber" on a zip tie attached to the handle for easy access when and if I need it.

[DEADhead]

I use an inflatable too. Just a little word of advice though. If you've read the instructions that came with the pfd (or the inside label), many inflatable PFD's weren't designed for cold weather operation. They suggest partially inflating manually. They say in cold weather the CO2 may take awhile to inflate. I suppose it's because the CO2 could freeze up when discharged in cold water.

[89Bronco]

Early in the season I always wear one. Just the regular Stearns vest type for the summer. It's a nice layer under my large parka.

[jepik]

thanks guys for all your the help...definetly going to get one...just have to make decision which style to get....