Do You Wear A Pfd While Surf Fishing
 

yes or no

Sandman, sometimes when you wear too much, you can't fish like you want to ;)...too restrained. Safety is #1 on my list, right after fishing, catching and comfort. :D...so I guess you know my vote.

I do when I wade out on a bar or fish Beavertail Light but if I am just on the edge of the surf I don't.

i wouldn't even consider it! the last thing i want to do is bob around on top and let the waves bash my brains all over the rocks! i'd rather die in the surf while fishing, than in an old age home in diapers. :rolleyes:

no, although i own sospenders.

Yes, when fishing rockpiles in Rhody. I wear one and usually bring a spare just in case.

getting SOSuspenders this week. makes my loved ones feel better:smash:

if the area or conditions warrant it - yes.

SOSpenders
 

I have SOSpenders, and was wondering if anyone has had the problem that while wearing them and getting a moderate amount of spray on them that they "unintentionally" inflate. I had this happend to me and the replacement packs are $18!

I stopped wearing mine due to this problem, and just keep them on my boat for emergencies.

A buddy and I both had ours on yesterday and we got soaked from a wave over the bow and nothing happened. I have not worn mine at the end of the breachway and had a knock down, but them seem pretty resistant to all but a real dunking...3 years of experience with them, fwiw.

sospenders
 

I'm wondering if the charge packs were old or got moisture in them from some other source previously. Dunno but thanks, maybe I'll start wearing them again.

the auto inflate red or yellow "bobbins" are sensitive to moisture and humidity.

They should be replaced once per season and stored in a dry area when not being used. Not a bad idea to take them out and inspect them periodically. The white compound inside the bobbin should look compact and be fairly stiff.

i posed this question the last time this debate came up but never got a response. has anyone ever heard of someone actually being helped in a rocky shore while surf fishing because they wore something like SOSpenders?

Like Beetle said, the bobbins must be replaced.

GET THEM INSPECTED!

Would you go on a boat offshore with a liferaft that is past inspection?

I wear a set of safety harness sospenders racing offshore and as long as they've stayed sealed up/buttons locked they've been ok and not prematurely inflated. Even taking waves in the face.

no, but i plan on adding one to my gear asap..

"Do You Ware a Pfd while surf fishing" ?

Do you mean a "Permanant Flatulent disorder (or odor)" ?




why yes i do thank you :laughs:

Beach will just gaseously propel himself back onto the beach. :D

Will he get up on the beach faster if he lit up the PFD with a flare?

Interesting point.

I really think you have to take a planned approach to rockpile safety. A PFD is just one component of that approach.

I think you have to plan for what you should do in case you fall in.

1) Where should I go when I fall in, taking into account rocks and current? Should I swim out to more open water, and then make my way in to a calmer shore?

2) Have I identified a point where I can safely get back onto shore if I do fall in?

3) Will I be able to see if I'm fishing at night? Will others be able to see me at night if I get dunked?

4) Am I in shape to make the swim back to shore or will I need to rely on a PFD to keep me afloat until help arrives?

5) Do I feel confident I can take care of myself if I'm fishing alone?

Rockpile fishing is the reason why I've started working out at the pool again. :hihi:

I voted no, I don't wear one while surf fishing. In the 40 years of my surf fishing did not wear one. I have enough stuff on as it is. I don't "push it" quite as hard as I use to either.
This past weekend I fell in off some rocks. I had my aquaskinz on and waders and wader belt. I have to say I was in the water for probably a minute or so but I was floating and I did not get water in my waders...at all! I hurt my knee but made it back ok and was able to press on to dawn.

I do wear a belt worn inflatable pfd on my boat all the time. It doesn't interfere with my fishing at all and I think it sets a good example for my kids.

I know on the automatic pfds you have to replace the bobbin once per season, but on the manual ones is there anything to replace annually?

For the manuals, I treat mine like a divers bouyancy compensator. Remove and wash the CO2 cylinder, inspect the pull lanyard, you can even weigh the CO2 cylinder once a year to make sure it hasn't leaked. Of course check for rips dry rot and such.

I wear mine on rockpiles, I have a plan in my head, but this will give me a couple of minutes to execute it. I've swam in clothes before never mind waders, korkers and a jacket, the PFD just might make the difference between living and dying.

________________________________________________
Quote:

i wouldn't even consider it! the last thing i want to do is bob around on top and let the waves bash my brains all over the rocks! i'd rather die in the surf while fishing, than in an old age home in diapers.
________________________________________________

Why not, I hear there have been many advances with incontinent attire. today's diapers are probably as advanced as Aquaskins.......though waterproofed from the other side.

no

I like wondering when my time is coming ! cheat death as many times as I can until the one time I cant ! Im 4 for 4 !

REI Sale
 

REI has manual Sospender PFD on sale. Recharge kit on sale, too


www.REI.com

I fished with mine last year and it made me feel better. My fear is the possibility of water filling my waders and inverting. My family gave me the automatic vest and luckily it never went off. Last month I rearmed the vest but first I wanted to try the automatic feature so I jumped in the pool. It inflated in just a few seconds. The vest has 35 pounds of lift and there is no way to place your head under water (unless a wave goes over you). If you are afraid that the automatic feature will go off prematurely you can close the water inlet holes just a little with some electrical tape although I would not. The automatic vest also comes with a manual conversion kit.

Ive been thinkin bout getting SOSpenders for a while now. There has been a couple times that i problably would have fished longer down in south county if i had them. My folks and g/f want me to get them, i dont really have a good reason that i havent got them yet, i guess its just so much easier to spend the cash on some new plugs than it is on a pfd. When i walk into a tackle shop or any store i head to the plugs not look around for a pfd. I probably will pick one up this year when the water cools off and the weather gets snotty.