SOSpenders - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

tattoobob · 10-13-2005, 05:34 PM

I have been gettin asked a few different times from my wife to wear the life jacket when fishing in rough conditions. I own it but never wear it as a mater of fact never opened the package. so I guess the whole thing started last weekend (Sunday) when wave after wave crashed against my chest and the big one went over my head and knocked me on my behind. she saw the whole thing. oops.

Do any of you guys or girls wear them? and what kind do you have?

JFigliuolo · 10-13-2005, 05:50 PM

in the closet. I wore them once at the high rocks. There nice to have if fishing a dangerous spot. The really don't limit mobility that much either. I got the ones where you need to pull a lanyard to inflate. With the amount of surf I get hit with the autoinflate would be a joke. A funny quote from another board.

"If I die with those (sospenders) in my trunk my wife will kill me."

irishcurse · 10-13-2005, 07:16 PM

I've got a set that I don't wear enough in the yak. I usually have them in the crate, but wore them last week. After 10 minutes I didn't even know I had them on. Tom

dickmont · 10-14-2005, 10:46 AM

i use a sospenders belt pac. it doubles as a wader belt and is only 3x4x9. it's got a lanyard to manually fire it as an automatic would be useless in the surf. there is a tradeoff with it as far as safety goes, not only do you have to pull the lanyard but you then have to duck your head down and slip it around your neck for it to work properly both of which require you to be concious. a bad fall in the rocks is a risk.

i figure i increase my odds by wearing it

lurch · 10-14-2005, 11:49 AM

I use it every time I am in the surf or a river. I have never worn it while in the canal but after the rough surf and conditions I may think twice.

zimmy · 10-14-2005, 11:57 AM

wear mine when if I fish at night, (especially when by myself) at a rocky surfspot like point jud or the breachways. Don't even notice when its on.

gldnbear93 · 10-14-2005, 02:58 PM

I ALWAYS wear mine, especially on the rocks or in a new place or in the dark. Lots of time even on the beach. They add a little weight and a little bulk and can be a pain when pulluing the surfbag around, but that's a small price to pay if it saves my life.

I got mine on sale at an outdoor shop about $50 for the manual pull. Well worth it.