Bass boat no driver

[dtrs5kprs]

PFD and kill switch 100% of the time for me. It's even a good idea when idling. I know what I expect to do, but have no control over the drunk guy in a Jon boat, distracted family from IA pulling a tube, etc. 

[Ham]

I try to always wear the pfd when the big motor is running and have the kill switch attached. Getting chewed up by that Pro XS is NEVER on my list of things to do.

[rainbow]

2 hours ago, MOPanfisher said:

Heard this last night on the news, the circling boat is never a good sign.  I am not very good about wearing PFD either, although in my personal boat I do wear it when running the big motor and keep the kill switch clipped to it, been on too many of these type calls.  At work it is a requirement if on a boat, plus I have a good Inflatable at work, and after a short while I forget I even have it on.  Guess I should pony up and buy one for myself, as my balance in a boat is no where close to what it used to be a couple years ago.  Hope this turns out as well as it can at this point, alive and well would be good but unlikely.  Hope they make a recovery soon.

Good point about balance as you get older.  A couple years ago I got a Cabela's gift card and used it to buy a tournament quality auto inflatable. I wear it all the time in the boat, especially when by myself.  It does not interfere with casting, even with a fly rod, and you don't even know its on.  Mine is also very good in real hot weather as its mesh and doesn't make you get hotter.

[176champion]

Im 62 and i know i can not swim like i did 20 years ago and my balance is not as good either, i just bought an onyx 24 deluxe inflatable to wear instead of a regular PFD because i got so hot in it...alls it takes is a wave to catch you off guard and over you can go especially if you on front deck and bending over...kill switch and PFD while under way especially by myself.

[Old plug]

36 minutes ago, 176champion said:

Im 62 and i know i can not swim like i did 20 years ago and my balance is not as good either, i just bought an onyx 24 deluxe inflatable to wear instead of a regular PFD because i got so hot in it...alls it takes is a wave to catch you off guard and over you can go especially if you on front deck and bending over...kill switch and PFD while under way especially by myself.

That is good sensible post. I started wearing one all the time this past year. I was sitting out casting over a hump pretty far out in the lake and it dawned on me I would never get my 76 yr old butt to the bank from where I was if I had too. 

[nomolites]

2 minutes ago, Old plug said:

That is good sensible post. I started wearing one all the time this past year. I was sitting out casting over a hump pretty far out in the lake and it dawned on me I would never get my 76 yr old butt to the bank from where I was if I had too. 

I am guilty of laziness here as well; typically when fishing a derby or when the lake is a madhouse like a holiday weekend is the only time I have worn.  I do have a good inflatable and I would be wise to use it on LOZ anytime.....and as a bonus my wife would be thrilled.

Mike

[bobby b.]

You never know what weird thing can happen.  I always pick up floating trash and a couple years ago I was circling and circling around a pop can trying to pick it up.  I finally got close and as I reached over the side of the boat, my fat gut laid on the throttle and almost threw me out of the boat.  Since then I use the net to pick up the trash and wear the PFD and kill lanyard.

Bobby 

[dtrs5kprs]

34 minutes ago, bobby b. said:

You never know what weird thing can happen.  I always pick up floating trash and a couple years ago I was circling and circling around a pop can trying to pick it up.  I finally got close and as I reached over the side of the boat, my fat gut laid on the throttle and almost threw me out of the boat.  Since then I use the net to pick up the trash and wear the PFD and kill lanyard.

Bobby 

Exactly. If you are doing something in the great outdoors, Mr. Murphy and his law are always hiding behind a nearby tree.

[abkeenan]

5 hours ago, dtrs5kprs said:

PFD and kill switch 100% of the time for me. It's even a good idea when idling. I know what I expect to do, but have no control over the drunk guy in a Jon boat, distracted family from IA pulling a tube, etc. 

Yep. I tell people this all the time about driving cars.....I'm not worried about me....I'm worried what the other guy is doing. You can be the best driver in the world and all it takes is one idiot not paying attention, texting or doing something they shouldn't while operating a vehicle (car, boat, excavator, etc) to hurt themselves AND YOU. If you have family it is selfish of you not to wear a life jacket or take preventative measures to see you get home at the end of the trip. The not wearing a seat belt is just flat stupid. I don't wear my PFD while fishing from the front deck but if the big motor is on I have it on.

[fshndoug]

common sense will take you further than a tank of gas