Author Topic: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?  (Read 17077 times)

Offline fishinnut

  • Team IceShanty Regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 366
  • Ice Fishing Rulez!
What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« on: Jan 15, 2012, 04:36 PM »
Does anyone know if the CO2 powered live vests/sospenders can be used icefishing? Does the cold weather effect the CO2??
God grant me strength to catch a fish
So large that even I
When telling of it afterwards
May never need to lie.

Offline Capt J

  • Team IceShanty Maniac
  • **
  • Posts: 1,464
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #1 on: Jan 17, 2012, 10:08 AM »
I have a mustang. The cold does not bother it according to them. I, fortunately, have not tested it.

Offline JonPerry

  • Team IceShanty Addict
  • *
  • Posts: 721
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #2 on: Jan 19, 2012, 03:00 PM »
although i haven't pulled the trigger on mine, i don't think the cold would effect it. hope i never have to test that theory ;)

Offline buck21

  • IceShanty Rookie
  • **
  • Posts: 2
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #3 on: Nov 05, 2013, 06:41 PM »
Here is a great idea that I use. I swim with it in Florida every year. Go to http://howtomakeyourownfishinggear.com/fishing

The information is Free on how to build one...
Look under Ice Fishing Life Saver....

Offline lefty2053

  • Team IceShantyholic
  • ***
  • Posts: 7,969
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #4 on: Nov 05, 2013, 07:06 PM »
Never had a life Jacket on on the ice. I hardly ever wear one when on a boat either.
<===Lefty===

Offline 3300

  • Team IceShantyholic
  • ***
  • Posts: 7,631
  • Michigan Moderator.Not affiliated with MarCum Tech
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #5 on: Nov 05, 2013, 07:13 PM »
don't use one or need one.
i use artic armor float ice fishing suit. all black version for solar heat.
holds 900 pounds. can save your self and two others in a disaster.

Offline bart

  • Team IceShantyholic
  • ***
  • Posts: 5,320
  • I love you, Deb
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #6 on: Nov 05, 2013, 07:24 PM »
Arctic Armor...
"Many fish their entire lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after."-Henry David Thoreau
  Keep America Godly...

Offline masoneddie

  • Team IceShantyholic
  • ***
  • Posts: 5,916
  • lay bricks or go fishing...doh!!
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #7 on: Nov 05, 2013, 07:37 PM »
Welcome to IceShanty Buck! I don't wear one on the ice either, never have not that it isnt a good idea. I wear the Lake Effect floatation suit by Striker. Very pleased with it so far.

Offline Agronomist_at_IA

  • Team IceShantyholic
  • ***
  • Posts: 5,704
  • Team Iowa!
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #8 on: Nov 05, 2013, 07:38 PM »
Article armor.........wow looks like everyone is doing it. My buddy uses it too. After I told him I bought it because it floats, his wife bought him one.

Offline Drifter_016

  • Iceshanty Militia
  • Team IceShantyholic
  • *
  • Posts: 6,690
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #9 on: Nov 05, 2013, 07:45 PM »
I don't wear one either but I live in a place where the ice gets thicker than I am tall!!!    ;D

Offline BIG BLOCK

  • IceShanty Rookie
  • **
  • Posts: 47
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #10 on: Nov 05, 2013, 08:11 PM »
My new Striker climate suit just arrived today.

Offline Agronomist_at_IA

  • Team IceShantyholic
  • ***
  • Posts: 5,704
  • Team Iowa!
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #11 on: Nov 05, 2013, 09:19 PM »
I don't wear one either but I live in a place where the ice gets thicker than I am tall!!!    ;D

I'd say your good when they have ice road truckers in the area. Lol

Offline gso12

  • Team IceShanty Regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 380
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #12 on: Nov 05, 2013, 09:28 PM »
Just got an atric armor jacket for this season for my birthday
]

Offline wipike

  • Team IceShanty Regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 473
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #13 on: Nov 05, 2013, 10:50 PM »
A Striker Ice suit user here, floats and I love it!  Best purchase of last year, wish I had gotten it sooner.


Offline Monticatgeek

  • Team IceShanty Maniac
  • **
  • Posts: 1,094
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #14 on: Nov 05, 2013, 11:51 PM »
last two seasons I used the Striker Hardwater suit and this year I will be using the Clam Ice Amour Lift Suit. before having a floating suit I just used my life jacket from the summer over my jacket when going out on early ice. once the ice was thick enough to drive on then I didn't wear the life jacket.
Fishing is not a hobby it is a way of life

Offline da man cave shack

  • Team IceShanty Maniac
  • **
  • Posts: 2,551
  • Drillin for a thrillin.
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #15 on: Nov 06, 2013, 07:22 AM »
I wear a neoprene one made for water skiing and put it on under my jacket. And it fits great and is like a big pice of insulation to help keep me warm.


Offline ice dawg

  • Iceshanty Militia
  • Team IceShantyholic
  • *
  • Posts: 8,160
  • Tawny-"Ice Pooch"
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #16 on: Nov 06, 2013, 07:33 AM »
Arctic Armor.
It seems to go from zero to hero all some have to do is lie.

Offline DR.SPECKLER

  • Team IceShantyholic
  • ***
  • Posts: 9,130
  • find your own fish..
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #17 on: Nov 06, 2013, 07:35 AM »
striker lite suit and also have the striker hardwater jacket for when its real cold.

Offline rdhammah

  • Team IceShanty Maniac
  • **
  • Posts: 4,067
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #18 on: Nov 06, 2013, 08:11 AM »
are all of those floating suits bulky? I bought a pr of ice armor bibs end of last season and I felt like I was wearing a life jacket

Offline Tombat74

  • IceShanty Rookie
  • **
  • Posts: 19
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #19 on: Nov 06, 2013, 08:26 AM »
I used to wear mustang survival suit all the time for early and late ice. Trouble with it was it was too bloody warm most days. Now its neat to see some manufacturers like Clam making the lift suit and a throw rope as well as a life jacket for those conditions that warrant it. I also like the look of that nebulus device that keeps your 4wheeler or sled from sinking as well as you!!! For guys that push early and late ice these should be must have items.
Tom Batiuk
The secret to good Ice fishing is to be out on it!

Offline 3300

  • Team IceShantyholic
  • ***
  • Posts: 7,631
  • Michigan Moderator.Not affiliated with MarCum Tech
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #20 on: Nov 06, 2013, 08:27 AM »
Here is a great idea that I use. I swim with it in Florida every year. Go to http://howtomakeyourownfishinggear.com/fishing

The information is Free on how to build one...
Look under Ice Fishing Life Saver....

welcome to the shanty, but while you were trying to post a second post (guessing), you over wrote your original post about life jackets.

the new post is about a home made noodle life jacket. if it saves a life it is worth it, but i think a float suit will work much better and i bet my life on it every time i walk on water.
sounds like you are still looking for some extra safety on water. should buy a float suit hands down, no fooling with your life. look for the one that holds the most weight afloat. you can layer if not warm enough.
for what its worth to you.

Offline stripernut

  • Team IceShanty Maniac
  • **
  • Posts: 3,976
  • Tight Lines!
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #21 on: Nov 06, 2013, 08:51 AM »
Most of the time I wear a CG approved fanny pack, if I need it it is there and I use the belt for pliers and what not. Best of all I use it all year round, on a boat, wading rivers...

Offline lefty2053

  • Team IceShantyholic
  • ***
  • Posts: 7,969
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #22 on: Nov 06, 2013, 11:23 AM »
Just my Bearnie Bear Jacket, Looks a lot like the Carhartt Active jacket. Just better in my opinion,since I have owned both.
<===Lefty===

Offline frldyz

  • Team IceShanty Regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 466
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #23 on: Nov 06, 2013, 02:40 PM »
just got a striker climate suit this year. $260 for jacket and bottoms. and yes it is bulky

Offline jumbo chaser

  • Team IceShanty Maniac
  • **
  • Posts: 1,777
  • never to cold to fish not cold enough!!
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #24 on: Nov 06, 2013, 02:45 PM »
x2 on A A suit
Never to many short poles

Offline MNSlaunch

  • IceShanty Rookie
  • **
  • Posts: 50
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #25 on: Nov 06, 2013, 04:06 PM »
Northern Minnesota I usually only bring the jacket with early ice and then late ice when things start to deteriorate.  For both times it's usually too dang warm out for a big suit, typically only wear a sweatshirt at most.  For this reason I have always just grabbed a summer life jacket, but this season I am excited for that new IceArmour life jacket.  I was playing with it at the Ice Expo last weekend and that puppy is sweet!  It's got giant openings for your arms so it doesn't feel like you're in a straight jacket and some pockets similar to their suits.  Looks perfect for what I need up here. 
Brett McComas
"Parents don't frame pictures of their kids playing video games... take them fishing."

Offline BigDynamite

  • Team IceShanty Regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 494
  • There's one!
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #26 on: Nov 06, 2013, 08:44 PM »
I wear Arctic Armor as well, but my 9 year old wears a life jacket.  I found one that is made for kayaking/canoeing and has size adjustable sides and the floatation foam is built in a series of vertical tubes instead of large panels.  This way the jacket isn't nearly so restrictive.  I have him wear it while we are traveling and then take it off while we are set up.

I can't imagine falling in with floatation and without it, well let's just say I might take calculated risks with my life , but not the kids - they are my responsibility.

Tight Lines and Hard Water
Let's keep it topside.

Offline lockdown199

  • Team IceShanty Addict
  • *
  • Posts: 538
  • Life to the fullest
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #27 on: Nov 06, 2013, 08:55 PM »
I wear Striker and for the kids I bought 2 Ice Armor vest.

Offline Desperado

  • Team IceShanty Maniac
  • **
  • Posts: 1,074
  • . . . . . . Happy Trails . . . .. Des .. IBOT #328
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #28 on: Nov 07, 2013, 02:34 PM »
I say this every year, but here's goes again BECAUSE it's IMPORTANT to REALIZE

For those who wear only a lifejacket or floating jacket, but not floating bibs
It's better than NO flotation at all, BUT think of this

when an ice angler breaks through the ice, they usually hang at the edge of the hole with their elbows up on the ice

now think of hanging with your elbows on the deck of a swimming pool and trying to get out
you can get your head, arms, and much of your chest on the deck
but getting your hips, knees and feet up is a challenge

The flotation from the bottom of your ribcage to your shoulders doesn't help much in this effort
you need the flotation to be from your bellybutton to your knees so your hips will float and you can roll onto the ice

I tell any customer who wants to buy just one piece to buy the bibs first

Sure a lifejacket will keep ya from drowning; but if you can't get your hips out, hypothermia will get ya before too long
Have YOU Clamped YET ?

Offline vt-jig

  • Team IceShanty Regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 329
Re: What Kind of Life Jacket do you wear on the ice?
« Reply #29 on: Nov 12, 2013, 03:32 PM »
On early ice, less than 4-5" I will wear the one i keep in my kayak, its just a cheapy foam one, but it does the job, and the added safety is more than worth dealing with its bulkiness.
"Guys, Come look! This perch is as big as my house!"

 



Iceshanty | MyFishFinder | MyHuntingForum
Contact | Disclaimer | Privacypolicy | Sponsor
© 1996- Iceshanty.com
All Rights Reserved.