Life Jacket Laws

[Carter1]

Well, that's news to me too. But then I don't look at every detail in the book. I have always worn mine when motoring but then take it off when I stop to fish. Been doing it that way for more than 10 years since I've had an inflatable. But, if you are just fishing and and are not wearing a regular type of PFD what difference does it make? Something about this law doesn't make much sense.

[bassfishing1974]

Had the same thing happen to us. Water patrol was checking us and told us there are 2 different styles of inflatables, the one that self inflates when in contact with water and the one you have to pull to inflate yourself. The self inflating ones must be worn at all times and the ones you pull yourself do not. This didn't make any sense to us.

[Carter1]

That is what I'm saying. If you don't have one on then it doesn't matter what type it is.

[scrappy52x]

have u notice on FLW on BASS that the guys that wear the inflat. dont take them off when they fish....... thats because every life vest thats not inflat can be use as a throw. but no the inflat. yep yep! like i said can be used as a throw but not a true throw! by laws are stupied!

[flyfish]

have u notice on FLW on BASS that the guys that wear the inflat. dont take them off when they fish....... thats because every life vest thats not inflat can be use as a throw. but no the inflat. yep yep! like i said can be used as a throw but not a true throw! by laws are stupied!

Scrappy got it right. It's because you can't throw it. I always keep maywest or other type "real vests" in the boat in addition to my inflatable. Though I typically wear my inflatable all the time. I'm ex- swim team and avid scuba diver, but it's still a good idea.

[Carter1]

Lets say you have the vest type. You take it off when you get to your spot then start fishing. You are by yourself and somehow you fall in. Who is going to throw it to you?

[09Z7SC]

So, even if you have a throw cushion on your boat, you have to have a regular pfd in addition to your inflatable? I wear my inflatable at all times while running, but not when fishing. I did notice that the pros do not take their inflatables off when fishing though.

[Carter1]

Hey 09Z do you think it is because the ones they show are running so much that it is easier to just leave it on? I fished with a couple of BASS pros before during a tournament and they took theirs off when we stopped. I am waiting to hear back from Law Enforcement at KDFWR. When I get an answer I will post it here.

[Tim_T]

Hey 09Z do you think it is because the ones they show are running so much that it is easier to just leave it on? I fished with a couple of BASS pros before during a tournament and they took theirs off when we stopped. I am waiting to hear back from Law Enforcement at KDFWR. When I get an answer I will post it here.

I w2ould say this is more likely, I fished with and been in the boat as a press observer with many of these guys and they will leave them on a lot of they are running from spot to spot, but take them off if they are going to be there for w hile. besides, most of them have several different PFD's in the boat.

[09Z7SC]

I don't know, but I will be putting a spare PFD in my rod locker to be on the safe side.

[smashdn]

These aren't KDFWR laws so much. They don't define what a PFD is, the Coast Gaurd does.

So, even if you have a throw cushion on your boat, you have to have a regular pfd in addition to your inflatable? I wear my inflatable at all times while running, but not when fishing. I did notice that the pros do not take their inflatables off when fishing though.

If you take the inflatable off it is no longer considered a PFD is the rough and dirty of it.

The other PFD has to be out in the open able to be accessed. Can't be in a rod locker or other storage. So if you take off the inflatable you need to have your "tradtional" pfd out able to be gotten to.

I usually put mine over the back of the seat. It is out, able to be gotten to, but not in my way. Throwable hangs over my steering wheel as it is in an aluminum boat with no storage lockers.

[Carter1]

Talked with official at KDFWR this morning. If you have an automatic or manual device then you must have a type that is not and as stated, in view. I still say this is silly. But they don't write the rules they enforce them. If you are fishing by yourself just there won't be anyone in the boat to throw it to you if you should take a dunk.