And it should be a quality one.

An experienced father and son tournament fishing team both drowned during a tournament on Okeechobee.

They both could swim but life jackets were in the boat

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/services/content/local_news/epaper/2009/09/06/0906lakedeaths.html?cxtype=ynews_rss

Wear your liefjacket

Although I know the importance of those three words, I always appreciate the reminder.

Thanx Avid

Roger

Kind of like wearing a seat belt its a choice, if you choose not to be ready for the consequences.

I might gamble on a seat belt but never gamble o a life jacket.  I wear one and make sure there is a extra or two in the boat.  Youre always farther from the shore than you think.

a very tragic accident. i fished a tourny at the lake today and the guy who was running it was fishing the same tournament yesterday when this happened. he knew both men and said they were great guys. i agree avid, when the big motor is on you must have a life jacket on.

I agree with SHIMMER - I always wear mine when the big motor is running.

I recently started leaving a PFD in the drivers seat of the bass boat attached to the kill switch ALL the time, not just during tournaments. If the big engine is on whoever is driving has to wear the jacket. I have another  inflatable vest/belt for the passenger seat.

I also try to remember to wear the belt all the time when I am fishing alone.

I have to remember not to take saftey for granted!!!  :-/

Just in case anyone reading this is headed for cali, it is NOT a choice to wear a seatbelt, it's da law, big fine if your caught w/o one in a vehicle

Kind of like wearing a seat belt its a choice, if you choose not to be ready for the consequences.

I'm pretty sure its a nationwide law to wear your seatbelts. I'm hardly on boats, and never on a bass boat, but usually don't wear a lifejacket.

I agree with SHIMMER - I always wear mine when the big motor is running.

And I insist that my partner does too!! If you go fishing with me , your seatbelt is on in the truck, and your PFD is on when the big motor is running. Period.

My fishing is all wading in streams and rivers.

There you'll find, fast and strong currents or unexpected deep holes

and slippery rocks. One slip or fall and bang your head and it may be over.

I wear a combination fishing vest and life jacket.

And good felt sole wading boots or korkers.

Man that story is terrible...  

Youre always farther from the shore than you think

Ain't it the truth.

It shouldn't matter if you have a big motor or not.  We have lost a couple of fisherman here in VA this year and they were not in powerboats.  One in kayak and another in a conoe.

BOAT + WATER = LIFEJACKET

Just like seat belts (I hate them) your decision whether to wear a life jacket should also include how your death will effect your wife, kids, grand kids,etc.  I wear both because of those people in my life.

The wide range of personal floatation devices available today should enable you to find some compromise between safety and comfort.  Money should not be an excuse either considering what we invest in other equipment for our sport.

This was a tragedy for all involved especially since it could have been avoided.

Just my .02s

Mort

My fishing is all wading in streams and rivers.

There you'll find, fast and strong currents or unexpected deep holes

and slippery rocks. One slip or fall and bang your head and it may be over.

I wear a combination fishing vest and life jacket.

And good felt sole wading boots or korkers.

Glad to see someone post this. I do a lot of wading also and it's more a matter when than if you're gonna get wet! Be safe all!

Thanks for the reminder. Stories like this are a solemn reminder to do what needs to be done. I will be the first to admit that I don't wear mine like I should unless it is required during tournament hours. It's a bad habit that I need to break.

Jack

Thanks for the reminder. Stories like this are a solemn reminder to do what needs to be done. I will be the first to admit that I don't wear mine like I should unless it is required during tournament hours. It's a bad habit that I need to break.

Jack

I'm in the same boat, Jack.  This is definitely a habit I need to change now.

i fish ton of tourn it is a ruke you must ware lifjacket or you will be dq. if the big moter is on its a pain but i bought suspends and never take them off and as far as children always no matter what does any one remember darius arbery he was a qb for pro football and a toun fisherman he and his son went fishing a few years ago  they both drowened he new better