Suggestions on a Fishing Vest.

You caught how many? · 01-20-2004, 10:39 AM

I am going to buy my first fishing vest and wanted to get some advice on what to look for. How many pockets, what brand, size, durability and just any information on where to buy them. I am just looking for a good all around vest that will last a while and hold up without the zippers breaking. I really appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

MIKED3323 · 01-20-2004, 10:52 AM

I have a Filson foul weather fly fishing strap vest, tho i dont do much fly fishing it carries every thing i need for bate. have had it for 3 years and has held up great and i like the strap vest for movement.

mike

gimmeumpqua · 01-20-2004, 01:11 PM

Filson Simms, Patagonia or Orvis. Check their websites, then check Ebay.

Kurt

Ty · 01-20-2004, 01:14 PM

Simms all the way. I bought mine over 6 years agao, and it is a warrior. Big double brest pockets and very durable. Seems expensive, but is a great investment!!!

reeldick · 01-20-2004, 01:56 PM

I've got a Field & Stream that I bought at Larry's many years ago. That vest has been all over this state and Alaska. No broken zippers yet, lots of pockets of different sizes, inside pockets as well. The lower piece zips off so it becomes a shorty fly vest if you are in waders in deep water. There is also two big pockets on the back, one with a zipper, the other like a hunting vest back pocket. I think I saw them recently for $49 or $69.

4 REEL · 01-20-2004, 02:46 PM

I bought a Cabelas inflatable(sp). It has a tug cord with the co2 inflate. I like it and it could save a life.

greenbuttskunk · 01-20-2004, 02:56 PM

Simms if you have the dough, or columbia makes a decent vest, I've had mine for years with no problem. Check the columbia outlets, they are on sale often. Joe's and FMS carry them all also.

foxer · 01-20-2004, 03:10 PM

I like the Columbia. The nicer (more $) one. I think it was 59.00

BuKuBass · 01-20-2004, 05:10 PM

I have one of these. The front pockets hold two Plano 3500s each and the back has an insulated, water-tight compartment as well as a pouch. It's very comfortable, I can wade in deeper than I should and at $25 bucks, a steal.
http://www.basspro-shops.com/servlet...rTarget=browse

ampersat · 01-20-2004, 05:55 PM

My wife bought me the Columbia Henry's Fork II Fishing Vest at Joe's last year for Christmas (on sale). I started out with a waist belt that I had worked out to a point I was happy with. It took me a while to get used to the vest but I'm all over it now.
My issues:
1. It's difficult to find plano-type containers that exactly fit the pockets. I hate to waste space because there's always one more thing I could bring to the water if a bigger container would fit the pockets.
2. Having all that stuff on the front of me.
2a. It weighs the front of the vest down. It balances out if I'm carrying stuff in the back pocket.
2b. It's bulky. I've gotten used to dealing with all that stuff on my chest but it's still kind of a pain to have to work the rod "base" around all the bulky stuff on the front of me.
3. To access the back pocket, I have to take it off. I dunno that I would necessarily go for a hunting style pocket though. I slipped a couple of times walking a steep bank on my last trip out and an open pocket like that may have dumped out some precious cargo.

Overall, I'm happy with my Columbia vest now that I'm used to it.

StinkyH · 01-20-2004, 06:27 PM

Amp - I have that vest as well... have not gotten to use it too much but really like having it as it's my first.

The rod holding loop and velcro strap at the top are great for working on changing rigs out.

StinkyH

Corkie Monster · 01-20-2004, 06:38 PM

I've been using the Cabelas River Guide Supplex Vest and have been very happy with it. Very comfortable to wear and can hold alot of stuuf if you want it too.

CM

Reel Premier · 01-20-2004, 07:00 PM

I have a Columbia fly fishing vest that I spent about 80 bucks on at Joe's and it has treated me well for the five years I've had it. It does'nt hang low so it stays dry while wading in water past my waist keeping stuff dry. It can get front end heavy if nothing is in the back pocket, while also being a hassle to move the butt of the rod around stuffed front pockets. You might try Cabelas web site and check out some of the cool fishing packs they have, lots of different types and styles. Hope this helps.

ampersat · 01-20-2004, 07:46 PM

I had the Plano three pocket belt before and if the wife hadn't bought me the vest, I'd still be using it. I had all the pockets worked out and even worked out a plastic structure for the center pocket to compartmentalize it. The center pocket was dedicate to drift gear: corkies, yarn, lead and scent. One side pocket was dedicated to jigs and the other was for spinners. It fit the midsized double sided Plano boxes perfectly. Along with all of that, there was still room for miscellaneous stuff too. All that and it doubled as a waist belt for the waders. I could cinch it down when I was wading iffy water and loosen it up for fishing. It would spin around my waist easily so I could access all the pockets and the zippers worked the way they were supposed to making for easy one handed access (another thing I had to get used to with the vest). It put the weight on my hips where it's really supposed to be. On those long hikes or days when I needed the extra cargo space, I could add a day pack and have plenty of space for clothing and food.

Think about it: do you really need a vest?

Old Coot · 01-20-2004, 07:58 PM

Stearns inflatable vests. Lots of pockets, durable, and a Coast Guard approved PFD. Emergency inflation is just a yank on the ripcord, and WHAM! You're floating.

salmurai · 01-20-2004, 09:02 PM

Gather up all the gear you plan on packing around in a vest and put in suitable containers and then go out and find a vest that will carry it all. I've been using a Columbia Steelhead Vest, but like all things that work, they've been discontinued. At least I haven't seen them in stores for a while. I picked a new vest in Canada last summer. It has huge pockets and seems like plenty of them. It was about $135.00 Canadian. Made in Canada, so I don't think you'll find them down here. If you like, pm me and I'll tell you where I got it.

Silver Hilton · 01-20-2004, 09:07 PM

Check out LL Bean.

Dakotan · 01-20-2004, 09:22 PM

check out cabela's too. I think I paid $50 for mine and I can fit the whole kitchen sink in all of the pockets....and sometimes I do bring that. Look for something that has lots of pockets that will fit plastic boxes for jigs, corkies, spinners, etc. good luck. my zipper compartment on my back comes in real handy too. it is big enough to carry a digital camera, a protected fillet knife, knife sharpener, rope, bandaids, and extra clothing in case you fall in. A waterproof vest might be nice too. I don't know if they make them in Goretex though.

blacktail · 01-21-2004, 06:13 AM

For steelhead, I use a vest that is very similar to the discontinued Columbia Steelheader mentioned above by salmurai. It is made by Coldwater Packs out of Seattle.

It is an excellent vest with a heavier duty fabric than most and has some nice fleece handwarmer pockets.

Mike

Swim Shady · 01-21-2004, 06:55 AM

Like "Old Coot" said, the Sterns give a fellow piece of mind having the flotation at the pull of a cord. I picked mine up at FMS for about $100. Have never needed it but replacement Co2 is pricey, but.... if it saves your life, cost is relative.

SHOUGALNITE · 01-21-2004, 07:02 AM

nobody said any thing about Hodgman. That is the vest that I use.

fishkid2 · 01-28-2011, 07:04 PM

the cabelas packrat vest is great has alot of room for a good price

steelheadguy37 · 01-28-2011, 07:15 PM

One thing that is very important is that the vest has the soft or cushion collar. Some vests have it some dont. Part of the reason so many people like the columbia me included , is that it is comfortable and you can actually stand to wear it while your fishing. good luck.

DougJr84 · 01-28-2011, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by You caught how many?

I am going to buy my first fishing vest and wanted to get some advice on what to look for. How many pockets, what brand, size, durability and just any information on where to buy them. I am just looking for a good all around vest that will last a while and hold up without the zippers breaking. I really appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

i use brand name [columbia] they have several kinds and styles and are not to exspensive, you can find vests at sports man's in vancouver off of 4th plain blvd if your close to lonveiw wa go to bobs if he dont have it he will special order it for you and not charge you extra, he also owns a bob's sporting goods in oregon its in portland area i think i guess ill have to ask him

wameppspro · 01-28-2011, 07:39 PM

After going through several vests in the last ___years

I went to a chest pack and now a backpack with a chest pack. I have gloves, a stowable rain jacket and other extras. I can carry some larger boxes and pre-tied leader sticks. Yes it can easily be overloaded (as can a vest) but it is very comfy. I also have anything and everything I want or need.

I never found a vest that was comfortable to wear over heavy winter wear, that was comfy to wear during dog days, that I could hike into the no tellum hole, that was capable of carrying what I needed.

jonrayers · 01-28-2011, 07:46 PM

I concur with the Columbia vest. The pigtail that held some items broke rather quickly. Other than that, it has held up for a good 6-7 years. I tend to over load the vest, but the load is spread around and I don't notice the extra weight. There are nicer vests out there, but for the price it is a good value.