{"id":3952,"date":"2020-05-24T15:40:15","date_gmt":"2020-05-24T15:40:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/?p=3952"},"modified":"2024-02-06T22:01:35","modified_gmt":"2024-02-07T04:01:35","slug":"best-life-jackets-for-kayak-fishing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/best-life-jackets-for-kayak-fishing\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Life Jackets for Kayak Fishing (MADE for fishermen)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re in a hurry and just want to find out what the best life jacket for kayak fishing is, then we recommend the NRS Chinook OS Fishing Lifejacket.<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayak fishing can be a great way to sneak up on unsuspecting fish! However, it can also be a little dangerous if you don\u2019t have the right safety equipment. This includes a good life jacket! Most (if not all) states require that you have a PFD on board a kayak, while some states may even require you to wear it at all times. However, with so many styles of PFDs to choose from, it can be a little difficult in selecting the right one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ll walk you through the process of selecting the best fit for your needs. We\u2019ve also taken the time to handpick 5 of the best PFDs for kayak fishing on the market today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a Hurry? Here\u2019s Our Top 3 Picks\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\nTable could not be displayed.\n\n\n\n

What Type of PFD is Best For Kayak Fishing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are many different styles of life jackets on the market, including the inflatable kind and the bulky foam life jackets made for skiers and tubers. However, if you plan on doing some kayak fishing, I highly recommend that you avoid all the above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While each of them may satisfy your states and the Coast Guards laws, they don\u2019t make very good life jackets for kayak fishermen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a kayak fisherman, you constantly have to paddle to get from point a to point b. The last thing that you want is a life jacket restricting your arms range of motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best life jackets for kayak fishermen will allow you to have a greater range of motion than traditional life jackets. They also have multiple pockets, allowing you to store gear, or whatever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you know, space is limited on a kayak and every little bit of storage space helps!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Color of Life Jacket<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may have not thought of this, but the color of the life jacket is also important, especially for a kayaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are kayaking, you are sitting low in the water. This can make it difficult for other boaters to see you in the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If at all possible, you want to select a brightly colored life jacket, to help others see you more clearly!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A brightly colored life jacket could also help save your life if you happen to get lost in the backcountry mangroves or you are capsized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s much easier for search and rescue to spot a bright orange life jacket than a camouflage one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minimum Requirements<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to life jackets or PFDs period, you\u2019ll see a few different requirements for them. One of the most important for the United States of America is that the U.S. Coast Guard must approve the type you\u2019re using. Otherwise, you really don\u2019t want to use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States have different laws regarding the use of life jackets on boats or while kayaking, so some might be as serious as others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Alabama, anyone under the age of 8 needs to be wearing a life jacket on a vessel of any size. For Georgia, anyone 13 and under must wear one. Meanwhile, in Florida, anyone under 6 needs to wear one on any vessel less than 26 feet. Yet in Louisiana, anyone 16 and under must wear one on any vessel under 26 feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you can see, mandatory requirements differ. If you are unsure about what your state requires, click here<\/a> to find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Federal laws differ somewhat from this. Federal Government Regulations recommend 13 and under MUST wear a life jacket on a vessel under 12 meters or 39.3 feet in length. State laws are allowed to do as they please here, as the Federal concept is not a law. Whereas the state\u2019s regulations are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do You Have To Wear A PFD On A Kayak<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While most adults are not a victim to most state laws when it comes to PFDs, everyone recommends that they wear one. Kids are the ones who are most often forced by law to wear one, but if you\u2019re an adult and not using one\u2026.you\u2019re being reckless. Unneededly reckless too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, there are numerous differences in the law when it comes to these. For example, some states, such as California, force life jackets to be available or in use for every person on a boat at any given time. Yet these laws are not forced for those on kayaks or canoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Tennessee, however, the rules ARE in place for those on both canoes and kayaks. Again, this is based completely on where you are. This just means you need to look into what your state requires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, when it comes to kayaking\u2026.you are not forced to wear a life jacket in every state. Of course, after you cross by a certain age bracket. Either way, law requirement or not, one needs to be worn when you\u2019re kayaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make Sure It Meets Safety Standards<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are several different safety standards that the best life jackets for kayak fishing will require. First and foremost, you should know they work on Types, which is an important thing to remember when searching for one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They work on the principle of buoyancy, with the idea being that they will help to keep the person\u2019s head above water. Since the type is based on the rating of buoyancy needed as well as the application of the PFD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll see Type I, II, III, IV, and V<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The United States Coast Guard recommends and\/or requires one to wear one of these types, with many state law enforcement agencies backing them up on the matter. They are based like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n