Best_Fishing_Vests

Fishing requires a great deal of patience, knowledge and strategy in order to be successful but it also can require a great deal of equipment too as you’ll have a variety of different tools and supplies as well as a variety of different lures.

Handling all of the equipment can be difficult but if you have the best fishing vest possible with pockets in the right places then it can make it a lot easier to grab the equipment that you need and it’ll help you to make better catches and have a more enjoyable day out fishing.

Getting the best fly fishing vest then is vital and here we explain the key features so you can buy one with confidence. To help along the way we have also looked at the fishing best reviews to show you the best products out there on the market today.

How To Choose The Best Fishing Vest – Buying Guide

How_To_Choose_A_Fishing_Vest

Material

Obviously a fishing vest isn’t used as a normal vest, it’s not going to keep you dry if it rains and it’s not going to really keep you warm when it gets cold. It’s there to provide you with easy access to your vital pieces of equipment such as your clippers, weights and toppers among other items. Therefore the material they are made out of needs to be strong enough to handle the items but also breathable as well.

Fishing vests are generally made out of mesh and traditional fabric which often doesn’t look the most stylish but you’re not out there for a catwalk, you’re out there to catch fish and these vests will help you do just that. While all of the vests that we have reviewed here contain some sort mesh, some vests contain a lot of it than other.

This doesn’t really make a difference when it comes to the quality of the vest and is more of a personal preference. If you’re in a colder climate then a vest of mostly fabric might be the best option for an added layer of warmth whereas a mesh vest will be a more breathable option.

Pockets

The whole point of a fishing vest is to have pockets and storage available so you’d think that it would be a case of the more, the better but this isn’t always going to be the case. With pockets you need to work out what exactly you need and what items you intend to be carrying. Once you know that then you’ll know how many pockets you’ll need.

Sometimes it can be a case of having too many options and this depends on what type of person that you are. Some of these vests have pockets inside the pockets as well as having dividers inside of the pockets. For a lot of people, these are just unwanted extras that they’d never use, for others they are key features to keep everything where it should be.

You’ll know what type of person you are and before you buy a vest it’s good to look at one and make a plan for each pocket and think about what it will be used for, that way when it comes to wearing it you won’t be left short by having too few pockets or you won’t be left confused by having far more than you use.

Accessory Clips

When it comes to any equipment in and around the water the humble D-ring often makes an appearance as it can be a harmless extra that is put onto clothes and equipment that can come in very useful every now and again.

In a fishing sense this can be useful for such pieces of equipment such as clippers where they can be easily attached to the D-ring until you need to use them again. They are great for any time when you just want to get your hands a bit more free for a moment to do something else but they aren’t really a permanent storage solution.

With the number of storage options you have in terms of pockets, D-rings really aren’t that important and you could happily live without them. Some companies go overboard and attach too many to your bag but you only ever really need a couple of them at most.

Comfort

These are vests that you will most likely be wearing for a long time so it’s vital that they are comfortable. One of the key areas in that respect id weight as you want to ensure that the vest is going to be light enough and won’t weigh you down. The vests that we have reviewed here all have minimal weight and won’t strain you too much.

When you start to fill up your life vest with all your essential items though, it can start to weigh a significant amount and therefore you want to ensure that you have the right padding in place around the shoulder or on the neck and the vest needs to be adjustable so you can get it in the right position.

With comfort as well also comes the factor of wearing a fishing vest on top of your clothing. On a hot day this could very quickly become very uncomfortable so having a mesh back is vital in order to make sure that you don’t overheat, having an open fishing vest can help in this regard too.

Also you need to consider what you’re going to be doing while wearing the vest. If you’re just fly fishing from a bank then you won’t require as much freedom of movement as you would if you’re fishing from a kayak where you’d be paddling. If you’re going to be doing a physical activity then you need to ensure that the vest won’t make you uncomfortable.

Design And Color

The fishing vest was obviously not made to be a style classic as it is there to serve a purpose but some of them do look better than others. Of course though, they do have a similar style as they need to give you access to those pockets but those pockets need to be in the right location and designed in a way to make it as easy as possible to quickly get your items.

Some of these vests have a lower profile and some are a bit bulkier and a lot of that comes down to preference. The same can be said for how much fabric the vest has as some are a lot more open. One big design difference though is whether or not you want any buoyancy from your vest and this naturally depends on whether you are going to be on or in the water.

If you’re fishing from a kayak using a fishing kayak, for example, you want to be wearing some buoyancy in case you find yourself in the water but if you’re on a jetty then there is less of a need for this. Other great features to look out for in terms of fishing vests is that they have enough space to move your arms around freely and there is enough support on the vest that you’d be able to wear it all day.

As with many items when it comes it fishing, a lot of it boils down to what you need and what works for you might not work for someone else. For example, if you’re going to be wading through water then you’d want a vest that rides high and well clear of your hips but if you’ll always be out of the water, this isn’t an issue. It’s important to check what your needs are than then you can choose the design and color to match that.

You might also like:  Top Fishing Jackets

Durability

A fishing vest isn’t like a vest that you’d be wearing on a night out as it’s going to be in a lot more difficult situations, but used a lot more and deal with more difficult conditions than any standard piece of clothing, due to that they have to be well-made and last you for a long time.

A company that focuses on build-quality will very often tell you how proud they are of their quality so it can often be easy to see which companies pride themselves on it and which don’t. That being said, durability is a very difficult thing to judge off a product listing and this is where it can be great to look at user reviews to see what people who have actually worn the vest are saying.

Another good marker of whether a product is well-made or not is if they offer any type of guarantee or warranty on their vest in case anything goes wrong, this is a useful thing to have as a fishing vest is one that is going to take a lot of punishment over the course of its life.

All the products we have reviewed here are quality and are made by some of the most respected companies on the market so that will also give you confidence. What is for sure is that if you buy a cheap and poorly made vest, you’d soon regret it as if it breaks it would leave you very frustrated.

Water Resistant

Water resistance is something that is a nice feature to have in a fishing vest but not a critical one as your fishing supplies getting a little wet wouldn’t be much of an issue in most circumstances and if you’re going to be fishing off land then this becomes even less of an issue.

A level of water resistance is a good thing though and a lot of these vests have a material that is coated in a layer that will be resistant to water to stop it getting through to you and this can be useful in protecting your belongings from any rain or splashes that they might face along the way.

Another good feature to have if you’re going to be very close to the water is a waterproof casing that can come with some models as this could protect your phone or other electronics should an accident happen and you find yourself in the water. These types of items can be bought separately though so they’re not critical.

Ventilation And Breathability

Fishing can be hard work and sometimes trying to find the right clothing when temperatures increase can be a challenge. Fishing vests can make this more difficult as they are a layer of clothing that you don’t really take into account and they work at their best when they don’t try to be.

What I mean by that is that you don’t want to feel the presence of your vest as, for example, if it had a full fabric back then this could make you feel very uncomfortable as it makes you overheat and sweat. You want your vest to allow air to flow through it.

That way you’ll be able to dress for whatever weather you’re going to be in and don’t have to worry about if your vest is going to make you too hot when you’ve got it on. If you’re going to be in colder climates then this is less of an issue but having mesh build into your vest can be a great way to keep it light and breathable.

FAQs

What_Is_A_Fishing_Vest

Q: What Is A Fishing Vest?

A: 

A fishing vest is essentially something that will go over your shoulders and fit like a regular vest or vest but allow you to have access to numerous pockets that it will have all around the vest to ensure that all your essential items are close by and you don’t have to stop fishing in order to get them.

Fishing can be a tricky business as you often need to use multiple different tools in order to do exactly what you want, therefore having them close by can be critical to enjoying your fishing trip. A fishing vest is designed so that you’re able to quickly access these items.

There are other features that can be important too such as buoyancy which might be required if you’re going to on the water. A fishing vest is designed to make your life easier when you’re out there fishing. You need to get one that matches your circumstances and lets you enjoy your day out casting out a line without having to worry about where everything is.

Q: What Are The Benefits Of A Fly Fishing Vest?

A: 

Probably the biggest benefit when it comes to a fly fishing vest is the convenience. If you’re going to be waist deep in water then you can’t just reach into your tackle box and pick out exactly what you need as you need it right there and right then. The numerous pockets that are available will be able to give you a wide selection of different storage options so you’re never left without anything that you need.

They can also act as an extra layer of insulation on colder days and if you’re going to be fishing in colder climates then it might be for the best to choose one that is a little thicker in density than other types of fishing vest.

When you’re out there in the water you have to take a decent amount of weight with you as you take all of your essential items and having this weight around your shoulders is ideal as it’ll be able to take the weight all day while you are out on the water having fun. Also they allow you to have a free range of movement so you can cast your line out without having to worry about your movement being restricted or your line catching on anything.

Q: Are Fishing Vests Also Flotation Devices?

A: 

Not usually. If you’re fly fishing and you’ve got your legs surrounded by slow moving water then there’s not really any need for your vest to have buoyancy as if you ever found yourself in the water then you could simply just get back onto your feet.

Likewise, if you’re fishing from the bank of a river or on a jetty for example then you’re not going to need your vest to also be a flotation device so there is no point in it having this feature. The majority of people who use fishing vests do so in situations which aren’t dangerous when it comes needing a life vest.

There are of course those who do like to fish in places where falling into the water could be dangerous such as fishing off a kayak or on a boat. These people are catered for and there are vests on the market which are a lot more buoyant so if you’re looking for a vest that has this element then ensure that you’re double-checking the product description and seeing how much buoyancy it gives you.

Q: Are Fishing Vests Waterproof?

A: 

Quite simply, no, they are not. It would be highly inconvenient if an angler had to unzip a waterproof pocket every time they needed something so the pockets on a fishing vest won’t be waterproof as it would take away too much from the core intention of the product which is to make your life easier.

Where are a few caveats to this though and the first one is that there are options to have a waterproof casing available which means you would be able to keep your phone dry in one pocket which being able to access all of your other pockets. Some vests come with the option of a waterproof case while they can also be bought separately as well.

The other is that while it won’t be waterproof, a vest having water resistance can be a great feature as if your vest gets splashed, then you want to ensure that the contents inside won’t immediately get wet. A lot of fishing vest will have a water resistant cover on the material to help prevent water from seeping in.

Q: Can You Infuse A Hydration Pack In A Fishing Vest?

A: 

The answer to this question depends on the type of vest you want to buy and what type of features that it has. Infusing a hydration pack is a great way to add great tasting water to your day and prevent you from having to leave your fishing spot to go and get a drink.

Some vests will have the option to add this while others won’t so it’s important that you check the product description and the bag as well as your infuser to ensure that you will be able to fit it onto your fishing vest.

Q: Can You Store Lures, Hooks, And Lines In A Fishing Vest?

A: 

Due to the nature of lures, you don’t want them hanging loose in any of your pockets when you’re fishing otherwise you might be in for a nasty injury. The advantage of these vests though is that not only do they have a vast number of pockets but some of them have very large pockets with storage space as well.

Your fishing vest is designed to store everything that you might need in order to fish and that includes lures, hooks and lines. These can be kept safely within your vest to be used whenever they are needed. As long as you’re keeping them safe, your vest is able to store anything.

Globo Surf Overview

A top rated fly fishing vest can make your time out in the water a lot more convenient as you don’t have to constantly go back to your tackle box in order to get your supplies. You might be looking for a trout fishing vest or you could just be the type of person who wants to have everything close by even if you have access to a tackle box.

Whatever your reason for wanting a fishermen vest, you want to ensure that you’re getting one of the best products on the market and that means looking at all the essential features to judge which will be the best for you. Pockets are probably the biggest consideration in this regard as the number can vary from one product to the next so it’s important to judge how many you need.

Other factors are important too such as making sure that the vest is made out of good enough material, seeing if it has accessory clips, making sure that the design suits you and ensuring that it’s durable enough for your adventure. You need to take all these aspects into account before making a decision on the right product for you.

If you’re going to be over deep water then you will want a fishing flotation vest but these aren’t as popular as regular vests so looking specifically for a PFD fishing vest is required if you want to stay safe while you’re out there on the water.

Hopefully this buying guide has answered all of your questions in regards to fishing vests so that you can go out there with confidence knowing that you’re going to have all the pockets in all the right places. Getting the best fishing vest will ensure that your day out on the water is as relaxed and enjoyable as you were hoping it would be.

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