Originally Posted by
MCIPinkie
IMHO, the best life jacket is the one you wear ALL the time.
I've been in the water several times in the past 60 plus years of fishing. All of them with the trolling motor down. Went in last winter in 43 degree water wearing my Onyx A/M 24. Went off like it should. I was 75 years old. Composed myself after hitting the water. Clambered back in the boat. Never even used the boarding ladder.
Yes, the potential for disaster is worse at speed, but based on my experience, you are more likely to fall in when fishing than when running.
It doesn't matter how much you spend, or how fancy a jacket you buy. If it isn't on, it's useless. I wear mine 100% of the time.