Pimp My Vest

By: Hayes Anderson

I'm going to be blunt and honest and some might think I'm being rude but that's not my intent. I don't like to wear a vest. The cheaper ones can be hot, uncomfortable, cumbersome and mainly in the way. Yet I still wear one. Admittedly not 100% of the time but a solid 90%. There are times when I've just got to get out of it to cool off. I'm not here to try to guilt you into wearing your PFD (life vest). You're an adult and should be allowed to make your own decisions.

By that same token you get to live with the decisions you make. Now we've all heard that that if you point out a problem but don't bring a solution to the table all you're doing is complaining. So here is my solution: PIMP IT OUT!

Make your PFD something you like to wear. I call mine my BAT VEST. I carry what I think are cool items but definitely useful and used tools in my bass fighting adventures. Looking at the picture above you can see my safety whistle, line snips, boot knife (WAY COOL by the way) hemostats and a couple lights. Make it stuff you like but will use. Plus being on your body like that it is very handy and I've noticed that I feel naked without it if I'm on a boat and not wearing it. This idea might work really well for kids, especially if you give them their own little flashlight and whistle. Then they'll probably want to wear it. Don't come looking for me if they really enjoy the whistle.

This is just a suggestion. If you have a PFD now try rigging it with a couple tools you use on the water anyway and see if this idea works for you. If you don't have one or the one you have isn't comfortable go to your local kayak/canoe dealer and have them help fit you in one that will fill your needs. Until next time. Tight Lines.

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