BOATS & GEAR
PRODUCT ROUNDUP
Float on PFDs are becoming more viable, even for gillnetting By Brian Hagenbuch
ccording to recent figures from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, drift gillnetting for salmon is currently number one in fatalities in Alaska, with most deaths caused by falls overboard. Not like we do not all know this, but most fatalities could be avoided by the consistent use of PFDs. And of course we all know the counter arguments, especially in drifting. The snag points that most PFDs add make it difficult to work around nets, but there are options. The Kent Rogue or Rogue II are the most unobtrusive vests with the fewest snags. These neoprene flotation vests are not Coast Guard-approved and will not keep you afloat all night or buoy you if you bonk your head, but it has 12 pounds of flotation and can save lives
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by providing enough flotation to shed heavy raingear. It can easily be worn under a coat and is actually a nice core layer on cold, stormy nights when danger of swamping or stumbling is high. The newer inflatables offer far more buoyancy and are getting better at reducing snag points. They work well for setnetting and can at least be a good option for skippers or for delivering. Mustang Survival sets the bar here, with a number of designs that have Coast Guard approval and either inflate manually, automatically when immersed in water, or a combination of the two.The new MIT 70 Automatic Inflatable PFD from Mustang is especially spare and provides 15.7 pounds of flotation. Mustang’s Khimera line was originally developed for paddle sport and is
New options are making PFDs harder to argue against.
a good option. Because they are made for paddling, the Khimera PFDs are low profile, with big arm holes and general ease of movement. They combine 7.5 pounds of foam flotation with another 13 pounds when inflated and are very wearable. Mustang has also revamped its float coat with the new Catalyst Flotation Jacket. At $369.99, it is an investment, but a worthy one. Not only does it provide 15.7 pounds of flotation, it is also warm and waterproof, with features like hand warmers and an integrated hood. www.kentsafetyproducts.com www.mustangsurvival.com
Jumpers on the flats See more of the action with good glasses By Brian Hagenbuch
rap-around gas station glasses seem to be the industry standard for summer fishing in Alaska, but those looking for a little more complete protection for their eyes might consider a larger investment. In a recent, extensive online debate among Bristol Bay skippers, the three brands that came up most were Maui Jim, Native and Costa del Mar. Silver Bay Seafoods chose Maui Jim for a spring gift for its fleet, and for good reason: Many claim Maui Jim makes the best lenses in the business. Among several lens materials, the best bet for the Alaska summer salmon is likely the SuperThin glass, which is 32 percent thinner than standard glasses and offers Maui Jim’s crispest optics and best scratch resistance
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50 National Fisherman \ July 2021
— the latter key for the constant grime and brine clearing that is inevitable while fishing. Four different base tints are available, with the Maui Rose and HCL Bronze probably the best options for cutting glare off the water while maintaining contrast. A prescription option is available for most styles. Developed by and for sport fishermen in the early 1980s, Costa del Mar provides another high-end option with an entire line dedicated to fishing. Costa claims its proprietary 580 lens cuts haze and blur of light over the water while knocking down yellows at the 580-nm light spectrum, thus increasing reds, blues and greens, and making for a sharper image.The 580G lenses are the glass version
Maui Jim, Costa and Native are all good options for eye protection.
— almost necessary for multi-season use — and are not too heavy. Most styles can take prescriptions. Costa is bit cheaper, but for both Maui Jim and Costa, expect to pay north of $200 for anything with glass lenses, and of course more for prescriptions. For the deckhand or the highly-leveraged skipper, Native Eyewear provides a quality option for under $100. Most Native styles come in a wide, regular or narrow fit, with six lens colors; gray is always good for maximum protection. mauijim.com costadelmar.com nativeyewear.com www.nationalfisherman.com
