Fish-Hawk.Net

I understand the benefits of wearing a floatation suit while fishing in cold water (ie. protection from the elements, floatation ability, high visibility, overall safety etc...).

I would like to know how people use floatation suits specifically for ice fishing...

Do you wear it every time you go out on the ice?
Do you only wear it when you're unsure about ice conditions?
Do you think buying one just for ice fishing is a waste of money?

If you don't own one but are considering purchasing one for ice fishing use, how do you plan to use it?

I know the plan is to hopefully not ever have to "use" a floatation suit.
Thank you all for your responses.

VERY early ice only for me....

I have been wearing mine the last 2 times out for musky

It's all about the "what if"

Water was 45 deg 2 weeks ago and 42 last weekend

I am pretty sure the last people who drownd while boating thought it wouldn't happen to them

So if I did ic fish I would always be wearing mine

I always wear mine fall musky fishing, and early ice fishing. It only takes a second to wish you had one on.

I wear mine everytime I go out ice fishing even if there is 3ft of ice.

I am very comfortable and warm in mine. The only thing is that I wish I had bought a 2 piece just to be able to take the top off. If I wouldn't have suspenders inside of mine I would not wear it as often.

The safety aspect of it is a bonus for me.

I wear it every time on the ice and in the fall fish on the boq.

Skeeter

When I'm not fishing in the Shack RJ and I own I wear mine. I also used it this year on Quinte.

I think if you fall out of the boat at this time of year or through ice into the cold water you involuntarily suck in a deep breath from the cold shock....If i'm going to do that and and suck in a lung full of water, I'd be much happier knowing that the suit is going to pop my head above water where you can cough and puke out that lung full....without it, you're going to fill up your lungs and just keep going down not a pleasant thought

Where can I find to buy such suit near GTA?
What is the price tag for a good one?

I always wear mine, it is comfortable and keeps me warm. Even if the ice is thick you never know, there could be a spring or some other factor that can make the ice unsafe in the small area you decide to step.

I was going to buy a floatation suit for early/late ice conditions and a warm ice fishing suit for the other occasions until they came out with the Arctic armor. It is basically a 2 in 1 suit...

Always wear my IDI arctic armor suit as it is very warm, windproof and waterproof. It is also a 2 piece suit so taking off the jacket in the hut is a breeze. It is not a wet suit but will keep me afloat if anything does happen.

Spring and fall...thin hard and cold soft water

I too use mine in the fall, winter, and spring

I use a atv to ice fish, so my suite is always on. If it gets warm out or im in a hut I take it off once im setting still on safe ice.

Never..

Always in early spring and fall when water dips bellow 55F and always on the ice.

JP