Vest vs Hip-pack

[James5354]

i went from vest to hip pack....i find the only advantage from a hip pack is the water bottle holder is right at my finger tips when I need it and on a long day of fishing my shoulders do not feel tired, but I do find that the waist pack starts to slide down my waist from hiking and makes it annoying to have to re-adjust it every so often. they both have their advantages and disadvantages forsure.

 

[Shawarma]

Took the headwaters sling pack out yesterday. Made life alot more convenient and it was pretty comfortable.

Only small gripe is attaching the smaller trout net to it put the net a bit too far to the right and when walking your hand bang into it a bit. I'll have to attach a D ring or something to the center somewhere and hook it up that way maybe. We'll see. I'll find a sweet spot for it.

 

[[email protected]]

Took the headwaters sling pack out yesterday. Made life alot more convenient and it was pretty comfortable.

Only small gripe is attaching the smaller trout net to it put the net a bit too far to the right and when walking your hand bang into it a bit. I'll have to attach a D ring or something to the center somewhere and hook it up that way maybe. We'll see. I'll find a sweet spot for it.

your waders don't have a net loops on them?

 

[jc53]

Magnetic quick release snaps???

 

[BERRRG]

All these packs seem awesome... until it rains hard. :???:

 

[BERRRG]

But awesome nonetheless.

 

[cptpronin]

Hey guys don't know about you but with several different types of fishing I've been doing, I'm having a hard time finding the right way to store gear and tackle... Wanted to hear some opinions from you guys: I wade and fish from the bank, river-fishing only, and find myself juggling several different types of tackle, transferring tackle from vests, to a tackle bag, to my waders' pocket, depending on the area I'm fishing and type of fishing I'm doing. Half the time I've got my crap strewn across the bank and could forget or damage something... What do you guys like to use and why? Have you found a well-balanced way to keep all your tackle on or nearby you that works in many scenarios? I know this is a pretty open-ended vague question, but any opinions would help out.

Depends how you like to roll. If you wade, a cheap light cotton vest is a good way to go. Dropped $15 at BPS for mine. No frills. Just pockets with zippers.

The other way to go,particularly if you walk along the banks and do some shallow crossing in hip/boots, a hip-pack is good too. This is what I use in the middle of summer when the creeks are low and I'm just wading through knee deep water. Think I dropped $40 at Cabela's and so far has been indestructible.

Both options should hold all the gear you need for stream fishing.

 

[Shawarma]

your waders don't have a net loops on them?

Nope.. no D loop on the waders unfortunately.

Magnetic quick release snaps???

That's what i attach to the D loops.. makes life alot easier. Quickly unsnapped and it's got an elastic tether which helps in reaching out and should you drop it in the water it isn't going anywhere.

 

[IR4Jflyfishing]

Simms headwaters guide pack for me, Ive got it loaded to the brim. One thing I really like about it is the waterbottle holder being on the bottom of the pack horizontal, so it doesnt throw off the weight of your pack if you want to carry one.

There are 2 different types of waist packs though, there are single (fanny pack) styles and then cross/sling lumbar packs. The latter has a strap that your off arm/shoulder goes through and this allows a lot of the weight to be evenly distributed. I find it to be relatively water resistant which is nice in the rain, under full submergence it does leak though.

Its all personal preference, go to a store that carries a wide selection of styles and try them on. Perform some of your common fishing maneuvers (maybe do this when no one is watching) you'll know right away if you are going to like that style or not.

 

[BERRRG]

I picked up the Simms Headwaters Hip-Pack a few weeks ago. Not the guide version but the standard version in grey and orange. I've used it a few days now and it's been great and I'm really impressed. The workbench feature on them is incredible for holding little things you don't want to put down while you're rigging up or tying something new on. The inside is divided into many sections which fit small tackle boxes or fly boxes. Two water bottle holders, one of which I've been putting my scrap leaders/used tackle into because I'm not one to pollute the river bank. It comes with a tippet spool which is amazing, I just unzip the workbench pocket and pull off whatever leader length I need in whatever test I need. Have nippers attached to a zip-cord in there as well. There is a magnetic forceps holder on the outside of the pack -- if you land a fish you just reach around and grab your forceps, no need for a zip-cord and your forceps aren't going anywhere in that thing. I've fished standing for hours straight with this thing on and probably my most appreciated feature of the hip-pack is no strain on your shoulders at all on a long day.

Thanks to everyone who commented, hope this helps others in the future.

 

[OCDComputing]

Personally I like my vest. It holds a lot or a little based on what type of fishing I'm doing. If I find it getting a bit too hot, then I take it off and put it on the bank and move it when I need to. Now....I will say, I have not used anything else other than a tackle box...which I really didn't like carrying around.