Kick off this kayak fishing season safely!

[dropcap]I[/dropcap] try not to do too many product reviews or brand-specific articles for Coastal Angler. The content of the magazine is fishing how-to and where-to. But one of the most important things you need while kayak fishing is a good life jacket. For me it is a huge pet peeve when I see people kayak fishing or just kayaking and not wearing a life jacket. I always say life jackets are like seat belts…they are good to have but you hate to actually use it. However, at that point either one boils down to saving your life on the road or on the water. The biggest complaints I hear is that life jackets are bulky, uncomfortable, hot in the summer and even restricting.

Well, they are right…some on the market are like that. This winter, Astral introduced the Ronny Fisher to the market. The Ronny Fisher was designed by fishermen for fishermen by Astral, an Ashville, NC-based company.

So, what makes the Ronny Fisher better than any other life jacket on the market? Here is a rundown on some of the features that set this life jacket above the rest. For starters, there’s the comfortable fit of the jacket. It has a Thin-Vent Back which makes it comfortable to sit in your kayak seat and the mesh allows it to breathe, so on a hot summer day chasing reds you won’t be tempted to take it off because you’re hot.

We all know from fishing the Southeast that storms can come out of nowhere, so Astral has integrated a hood into the back of the life jacket so when that summer rainstorm rolls up on you, you can unroll the hood and keep your head dry.

Fishing from a kayak means we need to be smart about where we put our equipment. You can only reach so far so all the little things you like to have close to you are important. The front of the Ronny Fisher has all the storage you need. The two front pockets unzip to make a work platform where you can Velcro-down small Plano boxes for your jigheads, lures or flies.

There is a knife clip on the front of the jacket so you have a convenient place to store it and still have quick access to it. Another great feature is their tool organizer on the front of the jacket for hook removal tools or any other small tool you want at your fingertips. For me, the crowning achievement is the beverage pocket on the front of the jacket. You get to pick what kind of beverage it holds.

Astral built this jacket with environmentally friendly PE foam, thinking of the fishermen or women who will wear this jacket. Safety on the water is so important. Wearing a comfortable and functional life jacket is the smartest thing you can do before you leave the boat ramp. So, if you are one of those who considers life jackets too hot and bulky, check out a Ronny Fisher. You might just change your mind and save your life to have another awesome day on the water. Be safe. See you all out there.

Chris Tryon