For 2017 MTI Adventurewear an American personal flotation device manufacturer released the new Neptune Auto Inflatable Life Jacket. With comfort and safety in mind the lightweight Neptune auto inflatable PFD is able to be worn in comfort all day long. Being a flat water PFD the use in kayak fishing, hunting, and touring is to be its main use but can also be used in power boating as well. The PFD is a one size fits all with 29 lbs of buoyancy!

Use:

After purchasing your new MTI Neptune PFD be sure to follow the instructions on the attached card thoroughly. You will need to arm the inflator device prior to use. If you fail to arm the device the PFD will not be buoyant in an emergency. Although there is a oral tube for manual inflation it will not be useful in the event you are unconscious.There are three ways to inflate the PFD. One is as is mentioned the manual oral tube. The second is the manual jerk tab which will activate a pin that will pierce the CO2 canister. The third is the automatic bobbin which when immersed with water will dissolve the chemical in the bobbin after a few seconds and release the pierce pin opening the CO2 cylinder.

Arming the PFD:

It’s necessary to arm the device prior to your experience on the water and disarm it when not in use. To arm the inflator device find the CO2 canister in the left side under the tab tat says “Cylinder for Arming”. You will find it wrapped in a plastic bag with instructions. Arming the PFD is pretty simple. Push in the CO2 canister while holding the lever arm to retract the bayonets. Turn 1/8 clockwise turn and the indicator will turn green. If it stays red then you will need to purchase a rearming kit. The Kit is model #V86000-84204Z which includes CO2 Canister and new bobbin.

When the PFD is not in use you should disarm the CO2 canister. This is important since you don’t want the PFD inflating during normal maintenance while cleaning or an accidental pull on the jerk tag while storing. When you clean your Neptune be sure to remove the cap and bobbin. Water will degrade the bobbin and make it fire therefore a rearming kit will be necessary.

The cost is US $159.95 msrp

For more info visit the MTI Adventurewear Website

Live. Love. Life [Jackets].

2017 Jackson Kayak Standard Fishing Colors

For 2017 Jackson Kayak has announced new standard colors along with some modified and some carried over from 2016. These colors apply to the fishing line of kayaks only.

2017 Standard Fishing Kayak Line Colors

In total 3 new standard colors have been unveiled for 2016 fishing line of kayaks. They consist of:

1. Mahi (similar to Green Hornet 2014-15 and Dorado 2016)
2. Mangrove
3. Rockfish
4. Patriot

Colors that were modified:

1. GI Jackson (added some tan to the mix.)

Colors carried over from 2016 are:

1. Mahi (previously known as Dorado)
2. Forest Camo

Whats your favorite color? Take the poll!!

Last years Poll:

As always  you may order a custom color for an up-charge and about 6 weeks wait time. Visit your local Jackson Kayak Dealer for more information. To find a dealer location near you please visit the www.jacksonkayak.com dealer locator.

Jackson Kayak Unveils the new Flex Drive @ Outdoor Retailer

Jackson Kayak has unveiled its brand new fishing pedal boat prototype which will add to the new line of kayaks unveiled at ICast 2016 last month. The new Coosa FD or “Flex Drive” integrates a propeller pedal driven propulsion system into the kayak. Like other competitors have in the past and present creating a more hands free approach to small platform human powered fishing. Jackson like wilderness has converted their paddling hull to accept the pedal drive thus maintaining the paddle ability of the kayak hull. This design allows the angler to pedal and still have the ability to paddle the kayak normally.

2017 Coosa FD – image from JacksonKayak.com

As always Jackson Kayak has gone all out with innovation designing the drive as a 2 piece system. The pedal upper portion which are removable for car topping and in the future will have an electric motor capabilities. The lower unit of the drive has the ability to trim up and down. This allows the angler ease of landing on beaches due to the ability to leave the drive in the kayak. No lifting heavy drives out of the hull. No worries of loosing your drive overboard. The ability to trim up and access the propeller from the cockpit of the kayak allows for removing weeds from the prop with ease. The design also allows for the lower unit to retract when it hits against an obstacle underwater to shield it from becoming damaged.

The FD also incorporates new design features to address common issues of pedal drive systems with more solutions such as articulating prop blades for speed control. A trim UP/DN lever locking design. A 12:1 Ratio on a Tri bladed propeller. The future option to attach an electric motor drive that will replace the pedal drive for the ride home!

Check out the Flex Drive Teaser Video!