Rockfish, The thing I have found about a pack or a million pocket vest is you feel you have to fill them up with stuff. Many years a go, I was on the upper green doing summer runs wanted to cross the river. Snot rocks, fast deep water, 30 pound vest. Less just say I walked on my hands under water for about 10 yards. KISS {Keep it simple stupid} I got a Waiding Jacket for x-mass lots of room but not some much as I over fill. Get one of them little plastic boxs 6"x12" somthing like that. I tell you what, you can fill that thing up with a nuff stuff fish 3 or 4 ways in a day. Have your pre tyes leaders a roll of lead smelley jelley, bing bang boom you are on your way.
Save the over kill till you get a boat. 4 Rods, 6 boxes of junk 90% of you dont use. You know what I mean.