Best fishing PFD? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

JDW · 08-27-2014, 02:37 PM

What is the best fishing PFD in your opinion? I'm looking at the Stohlquist Fisherman Personal Floatation Device.

buddha · 08-27-2014, 03:38 PM

What I would recommend that you definitely do is to try them on for fit. I originally bought the Kokatat Bahia Tour after hearing all the great reviews.

I bought it without trying it on and it was way way too bulky for me.

I returned it and bought the Kokatat MsFit Tour which fits me perfectly and has great features.

Kokatat MsFit Tour Life Jacket-PFD

Unisex
500D Cordura outer and 200D nylon inner
16 lbs. 6 oz.
USCG Type IIITouring
Articulated shell and foam panels
2 bellows pockets with zippered side entry
One electronics pocket
Front lash tab, reflective tape
Strobe lash tab on back

I forget that I have it on that is how good it fits.

You have to try them on and see how they fit and if they have the components that you like.

tacmik · 08-27-2014, 04:08 PM

The best pfd you can get is the one that fits best and is comfortable to wear. I do have the stohlquist that I really like. Try different ones on and get one that you will wear whenever you paddle.

bmercury · 08-27-2014, 07:21 PM

I am more than pleased with the NRS Chinook.

619-SWIM-DOG · 08-27-2014, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacmik

The best pfd you can get is the one that fits best and is comfortable to wear. I do have the stohlquist that I really like. Try different ones on and get one that you will wear whenever you paddle.

X2 stohlquist

Bert Vega · 08-27-2014, 07:35 PM

I like my hobie vest. Matches my kayak perfectly!!

Hunters Pa · 08-27-2014, 08:15 PM

When you try it on sit in a chair or on the ground and move your arms in a paddling motion. You want to make sure it does not bind or interfere with your stroke or get uncomfortable when sitting

FlyFishinYakr · 08-28-2014, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDW

What is the best fishing PFD in your opinion? I'm looking at the Stohlquist Fisherman Personal Floatation Device.

(Not meant to be sarcastic!) The one you'll wear!!!

I haven't tried the Stohlquist Fisherman yet. I have an Extrasport but I wear an NRS Chinook.

From ICast, I'm waiting for the New Extrasport "Angler" series vests to come out so I can try one, they look and sound comfy!
FFY

Wintersun · 08-28-2014, 04:07 PM

I have trying to find one that has a pocket for a full size floating VHF radio iwth GPS/DSC and this complicated things more than I would have expected. The best PFD I found for use with a non-floating VHF radio is the Kokatat SeaO2 which provides 7.5 lbs. of flotation when not inflated and 22.5 lbs. with the bladder full (oral inflation of CO2 cartridge).

The next most comfortable was the NRS Chinook but its pocket setup made carrying a VHF radio a problem so it was off my list.

The Stohlquist Fisherman despite its appearance is less bulky than the MTI Dio F-Spec and Kokatat Bahia, Guide, Outfit Tour models by a quite a bit. I could not see a good way to carry a VHF radio with its layout so it was off my list as well.

I settled for the Stohlquist TowMotion PFD which has the dedicated VHF pocket that is large enough for my Icom M92D radio and has a pockets and not too much bulk.

The SeaO2 would be perfect but for the smaller radio pocket that was provided by Kokatat.

eDUBz · 08-28-2014, 09:46 PM

The stohlquist is a great Pfd, I got the piseas and it's comfortable. But like everything else your better off trying different ones out to see what you like.

Wintersun · 09-05-2014, 02:50 PM

All PFD's involve a compromise of one sort or another. I tried on many PFD's and found the Kokatat Bahia and Outfitter, and MTI Dio F-spec PFD's to be the bulkiest by far. The least bulky standard PFD was the NRS Chinook (but no place for a radio). In the middle was the Stohlquist Fisherman which is not as bulky as it first appears.

I liked the most the Kokatat SeaO2 PFD which is unique in providing 7.5 lbs. of flotation when empty and has an air bladder that you can add air to orally with a hose or using the CO2 cartridge. Fully inflated it provides 22.5 lbs. of inflation.

Most people will stay afloat with 7.5 lbs. of inflation and this is with normal clothing. Wearing a wetsuit and the total flotation is going to be over 16 lbs. or as much as many of the Type III PFD's being sold. This is the easiest jacket to be wearing and easily get back into a kayak from the water. The one drawback I found is that the radio pocket is OK for a regular VHF radio but too small for one of the newer floating models.

I ended up getting the Stohlquist Tow Motion that has a radio pocket I can use for stowing my Icom M92D radio while going through the surf or while out on the water if I am not actively conversing with another boat out on the water.

08-27-2014, 02:37 PM	#1
JDW Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 57	Best fishing PFD? What is the best fishing PFD in your opinion? I'm looking at the Stohlquist Fisherman Personal Floatation Device.

08-27-2014, 04:08 PM	#3
tacmik Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East County Posts: 914	The best pfd you can get is the one that fits best and is comfortable to wear. I do have the stohlquist that I really like. Try different ones on and get one that you will wear whenever you paddle. __________________

08-28-2014, 09:46 PM	#10
eDUBz Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 149	The stohlquist is a great Pfd, I got the piseas and it's comfortable. But like everything else your better off trying different ones out to see what you like. __________________

08-27-2014, 03:38 PM	#2
buddha Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: chula vista Posts: 907	What I would recommend that you definitely do is to try them on for fit. I originally bought the Kokatat Bahia Tour after hearing all the great reviews. I bought it without trying it on and it was way way too bulky for me. I returned it and bought the Kokatat MsFit Tour which fits me perfectly and has great features. Kokatat MsFit Tour Life Jacket-PFD Unisex 500D Cordura outer and 200D nylon inner 16 lbs. 6 oz. USCG Type IIITouring Articulated shell and foam panels 2 bellows pockets with zippered side entry One electronics pocket Front lash tab, reflective tape Strobe lash tab on back I forget that I have it on that is how good it fits. You have to try them on and see how they fit and if they have the components that you like.

08-27-2014, 07:21 PM	#4
bmercury Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 103	I am more than pleased with the NRS Chinook.

08-27-2014, 07:35 PM	#6
Bert Vega Tail Chaser! Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Murrieta Posts: 627	I like my hobie vest. Matches my kayak perfectly!!

08-27-2014, 08:15 PM	#7
Hunters Pa Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fullerton Posts: 1,360	When you try it on sit in a chair or on the ground and move your arms in a paddling motion. You want to make sure it does not bind or interfere with your stroke or get uncomfortable when sitting

08-28-2014, 04:07 PM	#9
Wintersun Junior Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 22	I have trying to find one that has a pocket for a full size floating VHF radio iwth GPS/DSC and this complicated things more than I would have expected. The best PFD I found for use with a non-floating VHF radio is the Kokatat SeaO2 which provides 7.5 lbs. of flotation when not inflated and 22.5 lbs. with the bladder full (oral inflation of CO2 cartridge). The next most comfortable was the NRS Chinook but its pocket setup made carrying a VHF radio a problem so it was off my list. The Stohlquist Fisherman despite its appearance is less bulky than the MTI Dio F-Spec and Kokatat Bahia, Guide, Outfit Tour models by a quite a bit. I could not see a good way to carry a VHF radio with its layout so it was off my list as well. I settled for the Stohlquist TowMotion PFD which has the dedicated VHF pocket that is large enough for my Icom M92D radio and has a pockets and not too much bulk. The SeaO2 would be perfect but for the smaller radio pocket that was provided by Kokatat.

09-05-2014, 02:50 PM	#11
Wintersun Junior Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 22	All PFD's involve a compromise of one sort or another. I tried on many PFD's and found the Kokatat Bahia and Outfitter, and MTI Dio F-spec PFD's to be the bulkiest by far. The least bulky standard PFD was the NRS Chinook (but no place for a radio). In the middle was the Stohlquist Fisherman which is not as bulky as it first appears. I liked the most the Kokatat SeaO2 PFD which is unique in providing 7.5 lbs. of flotation when empty and has an air bladder that you can add air to orally with a hose or using the CO2 cartridge. Fully inflated it provides 22.5 lbs. of inflation. Most people will stay afloat with 7.5 lbs. of inflation and this is with normal clothing. Wearing a wetsuit and the total flotation is going to be over 16 lbs. or as much as many of the Type III PFD's being sold. This is the easiest jacket to be wearing and easily get back into a kayak from the water. The one drawback I found is that the radio pocket is OK for a regular VHF radio but too small for one of the newer floating models. I ended up getting the Stohlquist Tow Motion that has a radio pocket I can use for stowing my Icom M92D radio while going through the surf or while out on the water if I am not actively conversing with another boat out on the water.