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

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.

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09-05-2014, 02:50 PM	#1
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.