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

Wintersun · 08-28-2014, 03:07 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, 08:46 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, 01:50 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.

08-28-2014, 08:46 PM	#2
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. __________________

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08-28-2014, 03:07 PM	#1
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, 01:50 PM	#3
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.