Fishing PFD for use on Hobie

I am finding that with the Hobie and pedaling that the PFD I have been wearing for years to paddle a kayak is too bulky in the chest area. One option is the inflatable suspender type PFD but I have also been considering a combination fishing vest and PFD like the Stohlquist Fisherman PFD and the MTI Adventurewear Dio F-Spec Fishing PFD.

My primary objective is less bulk in the chest and stomach area for pedaling and pockets for tools and a place to mount a VHF radio.

Any experiences with these or similar fishing PFD's would be helpful. 

I have the NRS Chinook and like it a lot. However, its still bulky in the chest area but your mid-section is free. I don't like the idea of inflatables for kayak anglers. I can think of a lot of potential scenarios where you may be too disoriented or knocked unconscious and I like having the flotation there all the time. 

I have the NRS Chinook and like it a lot. However, its still bulky in the chest area but your mid-section is free. I don't like the idea of inflatables for kayak anglers. I can think of a lot of potential scenarios where you may be too disoriented or knocked unconscious and I like having the flotation there all the time. 

A self inflating PFD is a viable option for summer lake and river fishing.  I like them for that because they are not as hot.  Out in the ocean anytime, I use a standard kayaking PFD.  One thing to consider is the more stuff you stick in your PFD pockets results in more stuff that may get in your way, or get hung up when trying to re-enter your yak if you get dumped. All I have on my vest is the radio and a whistle. My tools go into the side trays on my Outback, or in the mesh pockets. I carry no tools that I can't afford to lose.  My long-nose pliers for hook removal are from Harbor Freight ($3.99 for an 11 inch) and have lasted me several years.  Is there rust? Yup.  Do I care? Nope-they still work just fine.

The knocked unconscious scenario is very remote and usually occurs when someone is hit by the boom on a sailboat or is drunk and hits their head while going over the side. I took a wooden dory with a friend out through 10 ft. surf and on the way back he wanted to do the rowing coming back in and did not time it right and we were flipped over completely. The boat hit me square on the head but I did not lose consciousness and the end result was a destroyed dory that had ripped completely apart. A third scenario is getting hit by a drunk or careless power boater but I avoid areas where these people are likely to be operating - as on many lakes and reservoirs in my state.

I have deactivated the water sensors on my CO2 inflatable PFD's so they will not accidentally inflate, but pulling a cord to inflate them is something that millions of scuba divers do every time they dive with their BCD's. The only drawback is the lack of places to put small items.

I liked the side recessed areas on the Outback that are very convenient for holding tools and tackle while changing a fishing rig. I went with the Revo 13 instead for performance reasons and it is more of a challenge for making changes while out on the water. The small round hatch between the user's legs is also a design defect in my opinion. Hobie should have a square hatch at this part of the boat that would hold standard Plano tackle boxes. So a combination vest and PFD would provide for a VHF radio which my standard kayak PFD does not, and a place for a small knife and pliers.

The problem is that the kayak shops do not carry fishing PFD's as a rule (REI does sometimes stock the Stohlquist) and I would like to get some feedback on others before ordering something online. The Hobie is a special case as none of the fishing PFD's would be a problem if I was paddling instead of pedaling.

I guess I like to plan for the "remote" chance scenario. I've seen people panic in the water and I don't know your experience level so I offered my advice based on the limited information I had available. I use my Chinook for all trips and pedal in my Hobie Revo with absolutely no discomfort.

I guess I like to plan for the "remote" chance scenario. I've seen people panic in the water and I don't know your experience level so I offered my advice based on the limited information I had available. I use my Chinook for all trips and pedal in my Hobie Revo with absolutely no discomfort.

Nothing wrong with that.  I figure if it doesn't inflate automatically, in my panicked thrashing about I will probably pull the inflation cord by accident.   The only time I wear the self-inflating is in flat warm water on really hot days.  And even on those days, I usually forget to bring it and use my normal PFD.

I've been wearing the Stohlquist Fisherman for about 4 years now, and I've been really happy with it! Not bulky, useful pockets that aren't so big they get in the way of self rescue, uber adjustable, nice high back, plenty of attachment points, and comfy! I pedal and paddle a few different boats with various seat styles, and the only one it doesn't mesh perfectly with is the gen 1 PA14. That one is high enough that it contacts the back pad and I get a little fidgety because my lumbar area gets fatigued from lack of support. No problem in my other Hobies or with the vantage seat on the later models.

I've been wearing the Stohlquist Fisherman for about 4 years now, and I've been really happy with it! Not bulky, useful pockets that aren't so big they get in the way of self rescue, uber adjustable, nice high back, plenty of attachment points, and comfy! I pedal and paddle a few different boats with various seat styles, and the only one it doesn't mesh perfectly with is the gen 1 PA14. That one is high enough that it contacts the back pad and I get a little fidgety because my lumbar area gets fatigued from lack of support. No problem in my other Hobies or with the vantage seat on the later models.

+1

Thanks for the feedback on the Stohlquist. I cannot see where I would carry a VHF radio with this vest.

There's a loop on each shoulder. I'm the guy in the red drusuit and wearing the fisherman.

+1 on the NRS Chinook. 

I opted for the bright orange to match my loud fishing hat. 

The pockets are only bulky if you really stuff them with a ton of gear. 
If packed reasonable, they are flat enough to make reentry a non issue.

I decided to go with the NRS Chinook. I went with the blue color as my mango colored Hobie is already highly visible in all conditions and I plan to stay with it.

Thanks for the advice and comments.