What PFD do you use

After weeks of reviewing manufactures and models. I decided to buy a Ocean Prowler Big Game 2. Ordered from Jim at Wheeler Marina here on the coast. So now I'm in the market for a new PFD. I have an old Extrasport I used for white water kayaking in the early 90's.  Been looking at the Stohlquist fisherman and Kokatat Bahia. Any feed back on them? Or what do you wear? Going to be in Hood River next week. And plan on stopping by The Kayak Shed to shop.

I bought the Stohlquist Fisherman from Langston at  the Kayak Shed, a couple of years ago and really like it......My PA-14 has the nice seat and the PFD fits the seat just fine.

Whitewater kayaks don't have seat backs, so the backs of whitewater kayaking PFDs are designed for comfort in paddling and appropriate floatation, not for comfort when sitting in the seat of a sit-on-top kayak.  So when you go shopping for a PFD, bring your kayak seat, or your whole kayak if necessary, and try sitting in the seat while wearing the PFD.  You may find that PFDs with a big flat back panel are more comfortable than many whitewater kayaking PFDs.

Type III PFDs are only required to have 15.5 pounds of flotation, and most whitewater kayaking PFDs have this minimum amount of flotation.  I like Type III PFDs with 22 pounds of floatation for whitewater kayaking, and I use the same PFD for kayak fishing.

I have used the Stohlquist angler for 10 years on saltwater and it has held up well. One of the easiest PFDs to self rescue in because of the smooth hard shell front pockets. The front pockets are decent sized and in the left one I have my PLB, air horn and flares. Pretty comfortable. If you surf launch, this would be the PFD of choice because the hard shell pockets protect you and your gear from blunt trauma. A lot of the pro kayak anglers use it.

Scott

Kokatat Bahia all the way!
But I'm biased...

That said, I spend a ton of time in my kayak, under my kayak and around my kayak.  No PFD is perfect but the Bahia is damn near for me.

-Mark-

NRS Chinook

http://www.outdoorplay.com/NRS-Chinook-Kayak-Fishing-PFD-Lifejacket

Stohlquist Fisherman in "Universal" size.  Quite adaptable to both dry suit + layers OR t-shirt on a warm lake.

NRS Chinook for me too

Stohlquist Fisherman and Stohlquist Trekker

NRS Chinook

http://www.outdoorplay.com/NRS-Chinook-Kayak-Fishing-PFD-Lifejacket

Me too, me too   

Kokatat Bahia

I have the NRS Chinook and love it.  I tried several on and this one fit me the best.

Kokatat Bahia baby!!

I have been using the Stohlquist Fisherman for a while now. I like that it has a place to clip my radio on the left lapel. I find that to be pretty handy.

Kokatat introduced a new pfd this year called the Poseidon. It's modular in design. You can add different sized pockets to the pfd itself. It looks awesome. My only gripe is that it doesn't have a high back. I bought the Poseidon from my work and tried it out to see if it wouldn't be an issue with the new Hobie sea, but I was disappointed to find out otherwise.

Another vote for the Bahia here - I love mine - super comfy...