As several others have already pointed out, and because I am a retired Coastie, I will only recommend an inherently bouyant PFD, not a self or manual inflating type. Saw a guy drown who was wearing a "self inflating" PFD which didn't. It was his own fault, not the manufacturer, but it just proves people are careless and in the end dead is dead.
For fishing, you NEED to look at purpose built PFDs, which are not the same as what you typically find in box stores. Look to paddling shops. I kayak fish as much as possible and won't be out without wearing my PFD, even when people bitch and complain about hot humid weather and all that crap. I settled on a Stohlquist angler model. It is a vest type, and I keep my camera, small pliers, leader material, clippers, and other small stuff in the pockets for easy access. A correctly sized and styled PFD -can- even assist with back support making your seating arrangement even more comfortable. I think I paid about $100 each for the two I have. Don't skimp on your PFD, it is the ONLY thing which will keep you alive when you are lying unconscious in the water- not your $900 fly rod or $500 reel, or $100 fly line. Always amazes me when I see people with mega dollars spent on boats and gear, and they have the cheapest POS floatation devices they can find.
Last edited by jszymczyk; 04-01-2014 at 03:45 PM.
To the simpleton, proof does not matter once emotion takes hold of an issue.
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