Stohlquist "Fisherman" PFD Hot

I wear this PFD every time i hit the water. Even if I'm only in a foot of water fishing this PFD is as much a gear vest as a floatation device. Clippers, hook file, soft plastics, small jighwads, all kinds of stuff will fit in this guy. I carry a handgun and even it fits nicely in one of the pockets. When I'm on the river and the water is low I have beached my yak and walked a mile upstream wearing this thing simply because it can hold everything i really need to keep fishing for a while. I don't have any legitimate complaints about this jacket. I have the green color and it looks really sharp. Oh yeah and it does function perfectly as a life vest.

When the seat in my Predator MX changed positions and dumped me . . . (totally my fault), this PFD kept me floating safely. I actually would have preferred to be able to swim a little better in it, but I'm sure most would agree that if you were incapacitated, it would be better to ensure that you would float. I do wish the pockets were just a little deeper. It doesn't entirely fit my phone inside a dry bag.

This will be my 4th or 5th season using this vest. I love it and have no desire to replace it. I love the two chest pockets, sometimes too much I as cram them full of lures and snacks.

I have had this PFD for almost 4 years. It is the first one I purchased. It has held up well to heavy use and is comfortable, with the high back and large arm openings, making paddling easy. I keep my whistle, pliers, knife, vhf radio, keys, fishing license, and extra terminal tackle in it at all times. It has loops and zippered pockets within the pockets and loops on bottom and back to keep everthing organized and easy to get to. You really foget you have it on until summertime.

The Stohlquist Fisherman vest was my second kayaking vest purchase, and I bought it for the pockets and storage that it offered. The Fisherman has very nice front pockets. When you open them up, the pocket covers are rather rigid, and can act as a small work area to hold hooks, split-shot, and pliers.

The high-back of the Fisherman vest is great for back comfort while fishing - it shouldn't bind against the backrest of your kayak seat.

The only issue I really had was wearing the Fisherman in the summertime. There are no air-ducts cut into the front or back of the vest, so I found it to be very hot to wear in the heat of summertime. I guess that is the trade-off for those big pockets in the front.