It's my first time fishing from a kayak and I just order a Native Titan 10.5. It will be coming in some time in March..So I need a pfb I can move in...

I like the inflatable type. Auto-inflate is probably best but I've got manual ones.

I prefer the manual inflatables.  I don't have them go off if I get in the water and don't have to have it, but it's easily accessible if I do.  It also doesn't take up much room.

 

Those NRS jackets are cool, but I don't need 20 pounds of tools on my front.

I'm a huge fan of the NRS Chinook. I move around in it fine. It's amazingly cool for what it is too which was my big concern. I was worried in 80-90* heat I would really hate wearing it but air moves around/through it very well. Also tons of lashing points and pockets. It's become a mobile tackle box for essentials and tools as well. I've even thought of wearing it when I bank fish just to have access to those things as easily as when I'm on my kayak. But my wife says she will laugh at me. Hard. 

I like the auto inflate, lightweight, cool. You forget you have them on.

 

I am thinking paying the (high) price to upgrade to the Mustang Khimera. That is a hybrid model, that gets you 8 lbs of foam + CO2 inflation + manual inflation. I don't think I would ever need to inflate it, unless somehow I lost my boat. The light thin foam layer is all I will need. With a fishing kayak SOT, you should learn how to easily get back in the boat under all conditions (so practice in heavy waves too) as well as practicing how to get the boat right side up. I don't want pockets or very much stuff on the front of the PFD because you want that area smooth to get back in the boat. But I do like attaching my pliers to the PFD, and so my only hesitation is whether the shoulder attachment would work for that.

 

The other key aspect for a kayak PFD is comfort when paddling; so I am hoping for something low profile in back and with a lot of arm and shoulder freedom of movement.

 

https://mustangsurvival.com/products/khimera-dual-flotation-pfd-md7183

NRS Chinook is comfortable and built for kayak fishing.

Another vote for the NRS Chinook. I've had one for 2 seasons and have been very happy.

3 hours ago, HookInMouth said:

I'm a huge fan of the NRS Chinook. I move around in it fine. It's amazingly cool for what it is too which was my big concern. I was worried in 80-90* heat I would really hate wearing it but air moves around/through it very well. Also tons of lashing points and pockets. It's become a mobile tackle box for essentials and tools as well. I've even thought of wearing it when I bank fish just to have access to those things as easily as when I'm on my kayak. But my wife says she will laugh at me. Hard. 

I've also thought about wearing the NRS Chinook for bank fishing. Some guys do wear them when wading in a river.

My wife bought me a fly vest from LL Bean for bank fishing but I never use that either. I already had a Sims sling pack. 

The NRS Chinook or Stohlquist Fisherman are pretty much tops in class for passive PFD.  I own a Fisherman, it's a very comfy vest.  I use a AI inflatable from Mustang with HIT tech.

I agree with the NRS Chinook. Sometimes I forget i have it on. I'm leery of the inflatable types i've read about some not inflating when that time comes.

5 hours ago, Djohn said:

I agree with the NRS Chinook. Sometimes I forget i have it on. I'm leery of the inflatable types i've read about some not inflating when that time comes.

Me too. Isn't a "regular" PFD required in a boat even if you have an inflatable one?

 

I use a BPS PFD ($50) because the high-back jackets didn't look high enough for my seat. Plenty of arm room for casting and paddling and it doesn't ride up high when I'm sitting. Nice mesh areas for air flow. Pretty thin where needed.

 

When my Pro-Angler Water Wings finally hit the market the self-inflatables will be little more than a forgotten relic