PFD question

Hey everyone so im looking for an extremely flexible tighter fit personal foatation while fishing. Anything i can get closest to how under armor fits?
But if nothing like that exists....please provide a suggestion?
I dont like bulkyness

Thanks!!!

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extremely flexible and not as bulky makes me think of a neopreme water skiing jacket

Carefull with the ski/wakeboard vests, most are not coast guard approved. I would look at whitewater kayaking PFD's. I've had my eye on a stohlquist rocker. Or the kokatat orbit

Or go the inflatable route ... ala Mustang.  There is a reason PFD's are bulky.  They have to float you!   

-Allen

Or go the inflatable route ... ala Mustang.  There is a reason PFD's are bulky.  They have to float you!   

-Allen

But remember, you have to be conscious to pull the cord! If you washed in a surf launch and bang your head or are in panic mode, might not be best choice.

Or go the inflatable route ... ala Mustang.  There is a reason PFD's are bulky.  They have to float you!   

-Allen

But remember, you have to be conscious to pull the cord! If you washed in a surf launch and bang your head or are in panic mode, might not be best choice.

There are auto-inflate options.

-Allen

I think inflatable PFD's are more for bass anglers. There are a couple other functions of a PFD besides floatation;
1. Chest impact protection
2. Insulation
3. Fishing tool storage

Personally the focus on bulkiness as the main criteria is off-base, IMO. Comfort is the issue, not bulkiness. If you fish the ocean, sooner or later you are going to go for a swim. Unlike bass anglers, the most common location to swim is in the surf zone. You want a PFD that gives you good floatation and you can swim in. I use the Stohlquist Angler as do many others. Maybe the best design for self-rescue and fishability. Just my 2 cents.

Look at whitewater kayaking PFD's.


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Thanks everyone for chiming in with information....i wil definitely look into the suggestions

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Within the "inflatable" category, they also offer "waist pack" inflatable models.  These do have some downside in that they require you to be conscious, able to pull the cord & place the inflated vest over your head and tend to have a lower buoyancy rating (but are CG approved).  For me, it's a matter of where I am yak'ing as to which PFD I bring for the trip.  I own, for the most part, inflatable PFD's.

The inflatable PDF's that do not require to be pulled have a tablet that dissolves when it gets wet that causes it to inflate.  This can happen by getting splashed.  I have not seen it happen but I know from others that it has happened to.

Tablets also require frequent replacement even if they haven't gone off.  I neglected to do the necessary replacement & mine went off in the trunk of my car one day.  Humidity in Florida got the best of the "tablet".  I believe they recommend to change out the tablet every year or so out of precaution.  The better auto inflating PFG's have no tablet and rely on hydrostatic pressure to inflate.  These typically require a descent submersion to activate and are less prone to accidental activation when taking green water (ie. sailing).  These PFD's typically have a $200+ pricetag (hydrostatic) or sub-$200 for pullcord (manual) or tablet (auto) inflation.

One last side note ... they are only counted as USCG approved IF WORN and do not count towards a vessels PFD count if not being word during boarding/inspection. 

Look at whitewater kayaking PFD's.


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Many WW PFD's are even more bulky in front.  Of course there is less foam around the shoulder area, but in the end, the foam has to go somewhere.

-Allen

some good info here on auto inflatables

http://boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/082000c.htm

There are some things to consider before you switch to the Auto Inflators.

1) As opposed to conventional, inherently buoyant PFDs, these are high-tech devices.  They will not provide buoyancy until they’re inflated. This imposes a higher level of responsibility on the user. They MUST be carefully inspected before each use to see that the inflator mechanism is armed and in good condition. The bladder must not leak, and the user must be familiar with its use and operation. This is a big difference from using a conventional PFD. That's also why they’re not approved for use with persons less than 16 years old. 

2) They are not recommended for swift water sports (white water) or any activity where the user will probably get soaked (personal watercraft, sailboards). 

3) Cold weather adversely affects the operation of these PFDs.  While the CO2 cartridge will fully inflate the vest most of the year, in extremely cold temperatures the same amount of gas will not expand to the same volume, reducing the vest’s buoyancy. 

4) While they are designed to auto-inflate only when immersed in water and not by rain or high humidity, the ‘pill/bobbin’ material can break down under these conditions and activate the inflator. 

5) Inflatable PFDs provide no protection from hypothermia. 

6) Since there is a slight delay from immersion to inflation, they are not recommended for non-swimmers.

7) An inflatable MUST be worn as the outermost layer.  Never wear a coat or rain gear over these vests.

After a while you won't even notice you have a PFD on.
I feel very uncomfortable NOT wearing mine when OTW.
Kind of like driving w/o a seatbelt. It doesn't feel good to me.
The seatbelt saved my life in a really bad accident once. The PFD can do the same.
No auto inflate for me. There's enough stuff going on when you end up in the drink. The less I have to think or worry about the better.