What to Wear When Fishing

Fishing is one of the most popular outdoor activities. For that reason, millions of people across the world go fishing every year. The reasons why people go fishing vary from person to person. For some, it is a sport, while for others, it is a hobby. Still, millions worldwide consider it a source of income, while many more look at it as a way to put some fresh marine life on the table for the day. But what to wear when fishing is one of the greatest fishing puzzles of our lifetime.

We aim to address that in this article. So, it should not worry you.

But why would you even care about what to wear when you go fishing or what to wear when kayaking, yet fishing does not have any special clothing? Ideally, you could fish on any clothing—or no clothing at all. That sounds weird.

While that is the truth anyway, there are aspects of your clothing that matter. It would be best if you maximized convenience and flexibility. Comfort and protection, too, are aspects of your fishing attire that should bother you.

And there is another thing!

Fishing and many other outdoor activities are no longer seasonal expeditions. Instead, they are all-season activities, and the implication is that your fishing apparel will vary from season to season. In this article, we focus on what to wear for summer fishing. Or generally, we focus on your fishing apparel for warm weather.

Top 5 Fishing Apparel for Warm Weather Fishing

When you think of fishing in warm weather or summer, you will undoubtedly think about the sun and the heat. So, your attire should focus on protecting you from these two aspects of your environment.

You will need to look out for the following;

 

Polarized Sunglasses

You probably did not imagine that you would find this at the top of the list. But the ultra-violet rays from the sun do not care whether you are a novice fishing enthusiast or a seasoned angler. Therefore, these glasses are essential.

But an armature angler would consider tagging along any form of glasses. Ideally, that should not be the case as any sunglasses will not perform the task as desired.

Firstly, you will be out for several hours, and you need proper sunglasses to protect your eyes. Most often than not, ordinary sunglasses leak UV rays into your eyes. You should avoid them if you are out in the sunshine for extended durations. Choose sunglasses rated UV400 as they protect against UVA rays and UVB rays.

Secondly, you will be staring at the water on a shiny day. Since water is highly refractive, rays bounce off the surface and hit your eyes. You will not have any visibility in a few hours of staring at the water with naked eyes. Polarized glasses not only protect your eyes but also help to improve your vision.

 

Sunscreen

Of course, this could also be another surprise starter in this list. However, with the skin being the largest organ of the body, it requires protection from continued exposure to the sun’s harsh rays. So, irrespective of the types of clothing you don, carry some sunscreen with you.

Sunscreen reduces the intensity of the sun on your skin. You need to carry the right type of sunscreen and apply it all over your body before you begin fishing.

However, note that the type of sunscreen formula you choose will determine your fishing comfort, convenience, and overall success. Consider options that are sweatproof so that it perfectly soaks into your skin in no time. Also, avoid products with greasy residue that will potentially affect your grip. A formula that is hypoallergenic, oil-free, and waterproof is a perfect choice.

 

Base Layers

Now on to the first clothing, we talk about the base layers. It is a thin t-shirt that constitutes the first clothing layer on your trunk. Since summer is often hot, consider materials with the ability to wick away moisture. A base layer sits directly over your skin, and you do not want a pile-up of moisture on your body.

An incredible example is a 100% polyester fabric treated with a rating of 50 + UPF. A comfortable, breathable cotton undershirt will also do an exemplary job.

Water repellant fabrics are incredible and are worth your time and money. Your type of base layer should also be odorless. A variety of outdoor elements have a strange odor that you do not want to stick to your clothing.

 

Shirt

You may need to pull a shirt over the base layer. The shirt should be pretty lightweight, light-colored, and made from an incredibly breathable fabric. Grey or light blues shirts also blend well with your environment and the sky. And luckily, such shirts are not difficult to come by.

But why would you put on a shirt over a t-shirt in warm weather? Whether it is warm or extremely hot, you need to keep cool. An ultra-quick-dry button-up nylon shirt does that perfectly well.

You can opt for either short sleeve or long sleeve versions. However, long-sleeved versions are more popular as they will help you protect your arms. You can roll them up if you find leaving them long unnecessary. Besides, the collars will help protect your neck from harsh UV rays. You may also need to choose products with sufficient ventilation.

Shorts and Pants

Should you wear shorts or pants when fishing? Well, this is a question on the lips of nearly all starters, and your answer is here. When it is hot, shorts are best for fishing. They give your legs sufficient freedom to breathe as desirable. Besides, they do not restrict your movements.

However, you cannot rule out pants as incredible summer fishing gear. If your fishing points have a lot of vegetation and shrubs, you are not going to risk your legs in shorts. So, go for something long enough to protect your legs. Buying pants with zip-off legs is always fabulous. You can transform them into shorts in a breeze, making them an unbelievable way of killing two birds with a single stone.

Whether you choose to go with pants or shorts, ensure you consider stain-resistant materials. You do not want to end up with a total mess after a few fishing trips. Another factor to look out for is sun protection. Consider materials that feature a minimum of UPF 50+ sun protection capabilities. Wrinkle-resistant nylon pants are perfect choices as they will easily fit into your luggage and still come out in good shape.

 

 Shoes/Sandals

Ladies and gentlemen, shoes or sandals for summer fishing? The choice is yours. You can do flip-flops or water shoes when fishing in warm weather. Either way, consider maximum comfort and flexibility.

Sandals should be pretty lightweight, and the upper strands should hold your legs perfectly. For shoes, buy options made from fast-drying waterproof materials. And always ensure slip-resistance, odor-resistance, and ease of cleanliness on your footwear. You can also learn more about choosing the best kayak fishing shoes or choose your best boat fishing shoe here.

 

Hat

And still, to protect yourself from the scorching sun, a hat is a worthy inclusion into the list of what to wear when fishing. Wide-brimmed hats are great as they provide a shade for your neck and prevent you from sunburns, overexposure, and overheating. Again, hats will help with improving your vision as the outdoors could be too bright.

 

Face Mask

We are in the dreaded coronavirus pandemic era, and we do not need to take chances. Fishing is one of the few activities that you can go solo and sometimes find yourself alone. But summer is a popular fishing season, and you will most likely find a crowd of fellow enthusiastic fishermen. Mask up!

 

General Tips to Consider When Choosing Your Fishing Clothing and Apparels

Besides knowing the type of attire to consider, the following tips will help you improve your fishing success and convenience;

• Additional Pockets– Fishing involves a variety of various tiny kits, tools, and equipment. You will need extra pockets to help you keep everything organized. These pockets could be on your fishing bag, pants/shorts, or shirt.
• Comfort- Fishing involves a lot of arms movement during cranking, setting up your gear, and casting. At the same time there is a lot of movement of your lower extremities. Therefore, choose clothing that fits you well. They should neither be too tight nor too loose.
• Ease of Cleaning- Just like your fishing reel, you need clothing that is easy to clean. We understand that you will be out in the wilderness, but you still need to stay neat.

 

Final Words

Fishing is an exciting activity irrespective of when you choose to explore the waters. However, it is not advisable to put your life or comfort in line when you decide to go fishing. That is why we provide you with professional advice on what to wear when fishing.

While Mother Nature is quite unpredictable, you must ensure that you prepare enough for the kind of weather that you expect to encounter. Moreover, every preparation measure you make should aim at boosting your safety and comfort. With that in mind, you will have a memorable experience on your next fishing trip.

Gather the right clothing and head for your next adventure.