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May 4, 2020

What to Wear Fishing: A Detailed Guide on the Best Shirts and Clothes

what to wear fishing

The 35.8 million anglers in the United States have a lot of money to spend on their hobby. They spend $46.1 billion a year on their passion. Do they spend it wisely?

There are some great fishing clothes you can buy today. It’s not so easy to select the best to take home and throw back the rest. Read this guide to learn what to wear fishing.

Do You Need Fishing Clothes?

You might think that you don’t need to have special fishing clothes. You could just wear any old thing. What do fish care about what you wear?

You’d be wrong.

Getting the right clothes for fishing can make a huge difference in your enjoyment of fishing. It can even make a difference to your success at catching fish.

Fish may or may not be affected by your choice of clothes but how comfortable you are and how well the clothes perform makes a difference to you. With the right clothes, you’ll fish longer, you’ll fish more often, and you’ll be more focused when you do fish. That adds up to more fishing, better fishing, and more fish.

What’s Special About Fishing Clothes?

The right fishing clothes give you certain advantages. When buying clothes for fishing check out whether these criteria are met. If not then you’re wasting your money.

Standing or sitting in the open air means you are exposed to the sun. Long periods in the sun can result in skin damage and skin cancers. Fishing clothes should give you protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Check the UPF sun protection of any clothes, especially shirts. A T-shirt or even a long-sleeved shirt does not necessarily protect your skin from damage.

If your fishing takes you out in hot weather, you may have felt the discomfort of wearing clothes that are wet with sweat. That clinging fabric is uncomfortable and causes skin irritations and rashes. If the temperature drops, as it might towards the end of the day, the wet fabric gets cold very quickly.

The best fishing clothes move moisture away from your skin and allow it to evaporate. This wicking property keeps you comfortable in both warm and cold weather.

If you ever fish in more demanding environments, you need clothes that are up to the job. Trekking across mountainous terrain or pushing through thick vegetation can take it out on your clothes.

You need tough fabrics and robust construction to give you protection. Your clothes need to survive too so they need to be durable. Regular clothes just aren’t up to the demands of the outdoors.

If you spend a long time in your fishing clothes you need comfort. Exerting yourself might make you feel hot so you need clothes that are breathable and well-fitting. Look for fishing clothes with built-in ventilation to let air circulate when you need to feel cooler.

All this discussion about sweat and body heat might make you think about body odor. The best fishing clothing handles that problem too. They can help prevent odors and stains as well as standing up to washing and drying.

Your Best Fishing Clothes

With all these benefits, buying the best fishing clothes should be easy. There is one further factor to consider. The best fishing clothes have to be right for you.

Fit and style are up to you. It’s important to try on your fishing clothes and get a comfortable fit. They should allow you to move without restrictions and perform all the tasks you might need while fishing including getting to and from your fishing location.

The style options are a matter of taste. Bright colors and garish patterns might put the fish off and they may also put your fellow anglers off. Otherwise, it’s up to you.

Best Fishing Shirts

Lightweight, breathable fishing shirts are best but there are some interesting additional features you can consider. Ventilation can be improved with a mesh back covered by a flap. This gives you the option to increase air circulation or not depending on the temperature.

For colder weather, consider layering. A wicking base layer or T-shirt can be worn under a thicker long-sleeved shirt. Having two layers means you can remove the outer layer if it gets too hot.

Best Fishing Pants

All the usual criteria apply to the best fishing pants but there’s an additional feature to consider.

Storage is often a key factor when fishing. Where do you put important bits of equipment and essential snacks when fishing? Cargo pants offer a solution by providing convenient, large pockets.

Avoid jeans. The denim material has no wicking properties and can get wet and stay wet all day.

Best Shoes for Fishing

Water shoes or sandals work equally well for fishing. They are great for deep-sea fishing on the high sea or a day on a lake. They can be comfortable but make sure that they prevent slipping and are robust enough.

For some fishing, there’s no alternative to wading boots. Make sure they are well-fitting, completely waterproof, and have non-slip soles.

Fishing Hats and Gloves

Some anglers will never go fishing without their “lucky hat”. A hat may not bring you luck but it can provide excellent UV protection in sunny weather and warmth in cold conditions.

Breathable material, as well as a brim, are essential for sun protection. An alternative hat that you can draw down over your ears will keep you warm in colder weather.

Gloves can help give you sun protection in summer and keep your hands warm in cooler weather. They can also protect your hands when reeling in your catch.

Comfort Contributes to Success

Your what to wear fishing guide will help you chose the best clothes. Do it right and you’ll maximize your comfort and success. The less you are focusing on how your gear could be letting you down the better you can focus on what really matters, the fish! Good luck shopping and fishing!

To schedule your fishing trip and get more information on what to bring contact us here.

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