Proper Fishing Attire For The Hot Days
Beat the heat and stay comfortable on the water. Discover the best clothing options for hot days on the water. Learn about fabrics, cuts, and accessories to keep you cool and protected from the sun.
We are in the beginning of August and the heat and sun can be a little brutal. I know for me, I need light weight clothing that will help me not burn, stay cool and dry fast. The most dangerous challenges regarding fishing in hot weather are the heat, exposure to the sun, and overall humidity. It’s important to have the right clothing to endure the scorching sun when you are either offshore fishing or inshore fishing. Below are some items and brands I recommend when heading out to the water.
HOODED SHIRT
When the sun is out, you want something to cover your whole upper body. I’m a pale person, so a hooded shirt will generally do the trick. There are a lot of great options and I’m a gear guy so I wear a variety of brands.
One of those brands is Origin. I wear their RTX™ Hoodie. Now, it’s not labeled as a “fishing” shirt, but it still does a great job at protecting you from the rays and helps you stay cool. I use it a lot while on photo and video shoots. It’s moisture wicking to help pull sweat away from your body and help decrease fabric dry time. The best part? It’s completely made in the USA with the cotton grown right here in South Carolina.
Another brand I really like is Free Fly. They're a Charleston based company and the team here at Sportsman are major supporters of their products. Their Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie is a go to. This ultra-light hoodie is UPF 20+ and has a cross over hood for complete neck coverage. They even have thumbholes to keep the sleeves in place. The bamboo material helps to keep your body cool, has a buttery soft feel that lasts over time and another added benefit is that it doesn't hold onto odors for multi-day use.
Lastly, Marsh Wear’s Buxton Tech Hoodie is another great hooded shirt to have in the arsenal. This is another Charleston based company with being rooted in the marsh. Their Buxton Tech Hoodie has a DWR water repellent finish that is UPF 40 and will surely keep you from burning up in the sun.
There are several other great brands with some awesome shirts out there as well, Columbia, AFTCO and ANETIK are a few that make some awesome products that will keep you cool and protected from the sun on the boat.
PANTS/SHORTS
Just like the upper body, you want to make sure your lower body is good as well. Some people like to wear pants, but there are some that just like to wear shorts.
Looking back at a fan favorite, Free Fly is a go to for a lot of us here. Their Breeze Pants is extremely lightweight and breathable. Is has an elastic waistband and drawcord for custom comfort. The nice thing about Free Fly is that they have a plethora of colors to choose from. Not only are their pants great, but their shorts are just as good, the Breeze Shorts are made with the same material, they're just as you'd guess shorts, not pants.
Lastly, Huk’s Creekbed Pant is a great pant to have when fishing in the heat. It has a fully elastic waistband with an adjustable branded belt as well as with durable repellent and anti-microbial properties.
Just like mentioned about the shirts, there are several great options beyond these out there for pants and shorts. These brands are a few I have great experience with and will continue to wear for as long as I they keep making them.
To conclude, fishing in the sun and heat requires the appropriate attire that is functional in both comfort and protection. Consider factors like moisture wicking material, quick-drying, and sun protection. It doesn’t have to be complicated. We want to make sure we are having a great time on the water and if we are not dressed appropriately for it, then it will be a miserable time on the water.