How to Choose the Best Fishing Clothes

Some people prefer to skimp on fishing apparel to buy another reel or several fancy lures, because, well, clothes don’t matter, right? Wrong. At first glance, clothing might seem like the last thing you need to worry about when preparing for a fishing trip. You’ve checked your tackle, made sure the line is not tangled, dug up some nightcrawlers or polished your lure, and finally arranged your tackle box. Sounds like a complete checklist, but there is one thing missing. You. At the end of the day, it’s you who does all the work, and it’s you who sits patiently waiting for the fish to take the bait. And you deserve to spend this time in comfort, you do this for pleasure, after all. And nothing can make you feel more comfortable like a properly chosen fishing outfit. And a foldable chair because those legs deserve some rest.

While some pieces of clothes from your wardrobe can indeed prove themselves useful, the obvious benefit of fishing apparel is that it was designed with all angler’s needs in mind, and there are several of them. A lot, if not everything, depends on where you plan to fish. Apparel for fishing from shore in summer, wading in early fall, or going deep sea fishing in December is very different (Thanks, Captain Obvious!). Since fishing is a year-round activity, you’ll need several outfits to match those seasons and fishing environments. It looks like yet another expense, and it honestly is, but this is a long-term investment that will pay off every time you go fishing.

It might look like some fishing equipment store trying to persuade you into buying things, but we are not promoting anything in particular, so our consciousness is clear. The main point of this article is education, and everything else is just a pleasant addition. So, here’s our guide to choosing the best fishing clothes.

Unlike hunters, who have to choose clothes with camouflage patterns for every type of game they pursue, anglers are much freer in their options. More often than not, you’ll be standing far enough from the bobber not to worry about scaring fish with some bright clothes. However, at different times of the year, there are various adversaries that fishing apparel is supposed to protect you from. The first such enemy is the sun.

Fishing Apparel For Sunny Weather

Even though we owe our existence to the sun, sometimes it can be relentless. The main paradox with sunny and sweltering weather is that it might feel like even being naked won’t be enough to cool yourself, but leaving your skin exposed to sun rays is an idea far from reasonable. A sunburn is the mildest condition you might suffer, and no tan or catch is worth risking getting skin cancer. But, hey, can we really tell people to wear long sleeves when merely wearing some piece of cloth already feels like a feat worthy of public recognition? And being outdoors lovers ourselves, not in the world, we would tell people to sit at home if they have an opportunity to breathe some fresh air.

There are two paths one can follow here. The first one is, unsurprisingly, getting special fishing apparel. We don’t know how and where exactly you fish, but chances are you won’t have a relieving shadow in the vicinity of your fishing spot. Fishing long sleeves are made from breathable materials like polyester or nylon and won’t turn you into a walking steam bath. Another undeniable advantage of such shirts is that they often feature UPF 50+, which is the ultimate sun protection level clothes can provide. Regular long sleeve shirts don’t feature UPF as a rule, so it’s not like just anything with sleeves will fit. Besides, even a good quality fishing long-sleeve shirt will cost you no more than a quality lure, but no lure will protect you from the wrath of the sun.

The other option is getting sunscreen, which offers various levels of sun protection up to SPF 50+, equal to that of fishing shirts. Sunscreen lets you wear fewer clothes, but it is consumable, and you’ll need to restock it sooner or later, whereas fishing apparel will serve you for years. You can’t go wrong choosing one of those paths.

As usually nobody fishes wearing nothing but their fishing shirt (there are special beaches for those who prefer it that way though), we need to think of something for your lower part. You need something quick-drying and light that won’t restrict your movement. Fishing shorts are a good choice since they feature the same properties as their upper-body colleagues. Pants are also good, but sometimes excessive. It’s crucial not to overthink things and find the balance between protection and pleasure. We need vitamin D, and being outside on a sunny day is a very pleasant way to get some.

As to your footwear, which is technically not apparel, try something open and non-slip. Near-water surfaces can be slippery, and it might take one fall to depreciate all your efforts to stay dry.

Fishing Apparel For Cold Weather

Interestingly enough, choosing cold-weather fishing apparel is easier since you just put on layers and enjoy life. Depending on how chilly it is, the number of layers may vary from two to three. It is also vital to get apparel with strong water repellent properties since getting wet in cold weather is a direct route to getting cold, if nothing more severe. Besides, it’s not like every summer is hot, those mornings can as well be pretty chilly, so it’s always better to take one layer off than to fish to the accompaniment of teeth chattering.

The first layer should be breathable and light since its main purpose is to keep you dry. Try to avoid heavy fabric as you are more likely to start sweating more actively in that case.

The second layer is for staying warm and being protected. You are free to choose more heavily-insulated options since fishing doesn’t involve intense physical activity, and you don’t risk sweating, which means a little bulk won’t be such a burden. It might also be reasonable to have a pair of gloves since your hands will get cold pretty fast if left exposed.

If you are choosing an outfit for ice fishing, then get all the insulation you have. The ice being thick enough signifies that the weather is, well, quite cold. Ice can be very treacherous and betray you when you expect it the least, so be sure to wear a life vest or get ice fishing apparel that can keep you afloat.

Fishing Apparel For Rainy Weather

There are many debates on whether it is worth fishing in rainy weather since the fish becomes less active as the atmospheric pressure drops, but it also begins feeding more actively to prepare for the storm that may last for whoever knows how long. But we believe that no drizzling can scare an angler who was planning their fishing trip for weeks. The rules here are the same as for cold weather since the weather is likely to become chiller as the rain comes. Your main objective here is not to stand dripping wet, so choose water-proof jackets and pants.

As you can see, the main principle behind choosing the best fishing clothing is to consider the weather. Remember, that getting specialized apparel always pays off in the end. Besides, getting dressed in something you wear only when fishing might set you in the right mood. And the main pleasure of fishing is not in the quantity of fish caught but in the process of doing so.