What To Wear When You Go Fishing
Sun protection in summer, cold-proofing in winter, wind-proofing throughout the year, and other necessary arsenal can make fishing a sophisticated affair. Not to forget the unpredictable water conditions and the overall risks involved. It’s vital that you’re wearing the right clothes and equipped with the necessary accessories when going fishing.
Whether you are planning to go fishing for the first time or just need a second opinion to help you pack your bag with relevant items, we’ve curated a reliable list of fishing wearables that will have your back in the most unpredictable situations. Let’s get started!
Here’s What to Wear When You Go Fishing (Musts for All Seasons)
Basic clothing
The attire of shore and boat fishermen may vary, but the basics are almost always the same. We’d suggest you start with a sun-protective bottom layer shirt, followed by a middle-layer, full-sleeved shirt — don’t worry about wearing it in the summer since it offers plenty of ventilation. Combine this with waterproof pants, waterproof footwear, a hat, gloves, and sunglasses and you’re good to go.
Fishing waders
Professional fishermen are no strangers to spending hours in waist-deep waters. They’re also well-aware of the dangers of doing so — constantly at the mercy of insects and sharp weeds. Plus, the cold waters of creeks and rivers can be uncomfortable while fishing and harmful to the skin. That’s where fishing waders come in and there are primarily two types of them; waist waders and chest waders.
The type of wader you choose depends on how deep in water you plan to be. Waders start at your feet and go as high as your chest. They may be made out of neoprene, PVC, or nylon. The best part? They’re durable, waterproof, flexible, and offer excellent insulation.
Wader boots
Some waders will come with a pair of boots, but that’s not always the case so you may have to purchase a pair of fishing boots separately. The idea is to protect your feet from sharp objects. You may come across fishing boots that go as high as your thighs (perfect for deep waters), knee wading boots, and wading booties (for shallow waters).
Fishing vest
The idea of a vest is to prevent you from wandering around with a whole toolbox. A fishing vest usually has ample pockets and hooks to help you carry your required fishing arsenal. If it’s winter, a fishing vest will also provide extra protection and heat.
Long underwear
When you’re out fishing, you have nothing but clothes to keep you warm. So it’s always a great idea to cover the goodies with an extra layer of inner insulation. If it gets too hot, you can always make do by taking off the outer layer. Oh, and we almost forgot — you want your long johns to be waterproof and comfortable.
Waterproof/windproof outerwear
You need to pack a windbreaker jacket as well as a raincoat with you. It doesn’t take long for the weather to go south when you’re out in the wild, so you must always be ready for when it happens.
Polarized sunglasses
Fishing is no walk in the park. Instead, most of the time, it’s a walk in chest-deep waters for hours. So when you’re in there and unable to bear the sharp sunlight, make sure you’ve got some polarized sunglasses to rely on.
Summing Up With Some General Fishermen Clothing Tips
- Don’t forget to loop in the weather when you’re packing. If it’s winter and you’ll be welcomed with frosty winds, make sure you’ve got the apparel for it. A rule of thumb is to go with two-layer attire for summer and three-layer for winter.
- Always keep it waterproof and windproof.
- Remember to pack with you a sunscreen as well as a moisturizer to counter the dryness of cold winter winds.
- Your footwear needs to be comfortable or you’ll come back with blisters.
- It’s easy to forget gloves, hats, and sunglasses. Make sure you don’t.