Article by Capt. Mark Sampson
When water temperatures are still cold it doesn’t take much of a breeze to cool the surrounding air and turn an 80-degree day on land into a 60-degree day on a boat. But let that wind fall off a bit and the air temps could jump right up and have over-dressed fishermen sweating in no time. Now that we’re past the middle of June and water temperatures are into the upper 60’s, we’re pretty much at that point when anglers are able to get away from wearing multiple layers of clothing every time they head out for a day on the water. Everyone wants to dress as needed for the conditions ahead, but it’s tough to tell what’s coming in the early season. It’s nice to be at that point when anglers are able to put on a pair of short pants and a short sleeve shirt in the morning and figure on staying comfortable all day and into the night.
But as much as we all look forward to consistently warm summer weather, we also know that sooner or later we’ll be sweltering in the heat waves that so often descend on us in July and August. Those who fish a lot know all too well what it’s like to spend day after day under a blistering sun with little or no shade and the nearest air-conditioned space a long boat ride away. Anglers usually like warm weather and sunny conditions, but too much of a good thing over long periods of time can kill a fella! When it’s burning hot, the standard attire of short pants and t-shirts leave a lot to be desired for sun protection or comfort.
Of course sunscreen can and should be slathered on to protect exposed skin from the sun. But done right, this usually requires frequent applications throughout the day and when the “bite is on” who has time for that? Another alternative is to keep the sun from getting to you in the first place, leaving anglers with the options of staying home, taking up night fishing, or wearing clothing that covers the entire body. As for me, I’ve chosen the latter.
When it’s 90-degrees in the shade and the sun is sharp as a spotlight on a Hollywood stage, the thought of wearing long pants, shirt, hat and something over your face might be somewhat unimaginable unless you’ve discovered for yourself the pleasure of wearing technical fishing clothes. By “technical” I mean clothing that is specifically designed for comfort and protection in the hot sunny environment fishermen often find themselves in.
It’s been a couple decades since some of the first vented-shirts designed specifically for fishermen came on the market. Featuring large, open “caped” backs that allow good air circulation and stitched out of light cotton or some sort of synthetic blend these shirts have proven to be light weight, cool, and quick to dry. It didn’t take long for anglers to realize that on a hot sunny day even a long-sleeved vented shirt was cooler and more comfortable to wear than the standard t-shirt, and these shirts quickly became standard uniform for warm weather anglers who wanted more from their apparel than what a cotton t-shirt with someone’s advertisement splashed across the back could provide. Clothing was becoming “gear” and manufacturers where quick to promote the technical aspects they incorporated into their products.
Recently, vented shirts have begun to give way in popularity to the “Under Armour” type synthetic shirts designed to provide sun protection while allowing air to pass directly through the fabric and wicking moisture away from the occupant. More t-shirt in appearance, they don’t have all the pockets of the traditional vented shirt, but they have the simplicity of being a pullover and they’re wrinkle free – if you care about that kind of thing.
Legs also need proper protection and that means either sunscreen or long pants. But since spending a hot day on a boat while wearing blue jeans will cook you like a holiday turkey, those who choose to “go-long” will do best with a technical design that’s made for summer use. Nylon or some other blend of fabrics provide anglers with the protection and coolness they want and need on the hottest of days while being quick to dry and easy to clean of blood and fish slime.
Hats are another important piece of equipment for anglers to consider. Either they can go with the standard canvas ball cap which enables them to also advertise for a brand of beer, their favorite marina, or fishing newspaper, or they can spend a few extra bucks for a hat designed specifically for fishermen that’s lightweight, cool on the head, made of vented nylon and has a long bill that helps shade the face. They are also dark on the underside to prevent glare off the water from reflecting into ones’ eyes. Such hats might even have a lanyard and clip on the back to attach to your shirt so that it doesn’t blow off your head. If anglers wish, they can also get a hat with a cape off the back to protect their ears and neck from the sun. Who would have thought that so many features could be jammed into something as simple as a hat!
The latest craze in fishing apparel are the “buffs” which are worn around the neck and can be pulled up to cover the entire face and ears. Though buffs might appear too warm to wear when it’s hot out, they’re actually quite cool because they block out the harsh rays of the sun. They also keep your skin from getting wind-burn on windy days or when blasting around in a fast boat. Though anglers might look like they’re better prepared to rob a bank than catch a fish when they pull their buff up over their face, the comfort and protection they get from the sun is far more important than any concerns over fashion.
Good technical clothing should be considered important “fishing gear” that every angler can use to stay comfortable out on the water while protecting themselves from the dangers of too much exposure no matter how hot it gets over the next few months.
Captain Mark Sampson is an outdoor writer and captain of the charter boat “Fish Finder”, docked at the Ocean City Fishing Center.
