We’ll love to relax on a Saturday afternoon after a hard week of work. Nature’s so kind to us, offering many exciting, relaxing activities, from skydiving to mountain biking and fishing.
All these activities granted to us by nature and modified by men have provided food for us and a means of exercise, relaxation and refreshments.
Fishing serves just the same purpose. It is a fascinating way to rejuvenate one’s self, but while at it, you want to be safe and comfortable to get the most out of your fishing experience.
Your fishing gear is essential in determining how comfortable your fishing experience would be. Here are ten things to wear when fishing
1. Hats
Depending on where and what time of the day you go fishing, a hat would be essential for protecting your face and neck from the sun; if it’s not sunny, you can still use a hat to complement your dress and show off your style. You might want to consider a hat with a wide brim to cover your face and neck area. Hats are excellent substitutes for sunglasses. They even have a little more advantage than sunglasses since they protect your face and neck.
2. Sunglasses (Preferably polarized sunglasses)
These would help create the necessary shade and protect your eyes from UV rays and their effects. Polarized sunglasses are a great idea for fishing on a sunny day, whether you are fishing by the lake, ponds or by the river banks. Once your vision is protected, you can scout for better sites to fish in; while enjoying nature’s beauty and calmness. We recommend sunglasses with straps if fishing on a boat, so they don’t fall off when your boat hits a wave.
3. Shoes
Enclosed shoes would be a safer choice if you were fishing at a river bank. Enclosed shoes protect your feet from the pain of hitting rocks. They also offer protection against creeping animals or insects. On the other hand, if you are fishing from a boat, a water sandal is a better choice. In a boat, your feet are at least protected, and you wouldn’t be scared of insect bites. For enclosed shoes, we recommend going for shoes that are made of leather.
4. Shirt
A long-sleeved, lightweight shirt would be preferable if you are fishing on shore on a chilly morning or a sunny afternoon. The lightweight would help it dry off immediately when you get wet, while the long sleeves protect your arms from bug bites and sunburn. You can also opt for a short-sleeved shirt if you’re fishing on a boat. The boat’s speed wouldn’t allow bugs to perch on your skin. Always remember not to wear cotton material on water, as they get cold when wet and can make your experience less enjoyable.
5. Life jacket
Unless you’re Micheal Phelps, you want to go on a boat with a life jacket. Turbulence happens on the water, and when it does, it may knock you overboard. You’ll need a life jacket to stay afloat until help comes. However, it’s not entirely necessary if you’re a good swimmer.
6. Fishing vest
What is fishing without a fishing vest? How do we tell from your picture that it was a fishing trip? A fishing vest serves as a fishing uniform and should be worn with honor. It can also serve as a storage bag, where you can store your fishing hooks, small accessories and even small snacks to munch on while waiting for your prey to fall for your bait. A vest also serves as another layer of cloth to give more warmth and protection.
7. Fishing gloves
Fishing gloves are both essential and necessary on a chilly winter morning. It keeps your hands warm and safe. They could protect your hands from fish bites or stings, depending on what species of water creature you find and their defense mechanisms. If you capture a violent water creature and decide to fight its way to freedom, you can rest assured that your hands aren’t at risk because gloves protect them.
8. Jacket
This is just another layer of clothing to provide warmth in the cold and protection in warmer weather. It can also serve as a storage location if you don’t have a fishing vest to keep all your smaller belongings that can fit into a pocket. Any jacket you choose to wear should be lightweight and made from waterproof materials or materials that can dry quickly when wet. You should consider a jacket with many pockets to keep your phones, rings, and other smaller baits to avoid distractions.
9. Trousers or shorts
Either of these goes for different fishing circumstances. Except where there are tall grasses, flying insects and maybe a case of an allergy, full-length pants might be preferable to shorts. But shorts would be better if you are fishing from a boat or on a plain river bank. Remember to use sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun rays and repellents to protect yourself from mosquitoes and other insects.
10. SunscreenÂ
As a general rule, you must wear sunscreen with SPF whenever you are outside in the sun for more than a few hours. We know it seems like imposing and sticking our noses in your business, but if we don’t, who will? Sunscreen is as important as your skin lotion. It protects your skin from all the harmful rays of the sun. You should consider using waterproof sunscreen. Sunscreens also come in lotion form, gel or stick form, so you can choose one that suits you best and stick to it.
Conclusion
You have your gear on; it’s time to explore the waters, have fun and make new discoveries. Imagine if you didn’t go fishing; how would the world have discovered all those amazing sea creatures. But thank goodness we have good fishermen and women to help discover the wonders that live underwater. Use the gears in this article to keep yourself safe and comfortable during your next trip to the waters.
