Heading out on a fishing adventure requires proper preparation with the right gear. An essential but often overlooked piece of fishing apparel is a good long-sleeve fishing shirt. The best offshore fishing clothing provides UV protection long-sleeve shirts that guard you against the sun’s harmful rays. This allows you to focus on landing the big one instead of frying in the heat.
In this article, we will explore why UV long-sleeve shirts and offshore clothing are essential for fishing gear. We will overview what features to look for when shopping for long sleeve fishing shirts. Read on for recommendations on must-have performance fishing wear for your next angling expedition.
Key Features of Long Sleeve Fishing Shirts
UV Protection
One reason offshore clothing and UV protection long-sleeve shirts are popular with anglers is their ability to protect against ultraviolet (UV) rays. The sun’s UV rays can easily burn exposed skin, which is distracting and painful. Long sleeve fishing shirts provide a vital barrier, blocking 98% or more of the sun’s harmful UV radiation.
Moisture Wicking Fabrics
Quality fishing shirts feature moisture-wicking fabric technology to keep you cool and dry on the water. The material draws perspiration away from your skin. It takes it to the surface, where it can evaporate quickly. This evaporative cooling effect helps regulate body temperature, preventing overheating.
Stretch and Range of Motion
Angling demands freedom of movement – when reeling in a big catch you don’t want restrictive clothes. The best long sleeve fishing shirts are made of stretch-woven fabrics that move with you. Gusseted construction under the arms increases the range of motion for casting, landing fish, and boat maneuvering.
Storage and Functionality
Smart design touches like mesh-lined chest pockets safely stow small items like tippets, flies, clippers, etc. Look for long sleeve fishing shirts with roll tab sleeve adjusters, rod holder loops, and hidden security pockets to keep valuables safe.
Best Fabrics for Long Sleeve Fishing Shirts
UV protection long-sleeved shirts and offshore fishing clothing come in a range of technical fabrics. These fabrics are designed to optimize functionality, performance, and comfort during fishing. Here is an overview of the most popular fabrics utilized:
Polyester
Polyester is one of the most ubiquitous shirt fabrics for good reason. This synthetic fiber excels at wicking moisture away from the skin, allowing for quick evaporation and cooling airflow. The tight weave of polyester shirts also efficiently blocks UV rays with UPF ratings over 50+.
And polyester is a lightweight, quick-drying, and easy-care fabric perfect for fishing. Popular fishing wear brands such as Columbia, ORVIS, and Royal Robbins rely on polyester to create comfortable, long-sleeved fishing shirts.
Nylon
Known for its durable strength, nylon is commonly blended with spandex, polyester, and other fabrics to make flexible, abrasion-resistant fishing shirts. Nylon is also naturally stretchy, enhancing mobility. And the fabric accelerates drying time – a boon when getting splashed and soaked while wrangling fish. Nylon’s resilience against wear and tear makes it ideal for offshore fishing in rough conditions.
Spandex/Lycra Blends
Fabric blends incorporate spandex and its brand name variant, Lycra. This adds welcome stretch and shape retention to fishing shirts. Adding as little as 5% spandex to polyester creates elastic long-sleeved shirts. This improves comfort, fit, and freedom of movement. Anglers can cast, reel, land trophy catches, and boat maneuver without restriction.
Spandex and lycra blends are especially beneficial for layering shirts over base layers. They also insulate mid-layers when fishing in cold environments. The fabrics move with you without binding or riding up.
Matching Your Shirt to Fishing Conditions
Where and how you fish should ultimately guide your fishing shirt selection. Choosing the best shirt means optimizing for your specific fishing environment and conditions. Here’s what to look for:
Hot Weather Fishing
Battling heat and humidity is challenging enough without a shirt that traps moisture. For hot weather angling, choose lightweight long sleeve fishing shirts constructed from moisture-wicking and quick-drying fabrics like polyester or nylon blends.
Breathable mesh paneling under arms, along torso sides, and other hot zones boost venting and airflow. Popular shirts like the Columbia Tamiami II feature strategically placed mesh ventilation to prevent stifling even in sweltering temperatures.
Cold Weather Fishing
When temperatures dip or frigid ocean spray soaks through layers, nothing beats insulated fishing shirts. The best cold-weather fishing shirts have soft fleece or insulating lining built right in. This helps retain body warmth when the mercury plummets.
Select shirts with different insulation levels and layer accordingly under storm shells or jackets depending on just how icy the conditions are. The Orvis PRO-insulated L/S shirt provides unmatched warmth. It is for surviving bitter fishing expeditions.
Fly Fishing
Fishing shirts designed specifically for fly angling incorporate specialized details for convenience when stalking trout or other species along streams, rivers, and small bodies of water. Expect tailored features like easy front D-ring access to securely clip tools.
Mesh-lined chest pockets strategically hold small fly boxes, spools of tippet/leader, and other essentials you need handy. Loops allow secure tool attachment. The Orvis Suncloud L/S shirt checks all the boxes for functionality fly fishing demands.
Ocean Fishing
Braving the offshore fishing environment warrants durable protection from the brutal sun, glare reflecting off the water, and more. Tightly woven long-sleeve shirts in darker tones of blue, gray, or black shield against intense sunlight and UV radiation. Deep color shades don’t fade as quickly as well. Brands like Huk Performance Fishing and Simms design shirts catering specifically to ocean anglers and rough offshore conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Long-sleeve UV protection fishing shirts guard against sun exposure allowing you to focus on fishing.
- Moisture-wicking fabrics with mesh panels or vents keep you cool and dry by accelerating evaporation.
- Focus on shirts with UPF 30+ ratings that block over 95% of harmful UV radiation from the sun.
- Match technical features like insulation and venting to fishing conditions – hot, cold, ocean, or freshwater.
- Storage pockets and loops allow easy access to small essentials like flies, tippets, clippers, etc.
- Stretch woven fabrics made with spandex/lycra blends maximize mobility for casting, landing fish, etc.
Conclusion
UV protection long-sleeved shirts and offshore fishing clothing are indispensable gear for anglers. When shopping for the best long sleeve fishing shirts, prioritize UV protection along with breathability, stretch, and functionality. Match your shirt features to fishing conditions and environments for optimal comfort on the water. Investing in performance fishing apparel allows you to focus on landing that trophy catch instead of frying in the sun.
FAQs
How much UV protection should a good fishing shirt have?
Look for UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) ratings of 30 to 50+ which blocks 96% to 98% or more of harmful UV radiation.
What features make fishing shirts more comfortable in hot weather?
Focus on lightweight, breathable fabrics with moisture-wicking technology. Seek venting features like mesh panels to allow airflow.
Why are storage pockets and loops important in a fishing shirt?
Built-in storage allows you quick access to small essentials like tippets, flies, clippers, etc. without having to rummage through bags and vests.
Should I choose long or short-sleeved shirts for fishing?
Long-sleeved shirts provide better sun protection. But shirts with roll tab adjusters allow you to roll up sleeves when needed.
What fabric is best for stretch and mobility – polyester or nylon?
Nylon has more natural stretch but polyester woven shirts also incorporate stretchy spandex for freedom of movement. Blends maximize stretch.