What To Wear For Kayak Fishing In The Summer

Ah, summer. The season for paddling, canoeing, paddleboarding, and of course, kayak fishing! Although kayak fishing can be a year-round activity, it’s always nice to have that strong sunshine when you are on the water. We look forward to it every year!

When kayak fishing in the summer, many people assume they will be well-protected with standard swim trunks and a tank top, however, it’s not the case. There’s much more to consider, especially when you’re balancing on a kayak in the middle of the water! That said, we recommend taking the time to research ALL the gear and equipment you will need for a safe kayak fishing trip.

So, knowing there is a lot to consider when choosing your outfit for a full day of kayak fishing on the water, WE created a summer kayak fishing outfit checklist so that YOU don’t have to. And remember, since we can’t just pack up a short and t-shirt, our summer kayak fishing outfit checklist takes into consideration the following:

• Weather conditions
• Possibility of falling into the water
• UV sun protection
• Mobility
• Comfort
• Safety

A hat for sun protection 

You will definitely want to keep your face and eyes extra protected from the sun while you’re on the water. The Fish Logo Cotton Hat is the perfect accessory to take with you as you reel them in all day long. 

Boots/shoes for exploring water grounds

Doing exploring on and off your kayak? You will want some comfortable and abrasion-resistant footwear. The Creek Boot 2.0 is designed to be a stable and durable way to protect your feet while onshore or in your boat. These boots come equipped with a thick yet soft rubber sole and higher cuff to provide your feet with comfort and protection.

A UPF protective long sleeve top

If you plan to stay on the water for a long period of time under the sun, we highly recommend that you cover as much exposed skin as possible. A lightweight long sleeve top such as the Men's Coastal Long Sleeve is a great option for full protection without the heavy feeling. It features UPF 50+ sun protection and is available in a variety of colours. The exact same long sleeve top is available for women as well! The Women’s Coastal Long Sleeve has a relaxed fit. For an athletic fit with the same UPF 50+ sun protection, we’d recommend going with the Women's Venus Rash Guard.

A UPF protective shirt

If a long sleeve isn’t your style and you feel safe enough to just be in a shirt, we highly recommend choosing at least UPF protective shirt. Similar to the long sleeve above, there is a short sleeve available in the same high-quality and UPF protection called the Men's Coastal Short Sleeve. Similar to the long sleeve, this men’s top is also available for women called the Women's Coastal Short Sleeve. And if it isn’t clear yet how we are serious about protecting yourself from the sun, we recommend you wear at least any long sleeve you have lying around underneath your short sleeve. ;)

A UPF protective hoody

If you are looking for a bit of extra protection on the water while maintaining a lightweight fit with UPF sun protection, we recommend the Bass Fishing Hoody to keep the sun off your skin without overheating you. PLUS, it features a sweet integrated neck gaiter with a comfortable hood that provides full coverage and sun protection. Although this hoody is definitely gender-neutral, we’re going to also throw in a similar women’s hoody recommendation for those who are looking for a specific fit. The Women’s Mist Hoody is a sun-protective hoody designed to fit well over a swimsuit and comes with flat stitched seams to prevent chaffing. This lightweight hoody has UPF 50+ sun protection and conveniently dries quickly making your time on the water just that much better.

A durable drysuit

A dry suit is a great choice for you if you will be exploring deep cold waters or if you’re fishing in cold weather or if you will be in and out of a lot of water and want to stay totally dry. The Emperor Dry Suit is a heavy-duty dry suit built to stand up to the toughest tests on the water.

The British latex wrist and neck gaskets will keep water totally out, the fleece lining will keep you warm, and the Exhaust 3.0 ply waterproof breathable nylon / Cordura panels will keep you comfortable while providing a great range of motion.

New for 2021 is also a women-specific dry suit. The Freya Dry Suit is a deluxe front-entry, dry suit designed to stand up to the toughest tests on the water. This dry suit is constructed using the toughest waterproof-breathable nylon, Exhaust 3.0, and comes complete with features like the stealth double-tunnel system, articulated spine, knees & elbows, rear relief zipper, and an adjustable waist-belt. 

In conclusion, what you choose to wear on a day of kayak fishing this summer would depend on how often you go and how long you will be on the water. The most important thing to take into consideration is your health and safety. Although not listed, a PFD (also known as a life-jacket) is an absolute must for all water explorers. Don’t take the risk of skipping out on one because you might just end up paying the price with your life! Also, sometimes we forget how powerfully harmful UV rays are on our skin, so it’s important to stay protected in the summer. Try to cover your skin as much as possible. All the clothing items listed above that mentioned UPF protection are legitimately protective and are designed for ALL water adventurers. For experienced kayak fishers who regularly go, then a dry suit is definitely worth the investment because it’s perfect for year-round use. Although it’s a little bit of a pricey purchase, you will 100% get your money’s worth since it will last you years. We hope that our kayak fishing outfit checklist was helpful for you! Happy fishing!