Beating the Heat

[Koz]

The other day I purchased one of those moisture wicking, UPF50 sun protection, long sleeve Columbia shirts and I've got to say it does make a difference out there in the heat. It does a good job with the moisture wicking, and despite the humidity and the 95 degree temperature at 5pm I didn't feel overheated. I was pleasantly surprised.

 

I'm trying to get better about protecting myself in the sun, and although I still wore shorts I covered up with that shirt, gloves, hat, sunglasses, and a gaiter for my face and neck. I'll need to go and buy a few more of those shirts so I don't have to do laundry every day.

 

Oh yeah - I also found the joy of Senko fishing once again. Lately I've done well on chatterbaits, poppers, spinnerbaits, and buzzbaits but last night after fishing them for an hour with no luck I tied on a t-rigged Senko and the action was ridiculous. I landed 5 all between 2 and 3.5 pounds in half an hour before it was time to head home.

 

A little earlier in the evening I fished a smaller lagoon and to my surprise there were some gar meandering around in there. I couldn't get them to commit but they seemed to get pretty angry at my Teckel Sprinker Frog. I've never caught one before so I'll need to head back with some lighter tackle and see if I can land one. I have no idea what bait to use, but I'd guess grubs or small spinnerbaits might work.

[Mike L]

Koz

Try minnow's, small in line spinners like a mepps or even a frayed nylon cord will work. 

 

Tip...If you see a gar rolling there won't be bass because of an area of low oxygen 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[bagofdonuts]

I've lost several square bills to them.

[NittyGrittyBoy]

Already been 100°-105° this week. So hard to fish while the sun's up. 

 

Gar? Don't get me started. I'm ready to take up bowfishing to start getting tackle back.

[CrankFate]

All you need to do to take more heat is dress warmer. If you get yourself used to it over time, you can easily wear a regular hoodie zipped up with a T-shirt underneath, with jeans on in the hottest 90 degree plus days. All day. It beats skin cancer and sun damage.

[lo n slo]

i set out at first light and fish til 11 or 12

[PAbasser927]

The stifling hot days are the days I leave the boat and kayak behind in favor of wet wading for river smallies.  The Columbia PFG gear is about the best way I have found to beat the heat out on the lake, but nothing comes close to being chest deep in the river.

[Koz]

35 minutes ago, PAbasser927 said:

The stifling hot days are the days I leave the boat and kayak behind in favor of wet wading for river smallies.  The Columbia PFG gear is about the best way I have found to beat the heat out on the lake, but nothing comes close to being chest deep in the river.

We don't wade in the water down here. But in a few weeks I'll be moving 3 hours NW and I won't have to worry about that anymore.

 

[PAbasser927]

2 minutes ago, Koz said:

We don't wade in the water down here. But in a few weeks I'll be moving 3 hours NW and I won't have to worry about that anymore.

 

Hahaha yeah that would keep me out too! I don’t even know if I would have the guts to be out in the kayak with those around!

[GreenPig]

I'll be on the water this morning at 4 am. Gonna fish til 9 am. I go very early or all night this time of year. Going in the am to hopefully figure out their feeding windows.

[Bluebasser86]

Gar love minnow baits. 

 

Search "gar rope lures" and you'll land way more of them than you will trying to actually hook them though. 

 

I don't mind the heat, but if I have the whole day to my disposal, I'll get up early and fish until around 11, eat lunch and take a nap until about 3 then go back and fish until an hour or two after dark, or go completely nocturnal. 

[TOXIC]

On St Clair las week we had a LOT of Gar in one area we were fishing and catching smallmouth.  Pods of 6 or 7 rolling on top.  I wear sun clothing back here at home but usually once I become accustomed to the heat it's not a problem.  Remember to hydrate all day, no carbonated drinks, no alcohol, no caffeinated drinks either.  On really hot days, I start my hydration the day before.  I've had heat stroke and believe me it's no fun!!  

[the reel ess]

Those gar will destroy your frog if you get them to bite. I don't want to discourage fishing in any way, but i try to avoid gar. They're the pickerel of my area since most waters here have no pickerel.

 

I wear one of those Columbia PFG shirts every time I go. IDK how old you are, but this is a good practice for the rest of your life.

 

I usually fish from a kayak and one way to avoid the heat here but still go fishing is to seek out rivers and creeks. There's usually some shade to be had in smaller ones. The running water holds oxygen and stays cooler. And the fish have to stay shallow-no choice in the matter. After you've done it a while you'll see the patterns of where fish will be holding. Of course, on bigger rivers with easy access, other people get the same idea, but most of them will be paddlers, not fishermen.

[Log Catcher]

I have some BPS shirts with  the sun protection in short sleeve. I also use sunscreen. I can't understand how a long sleeve shirt keeps you cooler. I am like @TOXIC in that I came very close to having a heat stroke years ago. Ever since then the heat can really get to me.

[diversity210]

Yeah good UV protecting longs sleeve shirts in hot weather is necessary.  I fish most in the central valley of California where triple digit heat is every day in the summer.  Ive taken to fishing mostly in the morning from first light to when the sun is high in the sky around 1 or 2 pm and just before sunset around 5-7pm.  I had really bad sun burn a few years ago and it made me start protecting myself.  Lot of black people dont think they need to protect themselves from the sun, but we do.  Wearing a gaiter can be a bit annoying but it keeps the sun off the back of your neck.  Also a nice boony hat is always on my head.  Good polarized sun glasses will protect those eyes to.  Splurge on the good ones too.  All the glare from the sun just isnt good for yours eyes.  Water water water.  I will go through a gallon of water in half a day on hot days.  Stay hydrated.  Dont drink a bunch of Gatorade, soda, and energy drinks and think it has the same affect as drinking plenty of water. 

[Koz]

1 hour ago, Log Catcher said:

 I can't understand how a long sleeve shirt keeps you cooler.

 

I was skeptical as well. I don't know about throwing on just any long sleeve shirt, but the Columbia PFG shirt that I have wicks away the moisture and it really does work. The only time I get any kind of sweat in the shirt is on my back when I'm wearing my backpack, and even then it's not completely drenched.

 

Right now you can get the Columbia PFG shirts at Cabela's, Dick's, and BPS for around $30. They are normally $40-$45.

[PourMyOwn]

The Columbia PFG/Huk shirts are a must for me, believe me you don't know you have them on. They are that comfortable. Another benefit is that I feel less fatigued after a day of fishing with them than when I just wore a t shirt and slathered on the SPF 50. 

 

I also agree with the early risers above. I get on the water by 6 and am off before 11:30. It helps that I'm a HS teacher, so I have all summer off!

[Armtx77]

15 hours ago, PAbasser927 said:

The stifling hot days are the days I leave the boat and kayak behind in favor of wet wading for river smallies.  The Columbia PFG gear is about the best way I have found to beat the heat out on the lake, but nothing comes close to being chest deep in the river.

I agree and unlike most lakes, you get some shade while wading most rivers.

[BassinCNY]

I bought a shirt on Amazon to try for $20 and it works as well or maybe better than my more expensive shirts. I really like the fit. I miss having a zipper at the neck but at least I can't forget to zip it and get a burned chest. The color is a little obnoxious but I figure it helps me to be seen by boats a little better when I'm in my canoe. Full disclosure, I'm in upstate NY so hot here is not the same as hot in warmer climates. Search for Key Apparel Men's Enhanced Visibility Long Sleeve Waffle Knit Pocket T-Shirt. 

[Hawkeye21]

I stay completely covered when out in the sun fishing.  I wear a sun shirt, light fishing pants, gloves and something to cover my neck and ears like a buff or hood.

 

A lot of people don't get it but it makes a world of difference for me.  I love that I don't have to worry about getting sunburned.  It does a decent job of keeping me cool.  It keeps me clean.  I feel a lot better after a long day of fishing wearing this gear compared to being out there in shorts and a t-shirt.

[Choporoz]

48 minutes ago, BassinCNY said:

I bought a shirt on Amazon to try for $20 and it works as well or maybe better than my more expensive shirts. I really like the fit. I miss having a zipper at the neck but at least I can't forget to zip it and get a burned chest. The color is a little obnoxious but I figure it helps me to be seen by boats a little better when I'm in my canoe. Full disclosure, I'm in upstate NY so hot here is not the same as hot in warmer climates. Search for Key Apparel Men's Enhanced Visibility Long Sleeve Waffle Knit Pocket T-Shirt. 

Sounds good.  I'm certain there's lots of good long sleeve choices....as long as it isn't a loose weave. Like those above, I favor PFG and HUK, but that's primarily because I wear hooded shirts when sunny and hot and there's not a lot of options beyond those two 

[LonnieP]

6 hours ago, Log Catcher said:

. I can't understand how a long sleeve shirt keeps you cooler. 

Long sleeves don't work for me. I wore a long sleeve Huk shirt one 90+ degree day last summer and I hated it. Never again. 

[N Florida Mike]

19 minutes ago, LonnieP said:

Long sleeves don't work for me. I wore a long sleeve Huk shirt one 90+ degree day last summer and I hated it. Never again. 

I’ve tried too, and can’t find one that helps either. My son loves em, but I have big wrists and forearms so the fit is too tight and won’t allow good air flow. I may try a Columbia shirt tho and see how it does. My shirtless days are long gone but Long sleeves burn me up.

[WRB]

Add a Sunday's Afternoon wide brim hat to your SPF gear.

Tom

[Bankbeater]

I've got two old wide brim straw hats that I wear when the sun starts getting hot.  They really let the air through and keep my head cool.  My kids say they look terrible, but I don't think the fish mind.