Spring is here, and hopefully, all of your fishing gear is ready for one of the best seasons of the year for bass fishing. After a long winter, the bass are biting everywhere, and there will be no shortage of chances to catch bass. Aside from your gear and fishing tackle for spring, picking the proper clothing is critical.
This is a time of year with unpredictable weather. You can be freezing in the morning and warm in the afternoon. Rain also falls, and staying dry can mean staying out on the water longer. The following items are pieces of clothing I've worn, trust, and believe are worth the investment. They are from various clothing brands, and each will keep you fishing in comfort all spring.
Sun Protection Shirts
A sun shirt may be the most crucial clothing bass anglers wear. It protects against sunburn and long-term sun damage, and a long-sleeved shirt can also keep you warm on chilly early-morning runs. Versions with hoods are even better, as they can provide more protection for your face and also provide shade, which can be beneficial for looking into the water when bed fishing or targeting shallow-cruising bass. These are perfect to wear under a hooded sweatshirt or rain gear in the morning, and then, as it warms later in the day, you are ready for the sun.
Thankfully, there are several excellent options for quality sunshirts. Still, these three are my favorites: the Aftco Jason Christie Performance Hoodie, the Under Armour UA Fish Elite, and the Huk A1A Performance Hoodie.
The A1A is very soft and breathable. It's made of a unique material with vents on the back and underarms for more comfort. It's lightweight and has a hood for sun protection on sunny days. Because of its soft and comfortable nature, it works very well as a layering piece when worn under a hooded sweatshirt in the mornings.
The UA Fish Elite is another very lightweight shirt with stretch fabric that's also meant to be looser fitting. It also has a hood and a smaller enclosure for your face, which helps keep the hood tighter and gives you more shade under a hat. It's a highly comfortable shirt offered in a few different patterns.
The AFTCO sun shirts are all great, but the Jason Christie version has some unique features. The front has a zipper much higher than most other shirts, so you can close the hood much tighter to your face for more shade. You can also still wear your hat as you run down the lake; it will stay put. There are also thumb loops on each arm, so more of your hand is covered and protected from the sun.
Shorts, Pants and Gloves
I've also become a huge fan of wearing gloves for fishing in the sun. Some great sun gloves are on the market, including the AFTCO Solago Sun Gloves, which are still easy to fish in. They have an exposed palm, so you don't lose any sensitivity when fishing, and they do the trick by keeping you from sunburn. They also make it easy to grab fish in the livewell, and your hands and fingers don't get too cut up from bass after you catch a bunch of fish.
Comfortable fishing shorts and pants are another must-have for spring fishing. If the weather is warm enough, wearing shorts is always good. There are some great choices, including the Fish Hippie Shaker Hybrid Short. They are light and comfortable and can also be used as swim shorts, so they dry quickly. They are so comfy that I often wear them off the water.
There are some incredible longer pants, including the AFTCO All Day pants, which can be worn all day, on or off the water. They look almost like pants you would wear out on the town, but they have stretchy material and fishing-specific features, like being stain-resistant and made from UPF 50+ fabric.
Raingear and Footwear
Another critical thing to protect is your feet. Keeping them comfortable is vital for fishing in the sun, rain, cold and hot weather, you name it. If given the chance, I wear sandals whenever the weather is warm enough, but a good pair of boots can be a lifesaver.
I've worn several rubber boots in this style, but the Huk Rouge Wave Boots are my favorite. Honestly, any rubberized boots like this will do the trick to keep you dry, but the comfort is the true test. This version has a neoprene liner that is very comfortable and a nice, non-slick design on the sole. Another simple yet essential part of these boots is how easy they are to put on. Other boots are a chore to get over your feet, but these slip right on and allow you to fish and run a trolling motor comfortably, even in a downpour. They are also handy for launching the boat and walking along the shoreline.
Rain gear, both the jacket and bibs, is essential for any angler in all seasons. There are many great options out there, but during the spring and into the summer, a lighter-weight suit is excellent. One of the best that I've found is the AFTCO Barricade Jacket and Bib. It's lightweight and comfortable, but it does the trick and keeps you completely dry.
Like everything in bass fishing, technology has greatly improved our gear, and clothing is no exception. Today's fishing clothing is much better than it used to be and is built for a specific purpose: to keep you comfortable and fishing longer. All items listed above do just that and will be a welcomed addition to any bass angler's fishing wardrobe.
