It’s that time of year again when it’s warm enough to do outdoor adventures and for a lot of Australians, fishing is their number one must-do activity during the summer season. If you’re into angling, you know how strenuous the activity is especially if you’re hauling in big game fish in your Fishabout boat, for example. Even if you only fish in docks or shallow creeks, setting up your gear will make you move around. Doing physical activities under the heat of the sun can make you perspire right away and that is one uncomfortable feeling. It’s best to wear clothes that keep you cool to prevent overheating.

Tops: Fishing in the middle of the summer season when the average temperature is around 30 degrees, especially during the midday can be hot, sweaty, and all-around uncomfortable. The sun’s heat bearing down on you while you haul fish out of the water, assemble your gear and accessories or wait while the fish takes the bait not only makes you feel hot but can also burn your skin if you’re not wearing the proper outfit. For your base layer, opt for a thin fishing shirt that can absorb moisture. For your top layer, wear a shirt that is breathable, such as cotton, rayon, or polyester. This will keep you dry from all the sweating. Go for lighter shades than darker ones. Make sure to wear long-sleeved shirts to keep your skin protected from sunburn.

Bottoms: Your bottoms must also be water- and stain-resistant. It’s up to you if you want to wear shorts or trousers designed for outdoor wear. However, it’s better to wear shorts when the temperature is unbearably hot.

Extra Gear: Don’t forget to pack a hat or a cap to protect your head and your face from the sun. Choose a hat with a wide brim to keep the sunlight away from your eyes.

Footwear: Don’t disregard your feet. You will be standing and moving around so good footwear is essential for your fishing trip. You can choose to wear sandals for a more open feel. However, choose the ones that are not slippery. If you’re fishing in uneven terrain or walking in this type of environment, it’s best to wear outdoor shoes that can protect your feet. You can also wear boat shoes if you’re going offshore and you’ll be on the boat all the time. Boat shoes are great to keep you from slipping and sliding as you move around the boat. Avoid wearing flip-flops since they are slippery, and don’t offer support such as friction to keep a grip on the boat’s floor.

Sunscreen and Other Accessories: Never forget to pack sunscreen or sunblock with you whenever you go boating or fishing. The sunshine can damage our skin and can lead to sunburn. Long-term exposure to harmful UV rays can cause skin cancer.

Use one that won’t rub off with the water or your sweat. Make sure your sunscreen doesn’t leave a sticky feeling on your skin after you put it on since it can feel icky and holding onto things is difficult since every surface you touch may be slippery. Be sure to test some out before you commit to buying one.

Don’t forget to protect your eyes too. Wear polarized sunglasses to keep your eyes from staring into the glare of the water and give you better visibility. Protect your hands as well by wearing sun gloves. If you want to protect your whole face and neck from the sunlight, you can wear bandana buffs. They are breathable so you’ll have no problem wearing them while you catch fish. You can buy these outfit gear in your marine shops or you can order them online.