If you get sunburned or overheated from being out on the water too long during summer, the rest of the day is probably shot. The next few days might not be much fun either. That’s bad enough under normal circumstances, but it’s for sure not what you want when you’re on a fishing trip or trying to make the most of a summer day on the lake.
Learning how to stay cool while fishing starts with a simple reminder: Heat and sun exposure can turn a great day on the water into a miserable one in a hurry.
Occasional overexposure aside, it’s important to take care of your skin and protect it from the sun, especially if you fish a lot. Everyone likes a little color, but most of us also know someone who went to the doctor for a routine appointment and suddenly found themselves dealing with skin cancer treatment.
As a tournament bass fisherman, I think about heat and sun exposure much more now than I did when I first started fishing. I’ve only needed to have a few spots removed out of precaution, but those instances were enough to remind me that real precautions matter when you’re on the water all day for pre-fishing, practice or tournament competition.
To Stay Cool While Fishing, Start by Covering Up
When you’re trying to stay cool while fishing, covering more skin may sound backward. But the right UPF clothing blocks direct sun, helps manage sweat and keeps you from baking on the front deck all day. For me, that starts with a long-sleeve UPF sun shirt.
Most UPF sun shirts come in hooded and non-hooded long-sleeve versions. I usually choose a hoodie because it keeps my neck and ears protected. Those areas get a lot of direct exposure throughout the day, especially when you’re standing on the front deck, turning with the boat and constantly facing different angles of sun.
A hood also cuts down on how often I need to apply and reapply sunscreen around my neck and ears. Sunscreen works, but it can be messy, add unwanted odor to your hands and leave your skin feeling oily or sticky.
My favorite UPF sun hoodie is the Whitewater Fishing Spindrift Merino Fishing Hoodie. It’s lightweight and soft, with 120-gram fabric and UPF 50+ sun protection, which helps me stay covered and comfortable during long days on the water.
The specific brand matters less than the habit. A good UPF sun shirt should cover your arms, neck and ears without trapping so much heat that you stop wearing it. The best sun-protection gear is the gear you’ll actually keep on all day.
Why Merino Wool Works in Summer
If wearing merino wool in summer sounds crazy, it’s not. Quality merino is not the heavy, itchy wool some people imagine. It is naturally moisture-wicking and has antimicrobial characteristics that help manage sweat and odor on extremely hot and humid days.
That matters when you’re fishing from daylight until weigh-in, or when you’re trying to stretch a summer bite as long as possible. The right sun shirt should protect you without making you feel like you’re wrapped in a blanket.
No matter which UPF sun shirt you choose, the bigger point is the same: Covering up keeps you more comfortable and better protected, which can mean many more days on the water instead of recovering indoors from too much sun.
Cover Your Head, Eyes and Hands
Keeping the sun’s rays from hitting your head and face directly may not seem like a huge difference-maker, but there’s a reason anglers who spend serious time on the water stash several hats in the boat.
Just like they don’t want to be fishing without their favorite bait, they don’t want to be on the water without a good hat. The right hat shades one of the most exposed parts of your body and helps keep the sun off your face, ears and neck.
A good pair of polarized sunglasses is just as important. Polarized lenses allow you to see below the surface, but they also protect your eyes from glare, UV rays and any lure that might come flying back at your face.
Keeping your eyes protected also makes the day more enjoyable. Constant squinting in bright sun can lead to headaches, fatigue and a shorter day than you planned.
Fishing gloves may seem like another hot-weather contradiction, but they can save your skin — literally.
They may not keep you cool, but like a good UPF sun shirt, a pair of UPF fishing gloves will protect your hands from harmful UV rays. A good pair of fishing gloves also helps when handling bass, panfish and other fish with sharp fins, teeth or gill plates.
Fish the Shade When the Heat Builds
This one is a no-brainer, but it still deserves a mention. When you’re feeling hot and the sun is beating down, look for shade.
That shade is not just good for you. The fish like it, too.
A great bass fishing pattern in the middle of summer is fishing the shade lines created by trees overhanging the water’s surface. Docks, bridges and other overhead cover can create the same kind of relief. Those shaded areas often hold cooler water, ambush cover and fish that are looking for the same break from the sun that you are.
Another thing you can do is fire up the engine and take a spin around the lake. No matter how big your engine is, any air movement from driving the boat is going to help cool you down.
Hydration Helps You Stay Cool While Fishing
We all know that staying hydrated on the water is important, but what you drink can matter almost as much as how much you drink.
“I drink a LOT of water, and not just plain water,” explained Carl Jocumsen, a Bassmaster Elite Series pro who logs more hours on the water than most. “I also add salt and minerals to get fully hydrated.”
For most anglers, water should do the heavy lifting. But on long, hot days with heavy sweating, electrolytes can help replace what your body is losing.
The key is staying ahead of it. When you’re on the water all day, or even during shorter trips in peak summer heat, you need to stay on top of hydration. Once you’re dehydrated, you can’t flip a switch and get back to normal.
I keep a YETI Rambler One Gallon Water Jug by my seat at the console of my boat. Every time I sit down or get out of my seat, I take a drink. It has become automatic for me, and it’s a great way to stay hydrated without having to think about it.
With plenty of summer fishing opportunities left, don’t get stuck on the bank or inside because it’s hot out. The right clothing, shade, sunglasses, gloves and hydration plan can help you stay cool while fishing and make the most of long summer days on the water.
