Making the most of your fishing trip can go beyond getting the best fishing equipment.
Fishing is usually a hobby spread out over several hours, so you will want to feel comfortable in the most well suited fishing shirt that will keep you cool when the weather is hot and warm if you’re still out as it starts to get dark.
Sounds like a tall task doesn’t it? But don’t worry, we’ve done the hard work for you and have hand picked our Top 5 fishing shirts to show you.
Our reviews on these shirts are coming up shortly, and after that we’ve got a buying guide for you which runs through everything you might want to think about before you buy.
Following that, we’ve also got a section where we answer some your most frequently asked questions.
Best Fishing Shirts – Reviews
- OMNI-SHADE: UV protection at its best, Omni-Shade materials block UVA and UVB rays to help prevent sunburns and long-term skin damage. The tight weave construction offers lasting sun protection...
- FISH EASY: Designed specifically for anglers, this lightweight, relaxed fit, nylon shirt dries fast, keeps you cool, and protects against harmful UV light
- BREEZY COOL: Mesh-lined back vents let in and out a cooling breeze—perfect in hot, humid weather
- PERFORMANCE DETAILS: A rod holder provides hands-free convenience, and four chest pockets with hook-and-loop closures help store your small essentials
- BUILT TO LAST: Columbia’s attention to detail is what sets our apparel apart. Specifying only the highest quality materials, expert stitching and craftsmanship. This is a long-lasting shirt you will...
- Long sleeve design and 50+ UPF protection keeps your skin healthy, so you can be active all day in the sun with confidence
- The moisture-wicking fabric manages the perspiration to keep you dry and comfortable
- The breathability enhanced with the Mesh Back / Under Sleeve keeps you cool when active in heat
- The elastic material allows for a full range of movement when casting or reeling in
- Great for fishing and hiking adventures as well as casual wear
- 【High-quality Upgraded】Ultra-Soft and Quick Dry fabric provide extreme comfort with very lightweight without restriction, increase the softness and elastic properties, breathe freely and...
- 【UV Protection】After testing, it can block 98% more harmful ultraviolet rays,protecting your sensitive skin from all harmful elements in all seasons.
- 【All-round protection】The sun shirts with Hood & thumb holes are a nice option for extra sun protection to your neck form and the back of the hand. Great for anyone who can't stand the heat, is...
- 【Ergonomic Comfortable Design】This multifunction shirt has a tag-free collar and flat-lock seams to reduce chafing and increase comfort, Raglan sleeves provide a full range of motion for both...
- 【Tips】SIZE RUNS SMALL, choose One Size Larger than you usually wear if you want loose fitting. As different computers display colors differently, the color of the actual item may vary slightly...
- HUK: Uniting anglers through performance-engineered, technical gear designed to fuel your passion and pursuit no matter when, where or how you fish
- COOLING FIBERS: Cooling fibers work to remove heat from the surface of your skin, helping to dump body heat and keep you more comfortable and on the water longer
- SUN PROTECTION: This fishing shirt protects your skin from the sun's harmful rays - Huk added the most advanced sun-blocking +50 UPF materials to their apparel to block both UVA and UVB rays
- STAIN RELEASE: Because fishing can be dirty, Huk added a special stain release treatment that not only enables stains to be easily washed out but also resists oily substances from attaching to the...
- SUPERIOR BREATHABILITY: Keep your skin dry and comfortable on the water - Huk performance shirts includes special fibers that transport sweat away from the skin and synthetic materials that allow air...
- HUK: Uniting anglers through performance-engineered, technical gear designed to fuel your passion and pursuit no matter when, where or how you fish
- SUN PROTECTION: This fishing shirt protects your skin from the sun's harmful rays - Huk added the most advanced sun-blocking +30 UPF materials to their apparel to block both UVA and UVB rays
- STRETCH: Fabric gives you the flexibility and stretch you need for comfort, while maintaining shape and fit
- QUICK DRYING: Dries quickly so that you can stay comfortable on or off the water
- MOISTURE TRANSPORT: Huk's hydrophobic, or “water-hating” quality within the fibers of this fishing button down, transport the sweat away from the skin to the exterior of the shirt where it can...
- 100% wicked dry & cool moisture wicking fabric technology manages the perspiration to assist in keeping you dryer and comfortable on a long day’s fishing
- The breathability enhanced with the Mesh Under Sleeves keeps you cool when active in heat
- The elastic material allows for a full range of movement when casting or reeling in
- Left-side chest pocket with Bassdash fish logo delivers details and adds storage
- Relaxed fit; Can be worn on its own, or underneath other garments for added sun protection; Great for fishing, hiking, running, traveling or other activities; Shrink-Resistant and Machine washable
- Stay comfortable all day long with our lightweight and quick-dry fabric that wicks moisture away from your skin.
- Protect your skin from the sun's harmful UVA/UVB rays with our UPF 50+ fabric.
- Say goodbye to chafing with our flatlock seamlines and tagless collar that increase comfort.
- Enjoy a relaxed fit that's not too tight, thanks to our lightweight long-sleeved shirts with raglan sleeves that provide a full range of motion.
- Perfect for a variety of sports and activities, including athletic workouts, fishing, sailing, swimming, hiking, and more.
- Certified UPF 50+ fabric for maximum protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays
- Innovative camo design on sleeves & hat - Attractive yet inconspicuous camouflage pattern with natural blended colors stands out from other shirts
- The streamlined hood provides greater sun protection over your neck and ears; The built-in thumbholes are designed to keep the sleeves in place; Hidden zippered side pocket for keeping your personal...
- Mesh panels at two sides of the body and the hat for enhanced ventilation, pulling moisture away rapidly from the skin and keeping you dry; 4-way stretch fabric and roomy raglan sleeves for a full...
- Perfect for a day on the water and also suitable for all kinds of outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, cycling, kayaking and more
Best Fishing Shirts – Buyers Guide
If you’re looking for a shirt specifically to go out fishing in, we commend you for your decision, and you’ve come to the right place. Regular shirts don’t always allow the same movement or comfort you get in a shirt that’s designed to go fishing in. We’ll walk you through everything you might want to think about before you buy.
Comfort
When you’re looking for a fishing shirt, sure you can pick something that looks good. But that should by no means be your only consideration. When you’re wearing a garment for several hours, you need it to be comfortable.
There are many different factors which can affect how comfortable your shirt is. These include the fit, the material, breathability, sun protection, splash and rain protection. Let’s go through each in turn.
Fit
When casting a line you need a wide range of motion. And there are two ways to achieve this. You can go for a really loose fitting shirt, and this is a popular option. Or you can go for something that’s super tight, so it feels like you’re not wearing a shirt at all. It’s not for us to say which is the best option for you, that comes down to personal preference.
Material
Keeping at your preferred temperature can be something of a balancing act. If the material of your shirt is too thick you may get too hot. Or if you’re wearing something loose fitting and thin, you might get cold when it starts to get windy.
The material used in the shirt also affects whether it’s machine washable which is always a plus.
Breathability
If you’re fishing from a river bank you may get some much needed shade from a nearby tree. But if you’re out on a boat on a lake, you’re going to be out in the sun for a long time. And to prevent overheating, you can get fishing shirts that are ventilated to give some breathability to them. Usually this is done by placing vents in the shirt around the armpits and the back.
Sun protection
When you’re holding a rod trying to catch a fish, you don’t want to have to stop every so often to put sunscreen on. We think this is why long sleeved shirts are so popular for wearing fishing. And we’ve deliberately included several long sleeve fishing shirts amongst our Top 5 picks.
That said, it’s not by any means compulsory, and you should definitely dress how you want to dress and we’ve included a short sleeve fishing shirt in our Top 5 picks, specifically the Number 2 pick, the Columbia Men’s PFG Tamiami II Short Sleeve Shirt.
Many fishing shirts also have a UPF rating. This means that the fabric itself has some sun protection properties within the material other than merely providing shade. For wearing whilst fishing, if possible you should aim for a fishing shirt with a UPF rating of at least 30.
Your best option for sun protection however is to go for a shirt with a UPF rating of 50+ as this will block out 98% of all the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.
Splash and rain protection
Some fishing shirts feature water resistance, which is a great feature when you’re pulling your fish out, or if you get caught in a light shower.
Similarly many fishing shirts feature moisture wicking properties. What this does is to help keep you dru by absorbing moisture, like sweat or splashed water, and then allow it to quickly evaporate
PFG Shirts
PFG stands for Performance Fishing Gear, and it’s specially designed for use while fishing. PFG shirts generally provide the right mix of breathability, comfort, and sun protection.
Unfortunately though this is not a common generic thing amongst clothing manufacturers, but is an exclusive element of the Columbia brand. The good news is that we’ve included some PFG shirts in our Top 5 picks, specifically our Number 1 pick, the Columbia Men’s Bahama II Long Sleeve Shirt, and our Number 2 pick, the Columbia Men’s PFG Tamiami II Short Sleeve Shirt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do fishing shirts keep you cool?
Fishing shirts are specially designed to keep you cool. More often than not a fishing shirt will feature moisture wicking properties, which means that if you start to sweat, the moisture will be absorbed into the material and quickly evaporate out. All 5 of the fishing shirts in our Top 5 picks have this capability.
But that’s not the only feature that fishing shirts use to help keep you cool. A loose fit can help allow a breeze through, and some fishing shirts are made from a breathable material and/or have mesh vents.
Some people would argue that short sleeve shirts help to keep your arms cool, while others would argue that wearing long sleeves helps to keep the sun off your arms.
What does HUK stand for in fishing?
HUK is not really a fishing term. It’s the name of a brand that makes fishing gear. It’s a very good brand, and they have a broad range of apparel for men, women and youths, that’s all designed with fishing in mind, and has all the properties you could want in a fishing shirt.
We have featured 2 fishing shirts in our Top 5 picks, and they are our Number 4 pick, the HUK Mens Double Header Vented Long Sleeve Shirt, and our Number 5 pick, the HUK Men’s Fishing UPF 50+ Lightweight Icon X Camo Fade Long Sleeve Shirt.
