Best Sweaters to Wear When Fishing
Who doesn't love to bask in the serene beauty of a body of water and a fresh catch? When you're out in nature, it's essential to dress for the weather. Just because you may get a little wet doesn't mean you can't sport a stylish sweater on your next fishing trip. This season, bring your fishing game to life with this list of the best sweaters for fishing.
Stay Warm
Above all else, outdoor clothing should be functional. When it comes to choosing the best sweater for fishing, it's important to understand the different materials available to you. First, you'll want to avoid cotton. Cotton soaks up water and takes forever to dry once it's wet. When you wear a wet cotton sweater at the lake or seaside, you leave yourself vulnerable to hypothermia, even on warmer weather days.
Wool for the Win
The best natural materials for fishing sweaters are wool. A women's wool sweater is the perfect choice for fishing on cold weather days. Wool keeps warmth in and dries quickly, making it the ideal layer for wet conditions. Thicker wool will keep you cozy and warm, while a light wool sweater is ideal for days when there might be a slight chill. Wool is often the most expensive option for outdoor sweaters, but it has the most benefits.
Synthetic Blends
The next best option for fishing sweaters is a synthetic fabric or a fabric that contains high-tech manufactured materials. These fabrics are designed specifically for the outdoors and aim at keeping you warm while drying quickly. Synthetics are slightly cheaper than wool and they don't have the problems that women's cotton sweaters have while fishing. You don't have to worry about getting wet because synthetic materials are designed to dry quickly. The downside to synthetic blends is that they might not breathe quite as well as their wool counterparts. Synthetic material also doesn't defend against sweat quite as well as wool. However, synthetics are a cost-effective option for a warm fishing layer.
Light and Fast
The fish tend to bite as the weather changes, during both dawn and dusk. This makes for variable weather conditions throughout the day. For days when you'll be battling changing conditions, light sweaters offer the perfect solution. These lightweight sweaters will keep you warm but allow your skin to breathe as you fish. As a result, you'll feel like the temperatures are just right. Once it's too warm, you can quickly stash a lightweight sweater, since it's easily packable. This lets you stay more mobile so you can fish in multiple locations in one trip, leaving you with more room for the right lures instead of having to haul around heavy clothing.
Layer Right
Keep cozy while you work on the day's catch with a thoughtful layering system. Pair your sweaters with other essential layers to create a layering system that's suitable for whatever the day may throw at you. Long underwear and flannel shirts paired with the perfect puff jacket are great for cold weather days, while a fleece jacket and lightweight sweater with a t-shirt underneath offers the best solution for a crisp summer morning.
For bottoms, look for pants that convert to shorts so you can continue to fish in comfort as the sun starts baking the landscape. For colder days, wear long underwear underneath your pants or even invest in a pair of fleece-lined pants. Always remember to bring sunscreen too, even in the winter. Water, snow, and ice reflect harmful UV rays so don't' forget to cover the underside of your chin, nose, and ears.
Snag is a Drag
While you're fishing, you'll want plenty of mobility in your arms so you can perfect your cast. Look for sweaters that have mobility in the shoulders, but aren't so loose that they catch and drag on everything. Chances are, you'll have a fishing vest on too, so be sure to choose a sweater that doesn't bunch up uncomfortably when you layer on a vest. Think like Goldilocks: not too tight, not too loose, but just right to offer you the mobility you need and comfort to go with the rest of your wearable fishing gear.
The best sweaters for fishing are ones that leave you warm, dry quickly, and keep hypothermia threats at bay. You want to look for a few options suitable for the climate you enjoy casting your line in. Reel in the big one this year while feeling cozy and confident.