Guide Picks: Top 10 Fishing Shirts for the Boat and the Bar

Comfort

Spending long hours on the water demands clothing that keeps you comfortable. Opt for soft, breathable fabrics that will help to keep you cool and reduce skin irritation. Fishing shirts should always be relaxed fits so that you have a full range of motion when you cast. 

Functionality

Fishing shirts are exposed to harsher conditions than most other clothing, so you want to choose a shirt that’s built to handle them. Quick-drying fabrics are essential. Between handling fish and sudden downpours, it’s a safe bet that your shirt will get wet once or twice during a day on the water. Moisture-wicking fabrics are a must – you’ll be much happier with a shirt that manages sweat and keeps you dry throughout the day. 

UV Protection

One of the best parts of fishing is getting to spend the day out in the sun; that said, a bad sunburn can quickly put a damper on a fishing trip. Sunscreen on your face and hands is essential, but it often isn’t enough. You’ll want a shirt that is designed with built-in UV protection to shield your skin. Look for shirts with UPF ratings of 30 or higher. 

Style

Fishing shirts haven’t always been stylish, but balancing style and practicality is no longer a challenge today. There’s no need to sacrifice appearance for functionality, the shirts on this list offer you both. Look good, feel good, fish good. 

Marsh Wear’s pamlico performance hoodie is buttery soft and comes in teal, gray, and black mallard camo patterns. Featuring UPF 40 sun protection, this is one of Marsh Wear’s most popular fishing shirts. Hoodies are perfect for sunny days on the water, adding an extra layer of sun protection for your neck and shoulders. Made of moisture-wicking fabric and stain release treated, this shirt is a stylish, well-rounded fishing shirt.

The AFTCO Boatbar SS Button Down is a classic fishing shirt with a new flair. It features a fish print with bluefin tuna, mahi mahi, and billfish, offered in four different patterns, depending on the color you want: white, blue, coral, or turquoise. It has UPF 50 sun protection, meaning you can wear it on the sunniest days with confidence that you’ll be shielded from sunburn. Lightweight, loose-fitting, and stain resistant – the BoatBar SS Button Down is all you could want in a fishing shirt. 

Poncho’s Iceman fishing shirt offers a classic look with all the features you’d expect from modern fishing shirts. The button-down features UPF 50 sun protection and moisture wicking fabric, as well as a number of easy-access pockets to store flies, snacks, and anything else you might need on the water. With more than 20 colors and patterns to choose from, you’ll have no problem finding a look that you like. 

Made of 70% fabric from bamboo, Free Fly makes another one of the best fishing hoodies on the market. This shirt has over 2,800 five-star reviews on Free Fly’s website, and it’s produced in 19 different patterns and colors. Its crossover hood design gives you complete coverage from the sun, and its UPF 20 sun protection is an added bonus. Free Fly’s Bamboo hoodie is soft and breathable, and its simple, sleek design will fit right in with other bargoers.

Another excellent fishing polo option, the Huk Pursuit comes in 20 different colors and prints designed by South Florida angler and marine artist, KC Scott. His clean designs make a statement on and off the water, and the shirt’s cooling fibers and added sun protection will have you feeling as good as you look. 

A simple, lightweight long sleeve shirt is a must-have in any angler’s closet. This shirt offers excellent UV protection and sweat-wicking power, and its lightweight fabric is cool and smooth on skin. Columbia has been making high quality outdoor apparel for almost a century, and the Unchartered long sleeve tee is no exception. 

Simms is one of the biggest names in fly fishing equipment and apparel, and their SolarFlex Hoodie is among their best selling products. Featuring UPF 50 sun protection, extended sleeves that cover the backs of your hands, as well as a hood that clasps for sun and wind protection during boat runs, this shirt has it all. Whether you want to make a statement with a camo pattern or opt for solid gray, green, or blue, the SolarFlex Hoodie is a great option

If you prefer tee shirts to polos or button downs, the Boat to Bar Tee is an excellent option. Made primarily of recycled plastic, this shirt is part of Deep Apparel’s ECO series, which is all about comfortable performance shirts that keep our oceans clean. This tee is made of quick-dry material and has built-in UPF 50 sun protection, keeping you dry and protected during long days on the water. 

Prepping for a fishing trip often involves putting some serious thought into how you’ll pack. No longer do you need separate bar shirts and boat shirts – the options on this list roll both into one, leaving you room for rods, reels, flies, and anything else you might need for your adventure. If you’re looking for an opportunity to show off one of these new fishing shirts, book a guided trip with AnyCreek. Our professional guide partners are the best in the business and have all the knowledge and equipment necessary for an excellent day of fishing. We promise, you’ll have good stories to share at the bar after!