Performance Fishing Shirts

They are a bit of an addiction for me and there are tons of companies out there making them. I thought I’d start a topic to see if others were like me. I am obsessed thinking there are cool designs out there I might be missing.

I only have 3 at the moment, but I am always looking.

I also have a boring solid UA shirt I bought on sale and a short sleeve performance shirt which is kind of weird.

This all came up this morning because I found an Australian Co selling shirts in the US.

Big Fish Gear

If anybody comes across some sites selling cool ones, I’d appreciate the link. I am bookmarking all the ones that have designs I like.

I do not know if you have heard of them or not but fish bum has some cool designs, not sure how they perform as in sun and heat protection but are very cool shirts.

http://fishbumoutfitters.com/

Looks like you just send it back with a note in the box with what size you’d like to exchange for. They have a write up on there website in customer service, I like there designs just a little spendy for me at the moment… One day I will have one of there shirts.

I have mostly Columbia stuff and haven’t been let down, so why change, right?

The girlfriend, who’s a nurse in a melanoma clinic, highly recommends and uses the Coolibar brand. Don’t know how “performance fishing” they are as I haven’t tried them yet but may try one soon. Turns out they are made right here in MN so that’s a plus!

http://www.coolibar.com/

Aaron Kalberer wrote:

http://fishbumoutfitters.com/

I may have seen them before. I like that they have a Sturgeon jersey. If I were in MN still, I’d get one.

HUK is the only brand I buy

I have a few of the Columbia pfg ones. Amazing how you can wear long sleeves in July and August and it’s actually comfortable.

I prefer the loose fitting Columbia type button up, long sleeve, collar and wicking material.

I know you saw the one I have but Palegic also has cool hoodies with a neck gaitor.

https://www.pelagicgear.com/shop/mens/exo-tech/burnt-reefer/

That’s pretty sweet, I just don’t think I could wear a full on hood/gaitor. I know you can put the hood down and take off the gaitor, I just don’t think I’d use them. I’ve even thought about the shirts with hoods, but I’m still on the fence.

One of the reasons I like these shirts is because I am a t-shirt and shorts guy. No frills. I don’t wear a watch, necklace, nothing, no accessories. So for me, button ups and collars are non starters. If they were my style, I’d wear them.

Really, I saw you as a gold chain and chest hair kind of guy.

I’m the same way but I do like the long sleeve shirts for sure. The hoodie would be good for those 70-80 degree days earlier in the year like now where the sun is intense but you don’t feel it because of a cool breeze.

Or fishing on Lake Superior in the summer.

Where does the performance come into play? Can somebody please explain? How do these shirts make you perform?

targaman wrote:

Where does the performance come into play? Can somebody please explain? How do these shirts make you perform?

The babes like ’em so it’s a different kind of performance…..

Love the post. I too scope out some cool fishing shirts/long sleeves, but I stick to only walleye stuff. HUK has some pretty cool gear of all species, have a few myself. I am more into fishing hats though. Cannot stand snap backs (or Velcro for that matter @IDO hats). I have a very hard time finding fitted polyester hats that are also flat bill… as you can probably imagine.

targaman wrote:

Where does the performance come into play? Can somebody please explain? How do these shirts make you perform?

I can stay out on the water 5 minutes longer.

Gills Gear

There ok.

I also have a hat thing too, but that’s partly because my sweat destroys them as fast as I buy them

mplspug wrote:

Gills Gear

There ok.

I also have a hat thing too, but that’s partly because my sweat destroys them as fast as I buy them

The Gill mask is really intriguing. It claims to eliminate sunglasses fog.

targaman wrote:

Where does the performance come into play? Can somebody please explain? How do these shirts make you perform?

Sun exposure is a real problem, and besides the fact being hot as FU&* sometimes takes your concentration off your game as well, if you eliminate or at least lessen those factors your performance goes up by not worrying about issues you would wearing a cotton T, and reapplying sun lotion 10x day.

Cant afford the “performance gear” right now, did get one buff years ago, and a Under Armour long sleeve for Xmas, can tell ya more will be a part of my fishing gear eventually.

Looking over some of the options listed here though, as with anything, is way overpriced. I know plenty of people who can afford $90 for a shirt, this guy aint one of them.

I’ll pay $40, maybe $50. But there is no reason to pay more than that in my opinion. I also like monitoring the clearance, but a lot of times those are off sizes. I mean really a guy only needs probably 2, unless you on a trip for a week. And if you want them just for comfort and aren’t into the crazy prints, get a solid color, off brand at a reasonable price. They all are pretty much the same as long as they are polyester.

Catch O Sea D

Does color have any effect on mosquitoes to attract or repel them? Do skeeters bite right through these tight shirts?

$45 or $50 probably worth it. Although for $23 for a short sleev shirt or $29 for a long sleave MLKISHIGO hi-visibuilit shirt is a really good value. Trust me these are nice and comfortable microfiber shirts.

Interesting read

Everything You’ll Ever Need To Know About Microfiber Performance Fishing Shirts!

Some excellent info on that webpage.

targaman wrote:

Where does the performance come into play? Can somebody please explain? How do these shirts make you perform?

The shirts keep you cooler than wearing a normal shirt. It’s like air conditioning on a hot day. My preferred shirt is the aftco fish ninja shirt. On really hot days keep the shirt slightly damp.

Unfortunately some of us with dad bods look lIke a stuffed sausage with the performance shirts. I’ll stick with the Columbia button ups for now.

blackbay wrote:

Unfortunately some of us with dad bods look lIke a stuffed sausage with the performance shirts. I’ll stick with the Columbia button ups for now.

Not really. They really aren’t meant to fit tight.

The button ups aren’t that far off from the performance tees. If you can block the sun from hitting your skin, you’ll actually stay cooler.

I actually think they are slimming because the proper fit will make it look like you wearing a hockey jersey or a kid wearing dad’s shirt. They do a good job of hiding my moobs and belly.

Moobs and belly, sold!
What about that leaning over backside? :]

Never get horizontal stripes. Always vertical.

Black is slimming. Unfortunately it also negates the cooling effect.