The best fishing shirts keep you on the water longer by protecting you from the elements

Super light and keeps you cool longer

Classic brand and budget friendly

Perfect fit with optimal UV protection

The best fishing shirt depends on your body shape, how active you are, and the conditions you’re facing, but there’s no doubt that a plain white or giveaway t-shirt no longer gets the job done. There are myriads of options out there that’ll keep you comfortable, look cool, and keep you safe. On that last prong, whether it’s preventing hypothermia or sunburn, or wicking away your sweat, a shirt is as much a tool as a garment.

I tested the best fishing shirts out on the water to see which ones performed optimally in a range of conditions and scenarios. In recent years the shirt options available to serious anglers have grown exponentially. Whether you’re an XS or a 6XL, fishing in Amazonian heat or the Arctic chill, there’s a shirt that will allow you to cast more effectively and stay comfortable all day. It might even earn you a compliment when you walk into the bar that night with a big fish story.

Why It Made the Cut

This shirt provides a perfect fit for a wide variety of body types and encourages anglers to cover up and wear a hood.

Traditional saltwater brand AFTCO has spread their wings into other portions of the fishing universe in recent years with great success. This simple, lightweight hooded shirt explains a large part of their success. It’s so lightweight and comfortable that it never gets in the way yet prevents the sun from penetrating. Sweat in it, crumple it up in a ball, and it still looks fresh at the end of the day. Perhaps most importantly, it’s flattering to a wide range of body shapes and protects them all equally well. Anglers who want a built-in mask as well might opt for the similar AFTCO Geo Cool, which incorporates much of the same technology with added protection.

Why It Made the Cut

Full coverage insect repelling fabric makes this fishing shirt great, but the fact that it doesn’t get hot makes it even better.

There’s no doubt that Simms has built a shirt to provide maximum performance while keeping no-see-ums and other critters off you. There are quite a few shirts out there that offer some sort of repellent fabric or additive—and you can do it yourself to any shirt with a dose of consumer-strength permethrin – but many of those shirts leave key areas exposed. When the insects are particularly bad, you need a “belt and suspenders” approach, so a crew neck or traditional button-down just isn’t enough. This one has an athletic build with tight sleeves that prevent anything from getting inside. Even with all this coverage it’s still eminently breathable. It stretches where you need it to stretch and protects you from both the sun and bugs.

Why It Made the Cut

Athletic heritage means Under Armour knows how to keep you chilled.

If not for the fish camo patterns, you might not be able to immediately distinguish this lineup from Under Armour’s other athletic wear, and in this case that’s a good thing. The company has made its name building sport-specific gear that allows top performers to reach their peak. If the bass bite is on, or the tuna are rampaging while you’re on the verge of heat stroke, that’s going to hamper your efforts. The fabric is light and pulls heat away from your skin, which means humid 90 degree days—or even triple digit scores—won’t keep you from landing your personal best.

Why It Made the Cut

This classy button down feels like air and protects you from the sun.

The Tide Point is the modern iteration of the Classic button-down fishing shirt, keeping anglers cool in a timeless style. It’s built to breathe and keep you cool without ever letting anyone see you sweat, and it even has a built-in microfiber sunglass wipe so you’ll continuously see your quarry clearly. The Tide Point is available in a number of standard solid patterns, plus gingham and plaid, which means you can wear it on the boat and then directly to dinner or possibly a casual business environment.

Why It Made the Cut

This traditional button down looks great and offers the soul of an offshore rainsuit.

Grundens made their name building rain gear for commercial fishermen who operate in the most unforgiving environments possible, so when it came time to build a cold weather shirt, they applied that technology and came up with a winner. This insulated shirt, available in a quartet of traditional solid colors, is made to beat back the frigid air. While it’s not waterproof, it’s water- and wind-resistant. When others are heading back to the dock or shivering as they wait for a bite, the Windchop takes on all comers. If you’re not fond of the straightforward solid patterns, the company’s Kodiak Insulated Shirt provides a comparable effect in a variety of hearty plaid patterns as well.

Why It Made the Cut

The classic undershirt brand makes the most affordable sun-protection options.

American t-shirt and underwear manufacturer, Hanes hit a sweet spot in the budget with this simple long sleeved crewneck shirt packed with moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, UPF 50 protection. It’s possible to buy two, three, or even four of them for the price of many other standard fishing shirts, and that would be warranted if they ever wore down—but these are made to last. Simply put, they fit and wear like a much more expensive shirt. They don’t come with a bunch of fancy features or doodads, but if you need something to cover up your torso and arms, and you want something wallet-friendly, this widely-available option should be at or near the top of the list.

Why It Made the Cut

Just because you shop in the “husky” section doesn’t mean you need to give up fashion or features.

Columbia offers a wide range of both button-down and crewneck shirts for anglers up to size 6X, but let’s face it, sometimes crewnecks are less than flattering. At the same time, a button-down can be constricting, but they’ve mastered the fit. Not only does this shirt allow maximum unrestricted movement, it’s flattering for all body shapes and sizes. This one is also meant to keep you cool on the hottest days, so roll up those sleeves using the hidden tab holders and enjoy the breeze through the vented back. Bigger anglers who want a button-down but find something objectionable about the Tamiami, can look to Columbia’s Bonehead and Bahama options. There’s even a “Blood and Guts” version for those of us who tend to spill or get dirty.

I’ve sweated my way through many of the best and priciest shirts on the market and found that not all of them are created equally. When you get wet or sweaty and stay wet or sweaty, that’s a bad sign. Similarly, a sleeve that prevents you from casting or slides up your arm every time you go to fire out your lure quickly becomes annoying. Obviously, not every shirt can be everything to every angler, but quality and fit are much more important than you might immediately think. While there are shirts not specified “for fishing” that can (and will) do the job, I prefer those designed by anglers, for anglers. It never hurts if they keep you safe, too. I tested these in freshwater and salt, while casting, trolling, and waiting for a table for four, and these are the best fishing shirts that cover those scenarios.

While a “regular” shirt can get the job done on the water, the best fishing shirts integrate special features that protect you from the elements while also recognizing the unique physical elements of the sport. Those might include articulated sleeves, a built-in neck gaiter, or a way of securing your rod while you unhook the fish of a lifetime.

As fishing shirts have become more advanced, with added features like hoods and insect repellent treatments, their cost has increased, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some bargains out there. Also, a cheap shirt that falls apart may cost you more in the long run than one with a higher initial price tag that lasts you multiple fishing seasons.

While short sleeves are acceptable in some circumstances and may seem more “free,” it’s generally better to wear long sleeves while fishing. They protect you from the sun, biting insects, and even your buddy’s flying hooks. Just make sure the cuffs are comfortable and don’t hang down over your hands or ride up while casting.

Even though a fishing shirt might seem like least important piece of gear you’ll need when hitting the water, it can be the one thing that keeps you fishing longer. And more time on the water means more opportunities for landing fish. If you haven’t given much thought to your fishing shirts, this review is a great place to start. These are the best fishing shirts for keeping you dry and protected from the sun, so you can spend more time casting for those personal bests.

Read Next: Best Fishing Vest: Get Out on the Water in This Great Gear

Pete Robbins is one of Outdoor Life’s fishing tackle specialists and angling travel experts. He has written extensively about the bass tournament scene for nearly two decades. Recently, he’s expanded beyond that niche to include adventure travel and bluewater angling.

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