An umbrella on a bass boat may not be for everyone, but good friend and fellow angler Skip Schaible can't say enough good things about the one he uses regularly on his Nitro this time of year.
For anyone who hasn't already noticed, we're getting into summer--as of this Thursday, June 21, to be exact. The next two and a half months or longer likely are going to be filled with many days when the temperature will soar to better than 90 degrees. Accordingly, it's in every angler's best interests to focus on personal comfort and safety when they're on the water.
Here are some tips designed to keep you cool during the coming hot fishing days:
Stay Hydrated. Perspiration is one way your body regulates its temperature. In hot and humid conditions, you need to frequently replenish liquids lost to sweating. If you don't take in enough fluids, you run the risk of getting sick with sunstroke. Staying hydrated is simple: Drink a lot of fluids and drink often. It's best to drink plenty of water and not just take a few sips now and then. Drinking before you feel thirsty is another rule of thumb to stay hydrated. When your body sends out a signal for thirst, you're already dehydrated. If you feel thirsty, drink plenty of water to replenish your fluid levels. When it comes to drinks, stay away from caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. These will cause you to lose fluids, as both are diuretics. If you do drink these beverages, make sure you have a few extra glasses of water to compensate for lost liquids. A few sport drinks are OK during hot weather; they help replenish salts, sugars and other minerals lost from excessive perspiration. Juices also are good to have on hand.
Protect Your Head. Without a hat, you're tempting fate and a case of sunstroke. A wide-brimmed hat will protect your face, ears and neck from the sun's rays. Other options include ball caps, buffs and bandanas. These don't provide as much protection but are better than nothing.
Protect Your Eyes. Most sunglasses sold today will protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. For anglers, polarized lenses will cut down on the sun's glare on the water, letting you spot fish and underwater structure. Wrap-around options are extremely popular, as they hug the face and do an excellent job blocking out the sun. When buying your shades, pick up a floating case and a lanyard to protect your investment from unwanted overboard losses.
Lather on the Sunscreen. Using sunscreen on a regular basis is critical to protecting your skin from UV rays. Not using sunscreen increases your chances of getting skin cancer or may result in other skin damage, like sunburns. Keep in mind that the sun's rays can reflect off the water's surface, and cloudy conditions still call for sunscreen. Adults should use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF-15 rating, and children should use sunscreen with at least an SPF-30 rating. Ensure you apply sunscreen liberally at about 20 minutes before you're in the sun for maximum protection. Consider using sport sunscreens when fishing. These products are fairly waterproof and sweatproof, resulting in better protection. Sunscreen also should be reapplied as necessary. This is especially true if you've gotten wet or have been sweating a lot. Also carry a stick of lip balm with an SPF-15 rating, and use it often. You also may want to consider a sunblock stick to cover your ears and nose.
Get the Right Clothing. Protecting your skin with proper clothing is important. Some sportswear fabric offers sun protection. SPF ratings up to 50 are common today. Often, these clothes feature moisture-wicking and quick-drying features that also will help you keep cool. Look for vented cape backs in shirts for maximum ventilation. Although shorts and short-sleeved shirts are common in hot conditions, it's important to have long-sleeved shirts and pants on hand. If you're standing and fishing all day in sandals, it won't take long for your toes to get burned if you're not prepared. Regularly apply a lot of sunscreen to your feet, and don't be shy putting on some ultralight socks or switching to shoes if your feet get too hot. Also don't neglect your hands. If you're landing and releasing fish all day, sunscreen can wash off quickly, so reapply often. Also consider sun gloves that are specificaly designed to protect hands from UV rays, but allow you to do all things fishing-related, like tie knots, cast and reel, and so on.
Take Cover. If you have an umbrella like the one Skip uses, this suggestion is easy to follow. Without one, especially on tournament days, your best bet is to follow all the previous suggestions. And if you find a stretch of water offering some shade and a decent bite, wear it out.
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