Monday is sunny. Tuesday it rains. Wednesday the wind blows and Thursday it snows. Must be fall or spring—also known as shoulder season for fishing. If the weather is the only thing keeping you off the water, it’s time to change your clothes. These six pros have suffered it all and put together the best systems for shoulder season fishing.
What to Wear During Shoulder Season Fishing
1 Matt Charette // Vibe Kayaks Pro, Bixpy Jet Ambassador
Target: Bass and native trout in Maine.
Outwear: Columbia Outdry Extreme—inherently breathable material stays bone-dry.
Innerwear: Columbia PFG Blood and Guts pants and shirt are stain-resistant.
Underwear: Merino wool and Smartwool socks hold the heat even when they are wet.
2 Bobby Clark // Bonafide Kayaks, Tournament Winner
Target: Bass in Texas.
Outwear: The Thunder Rage bib and Thunder Rage jacket from Onyx Outdoors shield me from the wind.
Innerwear: Dri-fit, long-sleeve performance hoodie. Take off layers to prevent sweating.
Underwear: Under Armour medium weight thermal pants and top.
3 Brad Hole // Hobie Fishing Team, Kokatat and RAM Mounts Pro
Target: Trout and salmon in Washington State.
Outwear: Kokatat SuperNova Angler Semi-Dry Suit, paddling pants and drytop connect to make a drysuit.
Innerwear: Heat Holder thermal socks and Fox River Outdoor Wick Liners draw moisture away from my feet.
Underwear: Exofficio Give-n-Go.
4 Mike Basnight // NuCanoe Kayaks Pro
Target: Redfish and cobia in Virginia.
Outwear: Grundens Storm Surge jacket and Simms waders are dry and breathable. Fully taped seals won’t split or leak.
Innerwear: Boardshorts and Under Armour long sleeve.
Underwear: Under Armour base layer stays warm when wet and combines breathability with heat retention.
5 Annie Nagel // Old Town and Ocean Kayak Pro
Target: Salmon and ling in Northern California.
Outerwear: Mustang Survival ARC two-piece drysuit for complete immersion in 50-degree ocean water.
Innerwear: AFTCO Mirage soft-shell jacket to block the wind over Horizon weatherproof fleece to capture heat.
Underwear: Mustang Survival Regulate base layer controls heat and moisture.
6 Robert Field // Host, Field Trips with Robert Field, NRS and Accent Paddles Pro
Target: Redfish in Florida.
Outwear: NRS Boundary boots keep my feet dry. They are high enough to wade when launching and landing.
Innerwear: NRS Guide Pants and lightweight hoodie.
Underwear: Two pairs of wool socks when it gets really cold.
This article was first published in the Spring 2018 issue of Kayak Angler Magazine. Subscribe to Kayak Angler Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.
If the weather is the only thing keeping you off the water, it’s time to change your clothes. | Feature photo: Courtesy of Wilderness Systems
