There’s one thing that I never take lightly while kayak fishing and that’s wearing the proper sun protection. Mojo-Gear’s Wireman Hook sun shirt, $24.99, offers anglers a shirt with full protection from the sun’s harmful rays, but doesn’t cost as much as your paddle.
The name Wireman comes from the guy who’s tasked at grabbing the leader on the client (or good friend’s) fish and hanging off the side of the boat. That job takes its toll on your body, but especially your gear. For that reason, Mojo-Gear has designed this shirt to withstand more abuse from anglers and feels like it’ll last season after season.
Mojo-Gear’s ComfortWeaze fabric offers a sun protection factor of UPF 50 and blocks 98% of UV rays. Since the protection comes from a tight weave and not a coating on the fabric, it means that the UPF rating will never wash out of the shirt. Other models of the Wireman offer side panel vents, while the Hook version does not. This left me sort of wanting for more ventilation, but that may have been because I was wearing pants and boots. (It is Fall, technically).
Aside from being super supple and soft, the ComfortWeaze fabric is also designed to resist stains, odors and snags. That came in handy from me when I found out I had a nail in my tire and had to plug it while wearing the shirt. The dirt, oil and grime I got on the shirt came out easily with a quick rinse in the sink.
The shirt’s sleeves felt a little too short, not when I was just standing there, but after every cast or paddle session they seemed to ride up on me. (As you can see in the photo above). I’ve been told I have arms that are a little long, so it might just be me. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative that won’t disintegrate after only one season, the Wireman Hook shirt is just what you’ve been waiting for.
For more information about Mojo-Gear, or their Wireman Hook Sun Shirt, check out their website, Mojo-Gear.com.
