Catching fish in the summer can be pretty tough - especially when temperatures are blistering hot.
Hot air and hot water temps can make for a challenging day on the water, both for fishing and your overall well-being. A little bit of planning and preparation goes a long ways during these times.
Below we'll cover some tips and gear suggestions to help you beat the heat during those hot summer fishing days.
Avoid the Sun
One of the easiest ways to beat the summer heat is simply by staying out of the sun.
Think about planning your next summer trip for something in the early morning or late evening hours. Doing this not only keeps you out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day but also gives you the best chance to catch some fish while they are most active.
Not to mention, many lakes during the summer will host night fishing tournaments as well which is a great escape from the summer temps. If you have a boat and a little bit of confidence try it out! Night tournaments are typically cheaper and the competitor pool size is much smaller.
If you do find yourself fishing during the mid day hours consider targeting areas that offer fish (and possibly you as well) a lot of shade. Good areas to consider are large overhanging trees, docks, and bridges.
Hydrate
Making sure you have enough water is just as important as making sure your batteries are charged before launching your boat.
A good rule of thumb is to drink fluids before you feel thirsty. Every drop of sweat is a tell-tale sign of fluids leaving your body. Consider water as your primary choice but also pick up a few sports drinks to replenish electrolytes.
For gear, the team at Rip Lips Tips are big fans of RTIC products. The RTIC One Gallon Stainless Steel Thermos (https://amzn.to/3zQ2QjB) is a great choice if you are looking for a quality jug that beats the prices of its competitors. It's double-walled, durable, and keeps your drink cold all day long.
If you're fishing with a buddy or group of people consider taking a cooler. Having a cooler, especially a hard cooler, loaded with drinks not only keeps your food and drinks cold but also acts as a great seat or elevated fishing platform.
Lotion Up
Sunscreen is your friend.
How many times have you started fishing and thought about putting on sunscreen before saying "One more cast"? Now it's been a hundred "One more cast" and you're the same color as your red handled pliers.
Don't forget to put on some sunscreen. Get you some Coppertone Sport Sunscreen (https://amzn.to/3NeDGyE).
TIP: Have you ever questioned why you aren't getting any bites with the first lure you tied on for the day? It could be your sunscreen. Remember to wash your hands after putting on sunscreen. If you don't, the same oily substance used to protect your skin will end up making its way onto your lures and killing the natural scent profile of the lure.
Choose Lightweight Clothing with SPF
Take special care of the upper half of your body while on the water. This is what will be exposed to the sun the most.
Unless you are still living in the past, you know that the market is flooded with clothing lines and lightweight fabrics that now offer protection from the sun and summer heat.
A popular choice among the fishing community are thin long sleeves such as the Huk Pursuit Vented Long Sleeve (https://amzn.to/3y5zyfD). If you want to save a few bucks consider something like a BALEAF Lightweight Long Sleeve (https://amzn.to/3bj6SHd).
A gaiter is something else you can consider gearing up with. Gaiters can be worn multiple ways but ultimately serve as a means of protection from the sun for your neck and head. Check out BUFF's CoolNet Neckwear (https://amzn.to/3n6GNh9). BUFF is a well known brand trusted by many outdoorsmen and enthusiasts and offers multiple patterns.
Protect Your Eyes
Last but not least, protect your eyes.
Being an angler means spending a lot of time around water. When light hits water it does one of two things; it penetrates it or is reflected by it.
As an angler this means you are not only getting direct light exposure from the sun but also indirect light exposure from light being reflected off the water.
As anglers, our natural gaze is focused on the water which makes it super important to protect our eyes.
A good pair of sunglasses can make all the difference.
From one angler to another, when picking out a pair of sunglasses please, please, please choose a polarized option.
Polarized sunglasses are designed to cut down on the amount of glare from horizontal surfaces (water, roads, etc.). This not only means your eyes are better protected but you will also be able to see what is going on beneath the surface a lot better.
The only brand you will see the RLT team wear is Costa Del Mar. A popular choice for men is the Costa Del Mar Fantail (https://amzn.to/3tQGKd0). For women, take a gander at the Costa Del Mar Anaa (https://amzn.to/39KnsPM).
When picking our your pair of sunglasses make note of whether they are 580G or 580P.
G = Glass whereas P = Polycarbonate (Plastic). Glass lenses are a bit clearer but heavier while polycarbonate lenses sacrifice just a little bit of clarity for a much lighter, more comfortable feel.
Happy fishing y'all!