The Great Cover Up
ALONG WITH THE LATEST INNOVATIONS in tackle and technique, modern textiles used in the creation of performance fishing apparel have quickly become one of the most prominent categories within the industry. As the demand for high-quality fabrics that filter the sun’s rays continues to grow, manufacturers are in a race to create new products that are fashionable, functional and maximize comfort under the searing tropical sun.
The angling potential that exists across the state’s diverse fisheries is unmatched in year-round access, but Mother Nature does not allow us to exploit her bounty with any sort of relative ease. The sun in the Sunshine State is a bit different than other parts. Add the reflective qualities of the water’s surface and a boat’s gleaming topside, and you get a miserable day for not taking cover under a T-Top or donning a long-sleeved shirt and face mask. Thankfully, leading apparel brands have teamed up with innovative textile manufacturers to develop advanced fibers and processes to help anglers counter the effects of constant sun exposure. There are many products available and sorting through the marketing clutter can be understandably confusing when you only care about comfort and how well a new fishing shirt performs in protecting from the sun’s harmful rays.
