Fishing jackets are one of the most vital pieces of fishing gear that any serious fisherman will own. Whether you are planning on trout fishing, bass fishing or salmon fishing, having the proper fishing jackets or other fishing gear is necessary. Having the proper gear can mean the difference between a good day and a bad one.
There are many different types of fishing jackets available for the water enthusiast. Some are made with features that make them waterproof while others are designed specifically to keep an angler warm while they are out in cold water. Many anglers have special fishing rain gear in addition to their normal rain gear. This type of fishing rain gear will allow an angler to wear their rain coat over their fishing jacket in inclement weather and still be warm.
There is really not much more to an overall fishing jacket than to make it waterproof and to keep it lightweight. There are different types of material that can be used to make fishing jackets, one of which is polyester. Polyester has some great qualities for use as waterproofing. It is lightweight, yet extremely durable, which makes it very easy to put together and to tuck in. The one thing to remember about polyester though, is that it does not work well for being waterproof unless there is a seam between two patches.
Another feature that many of the more popular brands will include is a hood. Having a hood on a fishing jacket will help keep your head and neck warm in inclement weather. Although most people think of using a hood when going to the beach, a hood can be used in colder weather too, as long as it is attached to the fishing jacket properly. Having a removable hood is a good idea, especially if you are going to be wearing the jacket in harsh weather.
When looking for a jacket to wear to the ocean, look for models that feature both a jacket with a hood and one that is also equipped with an adjustable hood. This will allow you to be able to adjust the height of the hood, which will help you keep your head and neck from becoming cold. You want to make sure that your hood is adjustable to make sure that it does not hang down too low, or too high. You want to be able to control the temperature around you, so having a pair of adjustable hoods is a great feature.
One feature that is often overlooked, but will really make a difference in how well your jacket performs is how breathable it is. Most fishermen understand how cold it can be in certain conditions when the water gets into the boat, such as when you have to cast out a line into the middle of heavy rain. You want a rain jacket that is capable of wicking away any moisture that gets in. A lot of newer jackets on the market now feature a number of different fabrics that work well for this. If you go with the traditional fabric for your jacket, make sure that there is plenty of room for your mouth to get warm, as well as plenty of room to breathe.
Another feature that you should pay close attention to is how many pockets there are on the jacket. If you plan on carrying extra food or fishing gear, you will want to make sure that the pockets are deep enough to house them. There are some newer jackets on the market that actually have two separate pockets on each side of the jacket, which will allow you to place the items that are most critical near the surface of the jacket. There are also some newer designs that feature external pockets as well as internal ones. This will allow you to easily access all of your essentials, but keep everything hidden away from sight.
Overall, these types of jackets were designed with anglers in mind. They are made with breathable materials that allow perspiration to evaporate quickly, while providing an airtight seal around your torso and head. Some fishing chest pockets even feature an adjustable hood that will help to keep the wind from blowing your face and hair out of the open pocket. As long as you keep your wading jacket on while fishing, you won't have to worry about catching an ice cold fish, and your fishing experience will be much more comfortable than if you had to use a fly fishing wader.
