Ask a fisherman what makes a great fishing hat and you’ll get plenty of answers. The most typical answer is simply the one that protects the head from the sun, rain and other elements. A good fishing hat can also protect your head and ears from flying hooks and lures. Many anglers say that their favorite fishing hat actually brings them luck. While I certainly can’t verify the “luck” claim, I can verify the importance of good head protection, whether you’re fishing in a mountain stream or miles from shore.
Let’s look at some of the most popular styles and features of fishing hats.
A straw lifeguard hat offers excellent protection, but is bulkier than cloth or canvas. There are many styles of cloth and canvas hats that can be packed away for travel or storage. Many anglers prefer Long Bill Fishing Caps, which protect the face but do little to protect the ears and neck. A good alternative is a built-in rear flap. A hat with a flap back usually has a brim to protect your face, as well as a flap to cover your ears and the back of your neck. If you wear a back flap to fish, some people may make fun of you in the morning, but may try to buy it from you in the afternoon.
A mesh hat can provide excellent protection while allowing ventilation on the top or sides of the head. While it’s a great option for some, this style might not be good for people who are bald or have hair problems. You can estimate how much sun will pass through the mesh and how it will affect the top of your head.
A bucket hat is a newer style that is gaining in popularity, especially for fishing. Other considerations include how quickly it will dry if it gets wet. Many hats have a string or clip so you can attach it to your shirt or jacket to keep it from blowing off in the water. When I caught my first yellow fin tuna, I was wearing a military-style Boonie hat, which had no ties. While I was fighting the tuna, it fell off my head into the bottom of the boat. As he wrestled the fish, he continually stomped on it in the wash water from the boat. He certainly wasn’t going to stop fighting the fish to get it back. Needless to say, when I landed the fish, the hat was a total loss. Although it is rarely mentioned when choosing fishing hats, most people care about appearance. They want to make the right statement. A serious fisherman or woman must have a serious fishing hat!
