What Should I Wear Charter Fishing?

Yesterday I received a call from a very pleasant guy from the western part of Wisconsin who is interested in booking a trip out on Lake Michigan.  The conversation quickly turned to proper apparel for charter fishing. I figured this would be a great topic for a blog post since Google tells me it’s a pretty common question.  The items listed below are things I’d recommend for fishing the big water and will cover apparel for every kind of angler from a first-timer to someone who spends more time on the water than they do on land.

Dressing for the Weather

First and foremost, temperature should be the greatest factor to consider while fishing the Great Lakes.  In Sheboygan, the bulk of charter fishing is done May through early October, and air temperatures can vary from the low 30s through the mid 90s.  For those early and late season trips, prepare by dressing in layers just like you would for any winter activity.  Personally, I wear Cold Pruf as a base layer on top and bottom, followed by a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.  A hooded sweatshirt is usually enough for a final layer for me, but a winter jacket can sometimes mean the difference between a miserable experience and a fantastic one.

In June, July, and August, I’ll shed the base layer and most days I’m comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt.  It’s important to remember that inland temperature can be drastically different from the temperature near shore or offshore.  As a captain, I always make sure to remind guests that it may be 20 degrees or cooler on the lake than what they feel at the dock.  If the water temperature is 60 degrees, even a small breeze will make the air temperature feel like 60 degrees as well.  A sweatshirt packed just in case is always a good idea no matter what.

The chance of precipitation should always be considered before stepping onto the boat as well.  Typically systems move west to east and can be tracked across the whole state of Wisconsin.  One thing that makes Sheboygan weather unique, however, is its proximity to Lake Winnebago.  Often a system will break apart when it hits the lake and parts of the storm will move north and south, leaving Sheboygan, Manitowoc, and Two Rivers relatively dry.  It’s fairly common for the remnants of those larger storms to further break apart when they get to Lake Michigan.  I’ve encountered numerous situations when the city of Sheboygan is getting hammered by rain and we’ll get a drizzle at most on the Lake, or even stay completely dry.  Usually storms don’t last long either, and staying in the cabin is often enough to keep guests comfortable enough between fish.  My first mate doesn’t have that luxury unfortunately, so he brings along his Frog Toggs rain suit on every trip.  Frog Toggs are a very affordable option to ward off rain for warmer weather, but if you’re looking more for all-seasons, durable weather protection, it’s hard to beat Simm’s Challenger Series Bibs and Jacket.

My first mate and I always pack a duffel bag or backpack with essentials and have them on the boat for every trip in the event of unexpected weather.

Prepare for Sushine Too!

Luckily, sunshine is something we deal with more often than rain.  It’s important to remember to protect yourself from the sun as well.  My favorite sunscreen for my face is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer.  It doesn’t have an oily feel to it even though I apply several layers and it doesn’t have an obnoxious scent either.  I use it on my arms and legs as well but other less expensive brands do a great job also.  Personally, I tend to stray away from spray-on sunscreens on the boat because quite a bit of the lotion stays in the air and ends up on my couch, boat, or lures.  They’re fine for a day at the beach – not the boat.  

I’d also recommend a brimmed hat to keep the rays at bay.  Your favorite baseball hat should do the trick.  If you want to look the part, first mate Chris recommends Columbia’s PFG Fish Flag. 

It will protect your face and may even turn a few heads at 8th Street Ale Haus if you decide to tip a few back after a day on the water.

Sunglasses are an absolute necessity.  In my opinion, this is where it pays to spend the extra cash and make sure to get a quality pair of shades.  I’ve been rocking Costa del Mar’s Tuna Alleys for the past six years and have no complaints.  They don’t fog up and fit comfortably on my dome.  They get bonus points for looking pretty good as well.  I always pair them with the C-Mono Retainer.  At ten bucks, it’s a worthy purchase to keep your $250+ shades secured and not in the drink.

If you’re just coming out for a few trips a summer, shorts and a t-shirt will definitely do the trick. If you’re a more dedicated Lake Michigan fisherman then I’d recommend some long sleeve, lightweight options like Columbia’s Blood N Guts or Pelagic’s Defcon Icon.

What About Bugs?

Lake Michigan is home to several varieties of flying insects.  Both adult and larval insects are the primary diet of our lake’s rainbow trout (steelhead).  Usually, if there’s any wind whatsoever, the insects are of no consequence, and even if there are flies around they’re nothing more than a small annoyance.  However, on a few select days each summer, biting lake flies do make an appearance.  Insect repellent doesn’t do anything to detract them.  Luckily though, these flies focus all of their energy on the area surrounding the lower calves, ankles, and feet.  It’s very rare to be bitten above the knee.  They obviously can’t bite through shoes, but socks are no match for them.  For this purpose, a pair of jeans can mean the difference between swatting at some pesky flies and being comfortable for the duration of the trip.  If you’re a die-hard angler, Duluth Trading Company’s Dry on the Fly pants are worth the investment.  They’re lightweight enough to keep you cool even on the dog days of summer but offer just enough protection to keep any flies from making you a meal.

Other Considerations

If you want bonus points with your captain, consider a pair of light (or white) soled deck shoes like Sperry’s Topsiders for your trip.  Decks are typically white, and gray or black streaks show up insanely well on the white floor (and so does mud, dirt, and grass).  I don’t have any problems with guests deciding to go barefoot or wear flip flops or other sandals, but attention should certainly be paid to fish with hooks in them flopping about on the deck.  It can take the mate a few moments to attend to a fish, especially if there’s more than one fish on at once, so be mindful that a hook might pop out in the mean time.  I always caution guests in those instances just to be on the safe side.

Final Thoughts

Any of these considerations could kick your experience up a notch or two, but it’s important to remember that different folks have different goals and amounts of time to spend on the water.  I hope this helped you decide how to prepare for a charter fishing trip!  Good luck!