Anyone who fishes with me knows I’m pretty serious about my sun protection, especially in the summer. Like many anglers, I’ve been treated for skin cancer and want to avoid future issues.
Wearing the right UV protective gear is a big key to protecting your skin – especially if you are a Scottish/Irish background like I am. I don’t tan, I burn. Two of the most important tools I have in protecting myself for 8-10 hour tournament days on the water are the UV Shield Long Sleeve Performance Shirt and the UV Shield Sun Gloves from Stormr.
UV Shield Long Sleeve Performance Shirt
This is a great sun shirt for many reasons in addition to the fact it deflects dangerous UV rays. This 50+ UV shield performance shirt is comfortable and well-made. It features a double layer of material which keeps it cool but feels more substantial than other sun shirts. The collar and sleeves are very resistant to any stretching, and I like that the collar rides just a bit higher than some other sun shirts, protecting the base of my neck. Finally, there are tiny vents in the armpit areas of the shirt which help keep me cool and reduces some of the stench created after hours sweating on the water. I’ve got this shirt in white, red, blue, smoke and yellow.
UV Shield Sun Control Gloves
I’m a big proponent of sun gloves, your hands can burn and get skin cancer very easily. Having tried various types of gloves, the UV Shield Sun Control Gloves are my favorite because they come up the wrists enough to ensure they cover the gap between your shirt sleeve and wrist. I also like how thin and lightweight they are, but have a synthetic palm for added durability and a better grip when handling fish or gear. The fit is snug to the hand, which means the gloves are never in the way or cause an issue. I’ve become so accustomed to wearing these I don’t feel right when they aren’t on my hands while fishing. The only down side to these gloves is that over time some small parts of the stitching can come loose, but this is after heavy use over a long period of time.
I just finished up my second late winter and early spring fishing season using my Stormr STRYKR Jacketon the worst weather days. It has kept me warm and functioning on the water in extreme conditions. Most recently this year in a KBF tournament on Lake Bull Shoals it protected me in windy and snowy weather with water temps in the 20s. Hours on the water were made much more comfortable with this piece of equipment.
The Stormr STRYKR jacket was great protection against the wind and snow on Bull Shoals. – kayakfishingfocus.com
When kayak fishing in freezing and windy conditions I wanted to have a jacket that was warm, stopped the wind but wasn’t too bulky to wear and move freely while in the kayak seat. The waterproof and windproof Stormr STRYKR jacket is an impenetrable shield against the elements.
Stormr STRYKR Jacket Specs
What makes the Stormr STRYKR jacket so effective in protecting against foul weather are the materials and construction. The water and windproof neoprene exterior is an excellent outer shell, while the fleece lined interior is comfortable and holds in body heat. This is the warmest thing I’ve ever owned – hands down. Many other elements contribute to the warmth and comfort:
Two-way Adjustable Hood
Fleece-Lined Interior
Non-Corrosive Splash Proof Zipper
Full-Length Interior Storm Flap
Glued, Blind-Stitched and Thermal Taped Seams
Internal Neoprene Cuffs
Abrasion Resistant Material for High-Use Areas
Adjustable Velcro Cuffs
Adjustable Waistband with Two Interior Cord Locks
Practical Usage and Functionality
As already stated, the jacket isn’t bulky or heavy, both a major benefit for a winter coat for the kayak angler. Aside from keeping me warm and protected, the jacket comes with many extras that were well thought out and make it easy to manage my gear. Some of my favorite features include all of the convenient pockets that allow me to safely store my phone, keys, and anything else I want to keep on me with easy access. Worried about wearing a jacket if going into the water? The Stormr STRYKR jacket has 5 lbs of positive buoyancy which, along with your PFD, will help keep you afloat if you capsize. Some of the other key convenience and safety features:
Interior Cell Phone Pocket
Two Chest Gear Pockets
Two Fleece-Lined, Waterproof Exterior Pockets with PU Coated Non-Corrosive Zippers
Two Interior Mesh Gear Pockets
Adjustable Waistband with Two Interior Cord Locks
Two D-Rings for accessories or kill switch tethers
3M Reflective graphics for high visibility
Available in Smoke, Orange or Black and White edition
The Bottom Line
The Stormr STRYKR jacket is a top of the line foul weather solution for kayak fishing. It’s not cheap, but is a piece of equipment that will protect you for years on the water. The only negative I have on this jacket is I wish there was a way to remove the hood for days where I don’t need my head covered but want the warm jacket on my body. The hood will lie back and I don’t have to wear it, so not a big deal but it would be better if I could detach it.
Staying warm and protected in a jacket that also allows you to be nimble in your kayak is worth the investment. Before the next winter season comes, check out the Stormr STRYKR jacketfor ultimate foul weather protection. I don’t use them, but Stormr also offers STRYKR bibs as well that would cover you head to toe.
A big shout out and THANK YOU to the various companies and brands who are contributing in some way toward my 2018 tournament season. These are all awesome products I am proud to use in competition on the water. Please consider them for your fishing needs.
Bending Branches – The best kayak fishing paddles available and manufactured here in the U.S.A. I have the Bending Branches Angler Pro and Angler Pro Carbon.
Stormr – Great foul weather gear and sun protection wear. From cold weather outerwear to hot summertime UV protection clothing, Stormr is my go-to for on the water protection.
Popticals – The innovative sunglasses line that folds into a compact case perfect for kayak fishing.
MTI Lifejackets – Wear your PFD! It prevents you from drowning. When choosing a PFD, I like having one that I know is very high quality and made with care in the U.S.A. I have MTI F-Spec, Neptune and Helios models.
Booyah Baits – A big part of my bait arsenal, Booyah makes awesome crankbaits, spinnerbaits, buzz baits and jigs.
War Eagle Lures – Spinnerbaits and buzz baits that are made for the Ozark waters. Anglers swear by this brand for local fishing.
Heddon Lures – Makers of the Zara Spook and Super Spook Jr., some of my all-time favorite lures to throw. If I could only throw one hard bait, it would be a spook.
Norman Lures – Some old-school hard baits that still catch a lot of fish. The Deep N, Mad N, DD22 and others have to be in the yak.
YUM – Plastics for every situation at a good price. Dingers, plastic worms, trailers, flippin’ plastics, lizards, drop shot baits, swimbaits and Money Minnows. YUM has everything you need.
Dobyns Rods – Quality rod options at an affordable price. I carry the Fury series rods in my kayak, most of which are in the $109-$119 price range.
Flambeau – These storage tackle boxes are great for kayaks because of the Zerust protection. Our tackle is exposed to the elements at all times and Flambeau boxes provide great protection.
P-Line – This is an affordable fishing line that still is good for battling bass. I use primarily the Floroclear and the CXX line on my reels.
Reins – My tungsten weight source for use with drop-shot, flipping or Texas rigging. Reins slip sinkers are the best because of the insert that protects you from fraying line.
Shimano – The best reels around, period. Shimano reels are the best option on the water for all types of fishing.
Owner Hooks – Owner makes every kind of hook I need when fishing, and they are razor sharp.
Check out these brands on Instagram for a better look at their products:
Recently, my wife had been after me to visit a dermatologist and get checked out. “Make me an appointment,” I said. “And I’ll go.” So, she did, and I went. I’m glad that I did – and thankful.
Anyone who fishes with me often knows I am fairly serious about wearing sun protection while on the water, so I didn’t expect to have any problems. Sometimes I get razzed by buddies about my pants or long sleeves and buff on a hot summer day, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve realized it is important to take more care of myself.
Wearing a buff, UV sun shirt and UV gloves is a common way to stay protected while fishing.
The dermatologist’s exam only took a few minutes and was a pretty simple exercise. It involved looking over my skin starting with the toes and up to my temples. After about 15 minutes, the doctor reported that I had two possible skin cancer growths and that they needed a biopsy. A few days later, I got the call – yes, I had two different types of skin cancer…wow.
Luckily for me, neither one was the most dangerous type (Melanoma), but they still were cause for concern and needed removed immediately. The first was a fairly deep and well-developed Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)cancer on my right wrist, requiring a very deep surgical removal from the wrist and some major stitches. I will have to go back and maybe have another procedure on this wrist in a couple of months to ensure complete removal. This type of cancer rarely results in fatalities, but can cause health issues if not addressed
The second type of skin cancer I had was a Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) which can develop into a deadly form if not properly treated. More than 8,800 people die annually from this type of skin cancer. Incidents of this type have increased by 200 percent in the last decade. This one was on my leg and was shallow enough to be scraped and burned off, leaving what looks like a burn wound.
The aftermath of having a deep Basal Cell Carcinoma removed from my left wrist. Also knocked me out of fishing action for a while so it could heal properly.
Skin Cancer Prevention While Fishing
First things first, go to a dermatologist, and go soon if you haven’t been in recent years for an exam. Get off to a good and healthy start! Even though I have recently been diagnosed and treated, I’ll need to go back yearly to ensure new malicious growths don’t appear.
Clothing – Wearing the right UV protective clothing can provide excellent protection from harmful rays. Consider long-sleeve UV performance shirt, a buff and gloves. Stormr makes a great line of UV Shield wear that I like to use. When covering up, remember that not all material will protect against UV rays.
Headwear – The dermatologist told me during my visit that many anglers come in to visit and need to get skin cancer removed from the temples, forehead, back of the neck and even the scalp. This skin is thinner and more likely to leaves scars after removal than other parts of the body. A cap used with a buff or a wide-brimmed hat are good options to protect this area. And don’t forget your sunglasses.
Sunscreen – It’s inevitable that an angler may not have the right UV clothing or chooses not to be covered up. In this case, always wear SPF 15 or greater sunscreen and re-apply every two hours. A lot of fishermen won’t use sunscreen for fear it will apply scent to line or lures which will prevent the bite. Because of this I prefer to use Sunsect SPF 15 which is non-greasy, non-scented and will dry cleanly after applying. I visited with an FLW Tour Pro who uses Sunsect brand sunscreen for this very reason. (plus it repels bugs and mosquitos!)
Know Your Enemy
Even though I’ve been fairly consistent in wearing sun protection since I began fishing about three years ago, I wasn’t as diligent when much younger and am paying for it today. This chart from University Health News shows what some of these look like. The scary thing to me is that the spots or areas I was concerned about were not cancer at all, and a couple of spots that I thought were NOTHING were the actual cancers. Go to a dermatologist who knows what to look for!
Know your enemy, this chart shows three types of skin cancer. Source: University Health News
At the end of the day I was lucky and should be fine going forward. Not every angler who spends hours and hours on the water is so lucky. Don’t take the chance. For you and your family’s sake – get checked, and protect yourself.
What gear do you need for a successful run in a kayak fishing tournament or kayak bass tournament series? The dog days of summer are about over and it is almost time for fall tournaments and year end championships to take place. Whether a first time tournament angler or a seasoned pro, you have to make sure you have what you need before a day on tournament waters.
I have competed in different types of tournaments and tournament trails – including single day events, year long trails, weeknight yakpots and online kayak fishing tourneys.
Kayak Fishing Tournament Checklist
Hawg Trough and camera – The cornerstone of kayak bass fishing tournaments is that you measure the length of your fish instead of the weight. This Catch Photo Release (CPR) approach requires you to have an approved measuring device like a Hawg Trough on board along with a way to take photos such as a camera or phone. Be sure to understand what is allowed in the tournament rules for submitting pictures and choose the one that works best for you. Tip…practice, practice, practice taking and submitting your photos!
Tackle appropriate for the waters – When hitting the lake or river for a fishing tournament in a kayak, space is at a premium. Think about the water condition. Is it clear or stained? Rising or falling? Temperature? Spending some time here can make sure you have the right baits on your yak throughout the day. Some of my go-to baits on board include Heddon Zara Spooks, Booyah jigs and spinnerbaits, YUM plastics and Norman crankbaits. For an extra boost take a look at Fish Allure scented tabs for hard baits.
Safety gear – Make sure your kayak is lit, has visibility flag, whistle and that you are wearing a PFD. Here are articles by Paddling.net and NRS about safety gear. Tip…if it is a roadrunner style event or a big body of water, make sure someone else knows where you generally are in case you don’t make it back to weigh-in.
Miscellaneous items – Some other items I always take into a tournament include a watch or clock I can see to monitor time, extra reel and line, snack and drinks, net, sunscreen and foul weather gear from Stormr.
Make Your Own List
Every kayak fishing tournament angler is different and likely has additional tips, but this list hits on some of the main items I’d advise someone to consider having on board as they launch in the next tournament.
deflects dangerous UV rays. This 50+ UV shield performance shirt is comfortable and well-made. It features a double layer of material which keeps it cool but feels more substantial than other sun shirts. The collar and sleeves are very resistant to any stretching, and I like that the collar rides just a bit higher than some other sun shirts, protecting the base of my neck. Finally, there are tiny vents in the armpit areas of the shirt which help keep me cool and reduces some of the stench created after hours sweating on the water. I’ve got this shirt in white, red, blue, smoke and yellow.
