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While there are some downsides to fishing in a downpour, if well prepared, a rainy day can improve the conditions for catching fish. When thousands of raindrops are beating down on the top of the water, your lure becomes invisible to the fish underneath, which makes a bite all the more likely. On the flipside, a heavy rain can easily ruin your gear, and the last thing you want is to be miserable.
Some recommended products will make you much more comfortable the next time you are fishing in a torrential downpour, and will prevent you from being drenched to the skin. One thing we recommend is to purchase a good weather radio. While the rain can be good, you’ll want to know if the waters are too rough to take your boat out in. It’s always best to check the exact weather conditions before you head out.
Keeping your gear dry can be a challenge on a sunny day, and that challenge only grows worse in a downpour. We know how attached you are to your gear and how much money you’ve invested toward it, and there are quite a few things you can purchase to protect that valuable equipment. Below you can read our reviews of the best fishing rain gear.
Best Fishing Jacket
You find happiness on the water. We get it. And you don’t want anything to rain down on your parade… or your next big catch. Next time it starts raining, pull this jacket out of your bag and you’ll be sure to keep high and dry. With sizes from extra small all the way to 4XL, the Helly Hansen Postdam Jacket is perfect for everyone-from the smallest angler to the largest. And talk about options. This heavy-duty storm shield comes in several colors. We personally like the orange for visibility purposes. If you are out with your buddies or if you are alone, orange will keep you in clear sight no matter how heavy the rainfall.
This jacket works hard with very little maintenance. While it is waterproof, it doesn’t feel like a sweat bag. Its material is very breathable and even has a zip-on layer you can add for colder weather.
Made of polyester and nylon, it has zippers under the sleeves for ventilation, two chest pockets with zip closures, two hand pockets with zip closures, a map pocket under the storm flap, elastic cuffs with Velcro adjustments, storm flap with zip and Velcro closure, and a detachable hood with draw-cord adjustment.
Helly Juell Hansen invented waterproof clothing for seafarers and fishermen more than 130 years ago, and you can rest assured that you are wearing a trusted brand.
Granted, it’s a bit of an investment, but this jacket will protect you when Mother Nature has other plans. And we think it is pretty awesome that similar products were made for seafarers in the 19th century.
Best Fishing Bib
Fishing probably isn’t the first thing you think of when you hear the word ‘bib’. However, fishing bibs are great for bad weather. A bib is essentially a specific type of rainsuit. A quick glance at the picture to the left will give you a good idea of what a bib is. A bib covers most of your body so you don’t need to where a jacket. So if you don’t like wearing jackets then this is the perfect item for you.
For a rainstorm we recommend wearing Grundens Weather Watch Bib. This bib is lightweight yet durable. It will keep you dry and comfortable during the worst storms, and it will allow you to move around freely. Grundens Weather Watch Bib also has some good features such as adjustable ankle closures, adjustable suspenders, and a stain resistant design.
Best Waterproof Bag
The Aqua Quest Stylin’ Waterproof Bag is extremely durable and will help to keep the water from ruining your precious equipment. A highly versatile bag, it will protect anything and everything, and even has zippered compartments to store things like your lunch. Made with durable and abrasion-resistant materials, it also has double-bar-tacked stress points. The wide, contoured shoulder straps have thick, comfortable padding and are fully adjustable for comfort for both male and female anglers. It also has a water-resistant zippered front flap pocket and a front-sleeve pocket for easy access storage. This bag will hold 1800 cubic inches and weighs a mere 1.9 pounds. When laid flat, this bag is 27.5 x 12 inches.
Go ahead. Drop it into the water. It boasts 100 percent waterproof capabilities so you can take this thing out into the roughest of waters. This bag give you complete peace of mind so you can relax and focus on fishing.
Aqua-Quest’s “The Tote” waterproof dry bag is an affordable solution that is also very effective.
Bag on a Budget
Aqua Quest is the industry leader when it comes to waterproof gear, and this bag is no exception. At less than fifty bucks, the Aqua Quest Tote boasts the same 100 percent waterproof capabilities as the higher end bag. The bag comes in a wide variety of colors and is suited for just about everyone, from anglers to amateur athletes. Who doesn’t need a waterproof bag to protect valuable belongings?
The smaller bag is great as a gym bag or for your next fishing trip. The Tote is a 20-liter/1200-cubic-inch dry bag made of durable and abrasion-resistant material. But don’t be deceived by its size. This bag packs a serious punch. Like the Stylin’ Backpack, it offers RipStop with bar-tacked stress points for the ultimate strength. It can be carried as a backpack or a duffle bag and weighs 0.8 inches. When laid flat, the bag is 24 x 16 inches.
Best Writing Kit
If you’re like most fisherman, then you take notes when you are out on the water. Note taking is good for a variety of reasons: it’s good to write down where you are, how you are doing, and anything else that comes up. Unfortunately, rain can disturb your note taking. The last thing you want is for your paper to get wet. This can get really frustrating, really quickly. Luckily there is a solution to this problem.
The solution is the Rite in the Rain 3×5 Kit. This kit is made exclusively for fishermen and you will be able to use it any weather condition, rain or sunshine. This kit is well-made and comes with everything that you could need (paper, pen, and cover). The paper on this pad is high quality. The ink will stay on, even when wet, and water will not ruin the paper. You also have the option to fit four different writing utensils into the outer pockets. In addition, the kit comes with a small pen that even allows you to write upside down.
One of the best features is that the zipper will never get stuck. This is a big feature because as we all know, there is nothing more frustrating than trying to fix a bad zipper. We have much better things to do with our time, such as fishing.
When you buy this kit you are buying convenience. This is a great item to put in either your pocket or inside your bag. It’s small enough to store away, and big enough so you can write down everything you need. Overall, this is a terrific product for anyone who takes notes.
Conclusion
You can never go wrong when taking precautions to keep you and your favorite equipment high and dry.
Everyone needs a raincoat and the Helly Hansen Postdam jacket is the best of the best. And who says bibs are only for babies? The Frabill F2 Surge will keep you dry while also giving you a good range of motion. Whether you are on a tight budget, or can afford to spend a little more, Aqua Quest has the durable, waterproof bags that you need. Lastly, the Rite in the rain 3×5 kit is the top writing kit for anglers.
