The Best Fishing Shirts for Angling

2021 Review by Jason Sawyer

If you love spending time outdoors fishing then you’ll need a decent fishing shirt. The best fishing shirts will depend on where and when you wear them. But the bottom line is they need to be able to offer comfort, protection and durability.

Fishing shirts are ideal for fishing holidays and when you need to stay cool in the sun or as an added layer under your fishing fleece to keep you warm.

When out sea fishing on my boat I prefer to wear a long sleeve fishing shirt with added UV protection. For coarse fishing, I prefer a button style fishing shirt with more tactical storage and vented cooling for breathability.

If you’re looking to buy a new fishing shirt this is a great place to start. Below you will find my top performance fishing shirts for comfort, sun protection and quick-dry technology. I’ve also included my best carp fishing t-shirts and some funny fishing t-shirts that will make your mates laugh. Let’s crack on:

My Top 5 Fishing Shirts

Here are my 5 best high-performance fishing shirts from popular fishing brands such as Columbia, Craghoppers and Southern Fin:

Best Overall: Columbia Terminal Tackle Shirt

At the top of our list is this Men’s PFG Terminal Tackle Long Sleeve Shirt by Columbia. It features quick-dry fabric, moisture pulling Omni-Wick technology and UPF 50 sun protection for fishing long hours in the intense heat.

The Columbia Terminal Tackle Shit is an ultra-soft fishing top with long sleeve design can be worn on its own or under a fishing t-shirt as an additional layer.

Omni-Shade UPF 50 technology will block harmful UVA and UVB light rays and will help to prevent skin damage and sunburn.

Omni-Wick technology will absorb moisture into the fabric where it quickly spreads and evaporates to keep you cool and dry.

Key Features:

  • Long Sleeve Style
  • Omni-Shade UPF 50
  • Omni-Wick 100% polyester
  • Quick Dry

Editors Rating: 4.7

Best Runner Up: Craghoppers Kiwi Long Sleeve Shirt

When you need protection against little critters this long sleeve style shirt by Craghoppers will keep you safe. NosiDefence fabric provides a protective barrier of fabrics which is too tough for mosquitoes to penetrate:

The Craghoppers Kiwi Long Sleeve Shirt is made with 300 g of solardry poly-cotton, so is comfortable to wear next to the skin. It will dry off quickly with no wrinkles, thanks to the drying loops attached. For storage, there are 3 pockets and 1 hidden zip pocket for security.

SolarShield fabric technology has been tried and tested to give you UPF40+ protection from harmful UV rays.

Key Features:

  • Long Sleeve Style
  • Solarshield Collar
  • UPF 40+ Sun Protection
  • NosiDefence Fabric

Best Lightweight: Columbia Bahama Fishing Shirt

Fish easy with this lightweight, relaxed fit, quick-drying shirt by Columbia with UV protection. The Men’s PFG Bahama II is a vented fishing shirt that will keep you cool in hot and humid weather:

Designed for easy fishing, this lightweight shirt is comfortable to wear and is made from 100% Tactel® Nylon.

There are mesh-lined vents on the back which allows a breeze to pass through and keep you cool. More hidden vents are located on the shoulders for extra breathability.

For performance, the shirt includes a rod holder, chest pockets and roll-up sleeves. Omni-Shade UPF 50 material will keep you safe and protected in the sun.

Key Features:

  • Vented Fishing Shirt
  • Omni-Shade UPF 50
  • 100% Tactel® Nylon
  • Quick Dry

Best Long-Sleeve: Southern Fin Apparel Performance Shirt

Key Features:

  • Long Sleeve Style
  • UPF 50 Sun Protection
  • 100% Microfiber Polyester
  • Moisture Control

Best Comfort: Columbia Tamiami Fishing Shirt

Key Features:

  • Vented Fishing Shirt
  • Omni-Shade UPF 40
  • Omni-Wick 100% polyester
  • Antimicrobial

More Shirts For Fishing

Here are some more fishing shirts I recommend:

Jack Pyke Camo Fishermans T-Shirt

English Oak camouflaged design by Jack Pyke will help blend you into your natural surroundings so you can catch that crafty carp.

A very popular short sleeve fishing t-shirt perfect for summer carp fishing.

Jack Pyke of England is a reputable fishing brand. Made from 100% cotton material. Washes easy and very comfortable to wear. The best selling fishing t-shirt that you can wear constantly when out in the wild, woodland or lake shoreline. A very hard-wearing shirt that is durable and lasts.

Columbia Men’s Bonehead Fishing Shirt

Relaxed fitting long sleeve fishing shirt by Columbia available in various different colours.

Perfect for fly fishing as there are large hook and loop box pockets on the front of the shirt with mesh-lined cape vents at back. There is a rod holder loop at the left chest so you can push the fly fishing rod through and have both hands free to change a lure or fly.

This long sleeve men’s fishing shirt has been perfectly designed to meet the needs of active anglers. It is a lightweight design, with vents for cooling so can be worn in the summer. The well-designed pockets can hold fishing hooks, bait or small bits of tackle. A strong defence against UV sun rays for active protection when fishing.

TACVASEN Men’s Button-Down Shirt

Made from special quick-dry fabric this fishing shirt has plenty of vents so is breathable and will keep you cool in the sun.

Safe UV sunlight resistant material and very durable fabric that is hard to tear. Moisture absorbing and Sweat releasing. Fits fly boxes or fishing glasses on front chest pockets.

The long-sleeves can be rolled up and secured with button into a short-sleeve fishing shirt. The vented shirt will keep you cool, dry and comfortable while you fish. This quick-dry angling top is lightweight and thin so perfect for summer and hot weather.

I found the sizes to be a little bit on the small side, so recommend going for a larger size to fit best.

Columbia Woman’s Fishing Shirt

Columbia women’s Bahama long sleeve fishing shirt. Uses special antimicrobial technology and Omni-wick moisture management to keep you clean and dry.

UPF 40 sun protection makes this shirt perfect for fishing in hot weather so you can stay outside for long periods of time. Available in a handful of pretty colours, the women’s Bahama long sleeve fishing shirt s vented to facilitate airflow so you stay cool in the summer. You can roll the sleeves back for more circulation and fresh air.

Funny Fishing Shirts

When you don’t need protection and you just need a laugh… Here are some fun shirts for fishing:

Multi-pack – Angling Themed T-Shirts

Rodfather – Fathers Day Fishing T-Shirt

Make him an offer he can’t refuse… Treat your dad to a Rodfather fishing t-shirt this fathers day. The Rodfather is perfect for well-respected and connected dads who take no-nonsense on the bank:

Rodfather Fishing T-shirt Sale
Rodfather Fishing T-shirt
818 Reviews

    Professionally printed on high-quality 100% cotton material.

    Available in S/M/L/XL/XXL

    Evolution – Funny Fishing T-shirt

    Perfect gift for the fishing lover. A funny stylish fishing t-shirt that will make your friends laugh.

    Premium quality made from 100% cotton. Available in a range of different colours and sizes. Novelty fishing gift that any angler will wear with pride. Professionally screen printed in the UK – 2 Colour design giving a great vintage print effect.

    Carp Fishing T-Shirts

    Here are the best carp fishing t-shirts I recommend:

    Carp Hunter T-Shirt

    360 Carp Fishing T-Shirt

    Carp fishing t-shirt by 360 Fishing is the perfect fishing shirt for the man in your life who loves carp fishing.

    Crew collar style made from 100% cotton, 90% Sport Grey, 35% Heather Navy coloured design with good camouflage. A funny short sleeve fishing t-shirt ideal for summer. Cool looking shirt with taped neck and shoulders. A must-have t-shirt for all carp fisherman.

    Carp Crew Angling T-Shirt

    Superb quality premium angling t-shirt made from 100% cotton.

    Crew style neck collar available in black or green in a variety of different sizes. Loose fit cool looking t-shirt is the perfect fishing gift for anglers who love carp fishing. Excellent shirt for any outdoor or sporting occasion. Carp Crew fishing hoodies also available to keep you warm on cooler days.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do I Really Need A Fishing Shirt?

    No, you don’t. When I was younger I would just go fishing in a standard t-shirt and of course, you can do the same. However, a fishing shirt has more tactical storage for fishing tackle such as baits and hooks. A fishing shirt not only has the extra storage compartments to free up your hands fishing, but they also offer added comfort and protection.

    Will A Fishing Shirt Keep Me Cool In Summer?

    Yes, most shirts designed for fishing will help keep you cool in summer, as they’re made from a material that’s lightweight and breathable. So you can remain active and well vented at the same time. For added protection in hot summer fishing seasons, high-end fishing shirts such as the Columbia Tamiami Shirt have special antimicrobial treatments, that will protect the product against bacteria.

    What Style Shirt Should I Wear Fishing?

    Fishing shirts come in both long-sleeve and short-sleeve designs.

    If you’re out fishing long-hours in the hot sun, then you’ll need to wear an appropriate long-sleeve fishing shirt. This style fishing shirt usually has no buttons, is a tight fit and will cover as much as your body as possible to protect against the scorching sun.

    Button style fishing shirts offer more storage, breathability and the long sleeves can be rolled up and fastened into short sleeves if needed.

    The type of material used is an important decision to consider when buying a fishing shirt. Nylon is lightweight and durable where polyester fabric offers greater comfort and sweat absorption. UPF sun-blocking technology will act as a sun-screen to protect your skin.

    Jason Sawyer

    Jason Sawyer
    Expert UK Fish Species Hunter

    I have now caught over 100 different species of fish from British waters. My site is completely independent, financed only by you clicking on retailer links and buying something (at no extra cost to you). If you do - thanks a million I wish you tight lines fishing!