Mary Hollinger, NOAA Biologist/Wikimedia Commons
What To Look For
Fishing rain gear offers a number of options for serious anglers undeterred by sudden rainfall or the occasional showers. Anglers have a number of choices, some of which are designed for prolonged activities in the rain, while others merely provide temporary protection. Consider there features when buying fishing rain gear:
Design: Full-body fishing rain suits protect the angler from head to toe. These rain suits are designed to fit over everyday clothing and protect against wetness and in some cases wind.
Layering: Rain shell jackets, rain hats, waterproof pants and the like are all part of a layered outfit. They may be worn together or separately, depending on the weather conditions and the preference of the angler.
Material: Gore-Tex is usually the material of choice for fishing rain gear, but for those who fish in areas given to significant drops in temperature during rainfalls, there are also neoprene-reinforced rain suits.
Common Pitfalls
One-piece fishing rain suits are great for a day of rain or off and on showers, but if the spacing between the rainfalls is too great, these rain suits can become uncomfortably warm. Rain suits made with neoprene breathe less than Gore-Tex suits. Sweating may become a problem. These kinds of rain suits are not suitable for all-weather fishing. Rain shells lack the warmth needed for freezing rain and can leave you at the mercy of the wind.
Where To Buy
Fishing rain gear is for sale at most department stores and also commercial outfitters of outdoor gear. There are copious retailers online that offer layered fishing rain gear, specialized fishing rain suits and even dry suits made mostly of neoprene. When it comes to size, regular clothing sizes apply.
Cost
Rain suits vary in cost and usually run from about $60 to $180 for a one-piece outfit, while a two-piece rain suit may cost from $40 to about $140 for both pieces combined. Be prepared to spend between $30 to $40 on the rain hat, $90 to $130 on the shell and about $30 to $85 on the pants. A dry suit is perfect for cold, wet weather and usually costs right around $1,000. It's a serious investment.
Accessories
Depending on the weather conditions at your fishing hole, consider adding rain boots and goggles to your outfit. The goggles protect your eyes from rainfall, wind and the changing light conditions. They are fitted with a strap for convenience while fishing.
