May might rival September as the month when the most surfcasters are out fishing in daylight, I actually fish in daylight all year long. Those of us who surf fish in the daylight are highly susceptible to sunburn and minor skin damage. Sun refection off the water can really be harmful and there is usually no place you can get away from it while fishing from shore or surf. Long term sun damage can even be more devastating since it can lead to skin cancers over time.
I’m very cautious when out fishing in the sun. I take the sun seriously since I am prone to burning and have skin cancer in my family history. In the last 10 years, I have had two basal cell carcinomas removed along with one squamous cell carcinoma. All of these were in places where the sun really hits- my neck and my face. One of these cancers was quite problematic, and I had to have extensive reconstruction done on my face. So, I try to avoid sun exposure as much as I can, although I also realize much of this damage was started decades ago when I was less careful about taking precautions.
When surf fishing or anytime other out in the sun, here are some ideas to lessen sun exposure and protect yourself.
- Sunscreen and lip balm for face protection. Before heading out to fish from shore, I try to rub sunscreen into any exposed areas of my skin, especially around my face, neck and hands. I use Banana Boat Ultra Sport with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 65, which is about the highest level of sunscreen you can find and it does a great job of protection you. Your lips are also super sensitive to sun damage and burn. I use the maximum protection I can find. I like Banana Boat SPF50 lip balm. I keep applying and reapplying during a day of fishing especially after eating or drinking.
- Sun shirts, sun hats, neck gaiters and gloves. I tend to always wear a UPF50 long sleeve sun shirt when venturing out in the sun. I also have some with hoods that I wear. I have some from Huk, Columbia and Bassdash and they all offer good sun protection. While these shirts have long sleeves, they are still quite cool and comfortable because of the silky material they are made with. For hats, I always wear a Glacier Outdoor Sun Hat that has a long bill in the front to protect some of my face and a sun flap in the back to protect my neck. The hat is cool and comfortable and even has a chin strap for a windy day. For gloves, I wear lightweight Kast King sun gloves to protect my hands and wrists. They have open fingers, and you can cast quite well with them. To round out my sun clothing, I have an assortment of neck gaiters that I also wear. I’ve used brands like Kastking and Pelagic to protect my neck and lower face. A lot of times I pull the gaiter up over my face to cover my lips and cheeks. I’m usually in lightweight waders so my legs are not getting any sun. When not in waders, I will usually wear lightweight cargo pants. If it is unbearably hot, I might go with shorts, but apply a lot of sunscreen on my legs.
- Sunglasses. Lately I have been wearing the Rival Shield sunglasses made by Shady Rays. These give my face and eyes maximum coverage. Mine are polarized blue mirror, and they offer UV protection. They are also very moderately priced at about $50 on sale. Many sunglass companies make sunglasses specifically for fishing. These glasses usually are usually larger and offer more coverage than regular sunglasses.
As fishermen who fish from shore, we are very prone to sunburns and other skin problems. The same would apply to boaters and kayakers who are out in the daylight. It never hurts to be proactive, and you do get used to the routine of putting on the sunscreen and wearing the protective clothing. Better safe than sorry.
