A Tackle Shop Guide to Fishing Headwear
Choosing the right fishing headwear is about finding the perfect balance between sun protection, comfort, and practicality for your specific environment. A hat that's perfect for a calm estuary might be a useless liability on a windy boat. This guide will break down the different styles to help you choose the right headwear for your needs.
A Note From Our Local Experts
"Having been in the tackle business for over 20 years, I’ve heard too many stories from regulars about getting skin cancers cut off their ears and the backs of their necks. It’s a serious issue, and it's why I’m so serious about stocking a range of proper, high-protection headwear for fishing.
A standard baseball cap offers almost zero protection for these high-risk areas. While we still stock a range for brand loyal enthusiasts, a good wide-brim hat or a cap paired with a sun buffer is the only way to go for a long day on the water. It’s a piece of apparel I wish I'd started using 20 years earlier myself."
- Ben Czulowski, Owner, Fishing Tackle Shop (Ocean Storm) | Retailer for 20+ Years
A Guide to Headwear Styles
The first step is to match the style to your fishing environment. Here are the main types we stock:
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Wide-Brim Hats: This style offers the best all-in-one, 360-degree protection for your face, ears, and neck. They are an excellent choice for boat and open-water fishing, where the sun is coming from all angles.
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Legionnaire Hats: For maximum sun safety, the legionnaire style is a top choice. It combines the comfort of a standard cap with a long, built-in neck cape that completely shields your neck and ears—two of the most common spots for sun damage.
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Sun Buffers (Neck Gaiters): These are incredibly versatile. A buffer can be worn as a neck gaiter to protect you from sun, wind, and even cold. When paired with a baseball cap, it provides excellent protection for your ears and neck, and can be pulled up to cover your face.
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Beanies: Don't forget about fishing in the cold. For anglers in the southern states chasing trout in winter or braving a southerly on the beach, a thermal beanie is ideal for staying warm and comfortable.
Pro-Tips for Your Fishing Headwear
- How to Stop Salt Stains: Those white, crusty marks on your favourite hat aren't just sweat; they're salt stains. The best way to prevent them from building up and ruining the fabric is to give your hat a regular, gentle rinse in fresh water after a few trips. Let it air dry in the shade.
- The Boaties' Hat-Trick: A wide-brim hat is great, but it can act like a parachute when you're underway. For boaters, make sure your wide-brim hat has a tight-fitting chin strap. For a simple cap, the classic solution is the best: just turn it backwards before you accelerate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hat for fishing in tropical QLD/NT versus cold NSW/VIC?
This is an excellent question that comes down to seasonal needs. For the hot, humid, and intense year-round sun in QLD and the NT, a lightweight, wide-brim hat with plenty of ventilation is critical. For anglers in NSW and VIC, the gear changes with the seasons. A wide-brim or legionnaire hat is just as important for sun protection during the hot summer, but a warm thermal beanie or a sun buffer worn as a balaclava becomes the ideal item for staying on the water during a cold, windy winter southerly.
How do I stop my fishing hat from smelling?
The smell is usually caused by mildew and bacteria from sweat and salt. The key is to never leave it bunched up in a bag. After a trip, give it a thorough rinse in fresh water and let it dry completely in a well-ventilated, shaded spot before you store it.
Why use a sun buffer instead of just a legionnaire hat?
It comes down to versatility. A legionnaire hat's flap is purely for sun protection on your neck. A sun buffer (or neck gaiter) is a multi-function item: you can wear it as a simple neck covering, pull it up over your face and ears to protect from wind and reflected glare, or even wear it as a beanie. It's a more adaptable piece of gear for changing conditions.
What should I look for in a hat for my boat or kayak?
There are two features that are critical. First is a wide, 360-degree brim to protect you from the sun, which will be reflecting off the water from all angles. Second is a secure chin strap. A gust of wind on open water will steal your hat in a second, so a chin strap is best to keep it on your head when you're moving or when the wind picks up.
