Field & Stream Harbor Fishing Pants Review

I have been wearing a new pair of fishing pants on some of my trips over the past few months. When it's hot like it is now, I really like wearing long pants as long as they keep me cool and also save my calves from sunburn.  The mornings are still pretty cool in the Pacific Northwest and these pants from Field & Stream are perfect for all day fishing.

Here is a quick rundown of the features:

• UPF 50+ sun protection 
• SmartWick™ technology keeps you dry by absorbing sweat 
• Quick-drying fabric 
• Two hand pockets and one utility pocket 
• Zippered fly and zippered and secure back pocket 
• Back elastic waistband and panels for added mobility 
• Belt loops and articulated knees 

For me it really came down to one thing when choosing pants and shorts for fishing and that is comfort.  These pants are very comfortable and easy to fish in.  Like I mentioned, even though they are long they really do feel cool.  They are lightweight and even in the June heat in Texas a few weeks ago, they were awesome.

They fit well, look nice and just overall a good pair of pants. 

Gill OS22 Jacket and Bibs Review

This review is a long time in the making for me.  Some items like rods, reels and baits are fairly to review after a few trips.  You can tell right away about some gear and whether you like it or not.  I did like the Gill OS2 bibs and jacket right away, but the true test was fishing with it in bad conditions.  I wore the gear throughout the fall and early winter and then a few times this winter walleye fishing and can say I love it now.

I decided on Gill after months of research and I am glad I did.  My last suit was from was good, it lasted nearly ten years. Getting a good set of raingear is a big decision but making the right one can help you for years to come.  What I liked about Gill was the focus on sailing and extreme cold weather.  Most of their gear is used by people in sailing competitions and other water related events. I thought if it works for them, fishing would be easy.

Here is a quick rundown of how Gill describes it:

A versatile performer capable of standing up to the toughest offshore and coastal conditions while keeping you dry and comfortable. The new OS2 is made from our hydrophobic, laminated moisture-management fabric that’s 100% waterproof and windproof, also featuring a hydrophilic coated layer that transports moisture away from the skin. This durable 3 Dot fabric, creates an incredibly waterproof, windproof and breathable protective shell. This range is everything an offshore coastal suit needs to be.

There are several things I like about this suit and comfort is among the first on the list.  I have fished with it with just regular clothes on below it and also with several layers of warm clothes in the winter and it fits just right no matter what.  It's 100% wind and waterproof so I have yet to get wet underneath the jacket or feel cold when I layered properly.

The faceguard, hood and wrist cuffs all fit snugly and are easy to adjust if needed.  It also has a thermal fleece inner collar which helps keep me warm on cold days.  These small things make a difference and help make this the best suit I have ever owned.

It also has ample storage in the pockets.  I like to keep my bags of soft plastics in there when I get on a good bite for a certain bait so I don't have to go far for another one.  I have also fished with gloves in the pockets without any discomfort.  

The matching bibs are just as great as the jacket. I prefer the bibs to keep me warm and they are the perfect match to the jacket in terms of their water and wind proofing.

Overall I am really happy with my purchase of the Gill OS2 Jacket and bibs.  They look great, but more importantly they are top quality and have kept me warm and dry.

Mojo Sportswear Playa Plaid Long Sleeve Shirt Review

If I am not on the water I am probably wearing a plaid shirt. They look good and fit my style. When I saw that Mojo Sportswear makes a plaid fishing shirt with a vented back, I wanted it. I was sent one for the following review and have to say I have been very impressed!

Before I get into the review, here are three things that stood out about this shirt:

1. Style: I already mentioned my love of plaid and how it fits my style. Most of the "fishing shirts" on the market are comfortable, but the look reminds me of the retired snowbirds walking around during my time living in Florida. Nothing wrong with the other shirts out there, but just not my style.
2. Comfort: Probably the coolest (no pun intended) thing about this shirt was how it felt in the hot summer sun. It's breathable and has a vented back to keep you feeling good all day long.
3. Nearly Wrinkle-Free: I hate wrinkles as much as I hate having to iron. The Playa shirt doesn't specifically say it is wrinkle-free, but I took it out of the plastic wrapper and shipping envelope and put it right on and it was good to go. 

Here are some more features from the Mojo website.

• 100% Technical polyester with plaid weave 
• Lightweight breathable fabric 
• Vented back for enhanced breathability 
• Blood & Stain Resistant 
• Snag resistant 
• Moisture Wicking/Quick Drying 
• Sun Protection Rating: UPF 30 
• Embroidered "Mojo Hook" logo on left chest and Mojo logo on back. 
• Square Mojo buttons

Overall it is a quality fishing shirt that allows you to fish all day in comfort. 

Pros: In addition to the three mentioned above, I like how it is stain and snag resistant. Fishing and being in a boat all day always leads to some new stains on my shirts. The SPF feature is another benefit, especially as I have started to pay more attention to protecting my skin from long-term damage. It comes in four good colors and was hard for me to pick just one.

Cons: Hard to think of any, besides maybe the cost. At $67 it is a little high, but the quality justifies the cost.

Click here to see the entire lineup of Mojo Sportswear products.

Holiday Gift Guide: Day 13 - Bass Knuckles Clothing

Bass Knuckles has some great looking gear.  I like their style and designs and have been impressed with what they have been coming out with.  I couldn't narrow it down to just one item, so here are two of my favorites.

The USA Hat

The Sunburst Hoodie

They have many more styles to choose from and there is sure to be something that fits your style. The price ranges vary based on the item.  Check out the whole lineup at bassknuckles.com

Are you one of us? The Bass Brigade launches new site

I've been a big fan of the Bass Brigade since the beginning.  The style, the message and the movement of this group of guys really appeals to the younger generation of bass fishermen.  I grew up fishing in the urban ponds of Las Vegas and this fishing style has stayed with me as I progressed as a bass fisherman.  The Bass Brigade epitomizes urban fishing and what I lived as I was growing up.  With a huge following on Twitter, Facebook and everywhere online, they are proof that we are not alone...urban bass fishing is more popular than ever.

The Bass Brigade continues to launch new designs for clothing and also recently launched a new website.  It's very interactive and has a bunch of things to check out.  Whether you are an urban angler or a not, you can learn something from them.  Make sure to check out the new line of shirts below and don't forget to visit their new website.

Are you one of us?

“Seek and Deploy. Cast and Destroy.”

Fishing in the Snow

My wife Tanya and I have been spending the last few days in Washington State visiting with our friends and family for the Holidays.  It has been a great trip for us, and we are so happy we are able to see everyone.  Since fishing is more than just a hobby for me, I had to get a fishing trip in while I was here. Catching bass this time of year is out of the question, so we decided to go and just try to catch something.  

Yesterday, my cousin Damon, my old tournament partner Wes and some other friends went to Lake Roosevelt to see what we could catch.  Describing the weather as cold would be an understatement and the snow on the ground and frozen rocks were something I haven't seen since I moved to Florida almost four years ago.

Me lipping a brown trout (I'm definitely a bass fisherman)

We did catch some fish; brown trout and rainbows, so the trip was a success. Wes even caught a Redband Rainbow Trout, which is a somewhat endangered species and only native to certain areas in the Northwest.  Before this, we would say a trout is a trout, but it was pretty cool to see a unique species like this. We fished for them just like you would fish for bass, with suspending and countdown jerkbaits fished in the eddies of the river. 

Though it wasn't quite as fun as bass fishing, it was still cool to catch something while the temperature was in the 20's.  It was also great to just spend some time catching up with old fishing buddies.

My cousin Damon rockin' the Carhartt 

Gearing Up for the Cold

It seems kind of weird for me to start talking about cold weather since I live in Florida and can wear my sandals and shorts pretty much every day of the year, but next week I am headed back "Up North" to Washington State to spend some time with my family for the Holidays.  Since I am going to be there for ten days, you know I will do some fishing.  

I'm not sure exactly what we will be fishing for, maybe it will be trout, maybe walleye, maybe even some ice fishing; but fishing is definitely in the plans.  My cousin says he knows that we can go and fish for bass in a spot he found last winter. That would make my trip. To catch a bass in December in the North  with temps in the low thirties or high twenties would be awesome.

Looking at the weather, I can see it's going to be really cold.

I'm not sure how I will handle the cold weather, since I have been gone from the Northwest for almost four years now.  The first thing I need to do is find my cold weather gear.  I kept all my gear from up there just in case I ever made it back to the snow and cold. I am going to dig out my Carhartt Jacket and Beanie and maybe even my face mask. I know that I need to be prepared for some cold weather if I want to make my trip enjoyable. There is nothing worse than fishing in the cold and only worrying about staying warm.  That makes fishing much more difficult and you end up spending all your time trying to get comfortable instead of actually focusing on fishing.

It should be a fun time up there and I'm excited to try to catch a smallmouth, man I miss them!

New from Bass King Outdoor Gear

The weather outside is cooling down, but the new gear from Bass King keeps heating up.  

Check out the new StormTek Jacket and Pants. Stay dry and look good.  

See the whole lineup at basskingclothing.com.

T Brinks Fishing Review: Buff Water Gloves

I have been searching for a few months for some gloves to wear while fishing.  I wanted to be able to wear gloves that will protect me the sun and at the same time allow me to fish comfortably.  As I was searching for the perfect pair, I was contacted by Buff and asked if I wanted to do a review.  It was perfect timing and I was excited to try them out as I love the entire Buff lineup.

They sent me a pair of the new Buff Water Gloves to review.  After fishing with them for a few trips in the hot and humid Florida weather I am impressed!

When I first put them on, I was wondering how they would handle the heat.  The last thing I wanted was to have sweaty hands and feel like I couldn't wait to get them off.  They were surprisingly breathable and after fishing with them I forgot they were even on.  I know people always say that, but I really could not tell I was wearing gloves and it's the middle of summer in Florida.  They have an SPF of 50+ which is great, but also helps by pretty much eliminating the need to add a bunch of sunscreen to your hands (and having to get rid of the sunscreen smell on your baits).

One other thing I was skeptical of was the grip.  The palms have a silicon grip that works great for both wet and dry conditions.  I know these are water gloves and can be used for a several watersports (paddling, kayaking, fishing and even wake boarding), so I was wondering how the grip would make a difference for fishing.  I ended up loving the silicon grip, especially when pitching and flipping.

Often with these techniques; my reel gets wet, my rod gets wet and my hand gets slippery.  This glove solves the problem and I know it will eventually help me catch some extra fish I may have missed with slippery hands.

The Sun Gloves are made to naturally contour to your hands and have exposed fingertips so you can still do what you normally do without gloves.  I also like the fact that they are able to be washed with a washing machine.  All positives and I really didn't see anything I didn't like from them.

Scoring for the Buff Water Gloves

Price/Value: 4

They retail for around $25.  I have never really bought gloves like this, so it was hard to gauge the price, but after searching through BPS, the cost looks about right.  They seem durable and should last for some time.

Durability: 4

I have not had any issues with them coming apart or having any loose threads.

Performance: 5

They work great, even better than I thought they would.

Innovation: 3

There are several gloves on the market, but I think these are a great combination of functionality and performance.

Availability: 3

They can be found on several sites online and I am sure Bass Pro will eventually carry them.

Total Score: 19  - Good Buy!

Beating the Heat - Part 2

In Part 1, I mentioned the importance of drinking water and staying hydrated.  Part 2 is all about clothing. Living in Florida, I am used to the sun when I'm fishing.  They don't call it the Sunshine State for nothing.  Even with the extreme heat and constant sunshine, I actually wear much more clothing and accessories than I have anywhere else I have lived.  

I have become a huge fan of the Buff Headwear and now am starting to wear the gloves as well (look for a review soon).  I sometimes get strange looks and even called a ninja when I wear it, but I am convinced it helps and I also feel much better after a long day on the water.  The sensitive areas on your neck and ears are the worst for getting skin cancer and I am glad I am protected.  I also wear a huge hat to keep the sun off my face.  I used to come into work every Monday with the infamous "racoon eye" tan, but it doesn't happen as much anymore.

The shirts have come a long way over the past few years.  I always try to wear a long sleeve, even in the dead of summer.  I have really started to enjoy the shirts like the Breathe Like a Fish shirt that is breathable but also protects.  

What's your sun clothing arsenal?  Are you a shorts, t-shirt and visor person? or do you look like me when I'm out there?

A Little Black Friday Bass Gear

Bass Brigade just released some awesome new gear for hardcore bass fisherman today for "Black Friday". They have a bunch of designs but these are my favorites so far. The shirts are made on American Apparel tees for comfort and fit. Check out the entire collection here. I'm thinking this is just the start of their creative styles.

Bass Brigade Flex-Fit Mesh Trucker Hat

RUN DMC inspired RPN LPS Tee

Bass Dreams? Moon Kid Tee

KISS inspired KISS BASS Tee

Great job BB, keep up the good work!