Fishing 101: Protect Yourself From the Sun 

FOLLOW THE FISH
Capt. Pete Rapps
CaptainRapps@Outlook.com

With summer right around the corner and the weather finally warming up, fishing is becoming more and more popular every day. And why not? You get to go out and enjoy the sun, a cool breeze, and relax for the day as you anticipate the excitement of your catch of the day.

Going out and spending the day fishing is one of the best ways to enjoy the spring and summer months, but there are things you need to look out for as well, and one of them is the sun. It’s big, it’s hot, and if you leave yourself exposed to it for too long without protection for your skin, you’ll be a very unhappy camper the next day (sunburn – ouch!), and are also at risk for skin disease as well, and nobody wants that. With that being said, I’m here to tell you some ways you can go about protecting yourself so you can get to enjoy your favorite sport without worrying about how badly you’ll be burned the next day.

Sunscreen or Sunblock
This one is probably the most common, and the easiest, as it adds no extra clothing, and only an extra layer of protection for your skin. UV protecting lotions are affordable, and with their ever-advancing consumer-friendly technology, are easy to apply whether you’re spending the day fishing alone, or with a partner. If you go with this option, I recommend putting your sunscreen on prior to getting out on the water; the smell can sometimes be enough to deter fish.

Protective Clothing
This

can be as simple as a fishing hat or visor to protect your head (if you have short or thin hair, you know head burn is a real thing, and is no fun to have), or fingerless gloves, or sunglasses, and if you’re going on chillier spring days, a loosely knit long sleeve shirt will do the trick as well. My personal favorite is a UV buff – essentially it’s a heat and UV fabric protective tube that covers your neck, ears, and even mouth and nose if you want it to, and as a bonus it makes you look kind of like a Black Ops soldier, so it’s fun to wear. I always rely on my Columbia brand UV protective clothing. Long pants, long sleeves, and a wide brimmed hat are my daily “go to” items by Columbia.

Capt. Pete Rapps can be contacted by phone: 239-571-1756, or by email: CaptainRapps@outlook.com. Captain Rapps’ Charters & Guides offers year-round, expert-guided, light-tackle, near-shore, and backwater fishing trips in the Ten Thousand Islands of the Everglades National Park, and springtime tarpon-only charters in the Florida Keys. Capt. Rapps’ top-notch fleet offers family-friendly charters that are fun for men, women and children of all ages – from first-timers to experienced anglers. With our team’s years of experience, vast knowledge of the area, and easygoing demeanor, you are guaranteed to have a great day on the water. Book your charter 24/7 using the online booking calendar, and visit Capt. Rapps’ first class website for booking information, videos, recipes, and more (don’t miss his world-class seafood seasonings!) at www.CaptainRapps.com.