Spend any amount of time fly fishing in the tropics, and you’ll realize the importance of quality wet wading gear. The combination of heat, humidity, and long miles on the flats is no place for waders, and your trout wet wading gear won’t cut it either. Anglers need gear that is breathable, lightweight, dries quickly, and withstands harsh saltwater conditions. On Coast 2 Coast, a majority of the fishing revolved around wet wading. Whether hopping out of a boat for a shot at a fish or wading flats for miles, the gear we picked had to keep us comfortable for a week’s worth of fishing. Here’s everything we relied on.
Columbia PFG Terminal Tech Hoodie
On the flats, breathable sun apparel should be your top priority. Columbia’s PFG Terminal Tech Hoodie features Omni-Wick technology designed to pull away moisture from your body. In addition, this shirt features a knit fabric that maximizes breathability. When walking miles on the flats in temps well into the 90s, this sun hoodie made all the difference in staying focused during long days on the water.
Columbia Wild Cast Sun Hoodie
If you want to maximize protection from the sun, consider a piece of gear like the Columbia Wild Cast Sun Hoodie. This design features a full-coverage hood that extends under your neck as well as thumb loops to keep the sun off your hands. Combined with cooling technology, this sun hoodie is an excellent option for the hottest days when the UV index creeps above 10.
Columbia PFG Pro Guide Pants
When wet wading, there are two options for your legs: pants or shorts. Pants give you added coverage from the sun and shield your legs when bushwacking through mangroves. The Columbia PFG Pro Guide Pants are one of the lightest yet durable pants we’ve worn. They excelled at keeping us comfortable thanks to cooling technology and dry fairly quickly, which is essential for any amount of wet wading. From a fishing standpoint, these pants have ample pockets for gear as well as belt loops and a drawstring closure, keeping them secure on the water.
Columbia PFG Brewha II Shorts
Some anglers prefer a pair of shorts when wading the flats. They are lighter and far more breathable than any pair of pants on the market. During our time in Belize, one of our favorite pieces was the Columbia PFG Brewha II Shorts. These 7-inch inseam shorts offer plenty of breathability as well as good range of motion. What really stood out about these shorts, however, was the pocket layout. Drop-in front pockets, zippered pockets, and side stash pockets allow you to carry everything you would need for a day of fishing without the need for a pair of cargo pants.
Columbia PFG Whipray Shoe
When it comes to flats fishing, a pair of saltwater wading boots will be the top choice. But there’s times when a full on wading boot may not be necessary. This is where a pair of shoes like the Columbia PFG Whipray comes in handy. While these shoes aren’t designed specifically for wet wading, they’re packed with features that make it more than capable. For starters, the top of the shoe is made with durable TPU yarn to drain water. Paired with vents in the bottom of the shoe, you can easily go from water to land without added water sloshing around.
Columbia PFG Castback Flip Flop
You may set out for a day on the boat when a wet-wading shot at fish pops up unexpectedly. In these cases, it’s a good idea to have a pair of shoes that can double as wet-wading footwear like a pair of flip-flops. The Castback Flip Flop has plenty of support for days on the boat, and respectable traction when wet. For a quick wet-wading mission out of the boat, it’s hard to beat these.
Columbia PFG Terminal Tackle Fishing Gloves
An often-overlooked piece of gear for wet wading in the tropics is a pair of sun gloves. They keep your hands from getting sunburnt and prevent your fingers from getting line burns as fish run. The Terminal Tackle Fishing Gloves are rated for UPF 50 protection and boast quick-drying technology.
Columbia Freezer Zero II Neck Gaiter
The last piece of wet wading gear you shouldn’t leave home without is a neck gaiter. They protect your face and neck from UV rays similar to sunscreen, but you’ll never forget to reapply it. The Freezer Zero II Neck Gaiter also solves several problems common with other neck gaiters. The vented mouth opening helps prevent your sunglassess from fogging up. In addition, the cooling technology keeps the fabric notably cooler to the touch, allowing you to fish in comfort.
