Choosing the Optimal Pair of Fishing Gloves – 5 Pro Tips

We know there are fishermen out there that hate to wear fishing gloves. They look funny and they don’t always feel right.

That said, fishing gloves are essential for every fisherman. They protect your hands and make every catch and release a lot easier. They’re worth looking into.

Just like with any other product, you don’t want to grab the cheapest pair of fishing gloves out there and call it a day. You want something high quality that’s going to perform well and last a long time.

Here are our five pro tips on how to choose an optimal pair of fishing gloves.

Why You Need a Pair of Fishing Gloves

If you’re new to fishing or you’re old school, you might be asking yourself why you need a pair of fishing gloves. Well, there are two main reasons.

First, they’re perfect for catch and release. Fishing gloves give you a good grip when holding the fish to prevent it from slipping out of your hand. Plus, they reduce the damage to the fish’s mucus covering.

Second, fishing gloves protect you. Fish are covered in things that can cut or poke you in the hand, like gill plates and dorsal spines. Those cuts can lead to some nasty infections. Plus, gloves also protect you from sharp gear like your pesky hooks.

5 Pro Tips on What to Look for in an Optimal Pair of Fishing Gloves

You don’t want a pair of gloves that are uncomfortable or fall apart after a few uses. To help you spot an optimal pair of fishing gloves, we’re going to go over what qualities pro fishermen look for.

1. Durability

Durable gloves are a must. Cheap gloves tear apart quickly and they’re easy for sharp objects or sharp fish parts to poke through. A good pair of fishing gloves are made out of tough, durable material. Kevlar is one popular option that lasts for a long, long time. It’s even better when gloves have Kevlar finger panels since they’re the most vulnerable part of your hand.

2. Waterproof

Any pair of fishing gloves that aren’t waterproof isn’t worth it unless you only fish occasionally. If you go out often and for longer periods of time, you need waterproof gloves. Most are made from neoprene.

If you don’t buy a pair that is waterproof at least consider a pair that are quick-drying.

3. Grip

Whether you’re catching and releasing or unhooking a fish, you need a strong grip.  Most fishing gloves have a nice grip so you can hold onto the slippery fish without struggling. These are usually advertised as having “grip” or being “non-slip”.

Most gloves use rubber or some other type of textured material on the palms of the gloves. This helps achieve the perfect grip.

4. Weather

What’s the climate like where you live and fish? Because there are gloves for both hot and cold weather.

If you fish in hot weather, you want breathable gloves so your hands don’t sweat. Most warm weather gloves are fingerless and made of a material like poly-spandex. The pricier options also have UV protection to protect your hands from the sun. On most UV protected gloves, the cuffs are longer. They cover your wrists to the cuff of a long-sleeved top so your wrists don’t get sunburnt.

If you’re going to be fishing in cold and snowy weather, you need gloves with insulation to keep heat in so your hands continue to stay toasty and you can keep them moving comfortably without having to worry about the cold. Have you ever been out on a cold day with frozen fingers that won’t bend? Definitely not something you want to experience when on or by the water.

These fishing gloves are made from cotton, fleece, or leather. There are also windproof fishing gloves. This means wind can’t get through your pair of gloves and burn your hands.

5. Style and Fit

If you prefer a different style, take a look at fingerless gloves. Fingerless gloves let you do all the intricate tasks you have to do while fishing, including tying knots and rigging leaders. These aren’t an option when you’re fishing in cold weather, though. You’ll freeze your fingers off.

Full gloves aren’t only great for cold weather. They’re also great for unhooking fish and protecting your hands from the sharp parts of fish. Still, some people don’t like this style in the hot weather. Luckily, there are other options.

There are full finger gloves that allow you to remove two or three of the fingertips. The fingertips you can remove are always your forefinger, middle finger, and thumb.

Let’s not forget the fit of a glove. Finding the right fit is a harder task than you’d think. It helps a great deal to be able to try a pair of gloves. Otherwise, you can end up with gloves that are too big or too small.

Gloves should be big enough so that you can move your fingers with ease. Too big and they’ll slide right off. Too small and they’ll dig into your hands.

Conclusion

Fishing gloves are a must-have for every fisherman. They protect you, cool you, and even warm you. Everyone should have a pair in their truck or tackle box. But you need to decide what features are important to you before you buy a pair of fishing gloves. Make a list of what you need in a pair of gloves. Do your due diligence and pay attention to reviews or word of mouth. There’s no one more honest about how good a product is than someone who has spent money it.