Whether it’s for the weather or for comfort, a good pair of fishing gloves is a must-have addition to your fishing gear. Summer requires sun gloves and during winter you’ll need gloves that keep your hands warm. There are times when gloves provide protection against cuts and abrasions, and they also help with your grip when needed.
I started wearing fishing gloves to protect myself from the sun during the long hours I spend on the water in my kayak. Burns and over exposure to the sun have health risks we all want to avoid. But gloves are more than just sun protection, they’re also an important part of your fishing gear. If you’re hunting big fish off your kayak you need gloves to handle leaders, and provide a better grip on slippery surfaces. And gloves give me the protection I need when loading and unloading my kayak, or hauling the kayak down to the water. Maybe most important of all, they also reduce the risk of injury that fish can cause. Some fish have sharp teeth while others have sharp gill plates and/or sharp fins, and a good pair of gloves can protect you from those hazards.
The fishing gloves I use are all fingerless. This allows me the dexterity to tie knots without having to remove my gloves, whether it’s winter or summer. I own several brands including some from Glacier Glove, Huk, West Marine, Fish Monkey, NRS and some off-brands, too. I actually don’t have a favorite brand, but pick up a pair if the old ones are worn or if I’ve left them at home and need a pair for the day. They can vary greatly in price. You can buy gloves as inexpensive as just a few bucks to well over $50. Price is normally dependent on style, season, and if they are for freshwater or saltwater use. With a little research and scanning of the internet you can find the fishing gloves that fit your specific needs.
Here are some of the basic options and traits to consider:
| Type | Traits | Top Options |
| Sun Gloves | Light, sun-protective | Aftco Soloblock, Huk Pursuit |
| Cool Weather Gloves | Moderate insulation | Wool half-finger, Simms Windstopper |
| Winter Gloves | Heavy insulation, waterproof | Glacier Glove Alaska River, Fish Monkey |
Note: While wearing gloves provides you with protection, remember that you should wet them or remove them when handling your catch (other than lipping a fish). That will prevent the removal of their protective slime coating.
Filleting Gloves
If you keep your fish and fillet them before heading home, first swap those fishing gloves for a pair of dedicated filleting gloves. Gloves intended specifically for filleting will have a much more rugged, protective back, and ideally should be ANSI-rated for cut/abrasion/puncture resistance. A rating of one can withstand up to about 0.44 pounds of cutting force, while a rating of nine can withstand over a dozen pounds of cutting force. Some filleting gloves also have a grippier palm and fingers so you can hold that fish in place.
-By Eric Packard