Thoughts on wearing a jersey even if you're not in a competition? 2024
JFlynn97 reply :
What are y'alls thoughts on this? I got a jersey for my university team that has my name and all our supporters on it, but we only fish a few tournaments a year and I myself only fish a couple those. I think I'd feel kinda weird wearing it while not competing and don't want to come across as one of "those guys," but I love wearing it because it's comfy and offers good protection from the sun.
Those who have them, will you wear your jersey while out fishing on any normal day? Or do you generally save them for competition days?
Also I apologize if this belongs in the tournament talk forum, I wasn't sure if it was necessarily tournament related or more clothing related.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I don't have a tournament jersey and never have, but I'll say I think it looks silly when I see guys fishing on a weekday morning at one of the small, local lakes in full tournament gear. I guess maybe they have the "Practice like you play", mentality or something. I saw a guy on the little 100 acre lake I was fishing on Wednesday morning in his tournament jersey. I'm sure your sponsors appreciate it though.
r83srock reply :
My club has gone in on Jerseys, I have yet to purchase one though since we switched from FLW to BASS. I guess it’s just not a priority to me. It’s neat and uniform when fishing club evens or doing any function as a club, but it doesn’t make sense otherwise. I like to look tidy on the water, but I’m not out to make a fashion statement. My good Huk hat and a nice performance shirt is enough for me. Hanes makes some comfortable performance shirts that won’t break the bank and you won’t have to wear your club jersey all the time.
Koz reply :
If it's comfortable and makes you feel good then go ahead and wear it. I wear a Yankee cap or jersey now and then and I don't play for the Yankees.
NorcalBassin reply :
If you want to wear it and it's as comfortable as you say go for it. Like Blue said it can look a little silly, but being a young college fisherman wearing the team jersey will likely be better received and lead to some positive conversations on the water or at the ramp as opposed to if someone was 40+ wearing a jersey and fishing out of their Ranger Z521 Comanche.
Hammer 4 reply :
I would just say this...In the over 50 years I've been fishing, I've never seen anyone wearing a team jersey, and I've been on the same lake when Pro's were fishing. IMHO, if you wore it, I would hazard a guess that most people would label you as "that guy". For that reason I wouldn't wear it, but that's just me..Your free to do what you like.
Fishes in trees reply :
I know several local pros & semi-pros who keep a clean jersey, colorful, with all their sponsors on it, and don't bust it out until it is time to go to weigh in - as one buddy told me, "These things cost too much to fish in them and get dirt & dye & fish guts & blood on them. They are pretty obvious about getting tied up after they check in post- tournament and if they have fish, put on their jersey prior to going to stand in the bag line. The vast majority of the tournaments I've fished in Missouri, you don't bring your own bag and if you do bring fish in your own bag, you've got to wait in the bag line and get a tournament bag prior to weighing your fish.
This is when you want folks to see your in your jersey - unless you've got a camera man in your boat or something like that. The pre-tournament meeting is also a good time to bust out your jersey.
College fishing - I don't know. I can see the advantage of looking like part of a team out on the water, but I also know that is where you're going to get it dirty, and a dirty jersey, at the weigh in or at the next tournament ( because you couldn't get the dye stains or the fish blood out) doesn't impress anyone. Classic case of pick-em.
BassWhole! reply :
I wouldn't do it, but if its something you want to do, wear it loud, wear it proud!
billmac reply :
If you are going to represent what the jersey stands for well, then wear it and don't worry about it.
Oregon Native reply :
Hmmmmmm....be yourself....if you enjoy representing your club and the sponsors who help you all...."Go for it"
If you want to be in stealth mode on the lake.....same
Personally I'm so glad we were created equal....just not all the same!!
fishballer06 reply :
Me personally, I'd never wear a jersey during a non-tournament. But this is America and you are free to do whatever you want. 
FryDog62 reply :
I wouldn’t wear the jersey outside of an event myself... but I get it they are comfortable and offer good sun protection. For that reason, I have some generic Carharrt and Columbia spf shirts, long sleeve, hooded, etc. I still think I look plenty “cool.” Lol
Dens228 reply :
I don't have a jersey, but every time on on my kayak, which is 4-6 days a week, I'm wearing my blaze orange baseball hat! I've done it for years and it's how people identify me now. If one day I wasn't wearing it someone would probably think someone stole my body.
the reel ess reply :
In my opinion, it's a violation of man law to wear a jersey of the other sports if you are only a spectator. But at least the fishing jersey is functional.
Pickle_Power reply :
I'd rather you wear your fishing jersey with your name on it than some sports jersey with another grown man's name on it.
jbsoonerfan reply :
I won't be "that guy" and judge you no matter what you wear. I guess I'm not 13 anymore and could care less what anyone else is wearing. I'm usually wearing Crocs and would tell anyone who cared where they could stick my Croc.
Glenn reply :
If I see a guy on the water wearing a tournament jersey, I presume he's in a tournament. How would I know otherwise? How would anyone know but you that you're not?
So.... no big deal if you want to wear it when you're just fishing. I don't think anyone would mind, and nobody would know for the better.
Go for it!
Jigfishn10 reply :
I don't really care if you wear a jersey like that or not, especially if it's from the same school you attend. Wear it loud and proud, just remember that you're there for the education.
Now I'm that guy sounding like your father. 
TnRiver46 reply :
Don't know about fishing jerseys but from what I have observed you may not, under any circumstance, ride a bicycle without a jersey full of sponsors. I see over 60-70 every Saturday morning and there's no way every single one of them is a pro with multiple sponsors.......
Edit: 5 minutes after I typed this I'm eating my sandwich in my work truck in a parking lot. A guy cycles right behind me in a full sponsored jersey, all by himself. If hes in a competition he is either winning or losing by several miles....
WRB reply :
Back in the 70's and 80's it was common for bass anglers to wear vest covered with tackle and B.A.S.S. membership patches. The vest gave way to jackets with club affiliation and or embroidered tackle mfr's names.
I don't see how a jersey is any different then the vest era. Personally I haven't understood why people provide free advertising wearing labeled clothing.
Tom
Columbia Craw reply :
It's about affiliation and someone wanting to identify with brands and or sponsors or clubs or SCHOOLS. It's a garment made to wear during fishing weather and outdoor situations. Wear it and if someone wants to judge you, let them. The bass don't care.
Yeajray231 reply :
I'm shocked at some of the responses. You're telling me you're worried about what total strangers think of you?
Everyone's got something to say but 95 percent of them keep it to their selves anyway.
Anyone who would judge me on the shirt I was wearing I don't want anything to do with anyway.
Dangerfield reply :
If it has UPF 50+, ya I would wear it. But I'm not on a team or fish tournaments, let alone own one but my skin matters to me. I always have a UPF 50+ long sleeve shirt on, I have a few Cabela's Guidewear, and UnderArmor options.
Tennessee Boy reply :
If people ever stop caring what other people think about what they’re wearing, clothing sales will drop by 99%.
BassWhole! reply :
On 9/28/2019 at 12:22 AM, Yeajray231 said:Anyone who would judge me on the shirt I was wearing I don't want anything to do with anyway.
Back in the day it was Brooks Brothers and Hugo Boss, I don't know what the corporate cool kids are wearing these days, but yeah. When you asked someone the time it was to see the watch, Rolex=poser, Omega=going places, Patek=The man.
BigAngus752 reply :
I bought a modern military boonie hat from surplus to use on scorching days when I am instructing at the shooting range. I have two very close friends that are both combat veterans. Because I'm not a vet I went to both friends (separately) and asked them if they thought anyone would consider it "stolen valor" in any way, shape, or form if I wore that hat at the range. Both of them said they had absolutely no problem with it. I now also wear it fishing. Do people assume I am former military? Perhaps, but I'm not responsible for other people's assumptions and I am not pretending to be anything.
Have you talked to your team about wearing the jersey outside of tournaments? You are representing all of them when you are wearing it in public. They are the first people you should ask. As far as all of us on the forum that you don't know from Adam...you can wear a pink tutu if it suits you. We have no right to make a judgement. And how embarrassed will we be when we get out-fished by a young guy in a pink tutu?
TnRiver46 reply :
On 9/28/2019 at 12:43 AM, Tennessee Boy said:If people ever stop caring what other people think about what they’re wearing, clothing sales will drop by 99%.
Believe it or not I would say I spend $50 or less a year on clothing and most of it is for hats. So I guess that shows how much I care about what people think. I have a similar sized brother 3 years my senior and a nasty job so I get almost everything free and am expected to look like I just came out of a rat infested crawl space (because I just did!)
Yeajray231 reply :
85 percent of my clothes come from Walmart. Wrangler , Dickey's, Hanes etc. Ive never had a problem finding a girlfriend so I could care less what other males think about what I'm wearing on the water.
Tennessee Boy reply :
On 9/28/2019 at 1:55 AM, TnRiver46 said:Believe it or not I would say I spend $50 or less a year on clothing and most of it is for hats. So I guess that shows how much I care about what people think. I have a similar sized brother 3 years my senior and a nasty job so I get almost everything free and am expected to look like I just came out of a rat infested crawl space (because I just did!)
I hear ya. As far as dressing up to go fishing, I don’t want to look like a pro. Too much pressure. I’d rather look like I don’t know what I’m doing and surprise people than look like a pro and get skunked. Also, if someone sees you fishing in a $100,000 bass boat and wearing a jersey, they’ll mark your spot. If they see me they think I carp fishing.
J Francho reply :
What ever you wear, make sure your purse matches your belt and shoes.
Krux5506 reply :
Go ahead and wear it, not only will you look extra official but perhaps even get the respect on the water you deserve.
BassNJake reply :
When my wife was getting chemo and lost her hair she wore a pink hat.
I did the same and still wear it proudly today.
I could care less what anyone else thought about my pink hat or whatever else I'm wearing, what my boat looks like, the vehicle I drive .....
Although I don't personally care for neck tattoo's or those big holes stretching the earlobes, I don't judge someone else for having them
Spankey reply :
On 9/27/2019 at 3:21 PM, Fishes in trees said:I know several local pros & semi-pros who keep a clean jersey, colorful, with all their sponsors on it, and don't bust it out until it is time to go to weigh in - as one buddy told me, "These things cost too much to fish in them and get dirt & dye & fish guts & blood on them. They are pretty obvious about getting tied up after they check in post- tournament and if they have fish, put on their jersey prior to going to stand in the bag line. The vast majority of the tournaments I've fished in Missouri, you don't bring your own bag and if you do bring fish in your own bag, you've got to wait in the bag line and get a tournament bag prior to weighing your fish.
This is when you want folks to see your in your jersey - unless you've got a camera man in your boat or something like that. The pre-tournament meeting is also a good time to bust out your jersey.
College fishing - I don't know. I can see the advantage of looking like part of a team out on the water, but I also know that is where you're going to get it dirty, and a dirty jersey, at the weigh in or at the next tournament ( because you couldn't get the dye stains or the fish blood out) doesn't impress anyone. Classic case of pick-em.
Only wear the jersey to Mingle prior to the tournament and at weigh in?????
The Jersey cost too much to get dye and fish blood on it?????
I’m willing to bet the majority of us on the site can spend 8 hours on the river or lake catch our limit, use dye, fish formula and every variety of baits on our boat and not get a stain on a long sleeved solid white tee shirt.
You should be made to to wear your jersey as part of the rules. Your representing your sponsors much like “Brad” in Fast Times at Ridgemont High when he was working at “Captain Hook Fish’n Chips”, “part of our image and part of our appeal is that uniform”, “show a little pride”.
Harold Scoggins reply :
On 9/27/2019 at 9:03 AM, JFlynn97 said:What are y'alls thoughts on this?
I've never owned a tournament jersey @JFlynn97, but if it feels good when you wear it then by all means wear it. If I was to see you wearing your tournament jersey on the lake, I'd only see an individual who was proud of his team and school. I always wear my "colors" out on the water and have never worried about being called "that guy."
SeaCrow reply :
Wear what you like to and be comfortable. It's not what you wear that makes you one of "those guys" it's your attitude..just don't act like one..
basseditor reply :
I keep a jersey or two in the boat and put it on when I need to take pictures if I get lucky and catch a big fish. I’m not a pro, but I do have some team deals so I try to represent when possible.
Johnbt reply :
"Personally I haven't understood why people provide free advertising wearing labeled clothing."
Because I'm retired and mostly shop at tackle stores. Right now I'm wearing a t-shirt I bought the end of August at Tradewinds tackle shop in Ocracoke. I have a drawer full of tackle store shirts from Nags Head and Ocracoke. And quite a few free ones from Tacklewarehouse.
ChelseaFisher reply :
“I think I'd feel kinda weird wearing it while not competing and don't want to come across as one of "those guys," but I love wearing it because it's comfortable”
It pretty much comes down to this sentence here. You’ll certainly look like that guy, but is it comfortable enough to offset that for you?
Dens228 reply :
On 9/29/2019 at 8:27 PM, Johnbt said:"Personally I haven't understood why people provide free advertising wearing labeled clothing."
Because I'm retired and mostly shop at tackle stores. Right now I'm wearing a t-shirt I bought the end of August at Tradewinds tackle shop in Ocracoke. I have a drawer full of tackle store shirts from Nags Head and Ocracoke. And quite a few free ones from Tacklewarehouse.
I had two boys in travel baseball, two years apart in age so I did the travel thing for about 8 years, many of which were doubled up with both boys on a team, I coached one. I bought a tournament t-shirt at every single tourney that had them for sale. For many years they made up 90% of my t-shirts and I wore them proudly. Sadly, tournament baseball ended 5 years ago and the last of my t-shirts from that era are on their last threads.
When the few people that asked if the only shirts I had were tournament baseball shirts, I said, "Yes!"
rtwvumtneer6 reply :
My biggest concern when I'm on the water is comfort and sun protection. To me, they are much more important than what other people think.
That being said, be prepared to answer a few extra questions when wearing it, as the average angler might assume you have a KVD level of knowledge ????. It can really cut into your fishing time!
jbrew73 reply :
If it’s a college team jersey with actual sponsors that actually gave money or support to your team then I’d wear it. I think the team owes them some support in return as well. If it’s just a bunch of names and logos just to look cool then I think it would be stupid to wear it.
Shimano_1 reply :
Only you can decide this. Honestly the last thing I'd be asking is someone else's opinion as I could care less what others think about what I'm wearing. I'd say if ur thinking itll make u look like something u don't wanna come across as then don't wear it. If u like it and its comfortable wear it. I know myself personally I just feel better when I really like what I'm wearing....outfit, shoes, hat etc. I'm a sucker for shoes tho....really love having nice shoes on lol
The Maestro reply :
Never been into looking like a walking billboard. Not just with fishing. I don't really like any clothes with big gaudy logos and brand names.
shimmy reply :
My dad bought me a funny fishing jersey this year with pretty much every possible fishing sponsor on there. We had a great laugh and now I wear it all the time on the water. I laugh when I think about people looking at me in the small jon boat wearing this professional looking sponsored up the wazoo jersey, being a poser on the water or maybe taking things too seriously. I am not a tournament angler and have the utmost respect for them. I will not pretend to be good tournament angler or think I would do well until I actually try it out. So if you see a guy that looks like a poser in a non-professional boat, it could be me having a giggle to myself.
ike8120 reply :
No worse then wearing a jersey of a sports team with a players name on it.
tander reply :
I say, if you like wearing it, wear it. If it protects from the sun or it is just comfortable, wear it. Personally I would not but I don't even like the pros looking like a bill board or NASCAR diver but I do get it. In the end it don't really matter.
r83srock reply :
On 10/2/2019 at 12:17 PM, shimmy said:My dad bought me a funny fishing jersey this year with pretty much every possible fishing sponsor on there. We had a great laugh and now I wear it all the time on the water. I laugh when I think about people looking at me in the small jon boat wearing this professional looking sponsored up the wazoo jersey, being a poser on the water or maybe taking things too seriously. I am not a tournament angler and have the utmost respect for them. I will not pretend to be good tournament angler or think I would do well until I actually try it out. So if you see a guy that looks like a poser in a non-professional boat, it could be me having a giggle to myself.
That’s pretty funny! With fish like what’s in your avatar, you might be willing to give that tourney thing a shot.
J Francho reply :
On 10/2/2019 at 7:01 PM, r83srock said:With fish like what’s in your avatar
He didn't even weigh those. 
frogflogger reply :
If it doesn't have two pockets with flaps it isn't a fishing shirt for me.
Sam reply :
Stay in your "bubble of a activity" or as is said now, "in your lane."
The jersey is for bass fishing and us guys and gals will know what it means and admire its design and sponsors shown.
But out of our "bass fishing family bubble of activity" you will look out of place and certainly feel uncomfortable while wearing the jersey in public.
Stay in your lane!!!
Catt reply :
I dress to impress...me ????
When I get dressed in morning your opinion aint required!
When I see someone out in public in a Tournament Jersey the only thought that enters my mind is, alright another bass angler.
Titan reply :
Wear what you want! It's really irrelevant what some other "fisherman" thinks about it. There is nothing immoral, unethical, illegal or unsportsmanlike about it. Wear your jersey, go fishing and have a good time. If some "elite" anglers out there think it's unacceptable, they can keep their opinions to themselves. Don't get caught in this trap of believing there's only one way to do a thing in bass fishing.
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
You should move to Asian so you would feel mixed in.
They wear this super colorful, bold logo, brand all over the places. I felt like out of place when wear plain Columbia PFG hoodie.
FishinBuck07 reply :
To each their own, I don't care what another fisherman or woman is wearing, as long as they are out there representing sportsmen in a positive light.
Ratherbfishing reply :
My first thought when I see someone wearing a tournament jersey is that they are trying to impress other anglers with their fishing "prowess." BUT what I think doesn't really matter much. Wear what you want to wear.
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