Reaping the benefits: AFTCO’s ultimate fishing hoodie crushes form and function

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BY MIKE STEVENS

SAN CLEMENTE– As somebody who prides himself to at the present time on utilizing high quality gear at a tangible value fairly than merely getting my mitts on tremendous high-end stuff most anglers don’t use, I nonetheless will dial it up a notch for merchandise that fill a particular position I deem worthy of paying just a little additional for. It’s type of an extension of the previous never-buy-cheap-line adage. That’s good recommendation for anybody who fishes, however different stuff can fluctuate from angler to angler so far as what “division” will get top-shelf consideration.

For me, hooded sweatshirts have at all times been important whereas fishing freshwater and saltwater, however few are constructed for on-the-water motion, so I’ve at all times simply used no matter hoodies in my closet are closest to retirement. After I bumped into the AFTCO Reaper Sweatshirt on the 2024 ICAST Present, I knew that one was going to be instantly put into fish-hunting play.

It begins with the 100% Polyester Microfleece development that delivers unmatched consolation, heat, breathability and even stain resistance in a packable, non-bulky profile. I personally can communicate to every of these options after a number of rounds of discipline testing together with frigid fall mornings on Crowley Lake and in a single day fishing seabass on the islands. On a type of outings aboard the Choices, I wound up bear-hugging a fresh-caught yellowtail which predictably slimed my Reaper Sweatshirt, however I used to be stoked to find how simply it wiped off with a moist towel in comparison with that scenario taking part in out in a normal cotton hoodie.

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The built-in face masks inside the shock-cord-adjusted, outsized hood was clutch whereas working from spot to identify through the early morning chill on each Crowley and the Pacific. Whereas the masks/hood scenario is heavy obligation, there may be nonetheless sufficient “wiggle room” beneath all that to run a cap, sun shades and – one thing I did when it was actually chilly – a normal gaiter-type masks underneath the inbuilt one.

Previous to selecting up my AFTCO Reaper Sweatshirt, I might pack my heaviest hoody for overnight-and-longer journeys and for layering within the Sierra. That took up loads of area in my minimalist duffle, however the Reaper folds as much as half the width of these issues and are even hotter with much less bulk. From heat to consolation, performance and packability, it’s unmatched so far as I’m involved, and it instantly was filed with my gear that goes on any-and-all fishing journeys.

To take a look at the entire AFTCO Reaper lineup in addition to every part else AFTCO has to supply, go to aftco.com.

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