Mush ‘em, Push ‘em, Squish ‘em, Support ‘em – Best Bras for Fishing
We work out, we fish, we have boobs – and we need support.
Not a pat on the back, a donation or a high five. Not that type of support. Whether we are large breasted, nearly flat-chested or somewhere in between, lady anglers need comfort and support to function well on the water.
Because I’ve played sports my entire life and was one of the first girls in elementary school to sprout and be inducted into “the sisterhood,” I have had a long, long, long relationship with my bras. It hasn’t always been easy. It’s not something women talk about in public much, but maybe we should.
Mom always said, “Buy good undergarments. They are the closest thing to your body and if you get into an accident you want the first responders to see your very best.” I’m not sure about that reasoning, but after over four decades of wearing a bra I’m convinced that you often get what you pay for.
Everyday bras really haven’t changed over the years. Maybe there are a few more colors or patterns, but not much beyond that. On the other hand, sports bras have come a long way. There are high, medium and low support sports bras. High neck, longline, racerback, strappy and zip front bras. One online store – Shefit – even offers a video fitting.
Whatever size or shape you are; whether they’re perky or droopy or even mismatched, there is a bra for you. Somewhere out there is something made just for you, a tool that will keep your breasts in place, pain-free, and properly covered.
I never considered this topic for a blog until I read pro angler Melinda Mize’s Facebook post from August 18, 2020:
Melinda Mize is in Sandusky, Ohio.
Well, Erie was mad this morning, but what an awesome experience for day 1. Finally caught me a smallmouth and weighed in 11-7 and I’m sitting in 12th going into day 2.
If you’re gonna fish the Great Lakes I highly recommend you have the following:
-light line
-a calm stomach
-an adventurous spirit
-a great rain suit
-boat snacks Bc sea sickness loves an empty tummy
-a lot of faith
-a good bra (fellas y’all may think y’all don’t need this but one trip out when she’s mad -- you might change your mind)
-some big girl panties
Of course I’d considered what bras I wear to fish, but I didn’t know what other female anglers thought. We’d talked about fishing patterns, favorite lures and bucket list lakes, but when it came to talking about breast health (and yes, this is a matter of health) we were oddly silent. So I set out to talk to some of my favorite female anglers, all of them very much accomplished on the water, about how they keep everything buttoned up and secure when crashing through big waves, casting a 10XD or setting the hook on double digit bass. The following are their unfiltered thoughts:
Samantha Sukupcak - Certified Internal Auditor; upper Midwest tournament angler; Wisconsin Women Fish instructor; Wisconsin B.A.S.S. Nation state team qualifier.
HPFC: How big of a consideration is the bra you wear when you fish? Do you wear your regular bras to fish?
Samantha Sukupcak: Honestly it’s not something I really think a lot about. If I know it’s going to be rough out, I’ll make sure to have something with support, but I don’t have bras that I wear for fishing only. Definitely no strapless models.
HPFC: Do you have a particular make/model you prefer?
Samantha Sukupcak: Not any specific brand, but I definitely prefer the racerback, zip front, high-impact support styles for days where the water will be bouncy.
HPFC: What makes that style ideal for fishing?
Samantha Sukupcak: I think this gives the most support and keeps everything where it belongs. Plus, they come in a variety of materials and colors. The racerback style also eliminates falling straps, which is a huge plus.
HPFC: When you travel, what factors do you consider in a bra? (i.e. ease of washing, color coordination, support?)
Samantha Sukupcak: I can’t say that I really have any special considerations for travel. Bras are pretty small, and if I’m going somewhere tropical, I’ll make sure to bring along a quick drying model or two, as I will hand wash it each evening.
HPFC: Anything particular about your body type that makes choosing the right bra critical?
Samantha Sukupcak: There are not a whole lot of high-impact support bras for smaller girls. Just because we’re small doesn’t mean we don’t need support!
HPFC: Describe the impacts of wearing the wrong bra to go fishing.
Samantha Sukupcak: Falling straps are such a distraction. Casting, then having to fix a stray strap…not a good thing. Something that doesn’t fit and support properly can just be uncomfortable, especially on bouncy Great Lakes days.
Christie Bradley – Tournament Angler; highest finishing female angler in Bassmaster Opens history.
HPFC: How big of a consideration is the bra you wear when you fish? Do you wear your regular bras to fish?
Christie Bradley: I do wear the same one that I wear every day. Sometimes I wear a sports bra over it if I know the water will be rough.
HPFC: Do you have a particular make/model you prefer?
Christie Bradley: Victoria's Secret, whichever one fits best and has wide straps. I don't know the models/styles.
HPFC: If so, what makes it ideal for fishing?
Christie Bradley: When I do wear a sports bra, I like the Under Armour ones with the wide band underneath. That goes over my regular bra.
HPFC: When you travel, what factors do you consider in a bra? (ease of washing, color coordination, support)?
Christie Bradley: I really just make sure I have a racer back and a regular for different tops. I stick with natural colors for fishing. Support is important. I used to use an inflatable vest for convenience, but that sucker is brutal. For me, the best solution is to wear a tight fitting zip up life jacket which I find better than any sports bra in rough water.
HPFC: Anything in particular about your body type that makes choosing the right bra critical?
Christie Bradley: I don't think so.
HPFC: Describe the impacts of wearing the wrong bra to go fishing?
Christie Bradley: I always use one with good support, the few times I've worn a bikini top I realized that is not ideal due to lack of support. I never really try to get sun while I'm fishing, like I used to while fun fishing. I'm covered head to knees usually the only sun I get is on my feet.
Melinda Mize – Former WBT competitor, fishing industry veteran, daughter of two legendary Arkansas professional anglers, and mother of two daughters. Melinda has been fishing since she was 2 years old. “I love everything about it,” she said. “I love the challenge and the learning. I love how I feel every time I catch a fish.
HPFC: How big of a consideration is the bra you wear when you fish? Do you wear your regular bras to fish?
Melinda Mize: Having the right bra when you’re fishing is a huge consideration for me. Your posture and your comfort on the water affects your back as well as your arms. When you’re not able to cast comfortably or feel like you’re wearing bibs all day from the lack of support it affects how you’re able to perform.
HPFC: Do you have a particular make/model you prefer?
Melinda Mize: Lululemon Enlite Bra. It’s made for high impact and sized. It comes in both front zip and back closure. It’s expensive -- $98-$108 -- but they have a lifetime warranty. It does not have underwire. You have to treat it like a piece of your gear and having the best gear makes a difference.
HPFC: What makes it ideal for fishing?
Melinda Mize: It feels like you’re not wearing anything. I find myself even grabbing it when I’m not doing anything high impact. Some bras rub, can hurt when you set the hook, don’t hold you in place, and can literally allow you to be beat when running. Rough water or hitting boat wakes is always uncomfortable but the last thing you should have to worry about is your breasts. You don’t need that distracting you from driving or from holding on when riding.
HPFC: When you travel, what factors do you consider in a bra? (ease of washing, color coordination, support)?
Melinda Mize: Traveling and having to condense while packing is always a huge concern. These don’t have underwire so they pack with ease. I always carry neutral colors for wear under lighter tops, but there are amazing colors you can wear under tanks or under darker clothing. These wash out easy and are quick drying. The best thing is the material doesn’t just soak your shirt when you sweat. Boob sweat already isn’t attractive but the hot days on the water can make you feel like you’re boiling. These bras can be worn without a shirt as well. They’re very concealing and of an opaque material if that’s something the angler lends to do.
HPFC: Anything in particular about your body type that makes choosing the right bra critical?
Melinda Mize: I’m short so I’m a little top heavy. I was small-chested before my girls, and then I blossomed like most do. It doesn’t matter how small or large chested you are: Not looking at your bra as a piece of your gear will be detrimental.
HPFC: Describe the impacts of wearing the wrong bra to go fishing?
Melinda Mize: I haven’t been doing core exercises like I should so having the extra support is key to not having back strain from your lower back up to your traps behind your shoulder blades. People don’t realize how much added weight affects your posture while fishing until you’re out there and miserable. If you’re distracted because you’re hurting then you aren’t going to be fishing to the best or your abilities. We, as anglers, have to minimize the things that can negatively affect us during the day and having the wrong bra on can do just that.
Trait Zaldain – Bassmaster Opens angler, Co-star of Amazon series “Zaldaingerous”
HPFC: How big of a consideration is the bra you wear when you fish? Do you wear your regular bras to fish?
Trait Zaldain: I wear a sports bra when I fish because I need the movement and the moisture wicking.
HPFC: Do you have a particular make/model you prefer?
Trait Zaldain: Honestly, a basic Nike sports bra.
HPFC: If so, what makes it ideal for fishing?
Trait Zaldain: The same reasons, it works for a workout -- It moves and wicks sweat.
HPFC: When you travel, what factors do you consider in a bra? (i.e. ease of washing, color coordination, support?)
Trait Zaldain: When I travel I wear a normal Victoria’s Secret bra, in nude, because it can be paired with any outfit and not stick out. Then take a sports bra for the fishing side.
HPFC: Anything particular about your body type that makes choosing the right bra critical?
Trait Zaldain: I have no boobs so not really, lol.
HPFC: Describe the impacts of wearing the wrong bra to go fishing?
Trait Zaldain: I hate too much underboob sweat or not being able to comfortably move around.
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Every woman, in some way or another, is a boob woman.
We have to think about them when we get dressed in the morning.
Where we will be going?
What we will be doing?
Who we will be interacting with?
We even have to worry about their health.
For many of us they are a part of our identity and many others prefer not discuss or consider them at all.
I appreciate my female angler friends “baring it all” for the purposes of this interview.
This is an important topic and one that isn’t easy for many to talk about, but we need to discuss these things. The boobs you support may be your own. With that in mind, I’m not letting myself off so easily — check back in this space in the upcoming weeks for my own thoughts on the topic and gear preferences.
