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A fishing umbrella is one of the most valuable pieces of kit you can take along on your fishing trip. Commonly known as a fishing brolly, they keep you dry and protected from the sun.
We all know just how unpredictable the weather can be. So a good umbrella set-up will need to ensure you with excellent shelter, whether mother nature has decided to hurl a torrential downpour in your direction or you want to shade yourself from the hot sun.
Fishing brollies have been around for over 50 years and keep improving regarding features and design.
But with so many options available, how do you choose the right one? Well, luckily for you, you have our insights and experience.
In this article, I will introduce my choices of the five best basic fishing umbrellas on the market. These are great options for beginner anglers or those on a tighter budget.
- Ultra Fishing Angling 2.2 meter Umbrella (My Best Overall Pick!)
- Michigan Fishing Umbrella (My Best Budget Pick!)
- Kingcarp 2.5 meter Fishing Umbrella With Zip-on Sheet (My Most Versatile Pick!)
- Kingcarp Tilting Fishing Umbrella
- Bison 98″ Fishing Umbrella
Ultra Fishing Angling 2.2 meter Umbrella – My Best Overall Pick!
First, we have this fantastic 2.2-meter umbrella shelter from Ultra Fishing Angling.
One of the coolest things about this fishing umbrella is that it has been constructed from stainless steel. This is perfect if you plan to fish in wet conditions quite a bit, as the stainless steel pole and frame won’t rust as easily. Don’t get us wrong, all our top picks of fishing umbrellas are still great in torrential downpours, but this one is a little bit better due to its construction, ease of setting up, plus its also lightweight.
This quality brolly can double up as a basic bivvy due to having an optional zip-on side. The sides also have viewing panels to see out of your shelter easily.
You also have excellent control over the adjustment height of the umbrella, coupled with the multi-angle tilt option, which means it can be set up exactly how you want it.
This is the perfect choice to keep you dry and protect you from the wind during your fishing trips.
Michigan Fishing Umbrella – My Best Budget Pick!
One of our aims when we were putting together this list of the best fishing umbrellas, was to ensure that there was something for everybody. We all have different budgets, after all. This is why we are going to choose a more budget-friendly option. The Michigan brolly is priced like you would find it in the bargain basement, but it still has a high-quality construction that even top anglers wouldn’t turn their nose to.
This Michigan Fishing Umbrella comes in two sizes. You have a choice of a 75″ or 86″ diameter.
The polyester fabric pairs perfectly with the steel frame to guarantee an almost unbreakable product.
There is plenty of space under the umbrella, whichever size you choose, and both have a small viewing window on either side. It is dead simple to get it set up as well. The box includes all the accessories you need to get your fishing umbrella pitched up in a few seconds, including guy lines and pegs.
The olive green umbrella also comes with a free carry bag!
Kingcarp 2.5 meter Fishing Umbrella With Zip-on Sheet – My Most Versatile Pick!
For the most part, this fishing umbrella is precisely the same as the Kingcarp tilting umbrella (see below review). However, due to extra features, you have an adjustment on the height and a tilt function on the umbrella.
In addition, this umbrella version comes complete with a zip-on side sheet. This extra side coverage is excellent when side winds blow the rain under a normal tilted brolly and won’t prevent you from getting wet.
The side sheet has two PVC viewing panels, providing extra visibility inside the umbrella, both to the right and left-hand sides.
The umbrella, which has a height of 2 meters, is more than enough to accommodate most people. Of course, you also have a 2.5-meter wide span on the umbrella. This means you will be able to enjoy plenty of space inside.
The package includes five steel pegs, nylon guy ropes and an accessory carrying bag.
If you are looking for one of the best fishing umbrellas on the market right now, we recommend you choose the Kingcarp 2.5-meter Fishing Umbrella; it is a tremendous investment with all its options.
Kingcarp Tilting Fishing Umbrella
We are back to the budget umbrellas for this one. However, don’t worry. This Kingcarp Tilting fishing umbrella was chosen with a considerable amount of care. We would never recommend it if we didn’t believe it would keep you dry by the lake or river.
While you do not have side coverings for this fishing umbrella, you have a huge amount of adjustment on the tilt. This means you won’t have any trouble positioning the fishing umbrella to the exact position you want, which is essential when fishing.
This 2.5-meter diameter umbrella is a good size for most anglers. It also comes with a ground spike, which means you will have it firmly positioned in the ground in just a few seconds.
Once the pole is set into the ground, you have an excellent range of adjustment on the pole. You can set it to the perfect height, regardless of being a tall or short angler.
This fishing umbrella is 100% waterproof and has a carry case to protect it better when not used. This means that, despite the affordable price, the Kingcarp tilting option umbrella will likely provide you with years and years of happy use.
Bison 98″ Fishing Umbrella
You are going to be the envy of the waters when you have this Bison 98″ fishing umbrella set up.
When set up correctly, you will have plenty of vertical and horizontal space under this fishing brolly. Even the tallest anglers should have no issues squeezing into this extra-large umbrella.
The PU-coated nylon will help to keep you dry, even in the wettest weather.
The nylon will cover the sides, which will help to prevent rain from blustering in on you while at the same time keeping the front of the umbrella open for a spot of fishing.
You have plenty of adjustments in this umbrella, too, so you shouldn’t have too many issues setting it up exactly how you want it, even when the wind direction changes. If you are looking for a large brolly, this is a great option and is also worth considering if you go night fishing and don’t want to spend additional money on a bivvy.
If you are looking at some great bivvy recommendations, check out my article covering one and two-man options, which are affordable and are a viable alternative to an umbrella.
What Are The Key Factors For Choosing An Umbrella?
- Waterproof – The basic need for an umbrella is to protect anglers from the rain.
- Size – It must be large enough to protect you and your surrounding bait and tackle from getting wet.
- Easy to set up – Once it starts to rain, getting it set up and in position must be fast and straightforward.
- Secure – Once positioned in the ground, it should stay in the correct position without moving in the wind. Ground pegs are key in very windy situations.
- Provide good shade – You need to shelter yourself from the hot sun in many cases.
- Adjustable – The best umbrellas have a height adjustment and a tilt mechanism.
- Lightweight but solid construction – Brollies often have poor construction and are extremely heavy. Carrying them around becomes more manageable if they fit in your rod holdall.
- Value for money – Most will keep you dry, but a good umbrella will last several years. Buy the best you can afford.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Clean My Umbrella?
Always keep your fishing umbrella clean after every use. A simple hose down with a soft cloth or sponge is the best method to clean the fabric and pole. Avoid using any detergent (especially a strong one), as this will degrade the waterproof covering. It is critical to ensure the umbrella is always dried out thoroughly before returning it to your holdall.
How Do I Waterproof My Umbrella?
Over a period of time, the coating will need some additional waterproofing sprayed on due to wear and tear and weather impact. Generally, re-waterproofing once per year is sufficient for an umbrella. All umbrellas are fully waterproof in my recommendation list.
The best way to waterproof your fishing umbrella is to spray on Nikwax. Just spray one coat all over the material and allow it to dry. A cheaper alternative is Grangers fabsil gold, a brush-on version that can take longer to apply.
What Is A Bait Umbrella?
Bait umbrellas are small brollies that keep your bait dry (or protected from the hot sun) during the rain or direct heat. These are usually used by coarse fishing and match anglers and are easily connected to your seat box or bait tray. They are generally around two feet square.
Can I Use My Fishing Umbrella In The Garden?
Yes, all fishing umbrellas can also double up and be used in the garden to protect you from the rain or sun.
Final Thoughts
Umbrellas will last several years, even in the worst weather conditions. Wherever you fish, a quality option should be your focus.
To save yourself trouble trying to find the best choices, we suggest you stick to one of the five on this list. They are affordable and practical, especially for beginners and first-time buyers.
I hope this article was helpful information to help you decide which to buy; you can also check out my other in-depth articles on multiple other fishing accessories for coarse anglers.
Steve holds a special place in his heart for the mighty Carp and the elusive Tench
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