There's a huge choice of fishing umbrellas on the market to suit every need. Whether it be to sleep under, keep you dry or just your bait, there is an option available for you. Most umbrellas are based on a metal-ribbed design, usually around 45-50 inches in size and are generally round in shape.
Some manufacturers have built umbrellas that are square in design to give maximum protection for you and your gear. For anglers that brave all weather conditions, most umbrellas will have pegging points, allowing you to pin your brolly down and make it as stable as possible, especially useful in windy conditions. Umbrellas are also really useful in hot weather, as they provide shade and cover to retreat from the sun, keeping you cool, safe and comfortable.
Best fishing umbrellas at a glance:
• Best Lightweight Fishing Umbrella - Middy Sure-Dry 450 - View offer on Ebay
• Best Match Fishing Umbrella - Guru Large Umbrella - View offer on Ebay
• Best Value Fishing Umbrella - Daiwa N'ZON Square Umbrella - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle
When purchasing a fishing umbrella, it is worth noting that when spending a bit more, the quality of the structure generally improves. This will mean it won't be destroyed by the wind or collapse in on you, as we have all seen happen or experienced ourselves. Here is a guide to some of the best available on the market currently...
Best fishing umbrellas
Best match fishing brolly
www.ebay.co.uk
Description
With oversized 8mm fibre poles, two D-ring pegging points, a detachable angled centre pole and a mammoth 2.2m span, the Guru Large Umbrella is a great product.
This brolly also has two adjustable guy ropes, four threaded ground spikes with large T-bar grips, and a bag. An extra-thick centre spike completes probably the toughest brolly out there.
It might not be cheap, but everything about it is quality, strong and built to last. Definitely a serious brolly for the angler who fishes in all weathers.
Pros
- Great build quality.
- Strong design.
Cons
- Only available in one colour.
Best lightweight fishing umbrella
www.ebay.co.uk
Description
The Middy Sure-Dry 450 is a smart-looking, functional and reasonably-priced brolly, meaning staying dry needn't cost the earth. A span of 1.84m is wide enough to cover your gear without taking up too much space, yet it weighs only 1.8kg! Fully taped seams, adjustable pole, protected pole-tips, tilt mechanism and storage sleeve are included. Guy ropes and pegs are extra.
This bargain-priced umbrella might struggle a bit in strong winds, but its compact and light nature makes it ideal for summer showers.
Pros
- Lightweight at 1.8kg.
- Fully adjustable.
Cons
- Not the strongest in wind.
Best value fishing brolly
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
Description
A premium 50-inch brolly with a square design, the Daiwa N'ZON Square Umbrella makes pegging easy and cuts down on annoying drafts. More metal and less fibreglass means it's exceptionally tough. It has a steel frame and ribs, fully taped seams, re-positional and detachable centre pole with tilt mechanism, a telescopic spike and D-rings to peg it down.
The square design gives exceptional coverage, while the straight edges mean no annoying spokes in the ear.
Pros
- Maximum coverage thanks to its square design.
- Spokes are out of the way.
Cons
- It is quite large, so you may struggle to put it up in smaller swims.
Best bait brolly
www.ebay.co.uk
Description
This mini Preston Off-Box Grey Bait Brolly is big enough to just cover your bait, leaving you free to cast and net fish. Ideal when fishing from a chair or box, it comes with a bracket to allow you to attach it to most Preston side trays and a tilting and removable centre bar for flexibility.
If you own a good set of waterproofs, and keeping your bait in pristine condition takes priority, this is the brolly for you. You'll have to look at buying a bracket for it if your side tray is incompatible, though.
Pros
- Great for keeping bait dry.
- Great for those who don't like fishing under umbrellas.
Cons
- Won't keep you dry.
Best fishing umbrella for overnighters
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
Description
Not quite a bivvy, not quite a brolly – the Wychwood Tactical Brolly is an easy-to-erect shelter and is ideal for the specimen angler. Simply erect it like a brolly, peg down the sides and away you go. A compact seven-rib design with a flat back will accommodate most standard-sized beds, and three different fronts are available separately – a clear waterproof door, a waterproof front, or a mosquito net can all be zipped in, as well as a groundsheet. Removable pockets keep valuables safe and dry.
An excellent hassle-free, year-round day shelter that can be adapted to various conditions and weathers thanks to the additional fronts.
Pros
- Easy to erect.
- Very spacious for a bedchair and luggage.
Cons
- You can't fish from underneath it.
Best fishing umbrella for coverage
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
Description
The Korum 50" Graphite Brolly is the ideal choice for the angler who wants function over frills. We like the contoured back, which helps when pegging down. A 50in brolly in a traditional design, it features a 2.1m width, PU cover with taped seams, reinforced wear points, tilt mechanism and pegging points. A shelter version is also available.
A great compromise between weight, strength and cost, this is an honest, good quality and gimmick-free brolly.
Pros
- Strong brolly.
- Great value.
Cons
- Not suitable for use with a seatbox.
What to look for in a fishing umbrella
Whilst the main objective of any fishing umbrella is to keep you dry, there are various different features available on a brolly. Some have the ability to tilt, which is beneficial if the rain is driving in, as it allows you to angle the brolly to prevent it getting underneath, it also helps if it's particularly sunny to provide shade.
Most umbrellas now attach to your seatbox or chair, so they have no need for a pointy spike. If, however, you like to push your brolly spike into the ground, make sure you choose one that has a pointed or screw end on it to enable you to do so. If you generally fish in all weathers, it can be beneficial that your umbrella has pegging points for added security in windy conditions.
If you like to cast from under your umbrella, it can pay to find one that has the spokes positioned out of the way and a more flat profile to prevent them getting in the way.
Glossary
Pegging point: A steel ring that can be used to directly peg the umbrella into the ground or have guy ropes tied to it to be pegged.
Ribs: The metal framework that gives an umbrella its shape and structure.
Taped seams: In order for a fabric to be 100% waterproof, the holes from the stitching need to be covered so no water can leak through the seams. In the process, a machine melts tape over the seams to seal them.
Guy ropes: A guy rope/line is a rope or cord used to tie down a tarp or tent flap.
210D (denier): In really basic terms, denier, often expressed as 'D' as in 40D or 80D, is a measurement of the thickness of the fibres used for a fabric. The lower the number, the lighter and thinner the fabric in general.
Tilt: The option an umbrella may have where the umbrella can move at angles independent of the brolly spike.
Frequently asked questions on fishing umbrellas?
Can I go night fishing under an umbrella?
Whilst bivvies and advanced shelters are a more popular choice these days, for anglers who like to travel light, an umbrella is a great option for an overnight session in the warmer months. You won't be quite as comfortable but provided your umbrella is of a generous size to fit a bedchair under, it will do the job perfectly. Most anglers who fish on canals and rivers opt to night fish under a brolly because they offer a really low bankside footprint.
Is it better to have a lighter or heavier fishing umbrella?
This largely depends on the type of fishing you do. If you're going to be fishing in some heavy rain and not moving around changing spots, then a heavier umbrella will generally be more stable and better built to withstand the elements. If you don't intend to be fishing under the umbrella for very long and are only popping it up in the case of a quick shower, then the lightest brolly you can get would be more suitable, as they are usually far easier to erect.
Do I have to push my fishing umbrella into the ground?
Historically, all fishing umbrellas came supplied with central spikes for the angler to push into the ground to keep the brolly stable and in place above their kit. These days, however, thanks to some of the amazing accessories developed for chairs and seatboxes, anglers can attach their brolly directly to their fishing station.
Author Dan Webb first became involved in angling journalism in 2015 and has worked as Tackle Tester at Angling Times since April 2021. He is a fanatical all-round match angler and former England Youth International.