Pretty Like a Bluefin Trevally
During our most recent trip to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge, Hanna and I both added a new entrant to our “life list” of fishing species – the bluefin trevally. Some of you might just see them as a gateway drug to catching the GTs of our dreams in the South Pacific or Indian Ocean, but despite the fact that the bluefins don’t grow as big as their bird-eating cousins, they pull hard and they are absolutely gorgeous. Pictures do not do justice to their vibrant blue streaks, spots and splotches.
They may not be a “destination species” or “bucket list” species for many anglers, so I was surprised to find that you can nevertheless get clothing that replicates their color patterns – maybe not as many options as mahi or yellowfin tuna or even GTs, but quite a few nonetheless. Here are a few of my favorites:
This 50+ UPF, moisture-wicking hooded shirt is one of the sharpest patterns we’ve seen.
If the hooded shirt is too much for you, or you want to cover your face as well, they also offer a neck gaiter in the same pattern.
A slightly bolder crew-necked UV performance shirt.
Raglan long-sleeved-shirt
Gillz
A lightweight, packable jacket perfect for tropical storms.
In Hawaii, the Bluefin Trevally is known as “Omilu” and like the GT, known locally as ulua, it has inspired some additional kick-ass clothing options,
This tribal pattern is distinctive from all the rest, but stands out for that reason.
This omilu-patterned snapback is sharp.
This shirt is labeled “Ulua” but at least one color pattern is clearly a bluefin/omilu. It’s on closeout, so act fast.
A flat bill trucker hat.
If you want to represent but not through clothing, here’s a Gyotaku decal representing an Omilu eating some octopus.
None of us may have any use for this brightly-colored wetsuit, but I just had to include it in this survey.
