Wear hats for a couple reasons:
1. I wear glasses and the bbal cap or aussie brim keeps rain/drizzle off of them
2. warmer
3. sheilds sun from eyes and reflections in my glasses
4. if i put my rod down in a hurry (ie releasing or bonking) I will put my hat down for my reel if it's a sandy spot or anything I want to keep my reel clean of (easier and cheaper to wash my hat that have to fully service or repair a reel)
5. I don't like the hood from my jacket either unless it's a downpour of epic proportions, or the wind going around my neck/down my back is really cold.
I've been looking at
http://www.froggtoggsraingear.com/Hats.shtm for a new hat... prices seem good, free shipping in the US (have family in Bellingham) and waterproof...