Buying gifts for a fisherman can be challenging, unless you know the intricacies of that angler’s arsenal or, better yet, his or her covetous wish list. Of course, gifts can be returned or even swapped among friends, so don’t let stress spoil the season. To help you nail the perfect holiday surprise, we compiled this assortment of 39 gift options and 10 stocking-stuffer ideas that should streamline your shopping. We included some specific options for women anglers, as more and more manufacturers are designing technical gear—particularly apparel—for females. Of course, many gear and tackle items work equally well for both genders, and we’ve included those here.
Reels
[A] Shimano Stradic FL 2500HG
Shimano‘s newly redesigned Stradic FL spinning reels feature smoother rotation, added durability and enhanced casting distance. They’re offered in five sizes, including the 2500HG (pictured), which gathers 35 inches of line per crank (6-to-1 gear ratio), carries 145 yards of 15-pound braid, and delivers 20 pounds of max drag. Weighing 7.9 ounces, it costs $199.99.
[B] Penn Torque Lever-Drag Two-Speed 15XN
The 15XN is a new size in Penn’s Torque lever-drag two-speed series; it gives anglers a narrower, taller platform than the existing 15LD. Torques feature a machined-aluminum body, spool and side plates. The 15XN offers 2.8- and 5.5-to-1 gear ratios and max drag of 33 pounds. It holds 450 yards of 30-pound braid and costs $579.95.
[C] Okuma Cavalla 5-II
Built with a machined-aluminum frame and side plates, a carbonite drag system and a machined-aluminum spool, Okuma‘s new Cavalla two-speed lever-drag conventional reels handle tough conditions and come in six models. The 5-II model (pictured) features 3.8- and 6.4-to-1 gear ratios and delivers up to 24 pounds of drag. It holds 475 yards of 50-pound braid and costs $239.99.
[D] Accurate Tern TX-600XN
Accurate’s TwinStarDrag Tern series includes six sizes; all are made from 6061 T-6 aluminum. The TX-600XN (pictured) features a 6-to-1 gear ratio and collects 52 inches of line per handle turn. Accurate real-world-tested this reel jig-fishing for wahoo, as well as bottomfishing and commercial kingfishing. The TX-600XN carries 400 yards of 65-pound braid and costs $379.95.
Gear
[A] Yeti Hopper M30
Yeti’s latest soft-sided Hopper eliminates the zippered closure in favor of a magnetic seal that permits the cooler’s mouth to open wider. Dual quick-release buckles cinch it for transport. The Hopper M30 features 7.2 gallons of capacity, and comes in navy, charcoal and river green (in limited release). It costs $299.99.
[B] Gerber Controller (His)/Magnipliers (Hers)
For men, Gerber suggests the 10-inch Controller fillet knife ($50) with its built-in sharpener. The full-tang blade flexes, and the rubber grip gets stickier when wet. The 7½-inch Magnipliers ($85) work well for women—when the jaw tips close, the grip remains manageable for smaller hands. The pliers also are lightweight due to the hot-forged aluminum design.
[C] Shimano 6-inch Power Pliers
Designed for inshore-saltwater use, Shimano’s 6-inch power pliers are made from fluorine-coated stainless steel. They feature a braided-line cutter, soft-grip handles, and a lock. They’re capable of opening No. 1 to No. 5 split rings and cost $29.99.
[D] Mustad Jig Pouch
Mustad‘s waterproof jig pouch features multiple pockets for 35 jigs total, including five slots for extra-large jigs to 11 inches, 18 slots for jigs to 7½ inches, and 12 slots for jigs to 6 inches. An outer mesh pocket holds assist hooks and leader material. The pouch measures 14½-by-9-by-3 inches and costs $61.99.
[E] Plano Z-Series Tackle Bag (3700)
Plano’s 3700 Z-Series bag is made from TPE-coated waterproof fabric. It measures 22 inches long and 13 inches high, and weighs 13.7 pounds. The bag comes with two side pockets, front and back mesh slip pockets, and Plano’s exclusive Utili-Tackle rail system molded, waterproof base. It holds five 3700 Stowaway utility boxes and costs $114.99.
[F] Weego 66
The Weego 66 water-resistant, portable jump-starter can deliver enough power to a dead battery to crank any size outboard engine. The 12-volt jump-starts with 2,500 peak amps and 660 cranking amps. It can also charge mobile devices and brighten the night with a 600-lumen dual LED flashlight. The Weego 66 costs $199.99.
[G] AFTCO 12-inch Fillet Knife
AFTCO crafted its 8-, 10- and 12-inch (pictured) fillet knives in collaboration with Böker Germany to provide premium blades for processing fish of all sizes. The knives feature 4116 German stainless blades with a full tang, upswept design and a bonded finish for corrosion resistance. The handle is made from overmolded, slip-free polypropylene/TPR. The 12-inch knife costs $89.
[H] Calcutta Renegade 11L Hard Cooler
The smallest of Calcutta‘s Renegade line of seven coolers, the 11-liter model is roto-molded, providing durability and performance under tough conditions. Features include an industrial-grade, freezer-style lid seal, stainless-steel hinge pins, a rubber latch, and nonslip feet. Available in white, tan, gray and orange, the 11L costs $99.99.
Apparel
Gill FG200 Tournament Jacket/Bibs (His)/FG300 Active Jacket/Bibs (Hers)
The men’s jacket and bibs are made from waterproof, breathable fabric with fully taped seams. The jacket ($299) features an adjustable double cuff and a high-cut thermal collar; the bibs ($249) have full-length zippered legs. For women, the jacket ($229) has adjustable outer cuffs and comes in two colors; the bibs ($159) feature knee-length zippers (available November 2019).
[A] Columbia Force XII (His)/Ultimate Catch Heat Seal Puffy (Hers)
The men’s Columbia Force XII Fleece Jacket features Omni-Shield Blood ‘n’ Guts repellency, zippered chest and hand pockets, a hoodie, and a drawcord hem. The jacket comes in black, cool gray and vivid blue, and costs $140. The women’s puffy jacket has Omni-Shield and Thermarator insulation. Available in black, cirrus gray, dolphin and harbor blue, it costs $140.
[B] Bluefin USA Rash Guard Camohood (His)/Camo Leggings (Hers)
Bluefin made its men’s camo hoodie sweatshirt ($49) from soft microfiber and spandex. It features antimicrobial properties and UPF 50-plus sun protection, and comes in blue and gray. The women’s camo leggings ($65) offer SPF 50 ultraviolet sun protection and moisture-wicking properties. They’re 78 percent polyester/22 percent spandex, and come only in blue.
[A] Under Armour Tide Chaser Hybrid Woven (His)/Tide Chaser Leggings (Hers)
UA’s hybrid shirt features a lightweight polyester fabric with built-in stretch. It wicks sweat and dries quickly while providing UPF 30 sun protection. Available in gray, coho and khaki, it costs $48.99. The UA women’s polyester/elastane leggings offer UPF 50-plus protection and four-way stretch. With a 24-inch inseam, the leggings come in petrol blue and cost $65.
[B] Mossy Oak short- and Long-Sleeve Tech Tees (His/Hers)
For him, Mossy Oak designed this short-sleeve tee made from polyester and elastane (50-plus UPF) with a mesh back panel (20-plus UPF). The shirt ($19.99 to $34.99) comes in seven camo/noncamo colors. Her version comes in similar colors, at the same cost, and features the same technologies, including Coolcore, which manages heat and moisture to regulate body temperature.
[C] Pelagic Exo-Tech Shirt (His)/Ultratek Shirt (Hers)
The men’s Exo-Tech ($99) is a combination sun shirt, face shield and hoodie made from polyester and elastane. It features UPF 50-plus sun protection, and comes in six distinctive camo patterns and colors. The women’s Ultratek ($59) hooded shirt is made from a four-way-stretch fabric, carries UPF 50-plus sun protection, and comes in five solid colors.
[D] Huk Coldfront Icon ¼-Zip (His)/IconX (Hers)
The men’s Coldfront Icon ¼-zip from Huk features a durable, water-repellent face, four-way stretch and hollow-core warming fibers. It comes in three colors and costs $60. The women’s IconX wicks moisture and offers sun protection as well as internal cooling fibers. It comes in four solid colors ($45) and in camo ($50), and is also available in long-sleeve and hoodie versions.
[A] XtraTuf Leather Ankle Deck Boot (His/Hers)
The leather version of XtraTuf’s popular 6-inch ankle deck boot is made from waterproof leather with a Chevron rubber outsole and neoprene side panels. The men’s boots come in black, brown and taupe; women’s come in black, brown and olive. XtraTuf recommends sizing up to account for thick socks (whole and half sizes available). The boots cost $120.
[B] Buff Eclipse Gloves (His)/Solar Gloves (Hers)
Buff men’s three-quarter-finger Eclipse gloves ($35) offer advanced grip technology (with silicone dots and an abrasion-resistant film), UV protection and antimicrobial properties. They’re available in four sizes and four colors. The women’s half-finger Solar Gloves ($20) are super lightweight and breathable, with UPF 40-plus sun protection. They come in four sizes and three colors.
[C] Costa Broadbill (His)/WaterWoman (Hers)
Costa’s Broadbill sculpted large-wrap frames ($189 to $269) come with nonslip vented nose pads and integrated temple-tip icons for Costa retainer cords. Broadbills are available in four frame colors, including the new matte reef, and a variety of 580 lenses. WaterWoman frames ($189 to $269) feature a medium fit with angled temples and Hydrolite accents. They come in four frame colors with seven 580 lens choices.
Electronics
[A] Icom M37 Icom’s M37 handheld VHF radio offers 6 watts of RF output power and 700 megawatts of audio output. The Li-ion supplied battery pack provides more than 12 hours of operating time. In addition, Icom has also added a channel-history function that stores the last five channels for easy recall. The M37 weighs 10.3 ounces and costs $277.
[B] Garmin GPSMap 86sci Garmin’s floating 86sci handheld has a 3-inch color display, is preloaded with BlueChart g3 coastal charts, and features inReach satellite communication, two-way texting and interactive SOS. The unit can extend onboard Garmin systems, displaying boat data, and providing remote control for autopilot and stereo products. Available in four models with varying features, prices range from $399.99 to $649.99.
[C] ACR ResQLink View/OLAS Tag ACR has bundled its ResQLink View personal locator beacon with its OLAS (Overboard Location Alert System) tag; the two attach together for wearing. The tag alerts captains in a man-overboard situation, and the PLB allows emergency contact, if necessary. The View includes a digital display; the tag pairs with a device app. The pair costs $375.
[D] Globalstar Spot X Globalstar’s Spot X two-way, handheld satellite messenger comes with a full keyboard, and allows direct communication with emergency services. Its unique phone number lets family and friends make contact when you’re outside cell range. Spot X carries an IP67 rating, and supports GPS tracking, texting and check-in. The unit costs $249.99; service plans start at $11.95 per month.
Read Next: New Fishing Products
[E] Standard Horizon HX890 Available in black and navy blue, Standard’s HX890 handheld GPS/VHF has two scrambler systems for secure communication, an FM broadcast band receiver, Class H DSC, and waypoint and route navigation. With 6 watts of transmit power, the unit floats, is submersible and can also be programmed with a PC. It costs $199.99.
Stocking Stuffers
Lures, line, and leader material make great smaller gifts for fishing friends and family members. Those products come in choices of colors and sizes specific to different fishing situations, but here’s a good place to start:
Shimano SP ORCA Baby subsurface lure
$19.99 [C]
PowerPro Moon Shine braid
starts at $20.99
Soft Steel Fluoro-Stretch fluorocarbon
$6.99 to $14.99
FishLab Tackle Carnada flutter jigs
$7.99 to $10.99
Berkley Gulp! shrimp (3-inch)
$6.99 (six) [A]
Z-Man Weedless Eye jig heads
$6.99 (three) [B]
Halco Roosta Popper (5½-inch)
$13
Savage Gear 3D Swim Squid
$13.99 to $19.99
Sufix Advance fluorocarbon
$24.99 to $199.99
Seaguar Gold Label fluorocarbon
$18.99 to $34.99
Rapala X-Rap Twitchin’ Minnow
$10.99 to $14.99
Yo-Zuri Crystal 3D Shrimp
$8.99 to $9.99
