Now that Halloween is over, it’s time to shop for the winter holidays. We’ve compiled a list of fishing tackle and gear ideas from your favorite brands that any angler would love. From reels and tools to clothing and sunglasses, and with prices ranging from $30 to $300 — this is your ultimate guide to gift buying.
(Products are listed by MSRP from least to most expensive.)
Plano Edge Flex Tackle Box
$15-$30
The first StowAway to allow full customization, the Flex Series includes the Edge 3600 and 3700. Each comes with five 4x, six 3X, nine 2x and 18 1x dividers. These interlocking dividers can create small or large, short or long storage bays within the box, creating room for everything from tools, large lures, terminal tackle, weights and hooks. All boxes come with rust-preventing technology molded into the base. A watertight seal and a supplemental desiccant divider help ward off moisture. The clear lid allows easy identification of the contents. Heavy-duty steel-pin hinges, a one-hand latch and a ribbed base add durability. The 3600 measures 11-by-7.25-by-1.63 inches; the 3700 measures 14-by-9-by-1.38 inches.
Calcutta Keeper Dry Waterproof Duffle
$40 – 50
Made from TPU, Calcutta’s duffle is abrasion resistant and fully waterproof at the seams and zipper. It features a removable and padded shoulder strap, large exterior web pocket and second sealed exterior pocket. It measures 12 inches wide by 12 inches high and 23 inches long and offers 35 liters of internal volume. The bag is gray and black and comes with four webbed loops on the sides for attaching to a boat or vehicle.
Bluefin USA Performance Solid Sportshirt
$57-$59
Made from 100 percent microfiber, these fast-drying Bluefin USA shirts incorporate anti-bacterial and cooling technology, as well as UPF40 sun protection. Features include two front chest pockets with flap closures and a vented back panel for breathability. Available in short- or long-sleeve versions, the shirts come in sizes S through 2XL. Colors include navy, black, light blue or white. Bluefin USA says the shirts run slightly large.
Pelagic Blue Water Camo Fishing Short
$69
These Pelagic boardshorts feature four-way stretch for maneuverability, an internal drawcord that acts like a belt for a custom fit, and water repellency with stain guard to ward off the elements. Made with recycled fibers from plastic bottles, these shorts come in waist sizes 30 to 40, and in eight colors (pictured is slate fish camo).
AFTCO Reaper Windproof Softshell Jacket
$99
The next generation of technical cold-weather gear in the Reaper line, the softshell jacket still incorporates a built-in face mask and neck warmer but is lined with Hexatron fleece. The fleece is fused to the 94 percent polyester 6 percent spandex water-repellent outer shell. Features include laser-cut underarm ventilation and a zippered side vent. The jacket is available in sizes S through 3XL and in charcoal, oak or black.
Okuma ITX Carbon
$105-$120
Lightweight and compact, Okuma’s ITX Carbon spinning reels feature a body, side plates and rotor made from rigid C-40X long-strand carbon fiber, making it 25 percent stronger than standard graphite reels. The ITX reels come with a multi-disc, carbon fiber drag system with Okuma’s Hydro Block Gasket, keeping water out. The 7HPG +1RB High Performance, grease packed bearings keep the reel running smoothly along with the precision machine cut brass pinion gear. The 1000-, 2500-, 3000- and 4000-size reels all come standard with 6:1 high-speed gearing.
Accurate Fishing Plier/Knot Puller
$125
Accurate has developed the ultimate tool package for anglers with its combo pliers/knot puller. Often when anglers tie a knot with braided line or heavy mono, they take a few wraps on their hands to cinch the knot tight, and that can cut the skin. The two-part knot puller threads together and is covered by rubber for a nonslip surface. It also comes with two holes atop the tool to secure hooks. Packaged with Accurate’s APXL-7 pliers, the duo solves most onboard rigging issues. Both tools are made from 6061 T-6 lightweight aluminum and anodized for corrosion resistance.
Bubba Multi-Flex Interchangeable Blade System
$126
A first-of-its-kind product, Bubba’s new Multi-Flex Interchangeable Blade System is designed to deliver the strength and durability of a full-tang traditional fillet knife while providing the ability to swap different styles of blades to tackle small, medium, or large fish in any environment. The kit includes a 7-inch tapered flex, an 8-inch ultra flex, a 9-inch serrated flex, and a 9-inch stiff blade. The non-slip handle features a aqueeze-and-slide mechanism that allows you to switch blades quickly. A locking mechanism keeps the blade secure. The kit comes with an EVA carrying case.
Grundens Deviation Ankle Boot
$130
Grundens designed its 6-inch Deviation Ankle Boot to provide anglers with a comfortable footwear option that performs on and off the water. The boots feature non-marking lugged rubber outsoles with razor-cut siping to clear mud and other debris while maintaining traction on a wet deck. The company says it prioritized a thicker insole to promote noticeable shock resistance. The anti-microbial cooling liner helps eliminate odor. Available in anchor and refraction camo stone and in sizes 8 through 14.
Garmin Striker Cast
$130-$180
Anglers who fish bridges, piers, the surf or jetties can now own Garmin fishfinding technology, and small-boat anglers have an additional option for sonar. The new Striker Cast castable fishfinder transmits sonar signals wirelessly to a smartphone or tablet. Compatible with Apple and Android devices, Striker Cast delivers returns in water up to 150 feet. It streams sonar and water temperature from up to 200 feet away. An available GPS model allows anglers to create their own 1-foot contour fishing maps and personalize them with free Quickdraw Contours software. Garmin recommends using the castable module with 20-pound test line or greater. The unit powers on when it’s floating and turns off when it’s not. It comes with a USB-rechargeable battery.
Columbia PFG Force XII 35L Rolltop Backpack
$150
Columbia’s new PFG Force XII Rolltop Backpack is a TPU-coated bag with fully welded waterproof construction to keep gear dry throughout the wettest conditions. The lightweight pack also comes with a front zippered pocket, bungee cords, outside mesh pockets, and internal-organizer pockets to hold phones, sunscreen, pliers and other smaller items. The mesh-ventilated straps and padded back panel make it adjustable and comfortable for all sizes. Available in city grey and vivid blue.
Yeti Camino Carryall 35
$150
Yeti’s Camino Carryall is made from the same waterproof, durable, and easy-to-clean material as the Panga Duffel. This tote bag keeps wet boots and gear contained, keeps dry gear protected and provides a tough barrier from sharp hooks and tools. The EVA molded bottom keeps water out and holds the bag upright. The front of the Camino features Molle loops for attaching accessories, and inside is a zippered pocket for smaller items. Carry Camino using the shoulder straps or the crossbar handle. The bag weighs 3.3 lbs and measures 18 1/8 inches wide by 14 7/8 inches high and 9 7/8 inches deep. It comes in navy, reef blue, storm gray and Everglade sand.
Gill Men’s/Women’s Hydrophobe Down Jacket
$169
Gill makes these jackets water-repellent nylon on the outside and fills them with water-repellent down insulation. Features include two hand-warmer pockets, micro-baffle construction and an adjustable hem. The lightweight jacket fits into its own internal pocket. Men’s sizes range from S through 3XL; colors include blue or black. Women’s sizes range from 4 through 14; colors include navy or orange.
Costa Ferg
$199 to $279
Fergs, named for Costa Sunglasses founder Ray Ferguson, offer a refined focus on performance details, including top and side shields, integrated textured Hydrolite rubber, and vented nose pads. Ferg’s large OmniFit frame and 360-degree nose-pad adjustability allow for a more comfortable and secure fit on a variety of face shapes and sizes. Available in four color options — matte black, matte tortoise, matte reef and shiny gray — with a variety of Costa color-enhancing 580 lenses.
Shimano Speedmaster
$250-$260
For those anglers who use heavy-pound-test braids with fluorocarbon topshots, Shimano has added the Speedmaster 12II and 16II reels to its two-speed, lever-drag lineup. The reels offer 5.7- and 3.1-to-1 gear ratios with plenty of spool capacity to battle big fish. The 12II holds up to 400 yards of 65-pound braid, and the 16II holds 450 yards of 80. Both reels feature 40 pounds of max drag pressure and Shimano’s Hagane Body with the S-Compact design. The 12II weighs 25.7 ounces and costs $249.99, and the 16II weighs 26.5 ounces and costs $259.99.
Penn Fathom Low-Profile
$250-$300
Penn has brought its Fathom brand to the realm of low-profile baitcasting reels for saltwater applications. The new reels feature a full-metal body and crank side plate, HT-100 drag system, and a brass main gear. They’re available in sizes 200, 300 and 400 with standard and high-speed options. Fathoms also come with a dual-action casting brake, TiN-coated levelwind system, and seven bearings. Max drags range from 24 to 30 pounds.
