Every year, my husband asks me for my Christmas list. Usually, when he asks, I’m stumped. But this season, I have started my research early. If you’re looking for personal gift ideas to offer your significant other, or if you’re wanting to buy a great fishing gift for a female friend or family member, we’ve got 16 choices at all price points listed below. Happy shopping!
Salt Life Nightfall Hoodie
Cheers to cooler weather finally arriving and transitional clothing like Salt Life’s Nightfall performance fleece jacket. The 60 percent cotton, 40 percent polyester knit fabric is bonded to 100 percent polyester microfleece. The hoodie features a water-repellent coating, a mock neck, a zip front, and a kangaroo pocket. Available in olive or black and in sizes S through XL. $110
Toadfish Dry Box
A crushproof storage box for your boat, kayak or SUP is a valued accessory. Toadfish builds one that also suctions to your deck so you don’t have to worry about stowing it or knocking it overboard. The IPX7 sealed system is waterproof up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. It’s made from impact proof ABS and comes with EVA lure pads and a soft-touch rubber interior. There’s even a removable cellphone tray at the top. With every product sold, Toadfish also gives back to restocking fish in partnership with coastal hatcheries. $55.
Kane Revive
This bio-based, molded-EVA-foam slip-on shoe from Kane was totally new to me, but I have to say that it just might be my new favorite boat- and kayak-fishing shoe. I found that it gave me confident footing on a slippery boat ramp and remained cool throughout several 90-plus-degree days. On my boat, I was able to stand and sightfish for hours without feeling any leg or back tightness. Kane calls this active-recovery footwear because it provides cushioned ergonomic support. Among the shoe’s designers was Dr. Daniel Geller, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon who has worked with the New York City Ballet as well as cycling and triathlon teams. Revive comes in men’s (3-17) and women’s (5-19) sizes and in 20 colors. A nylon cord threaded through the loops at the heel help you pull the shoe onto your foot. The shoe’s RestoreFoam is made from Brazilian sugarcane. $75
Bajio Palometa Readers
Those of us who’ve reached a “certain age” know how frustrating it can be to go fishing and not be able to see to tie a knot or even see the fishing line. That’s where sunglass readers can be a godsend. Bajio now offers 1.50, 2.0 and 2.50 strength readers in all of its full-wrap frame styles. One particular frame I like is the Palometa, a sized-down version of the Bales Beach frames. The medium-size Palometa remains lightweight, though its side pieces offer good coverage, and the vented rubber side shields enhance glare protection. I particularly like the two-way flex hinges. Available in brown tortoise matte, black matte and blue tortoise matte colors, the bio-based nylon frames can be fitted with gray, blue mirror, green mirror or rose mirror lenses. $229.
Penn Spinfisher VII
Penn’s Spinfisher VII spinning reels were designed for inshore saltwater and surf fishing. They feature a sealed HT-100 carbon-fiber drag system, a recently upgraded CNC brass gearing and 5+1 stainless-steel ball bearings. The series spans 18 models, from 2500 to 10500 sizes, and comes with Long Cast, Live Liner, and Bail-less options, boasting max drag ratings from 15 to 50 pounds. Gear ratios range from 4.2- to 6.2-to-1. The reels offer an IPX5 rating, fortified against splashes and sprays. $169.95 to $279.95.
King Sailfish Mounts Release Mount
Whether you caught and released that fish-of-a-lifetime yesterday or decades ago, you can still commemorate it with a release mount. King Sailfish Mounts has replicated more than 170 species of fish; the company has produced everything from miniature statues for $39 up to a 16-foot great white shark for $20,000. The average fish mount starts at $429. Send KSM photos and/or measurements of a specific fish or order something that represents your memory. Custom ideas include dioramas and specialty designs such as a roosterfish comb to decorate a mantle.
Grundéns Deviation Sherpa Ankle Boot
For cold days on the water, the Deviation Sherpa Ankle Boot offers high-pile fleece insulation and a non-marking, lugged, rubber outsole. Stretchy neoprene panels at the ankle create easy entry. The compression-molded EVA midsole provides comfort and support all day. The boots come in sizes 5 to 11 and in black or silt with a patterned neoprene panel. $149.99.
Shimano Talica 12II/16II
Shimano’s small 2-speed lever-drag Talicas—12IIA and 16IIA— set the standard for the brand with ultra-smooth action and powerful drag performance. Shimano added Infinity Drive technology, a new drag design to increase force while reducing side-load pressure for up to 30 percent lighter rotation. This new generation of Talicas also features X-Protect for high-level water resistance in vital areas. The included Light-Line Drag Cam generates a lower drag curve for anglers fishing mono or lighter fluorocarbon leaders. Made from highly rigid aluminum, the reels also come with a 6 percent smaller palming side plate. Both reels feature 5.7- and 3.1-to-1 gear ratios and 44 pounds of max drag; they hold up to 80-pound PowerPro (355 and 450 yards). $599.99 and $609.99.
G. Loomis NRX+ Inshore
G. Loomis’ 10 new NRX+ Inshore spinning and casting rods feature Spiral X graphite construction with multi-taper design to reinforce potential stress points. The light- to medium-heavy-power blanks are fitted with a Fuji Titanium SIC K-frame guide train and custom CI4+ reel seats and measure 6 feet 6 inches to 7 feet 6 inches. The lightest spinner is rated for 6- to 8-pound test; the largest is rated for 15- to 20-pound. The three casting models are rated for 8- to 15-pound or 10- to 15-pound test. $625 to $650.
Costa Seadrift
Costa knows that female anglers appreciate fashion and function. The new Seadrift frames check both boxes. Seadrift features an 8-base bio-resin frame with performance features such as Hydrolite rubber and micro-sculpted side shields, but it’s designed for small and medium faces with a soft rectangular shape. The new design is available in six styles including shiny tortoise fade frames w/ copper (polycarbonate), silver mirror (glass), gray (glass) or green mirror (polycarbonate) lenses, and urchin frames with gray (glass) or blue mirror (glass) lenses. Starting at $160.
Branwyn Performance Innerwear
Perhaps you have wondered, like me, when some company would make performance innerwear for female anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. Sure, we can buy layering pieces, but I’m talking the intimate stuff you wear next to your body. A company called Branwyn has introduced merino wool bras and underwear designed by active women for active women: that’s a win/win. The merino wool is naturally breathable and moisture wicking. It helps regulate temperature and resists odor. I can tell you that on a hot summer day in the South, it definitely made a difference to me in terms of feeling cooler and drier all day. Right now, Branwyn offers two different kinds of bras and three kinds of panties. They come in sizes XS through XL and in five colors. $30 to $58.
Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL +132
Like me, perhaps you’ve seen the growing number of electric-assist bicycles motoring along the sidewalks. Combining pedal power and motor power seems to be a current trend, and now Old Town has brought it to the Sportsman BigWater ePDL +132 kayak. The ePDL+ drive system allows anglers to switch between manual pedal, power-assisted pedal and fully motorized cruise control. A compact, 8 ½-pound 36V lithium-ion battery and charger comes with the craft, which measures 13 feet 2 inches long and 36 inches wide. The hull weighs 95 pounds; the assembled boat weighs 143 pounds. The kayak comes in steel camo, ember camo and marsh camo. $5,999.99 (pre-ordering available now.)
Yeti Cosmic Lilac Wine Tumbler
Yeti’s limited-edition Cosmic Lilac — or lavender — colorway gives the company’s wine tumbler a sophisticated female twist. That pleasing color and the fact that the tumbler holds 10 ounces means you can drink a solid pour of red wine anywhere. The tumblers are made from kitchen-grade stainless steel so they’re puncture and rust resistant. The double-wall vacuum insulation and the magslider lid keep your beverage at the proper temperature. The tumblers are dishwasher safe. If lilac ain’t your thing, try one of the other three limited-edition or four core colors. $25.
Magellan FishGear Overcast Pullover Hoodie
Polyester flex material makes this long-sleeve hoodie comfortable and durable. Its UPF 30 rating protects your skin while its ventilated design enhances breathability. The shirt’s moisture-wicking technology helps draw sweat away from the body. Side zippered pockets and a chest pocket easily hold extra leader or terminal tackle. Available in gray and in sizes XS through XXL. $29.99.
Fin-Nor Tillies Bank
The performance-style Tillies Bank features low-profile side shields, integrated spring hinges and rubber nose pads. Tillies Bank comes with Fin-Nor’s Lateral Line lens technology for maximum protection, clarity and polarization. The lenses also reduce blue light transmission to cut through mist and haze. Glass lenses come with seven-layer anti-reflecting coating; polycarbonate lenses come with five layers—all reduce glare on the backside of the lens. Tillies Bank frames comes in three colors: Matte Deep Shallow Blue, Honey Ripple Fade and Flats Pool Tort. Available lenses include blue mirror, copper, green mirror, gray and silver mirror. Starting at $179.
Fenwick World Class
The Fenwick World Class technique-specific, inshore, bass and walleye rod series focuses on the importance of weight, balance, and sensitivity. Made from a blend of high-modulus graphite and Fenwick’s proprietary reinforcing resin, the World Class blanks are as light as they can be without disrupting responsiveness. The thoughtfully measured handle diameter optimizes leverage and action; the ergonomic grip enhances the angler’s ability to detect changes in structure, lure movement, and bites. Available in casting and spinning models, the rods measure from 6 feet 3 inches to 7 feet 6 inches with light to extra-heavy power and moderate-fast to extra-fast actions. They feature titanium guide frames with super-thin zirconia inserts. Starting at $419.95.
