Find out where your favorite angler likes to fish to help in finding the right gift for him : Sometimes pleasing that special angler in your life does not come easy when you might think he has everything and then some in the tackle box. If you were to narrow things down to where he likes to go fishing, you could help in selecting a gift that can be used over and over again. Or, at least until lost or dropped in the water somewhere.
To select the right item for your angler it might be best to decide what type of fishing he does and where he likes to go.
In talking to many anglers about what they like or could use as a gift, the following are a few things I came up with that will not disrupt your budget and be greatly appreciated by the recipients.
MAPS
U.S. Forest Service maps of the surrounding area are available at all ranger stations at a modest cost.
DelOrme Topographic Map books with GPS grids, Frank Amato’s State River fishing maps and fishing guides, and Rand McNally’s U.S., Canada, and Mexico Road Atlas 2011 should do the trick on where to go and how to get there. The prices are reasonable.
FISHING LICENSE
What could be a better gift than a 2011 fishing license for the whole year? If you have enough money left, you can top it off with stickers for species of fish the angler may be going after.
GOLDEN AGE PASSPORT
The Passport gives 50 percent discount and entry and use fees to agencies administering federal recreation areas where the Golden Age Passport is honored, which includes The Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tennessee Valley Authority, National Park Service, and the Forest Service.
250 YARDS OF FLUOROCARBON LINE
Berkeley has come out now with a line bass anglers will love. It is called “Vanish Transition.”
This amazing line is 100 percent non-absorbing fluorocarbon, which remains invisible in water and turns red or gold out of the water so you can see more strikes from the fussy bass in Shasta Lake and other places where stubborn bass dwell. Cost is around $15.
LINEMINDER
Here is a must-have for any angler who uses spinning, closed face or bait casting reels. This lineminder tool clamps to any rod and firmly holds your spool of line for convenient re-spooling line without dreaded line twist anglers hate. Cost around $10.
HOOK HONE
An angler cannot hook fish on dull hooks. Also, it is costly to change hooks frequently, especially on expensive lures.
Get your angler a hook hone. I am confident they will appreciate the gift for years to come. Cost is about $3 to $5.
ROUND TIP SCISSORS
Anglers can hardly get by without a stout pair of stainless steel (embroidery size) scissors to do a variety of snipping and cutting while out fishing. The round tips will not puncture waders or a tummy. Cost about $3 to $5.
MULTIPURPOSE LINE CLIPPER
I saw this tool in a popular fishing tackle catalog. It consists of a clip and coil lanyard and attaches to a belt loop or D ring. It will not rust or corrode and the tool has clipper, hook-eye punch, hook sharpening file, utility knife blade, hook disgorger and a knot tying tool. I am sure this would be available at the Fly Shop or stores selling fishing tackle. Cost around $5.
FISHING VEST
A good fishing vest is a great investment. These days they are well-designed for all types of fishing gear, boxes and gadgets. They are commonly designed of tough materials and last for many years. Most come in earthy or camo colors. If the angler is going to fish in cold weather, it is best to buy a vest about two sizes bigger to allow for a coat underneath and bulky items in the pockets. They usually run from about $l5 up.
TACKLE BOXES
If anglers young or old do any amount of fishing, especially along lake shores or stream banks, a tackle box is a convenient way to carry the terminal tackle such as lures, sinkers, hooks swivels, bobbers, and lures. They usually come in different sizes and prices from $4.98 to $40. Most all modern tackle boxes are made of high-impact materials that can take a beating and last for many years.
Big-pocket FISHING SHIRTS
Now if you want that special angler to look nice while out fishing, get him or her a big-pocket fishing shirt that comes in an array of fancy colors. With these, one hardly needs a vest or tackle box. The pockets yield enough room for fly boxes, leaders, hooks and the like.
They are now made of a Nanotex fabric that resists spills by repelling liquids, provides sun protection, adjustable sleeves, easy care and vented backs.
These shirts are great for fishing in hot weather. The cost is around $35 and sometimes less if on sale.
SWIVEL ASSORTMENT
An angler can hardly get anywhere fishing without swivels. A 70-piece brass swivel assortment usually comes in a reusable storage box containing barrel and snap swivels of various sizes. Cost around $8 to $10.
BOBBER STOPS
Bobber stops are an absolute necessity for fishing Shasta Lake or similar lakes where the bass are down quite deep and you are using minnows or other live bait. Bobber stops allow you to easily adjust your line to any length. Great when fishing for smallmouth bass. Cost usually runs about $3 for 10 or $6 for 50.
POLARIZED SUNGLASSES
I never recommend anyone go out fishing without polarized sunglasses. They come in all shapes, designs and sizes and cost anywhere from $5 to $175. Do not leave home to go fishing without them.
FISH HOOKS
We must never forget the most important thing at the end of the line. The fish hook. Without hooks, how can we catch fish? You might top off a gift in the stocking with some carded snelled hooks for the kids size 10, and a box of size 12 No. 37160 Mustad hooks, or size 12 L144 Eagle Hooks for adults. Cost from about $3 to $8.
I could go on endlessly on fishing tackle related stuff. The items I mentioned are more or less basic things considered necessary and within budged ranges given present economics.
I tried to stay out of the high-ticket items for some other day. I also avoided certain items such as fishing rods, reels, fly tackle, waders, water conveyances and footwear. I felt these are things anglers might want to select themselves to eliminate possible bad choices or disappointment.
Tight lines and Merry Christmas!
John Spencer is a longtime angler and north state resident.
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