This Christmas, I’m sure a lot of folks are planning to buy some type of fishing-related gift for their favorite angler. I’m also sure that a lot of those folks are going to be staring at store racks or online catalogs and trying to figure out just what to buy.
These days, we have more options than ever for practically every aspect of fishing. And while that’s a good thing in terms of diversity, it can also leave someone who’s unfamiliar with the sport wondering where to start.
Now, I know this can be a little confusing and overwhelming, but if you’re serious about wanting to give a friend or family member a gift that will help them on the water, I’d encourage you to do a little research. A gift should always be appreciated, but you really do want to make sure it’s something the angler can actually use.
I guess that takes us back to square one, but I have a suggestion: Talk to one of your angler’s fishing buddies and see if you can confidentially determine a few preferences or needs. Ask if there’s a particular rod, reel or maybe a handful of baits your angler wants and write out a shopping list.
If this isn’t possible, and if you’re shopping for a family member, see if you can do a little covert recon in their tackle area. By doing this, you’ll be able to identify any brand preference that can help you focus your shopping.
For example, most anglers use a particular rod brand. So, if you notice five or six Falcon rods, then you can assume they prefer that brand. The same goes for reels, so pay attention to any consistency you find.
One thing that’s really important to try and figure out is whether your angler uses baitcasting or spinning reels. Baitcasters are most common for experienced bass fisherman, but not everyone is comfortable with this type of reel, so if you can make this determination, it’ll help you choose the right gift.
If you don’t know which style to choose, a spinning reel is the safest bet. Even if your angler does use baitcasting gear, there are always applications for a spinning outfit.
As for baits, this is such a diverse area, but if you take a peek at what’s in that tackle area, you’ll probably see some helpful details. I mean, if there are three crankbait boxes and one tray of soft plastics then you know he likes throwing crankbaits.
If these general approaches don’t get you where you need to be, I'll outline a few specific ideas.
Rods: Unless you’re sure about how your angler fishes, I’d suggest staying away from technique-specific rods like an 8-foot flipping rod or a 6-foot jerkbait rod. There’s no one rod that will effectively handle all styles of fishing, but for adults, the best all-around option is a 6-9 or 7-foot medium-heavy model. This rod can be used for a variety of techniques from light flipping to buzzbaits. For kids, I’d go with a 6-foot or maybe a 6-6 model.
Reels: It seems these days that everybody likes the high-speed models, but if you’re buying a baitcasting reel for someone and you don’t know what they use, go with something in the medium range. A 6.3:1 gear ratio is a good all-around choice because it gives you a balance of speed and power. With spinning reels, I’d go with a higher speed.
Line: If a person bass fishes at all, they’ll appreciate fluorocarbon line for the majority of applications. Monofilament has its specific roles, like topwater fishing and Carolina rig leaders, while braided line is a good choice for fishing heavy vegetation. But we’re talking about general gift-giving tips here, so I’d steer you toward fluorocarbon in the 12- to 15-pound range.
It’s a little more expensive than monofilament, but fluorocarbon lasts longer and it offers a couple of important traits – abrasion resistance and it’s invisible under water. Also, you can use this line for a lot of different techniques in all seasons of the year.
Baits: You have a ton of choices here, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Just go with a handful of basic items that will work all over the country. A good mix would include squarebill crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwaters and jigs. If you’re budget allows, get a few different colors. In most cases, your local tackle shops will stock colors that work in your region. If you shop online, I’d stick with your shad patterns for topwaters and spinnerbaits, crawfish and shad colors for squarebills and black/blue and green pumpkin for jigs.
You’ll also want to include some jig trailers in the chunk and crawfish styles, along with some big worms in the 10-inch range and smaller finesse worms. Your angler will probably have a few hooks he can fish those worms on.
If you’re not sure about any of these items I’ve mentioned, you can simplify your gift search with some very helpful stocking stuffers like small tool kits, needle nose pliers and reel grease. Also, a nice pair of polarized glasses is always a nice idea.
Remember, with gift giving, it’s the thought that counts. But if you put a little more thought into what your angler can actually use, they’ll appreciate a gift that’ll help catch more fish.
