W hat to buy for the serious angler? It’s an oft-asked question pondered by holiday gift- givers young and old.
Take inventory of an angler’s arsenal and it’s hard to imagine the need for reinforcements. Still, tackle and gear lost or damaged in the heat of battle needs to be replaced, new gifts of comfort and warmth can be put to good use almost immediately as cod action swings into focus, and rods, reels and lines often need upgrading. Books packed full of local fishing information are also welcomed offerings, as are gift certificates for tackle or fishing trips.
Although a cruise through the internet and mail order catalogs will help you gather ideas and, perhaps find some true bargains, the best starting place for a gift buying spree is your local tackle shop. The folks there are probably already familiar with your angler’s current gear and fishing preferences. They can help point you in the right direction.
One thing I find that works well is to buy your outdoors person something he or she normally wouldn’t buy for themselves. Thus, my gifts tend to be either very simple or a little off the beaten track. I’m happy to report that both approaches seem to be well-received.
Take leader wallets, for example. Some anglers carry them everywhere, others would if only they had only been given one for this seems to be a useful item that never tops the “I’ve got to buy one of those for myself,” list.
“AquaSkinz (www.aquaskinz.com) makes one of the best leader wallets on the market,” says Paul Graniello at J & J Sports in Patchogue. “It retails for less than $20 and has a quick attachment clip, several compartments and stainless steel grommets for quick drainage of the main compartment. At 7.5 by 5.5 inches, it’s just the right size. A medium sized surf bag, $89, is another good idea, adds Graniello.”
The gifts of warmth and comfort never go out of style, and to look at some of the get-ups I’ve seen on open boat anglers so far this fall, an upgrade in cold-weather outerwear can’t be a bad thing. Grunden’s Windjammer Fleece Jacket ($117) makes a great gift and can be worn from early fall right through early summer. I received one as a gift several years ago. It still looks new and continues to see regular duty on everything from cod and blackfish trips to early fluke and fall stripers.
Fishing line is another area that anglers often overlook when it comes to updating their gear. While most anglers have a favorite brand or type of line, a spool of Power Pro braid ($16.95) is pretty much universally welcomed. Choose 20-pound test for fluke fans or 50-pound test for striper mavericks. Yet another bright idea that is sure to catch your angler by surprise is a tidal clock. You can find both online and in tackle shops for as little as $30.
Does your Long Island angler like to read? Then consider Falvey’s Guide to Fishing Long Island (www. schifferbooks.com; $19.95). It offers a comprehensive look at species-specific techniques, rigging and Long Island fishing hotspots. John Skinner’s newly released Striper Pursuit, Surf Fishing Beyond The Basics, (www.striperpursuit.com; $18.95) would be another solid addition to any fishing library. This book cuts through the complexity of choosing and presenting various lure styles for linesiders while factoring in weather and water conditions, the impact of baitfish movements and game fish behavior. Both books are jobs very well done.
of the year – and it comes with $30 worth of fishing and cHarissa spice coupons.
Of course, we’d like to think that a subscription to Coastal Angler Magazine would also make a great gift.
Sure, you can get it at the local news stand – that’s what most people do – but for $24 a year, you’re lucky fisherman can have it delivered right to the house. You can send a check to Coastal Angler Magazine, 41 Comstock Hill Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06850, or sign-up HERE.
We know you love outdoor writer Tom Schlichter’s articles in our magazine. Now you can see your best piscatorial bets for every month in his Long Island’s Best Fishing 2015 Calendar (www.outdoortom.com; $15.95.) Big, beautiful, glossy and printed on the finest paper, this high-quality calendar explores the Long Island fishing scene with a monthly summary of the action, Tom’s Best Bets each month, plus his top tips for finding fast action and trophy fish. From porgies, sea bass and blackfish to doormats, cow bass, tuna and even freshwater, “Outdoor Tom” points you toward the lunkers. The calendar sells for $15.95 and comes with $30 worth of fishing and cHarissa spice coupons – so you get double-value and fisherman will thank you all year long!
Many anglers and outdoorsmen are also secretly wannabee chefs and grill masters. For this crew, there’s no shortage of holiday cheer. Consider, for starters, a simple gift of spice. It’s hard to go wrong with a couple bottles or shakers of cHarissa, “The super spice that’s good on everything! (www.outdoortom.com; $5.59 to $11.95.) From meatballs and steaks to fish and poultry, this spice really brings out the flavor – but it shines brightest on fish and game. Try it on blackfish, cod, salmon, striper, fluke, venison, pheasant or wild turkey, then try it on anything else you like. Delicious.
Looking for a big- ticket cooking option that your sportsman will absolutely love? Then the Marinade ExpressTM, (www. marinadeexpress.com; $299) by Creative Culinary Solutions, Inc., is just what you need. The world’s most unique tabletop home marinade system allows users to “vacuum tumble” fish, wild game, meats, poultry and fresh vegetables for faster flavor, superior taste and amazing tenderness while reducing unwanted chemical additives, preservatives and other contaminants – all in 20 minutes or less instead of hours or days. It even eliminates up to 99.5% of bacteria that can cause spoilage and food- borne illness. The system has over 20 marinades from which to choose and – starting early in 2015 – the company will be offering additional marinades that significantly reduce the mercury in seafood! No kidding.
Of course, if you simply want to stuff a holiday stocking with some striper lures, you can always go with a Super Strike Needle Fish, eight-inch Tsunami Pencil Popper, a handful of gold, hammered diamond jigs, Tsunami Pro Heavy Swim Shads, or Sebile’s Soft and Hard Magic Swimmers. Fluke fans will enjoy un-wrapping a selection of fluke ball jigs, white, chartreuse and pink teasers, or a bucket of four-inch Berkley Gulp! chartreuse swimming mullets. Each of these retail for less than $20.
