What to give the fisherman (or woman) who has everything
It’s amazing how quickly giving season seems to arrive each year. I mean, we all know it’s coming, yet for many of us there’s still a bit of panic as the holiday home stretch begins to come into focus.
It can be hard to pin down the perfect holiday gift when it comes to angling circles. After all, what do you get for piscators who have seemingly accumulated more tackle than they can use in a lifetime? The short answer is—more gear. I like to go with recently released novel items.
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To that end, here’s a look at several products now available online and at select tackle shops and sporting goods stores that hold potential. Each took home a Best of Category award at the 2024 ICAST Show in Orlando, Florida, back in July (icastfishing.org/new-product-showcase/2024-winners). That’s the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, and many manufacturers debut their latest and greatest releases there. icastfishing.org
Z-Man Tackle’s PrawnstarZ is the perfect example. An amazingly lifelike imitation shrimp jig that captured the Saltwater Soft Lure category, it features exceptional live shrimp movement plus the toughness to rebound from snaggletooth battles thanks to its American-made ElaZtech superplastic. A sure winner for redfish, snook, and flounder on southern flats, it might also have application for fluke and stripers further up the coast. Available in 3.5-inch (2/pack) and 6-inch (1/pack) sizes, it shouldn’t empty your wallet at $8.99. zmanfishing.com/products/prawnstarz-1
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A reliable landing net and a simple boat hook are two things any fishing crew can use. KastKing has combined the two in the Brutus Foldable Extendable Fishing Net. Winner of the Fishing Accessories category, it sports a telescoping handle that extends from 33-75 inches, a folding net frame, plus a strong aluminum handle shaft with length scale and fold-away boat hook. Also included is a nice storage bag. Smartly designed, it’s just what you need on windy days whether trying to grab a dock rope or scoop a doormat fluke from the water. It’s a solid investment at $49.99. kastking.com/products/kastking-brutus-fishing-net
Most serious saltwater fly-casters dream of battling a tarpon at some point in their career. When they finally get a shot, Scientific Anglers Magnitude Smooth Tarpon Full Clear Fly-Line should help tilt the odds in their favor. Naturally buoyant polymers have created this new generation of clear floating lines designed specifically for warm-water use. Winner of the Fly Line, Leaders, Tippet, and Line Accessories category, it is available with either a 12-foot clear floating tip for easy fly tracking, or a full clear floating line for more stealthy presentations. With a high-strength core to battle large fish and enhanced with EST+ slickness additive for surprising durability, smooth shooting, and eco-friendly performance, it also sports a short head for quick rod loading. When that big one strikes, it will prove worth every penny at $149.95. scientificanglers.com/product/magnitude-smooth-tarpon-full-clear
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Billed as one lens for all waters, Costa’s 580G Gold Mirror Lens in Grand Catalina will be a welcome addition to the shades collection of any angler whether their primary game is inshore, offshore, or poling the flats. Winner of the Eyewear Category, they are built for versatility. Their rose base glass lenses with encapsulated gold mirror, 14 percent VLT, 100 percent polarization, and Costa’s 580 color-enhanced tech provide a crisp and vibrant view in full sun, cloudy, dawn, and dusk conditions—and their Grand Catalina frame is durable and looks great in photos as well. Consider them a bargain at $292. costadelmar.com/en-us/sunglasses
With an interior capacity of 115 12-ounce cans (78 quarts) and weighing only 22 pounds empty, Rugged Road’s 115 V2 cooler took the crown for best Soft and Hard Coolers. It’s ultralight, exceptionally durable, and has a detachable, reversible lid and antimicrobial coating that really help it stand out against the competition. For optimal organization, the RR115 V2 cooler includes a dry goods basket, adjustable divider, and a stainless steel water bottle with purchase. This one retails for $479. ruggedroadoutdoors.com/products/rugged-road-115
-by Tom Schlichter
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