Florida Sportsman editors recommend the best new gear for dad this year.
Does your dad have everything? Might seem like it, but we're guessing he hasn't got one of these in his closet or gear bag yet. The editors of Florida Sportsman have been monitoring the digital airwaves for spring 2021 new gear releases—always a good source of inspiration as summer, and Father's Day, approaches.
Dad will be able to transport his favorite beverage in fully functional and iconic style with this 64-ounce growler. The extra-large size keeps liquids extra cold for up to 24 hours. Take control with a rugged handle for easier carrying and one-handed pouring. The wide mouth allows for quick filling, sharing, and cleaning. And that satisfying ‘pop’ you hear when you open the steel-lined lid is a sure sign your carbonated beverage is still fresh and bubbly. Offered in three colors: Matte Black, Nightfall and Hammertone Green.
MSRP $55 stanley1913.com
Designed from a blank sheet of paper for both commercial and recreational use, the CXO300 offers 25% better fuel efficiency compared to a 300hp gasoline outboard, a service life that is three times your average outboard, and highly competitive performance, including 479 lb.ft torque (650Nm) at 2250-3000 RPM. The CXO300 offers a new generation of diesel power, delivering the same performance and packaging of a gasoline outboard but with the fuel efficiency, and reliability of a diesel inboard.
Coxmarine.com
Crappie and bluegill fishing with friends and a quiver of rods is fun and very effective, but also primed for tangles. Millenium Marine recently introduced a transport rack set up for hauling up to eight sticks rigged and ready to fish. The rack is built for tight and secure locking angles for damage-free transport. It’s anodized aluminum, weighs 10 pounds and is easily removable. MSRP
$199.99. www.milleniummarine.com
All-season hunters will appreciate the multi-purpose design behind the Over/Under Upland Vest System developed by Chief Upland. The company describes it not just as a vest but as a complete system, “a tool made for all seasons throughout the year, and we keep finding more ways to utilize it.” Among the latest component releases is a MOLLE-attachable seat pad system, which converts a quail hunting vest into a comfy turkey hunting vest. The seat clips anywhere on your vest for hands-free transport in and out of the woods. The new seat pad is available exclusively with Chief Upland’s Run n’ Gun Turkey Bundle,
$219 . “After turkey season – change out your vest attachments for dog training gear. Then come fall, it's back to the flush. We work to pack extreme value into the Over/Under Vest System, and a quick, detachable seat pad is our latest value add,” said Jake Lindemann, founder and CEO of Chief Upland.
www.chiefupland.com
Here’s a concept that’s guaranteed to stick with Florida anglers. Lure Lock’s new Roll-Up Bag uses the same patented Tak Logic GEL that lines the company’s proven boxes. Simply stick the lures on the GEL, roll it up, and ready to go. No tangles, no exposed hooks. Ideal for stowing in a gear bag, hatch or other tight space. The bags are clear polyurethane. The GEL leaves no odor or residue on lures. The bags are 28 inches long, 10 inches wide.
$29.99 .
www.lurelock.com
First, let’s clear this up: This is not the most versatile baitcast reel. What this is, is an absolutely precision-tuned, unique tool for delivering accurate skipping and pitching presentations—the short field work of tournament bass anglers. The shallow spool holds 40 yards of 20-pound test fluorocarbon with a recessed Knot Slot and the 6-pin centrifugal braking system incorporates a “Skipping Zone” to let that jig fly without fear of backlashes as it skips or ricochets off structure. Pro angler Andy Montgomery, a skipping specialist, helped inform the design process, and Kevin VanDam was involved in testing (KVD likes it for pitching and flipping, as well). Nine ball bearings, 8.3:1 retrieve, carbon fiber drag, aluminum frame with graphite sideplates, available in right- and left-hand retrieve models, for
$199.99. www.lews.com
Engine cut-off switch lanyards save lives, and with modern technology, those lanyards might take the form of virtual products. Safety specialist ACR Electronics is highlighting its new wireless solution offering full compliance with the new (Apr. 1, 2021) U.S. Coast Guard boat engine cut-off switch law applying to drivers of recreational boats less than 26 feet in length. The ACR OLAS Guardian engine kill switch wirelessly connects up to 15 crew or family members via wearable transmitters and stops the engines within two seconds of a person, or pet, going overboard. With the added benefit of functioning as a man overboard alarm system, it triggers a loud 85db alarm, alerting everyone onboard of the emergency, or, if boating alone, reducing the chances of a serious accident from an unmanned, uncontrolled vessel. The system will enable full range of motion for the helmsman—no twisty lanyard that accidentally gets tugged when you stop the boat to adjust trolling rigs, or gets wrapped around the steering wheel. Used in place of or alongside an existing kill cord switch, the ACR OLAS Guardian is quick and easy to install. ACR Electronics offers the full ACR OLAS (Overboard Location Alert System) product range, including the ACR OLAS Core Base Station man overboard alarm system, ACR OLAS Tag and ACR OLAS Float-On MOB systems.
$239.95. www.acrartex.com
Columbia added a few hours of comfort to the typical summer day when it introduced Omni-Freeze cooling technology a few years back. The tiny, moisture-absorbing rings integrated into fabrics improve wicking and cooling. The company’s new ZERO Ice edition of Omni-Freeze, available currently on a PFG long sleeve men’s shirt and a women’s hoodie, promises to activate even more quickly, picking up on atmospheric humidity even before your body begins sweating. Plus, it’s been boosted to UPF 50.
$60 for the shirt. Bring on the heat!
www.columbia.com
Need a transport solution for one of those monster floating mats that are so entertaining at sandbars? Orlando, Florida-based Manta Racks has come up with a design that can be mounted in rod holders along the gunwales or the stern. It retails for
$499 and includes two racks and mounts. Rod holders must be space 24 to 48 inches apart, and be thru-bolted, heavy duty types. Manta builds all sorts of mounting solutions for hauling kayaks, standup paddle boards, wakeboards and other watersports equipment on boats.
www.mantaracks.com
When summer rolls around, forget about the rubberized deck boots. You want breathable comfort and non-slip support for your feet in tropical weather. Grundens makes gear for just about any conditions, and touts the new SeaKnit Boat Shoe as a good answer for Florida anglers. It’s a lace-up shoe with EVA cushioned midsole, natural gum rubber outsole with razor cut siping, and PU-coated nylon upper—breathable but moderate water resistance, too. Men’s sizes from 8 to 14.
$109.99
www.grundens.com .
Available in long and short sleeve, plaids and solids, Tide Point shirts are designed to keep anglers cool and dry. Hydrophobic polyester fibers transport water and sweat away from the skin to the exterior of the clothing where it can evaporate more efficiently. Also, both the short and long sleeve shirts are quick-drying and feature laser perforated holes in the back of the shirt and underarms for breathability. Tide Point shirts are SPF rated to block harmful UVA and UVB rays. A single, mesh-backed chest pocket offers storage and an undersleeve eyewear wipe to keep glasses clean throughout the day. Four-way stretch material, quick-drying and incredibly lightweight, the Tide Point long sleeve features a collar and classic design appropriate for a night on the town. Shown: Tide Point Woven SS, available in Blue Radiance, Bone, Sea Fog, Grey, Back, Key Lime, Ice Blue, Carolina Blue, and White, MSRP
$48. www.hukgear.com
Here’s a killer delivery system for swimbaits and other soft plastics—the Spring Lock Spinner, a mid-weighted hook with a nickel willow blade that spins and flashes. The bait-keeper is an exclusive Double Down Spring Lock, with two retaining wires wound in parallel, offering max grip: Baits stay put when ripped through cover or blasted by big fish. The 2X strong forged carbon steel hook is available in sizes from 3/0 to 12/0, and weights from 1/16 to ¾ ounce. MSRP
$4.28-5.44 www.gamakatsu.com
Everyone needs a jump starter, and this recent release from Uncharted Supply Co. fills the bill for cranking a 6.0L gas or diesel engine. Fifteen times, in fact, on one charge. The pack has 16000mAh capacity and features intelligent battery clamps with built in protection against sparks or shocks, even if used the wrong way. You can also power USB mobile devices—for a loooong time. Included is a 3-in-1 LED built in flashlight. The Athena's waterproof, dust proof (IP67) and shock proof. The case is 9 inches long and 5 inches wide. Sells for
$130 .
www.unchartedsupplyco.com
Polarizing sunglasses: Always a good idea on the boat. Floating polarizing sunglasses: Always a good idea off the boat—as in, when they fall off, they don’t turn into some kind of flashy slow-pitch jig, wobbling down to the reef. Dragon Alliance add some low-density material in its injection-molding process, enabling its frames to float. Among recent introductions are the Shore X LL Polar with ultralight slim frame, Reel X LL Polar with max coverage and Tidal X LL Polar, a wrap-around style. Dragon offers a wide and appropriate range of lens tints for offshore, inshore and low-light conditions. MSRP
$239. www.dragonalliance.com
Polyester wears nice but tends to be a stain and odor magnet, as in seemingly permanent. Well, Gill, a longtime designer of performance gear for boaters and sailors, has worked on cracking the code with XPEL technology. The company describes it as a plant-based finish which is applied to fabrics, guaranteed to repel mud, oil, fish blood and other offenders for up to 30 washes, retaining effectiveness to 50. The new Langland Technical Hoodie is one Gill piece featuring XPEL. It’s a mid-layer hoodie with internal zippered picket inside the front kangaroo pouch, adjustable hood, 4-way stretch and is pill resistant. Just the thing for a cool spring morning or a summer trip to the mountains.
$89.95 www.gillfishing.com
