Mudhole “Turnkey” Rod Building Kit
So you think your special someone wants a new rod but you can’t decide which one to buy? Why not help them build their own? Cultivate pride of ownership and a useful skill set by giving them a Mudhole Turnkey Rod Kit. Everything needed to build a custom fishing rod comes right in the box. Complete components include blank (in choice of color), handle, guides, nylon wrapping thread, adhesives and finishes. Reusable hand wrapper and 110V rod dryer are also included, as is thread cutter, burnishing tool, tape and other supplies. Hint: the MHX 7’0” Med-Light outfit in Spinning configuration ($199.99) is just about the perfect start for inshore saltwater fishing in Florida. See www.mudhole.com
Tsunami SaltX Reels
These are fully sealed, waterproof reels built for serious duty and many years of dependable service. The bodies and rotor are forged and CNC machined aluminum; the gears and bearings, stainless steel; the handle, one-piece machined. You’ll likely never need 50 pounds of max drag, but it’s there. The 6000-size reel ($379.99) weighs 18 ounces with a 4.9:1 retrieve and capacity of 350 yards of 40-pound braid. The smaller 4000 size ($349.99) scales 14.5 ounces, with a 5.1:1 retrieve, carrying 220 yards of 20-pound braid. Reels are available in black or silver.
Galleon Jewelers Charm and Fish Band
Galleon offers a stunning variety of nautical-themed jewelry. Here are two recent offerings sure to catch the eye of the coastal resident or the part-time Floridian looking for the perfect full-time reminder of life in the Sunshine State. One is the 14 kt. Sunrise Charm, with a beach scene accented with a 14 kt. white gold palm tree. Price is $115. Matching earrings are available. Looking for a customizable piece? Choose your fish for the Men’s 8mm Five Fish Band, or the ladies’ version with three fish. Yellow gold band with white gold fish. Price: $950. See https://www.galleonjewelers.com/
Daiwa Fishing Tools
Any one or even all three of these new tools from Daiwa would be excellent stocking-stuffers for the avid angler. The first two are the company’s new pliers and dykes built with cam leveraging power—the 7-inch dykes are powerful enough to slice through most hooks, while the 8-inch needlenose plier offers gripping force that won’t let go. The tools are built from an alloy 10 percent harder on the Rockwell C scale than a traditional carbon steel tool. A third tool, the Pistol Grip Long Nose Plier, is a specialty design, ergonomically optimized for reaching down inside the mouth of a fish to recover lures or hooks. MSRP for each tool is $24.99. Daiwa is world famous for high-performance reels and other gear. See www.daiwa.com/US
Garmin inReach Mini
Ultimate stocking-stuffer for the avid outdoorsman: This is a waterproof satellite text-SOS-navigator device with rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It does double duty far out on the ocean or way back in the woods, a welcome piece of gear anytime you’re outside cell range. You can send and receive texts up to 160 characters. Save and navigate to waypoints. Transmit an emergency rescue message through the GEOS network. Add weather service or background maps. The device weighs 3 ½ inches and measures just under 4 inches by 2 inches. Price is $349.99 and you’ll need to select a monthly satellite service, starting at $11.95 for up to 10 texts and unlimited SOS messaging.
Outer Envy Engine Cover
They say it’s like your favorite fishing shirt, but for your engine. Makes sense to us! The Outer Envy engine covers are available in an array of designs, including digital camos, fish scales, patriotic flag patterns and solid colors. Lightweight materials and fit have been extensively tested in speeds from trolling to 90-plus mph. Made in the USA. Pricing starts at $119.95. See www.outerenvy.com
Big Kahuna Beach & Fishing Wagon
How about the ultimate beach gear-hauler? The Alumacart Kahuna Beach & Fishing Wagon is made in the USA of commercial grade aluminum fabrication and stainless steel hardware. It’s designed to glide over sand on four 11.8-inch balloon tires, making easy work of transporting fishing and recreation equipment as far down the beach as you care to go. This thing is big: 27 inches by 45 inches of deck for any assortment of coolers, boxes or other gear you might need. It features four aluminum rod holders that can also be used for beach umbrellas. Removable aluminum walls for securing loads can be independently removed as needed for loading or unloading heavy items. Price is $619.97. See www.alumacart.net
Traeger Tailgater
Wood pellet grills are great for infusing that savory, smoky, hunt-camp flavor to meats and other goodies. Here’s a portable model from Traeger that weighs in at 62 pounds and measures 37 inches wide by 36 inches tall and 18 inches deep. It offers a camp-grade cooking capacity of 300 square inches (2 whole chickens, 3 racks of ribs or 12 burgers). Price is $449.99. Cover and folding shelf also available for an additional $49.99 each. See www.traegergrills.com
Columbia PFG Men’s Force XII Fleece Jacket
This zip-front fleece is the ideal weight and fit for those December and January days on the water. Wear either as a shell or a layer under a light rain jacket. Features Omni Shield “Blood N Guts” repellency; drawcord-adjustable hood and hem; zippered chest and hand pockets and men’s sizing from S to XXL. Blue, black and gray available. Suggested retail price $140. See www.columbia.com
Datrex Trident 150 Inflatable PFD with Light
Now not even ol’ Kris Kringle has an excuse to avoid wearing a lifejacket. The Datrex Trident 150 USCG Type II inflatable lifejacket is sized to fit any wearer 16 years or older, with a 30- to 65-inch chest. Plus, it also comes equipped with SOLAS reflective and USCG-approved water activated lifejacket light. Automatic inflation with manual backup. Price is $129. See www.datrex.com
onX Hunt App
Here’s a cell phone topographic GPS navigator app with all sorts of features useful to the Florida hunter. See boundaries of state and federal lands. Identify private property boundaries and see the owner’s name and tax address. Confirm state hunting zone and Deer Management Unit boundaries. Share waypoints. And more. Price for Premium Membership is $29.99 per year; Elite Membership is $99.99 per year. Free trial available at: www.onxmaps.com/ The company also offers maps on a pre-loaded chip, for traditional GPS device.
West Marine Go-Anywhere Beanbag Chair
A beanbag chair is the ultimate in frugal luxury: Super relaxing for traveling on a boat. Or reclining on deck at the sandbar. Or just flopping down in the living room to watch a movie. West Marine offers a beanbag chair with a heavy duty marine vinyl cover, UV-resistant thread and color-matched piping. Twin zipper design with interior pocket keeps beads secured inside the chair. See westmarine.com. Price: $139.99
Jetboil Genesis Basecamp
Here’s a super Christmas gift that comes stuffed into its very own stocking. Save space on camping trips without crimping your cooking style with the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System. Double burner, 5-liter FluxPot, 1-inch ceramic-coated fry pan—the whole works nests neatly into a travel bag just 8 ½ inches tall. It’s compatible with a standard 16.4-ounce propane bottle, regulated for consistence performance to 20-degrees F, and features output ports to fuel up the company’s JetLink compatible cookers. Retail price is $349.95. See jetboil.com
