November 09, 2021
By Jeff Weakley & Shelby Busenbark
Holiday season is upon us. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or having a few extra days to celebrate with family and friends, coming up with appropriate presents can be a challenge. The key to gift-giving is matching the gift to the individual. From fishing garb and hunting gear to cooking utilities and throwing knives, we've got you covered with unique, fool-proof gift choices for the outdoorsmen/women in your life. Even something for the kids:
Shakespeare EZ-Grow Combo | Pure Fishing Being able to match the size of the combo to the size of the angler is essential in helping children with casting, increasing their comfort, and easing their transition into larger gear as they grow. The perfect combo for a young angler, the Shakespeare EZ-Grow 4+ Combo features a telescoping rod that expands from 2 1/2 feet up to 4 1/2 feet, allowing the angler to keep the same rod setup as they grow. This combo also features, an oversized reel knob attachment and extended push button that assists young anglers in making casting and retrieving much easier. Both features can be removed and adjusted as the angler grows.
$29.99 | purefishing.com
Vaer C5 | Tradition Black USA Quartz | Custom Second Strap: Nylon - Khaki Vaer C5 | Tradition Black USA Quartz | Custom Second Strap: Nylon - Khaki Looking for an all-purpose field watch? Vaer builds durable, USA-assembled timepieces meant for everyday outdoor use. Boasting a guaranteed waterproof warranty, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and ultra-slim case design it's the perfect watch for your next fishing trip - or a night on the town.
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$209 | vaerwatches.com
So here’s the deal with Vortex. If the guy or gal who finds a pair of Vortex binoculars under the tree doesn’t already own a pair of binocs, they’re gonna be thrilled by the quality. If they already own a thousand-dollar set of Steiners or Leicas, they’re still gonna be thrilled—and blown away when they see the price tag you forget to remove. Vortex makes a wide range of binoculars, but at around $250, the Diamondback series is a good choice for the outdoorsman, with rubber non-slip grip, fog-proof argon gas purging, watertight O-rings, scratch-resistant coatings and exceptional optics. Great pair for use on the boat or at hunt camp—places where dropping a thousand bucks into the drink really hurts. And if you happen to smash the Vortex binocs at the boat ramp or drop them on a rock… the Vortex warranty service is said to be second to none. Shown are 10X magnification, 42 mm objective lens diameter, 21.3 ounces—a good “happy medium” for the boater and hunter alike. (Tip: 10X is the limit for hand-holding without shake, and 8X might be better for the offshore skipper. Don’t go less than 42mm lens unless extreme portability is your priority.) vortexoptics.com Shelter from the storm in the stylish North Hill Jacket. Not only extremely lightweight, it features a windproof fabric with a water repellent finish. The Down Feel synthetic fiber insulation is designed to keep the elements out, and with the regular fit can be worn with or without additional layers - perfect for your weekend adventure. Made of 100% nylon outside and insulated with recycled polyester, this jacket adjusts great to varying conditions. You have two color schemes to choose from: Ash & Ochre and Blue & Black. Available sizes range from S to XXL. MSRP:$190 gillfishing.com You’ll have a hard time finding a better deal on a basic inshore saltwater spinning outfit. Daiwa packages its feature-packed modern BG reel with a crisp graphite spinning rod. Look for the ‘M’ level—Medium. It includes a 3000-series BG reel with aluminum body and machined aluminum spool holding 280 yards of 15-pound braid. The rod is 7 feet and rated for lures of ¼ to 1 ounce. The whole outfit sells for $139.99 at one Florida retailer we looked at. If the giftee fishes the combo rod for a year and then decides he or she wants to upgrade to a custom spinning rod, you’re out maybe twenty bucks. The reel will hold up for years and has all the performance needed for snook, reds, trout, you name it. dickssportinggoods.com Anyone would be stoked to open this box. If they already own a pellet grill (increasingly likely these days), they’ll already know about the extreme versatility, from slow-smoking to searing, and simple operation (just turn it on!). That favorite supply of savory wood pellets used for home grilling can now be tapped for tail-gate parties, camp cookouts and other events. If the Traeger Ranger is their first pellet grill, it might end up becoming their primary grill at home! This one includes porcelain-coated grates as well as a griddle. It has a meat probe, keep-warm mode and latched lid. Weight is 60 pounds. Traeger figures it’ll accommodate a single rack of ribs, 6 burgers or 10 dogs. $429.99 through Traeger and many retailers. traeger.com Here’s a great basic offshore teaser kit that’ll be useful for the owner of any size boat, from bay boats to 40-foot battlewagons. The durable, double-laminated Mylar strips and lightweight bars deliver very little drag, and can be pulled off light outriggers or even a heavy fishing rod. They’ll pulsate and flash at livebait or pitch-bait slow speeds, too—even while at anchor in some current. The kits come in a mesh carry bag, easy to put away or take with you on a buddy’s boat. The 60-fish kits sell for $99.99 online or through retailers. fishrazr.com In the grand ol’ American tradition of potentially hazardous Christmas gifts, this one’s right up there with the official Red Ryder carbine action 200-shot Range Model. The kit includes three each balanced, aerodynamic throwing blades with durable, glass-reinforced handles wrapped in paracord. The hawks are 3Cr13MoV steel and the knives 420 stainless. A three-pack of targets is included in the kit available at Bass Pro Shops ($69.99). We see the product is “not currently available online” which is probably a good thing--today’s tech-savvy Ralphie definitely warrants supervision here. cabelas.com On a ratio of utility to value, these $3.99 scissors from Danco pretty much take the cake. Perfect stocking stuff for anyone who fishes. They’re stainless steel and include serrated scissor edges perfect for cutting braided poly—the lines we love to use but hate to trim with pliers. Danco also sneaks a split ring nose onto the product, another angling necessary difficult to accomplish with standard pliers. academy.com There are a lot of serviceable inflatable kayaks out there, but the Blackfoot series from Aquaglide includes some cool features. It’s a reinforced PVC hull with exceptionally rigid, dropstitch floor. Numerous accessory mounts are provided, for cupholders, cameras, rodholders and more, and there are web tie-down loops and D-rings in strategic places. Most interesting is the frame high-low seat and the Velcro strips on the floor for attaching (and moving) components such as the included fishing cooler or an extra seat for a child. It weighs 41 pounds and includes a back-pack storage bag. Priced at $1,199.95 through many online retailers. aquaglide.com The redesigned Sustain FJ is lighter and optimized for longer casts. Shimano’s Long Stroke Spool system puts extra yardage on your side, opening up shots are far-away fish. The aluminum-frame reels are designed around the cold-forged aluminum HAGANE gearing and SilentDrive technology for smooth, efficient cranking power, and a carbon drag delivers consistent performance across a range of settings. Shimano also calls attention to the MagnumLite Rotor, which the company says delivers improved balance and low rotor inertia. Last but not least, Shimano highlights the X-Protect system, with water-repellent coatings with a water-channeling labyrinth construction. The 2500-series is billed as a great choice for soft plastic presentations to seatrout or snook, or general-purpose bass fishing. Step up to the C3000-series Sustain with its deeper cut spool for more line capacity, in a reel with the same body size and 7.4-ounce weight as the 2500-series Sustain. The larger, 4000-series Sustain delivers faster line retrieve speeds while the C5000-series Sustain provides maximum line capacity and 24 pounds of drag, suitable for big reds, tarpon and more. MSRP $299.99 to $309.99. basspro.com These are flip flops that hold up to heavy action, whether on a boat or walking around town. The sole is non-marking siped gum rubber with exceptional traction on deck or on a trail. The footbed is Sea Dek material—it doesn’t slip when wet, it doesn’t hold odors, and it doesn’t slough away like some flip flop materials. Good arch support, too. And: The thong has not pulled out on a test pair worn for two years by a Florida Sportsman editor. You can spend more on flops, and you can spend a lot less, but for $64.99, these are a great choice. Available in Men’s whole sizes 8 to 14 (Grunden’s makes a Deck Hand women’s sandal, $44.99). grundens.com Bowfishing is kind of having its moment. Folks in the upper Midwest have been arrowing invasive carp in recent years, and broadcasting the thrill (and ecological benefits) on social media. Here in Florida, we have exotic tilapia and invasive pleco catfish to target, not to mention a buffet of delicious native species open to harvest with bow, such as mullet and sheepshead (there are many species off-limits; consult FWC). Gifting a ready-to-go kit would be a great way to introduce someone to the sport. One option: AMS packages the Water Moc Bow Kit with a Premium TNT Retriever, Chaos Arrow and Tidal Wave Arrow Rest. The Water Moc Bow is a 45-lb. draw weight recurve coated for water resistance. It’s a simple, foolproof rig and what’s especially great is it can be quickly taken down to stow easily inside a hatch. Modest price, too, at $299.99. cabelas.com With a 20-can and 18-can capacity respectively, both the ORCA Walker 20 and ORCA Walker Tote hold ice for up to three days and were designed with padded shoulder straps, magnetic carry handles, welded leak-proof interior, and air-tight zippers. The Walker Tote ($199.99) features a waterproof pocket for phones, keys and other essentials, while the Walker 20 ($219.99) offers a mesh pocket and bungee straps for added storage. orcacoolers.com Here’s a stocking stuffer any fisherman would be pleased to receive. This gripper makes fast work of landing and releasing your catch without harm to you or the fish. Securely hold fish with one-hand. Quick release mechanism holds strong, yet releases with ease. Built from durable, molded heavy-duty plastic for ultimate corrosion resistance. Includes wrist lanyard for security. Prices are $11.99 for the six-inch gripper, $15.49 for the 9-inch. rapala.com This is one of those gifts that might result in gifts coming back your way—in the form of fresh fish! The Calcutta Large Pack Fish bag has easy-pull taped and sealed zippers, clips and welded waterproof inner liner. It has a woven nylon shoulder strap and more than enough insulation to keep your iced catch cold—and keep the bag from sweating. Mossy Oak® Elements Coastal Shoreline pattern shown. Dimensions are 5 feet, 6 inches by 2 feet—perfect for tunas, wahoo, mahi and more. Price $119.99 at calcuttaoutdoors.com. Sometimes the best gifts are ones that you secretly want too. Known for their superior fillet knives, BUBBA is expanding their lineup to the homefront with their stunning Complete Kitchen & Steak Knife Set. The combo sports sharpening steel and ten extremely sharp, long-lasting blades including six essential kitchen knives and four steak knives crafted from premium German stainless steel and outfitted with G10 grip handles. Paired with an elegant Parawood knife block made from sustainable materials, this knife set brings the blades you trust on the water into the kitchen and looks damn good doing it. The complete set rings in at $559.99, but sans steak knives, you can bring home the Kitchen Knife Set for $449.99. bubba.com "His & Hers " Sunglasses Costa Untangled Santiago costadelmar.com Bajío Casuarina bajiosunglasses.com If there’s a Florida Sportsman Magazine on his or her coffee table, you can be pretty sure they’ll like Fly Fisherman , too. From seasoned expert to enthusiastic novices, Fly Fisherman’s angling audience enjoys the most comprehensive and unbiased information on fresh and saltwater destinations, casting and presentation techniques, fly tying, conservation issues and more. Anyone new or experienced in the fly scene will benefit from editor and publisher Ross Purnell’s carefully curated bi-monthly magazine installments. Get 1-Year of Fly Fisherman for just $10. flyfisherman.com For outdoor-loving families, this is one is a no-brainer. MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) is the world’s #1 subscription-based outdoor streaming service with more than 20,000 episodes and counting of premium hunting, fishing, and shooting content. The service invites viewers to experience not only the heart-pounding action, but the camaraderie in the field, at the range, and on the water. MOTV is available worldwide on Roku, Apple TV, Xbox, iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire, Samsung and LG smart TVs. The freedom to access on multiple devices from one account allows the whole family to enjoy the best of the outdoors at home or on-the-go. Monthly plans start at $9.99 but act fast and a pop-up will prompt you to earn an additional 25% off an Annual Subscription, taking the usual annual price from $98.99/year to under $75. That’s only $6.19 a month! Not ready for that level of commitment? Try it out for a whole month free before pulling the trigger. myoutdoortv.com Unless you’ve taken a page from Lucy Whitmore’s diary from the Happy Madison classic, 50 First Dates, you probably don’t love your S.O.’s fishy fingers. When it comes time to pack up and head home, how does an angler deal with a day’s worth of bait, blood, scales, and slime left behind? Naturally Uncommon, creators of MacKenzie’s Fisherman Hand Scrub launched a line of products developed to clean and deodorize even the fishiest of hands, leaving them smooth and fresh. Crafted with 100% biodegradable and natural ingredients, this scrub is safe for you and the environment. A combination of natural soap, conditioners, fine ground walnut husks and lemon essential oil power through smells and stains, making this scrub ideal for all outdoorsmen, both fishermen and hunters alike. Available in two convenient sizes, the 16 ounce bottle rings in at $19.95 and 6 ounces at $11.95. fishermanhandscrub.com
