Photos 2013 Holiday Gifts $100 and Up

2013 Holiday Gifts $100 and Up

By Chris Woodward

November 14, 2013

Fin-Nor Lethal

With braided line so popular, Fin‑Nor offers the Lethal spinning reel series, with a large spool hub, strong spool shaft, and a forged‑brass drive gear for strength. The largest of the four sizes — the 100 — features Megadrag, which comprises 18 multistack carbon‑fiber washers, offering 45 pounds of drag. The Lethal’s all‑aluminum body is coated with MegaShield for corrosion resistance. Prices for smaller reels start at $99; the 100 costs $139. Check back often to see more gift ideas in this gallery or in its sister gallery — 2013 Holiday Gifts Under $100.

Minn Kota Talon Foot Switch

Minn Kota offers hands‑free operation for its Talon shallow‑water anchors with a wireless foot switch. The unit has an LED display, is waterproof, and floats. A quick‑release bracket allows it to be secured. The switch can operate two Talons simultaneously, and costs $149.99.

Yeti Tundra 45

The most popular size among Yeti’s roto‑molded Tundra coolers, the 45 features thick walls filled with PermaFrost insulation. T‑Rex lid latches keep a tight fit, and NeverFail hinges maintain their integrity. The full‑frame ColdLock gasket seals in cold; every Yeti is also dry‑ice compatible. Measuring 25.5‑by‑16‑by‑15.5 inches, the 45 weighs 22 pounds. Available in white, desert tan and ice blue, it costs $329.99.

Okuma Komodo 350

The Komodo 350 low‑profile baitcasting reel holds 230 yards of 14‑pound monofilament, compared with 190 yards for similar reels, Okuma says. It features a carbonite‑and‑stainless drag system that generates 25 pounds of max drag; its drive shaft and main and pinion gears are made from stainless steel. The spool, frame and handle‑side plate are aluminum, and it comes with a 6.4‑to‑1 gear ratio. Komodo 350s cost $219.99.

Garmin VIRB

Garmin’s new VIRB — a high-definition, 1080p action camera — is IPX‑7 waterproof (rated for accidental immersion) and features a 1.4‑inch color display (optional dive case is available). VIRB records up to three hours of HD video on a charge, and can capture still photos up to 16 MB while recording video. The basic VIRB camera costs $299.99; VIRB Elite ($399.99) comes with Wi-Fi, data sensors and GPS.

Under Armour Full Throttle

This polyester foul‑weather gear offers waterproof, taped‑seam protection with breathability. The parka ($249.99) comes with an adjustable removable hood, secure chest pocket, dual cargo pockets and a pliers pocket. It’s available in M to 3X sizes and in red. The waterproof bibs feature an adjustable waist and suspenders, and a side zipper on the leg. Available in black and in sizes S to 3X, the bibs cost $229.99. Sport Fishing Mag Sport Fishing Mag

Quantum Cabo

The redesigned Cabo spinning reels now come with a lightweight frame, and more metal inside and out than competitors, Quantum says. The large center shaft features stronger threads for more lockdown power. Ceramic and carbon‑fiber washers resist heat in a sealed Magnum CSC drag system. Cabos employ a clutch seal to prevent water and debris from entering the housing. Available in four sizes, the reels cost $189 to $229. Sport Fishing Mag

Accurate Boss Dauntless DX2

The Dauntless two‑speed conventional reel is made from lightweight TG aircraft aluminum with heat‑treated -stainless gears and a larger gear shaft for additional torque. It features twin, synced dogs for stopping power. Offered in 400 ($629), 500 ($649) and 600 ($679) sizes, the Dauntless is designed for everything from trolling to bottomfishing.

FLIR First Mate II

FLIR Systems’ First Mate II hand‑held thermal night‑vision cameras come with the InstAlert feature, which highlights in red the strongest heat signatures in an image. That gives captains an instant fix on a man overboard. First Mate II units come in pixel resolutions of 240‑by‑180 or 320‑by‑240, with various lens options. Prices start at $1,999.

Columbia Firestorm

This hybrid jacket uses a blend of technologies, including a thermal reflective lining to trap body heat, Omni‑Wick EVAP inserts in high‑sweat zones, and an Omni‑Tech microporous coating for waterproof breathability throughout. The FireStorm features a waterproof zipper, sealed seams, a license window and a rod holder. It comes in black‑and‑gravel and in sizes S to 2X. FireStorm costs $550.

Raymarine CP100 Sonar Module

The CP100 CHIRP DownVision Sonar Module is an add‑on accessory for a‑, c‑, e‑ and gS‑Series Raymarine systems. It features both CHIRP fish targeting and DownVision sonar, and interfaces via the RayNet (Ethernet) network. With each pulse emitted, the CP100’s DownVision uses CHIRP to transmit across a wide spectrum of frequencies, resulting in much higher resolution images. The unit costs $519.99.

St. Croix LegendXtreme Inshore

Built on high‑modulus graphite blanks with super‑high‑modulus graphite in the lower section, the LegendXtreme spinning and casting rods combine light weight, power, strength and sensitivity. The marine white series includes three 7‑foot spinners and one 7‑foot casting model. The Xtreme‑Skin handle repels water and slime; handle‑trim pieces are corrosion-proof. With a two‑piece Fuji SK2 reel seat and Kigan Master Hand Zero Tangle guides, the rods cost $380 to $390.

Furuno GP1670, GP1870

Just in time for the holidays, Furuno has lowered the prices on its small, dual‑frequency plotter/fish finders — the GP1670F (5.7‑inch display) and GP1870F (7‑inch wide‑format screen) — to $695 and $995, respectively. Both feature Bottom Discrimination, Accu‑Fish and Post‑Processing Gain technologies. The plotter shows short and long‑range views in a split‑screen -presentation.

Power-Pole Drift Paddle

An accessory to Power‑Pole’s shallow‑water anchors, the paddle provides control over boat speed and direction on a drift. The 46‑inch paddle features seven positions that alter the bow angle and slow the boat up to 50 percent. It attaches to the Power‑Pole anchor, operates remotely and works for boats up to 4,500 pounds. Price is $225.

Simrad/Lowrance SonarHub

This new, all‑in‑one sounder module adds StructureScan HD and CHIRP sonar technology to compatible Lowrance HDS and Simrad NS multifunction displays. CHIRP provides high‑definition detail to depths of 3,500 feet. StructureScan provides anglers with picturelike displays of what’s to the side and below the boat. The sounder works with a wide range of transducers and costs $599.

Shimano Stella SW 30000

Shimano introduced its SW‑X Concept with 12 new Stella SW spinning reels for casting and jigging — targeting “any game fish swimming in the world’s oceans.” The 30000 is Shimano’s largest and most powerful spinning reel to date, and was designed to tackle monster bluefin tuna. With a 4.4‑to‑1 gear ratio, it retrieves 51 inches of line per crank and handles 570 yards of 100‑pound PowerPro. Price: $1,419.99.

Costa Saltbreak Sunglasses

Saltbreaks provide a large-frame fit with performance features such as a no-slip interior lining, temple tips for comfort, and sturdy integral hinges. The grames are available in tortoise, matte black, silver, white and the new blackout color, and with 400 glass, 580 glass and 580 plastic lenses in a wide variety of colors. Saltbreaks can accommodate prescription sun lenses. Prices start at $179. Visit costadelmar.com. Sport Fishing Mag

Daiwa Saltiga Travel Boat Rods

Multipiece rods often exhibit a flat, unbending (“dead”) spot at the ferrules, but Daiwa says its new three-piece, travel boat rods come with V-Flex ferrules that bend with the blank. The two spinning and two conventional rods measure 7 feet, and come in medium or medium-heavy actions for 12-to-25-pound-test lines and 15- to 30-pound-test lines. They’re packaged with a 34-inch, semihard travel case and cost $219.95. Visit daiwa.com.

Penn Squall Lever-Drag Two-Speed Reel

Penn’s Squall Lever Drag two-speeds come in 16, 30W and 50W IGFA sizes, meaning they’ll hold 1,000 yards of 16-, 30- and 50-pound mono. With a stainless-steel gear train, the Quick Shift system allows anglers to quickly change gears. Watch a video showing Penn’s brand manager talking about these reels. They cost $250 to $350. Visit Penn’s Store Locator to find a dealer near you, or search online to find a retail website. Sport Fishing Mag

Cousins SE Series Offshore Rods

Cousins’ new SE graphite-composite rod series includes live-bait conventional and spin models, jig-and-heavy-bait conventional rods, stand-up tuna rods and conventional deckhand-style rods. Actions, lengths and tapers vary and costs range from $335 to $370 for the live-bait and jig/heavy bait rods, from $365 to $585 for the tuna sticks, and from $355 to $390 for the deckhand models. Read more about Cousins Tackle in our Pacific Coast Editor’s blog.

Columbia HydroTech Packable Rain Jacket

Columbia’s superlight HydroTech features Omni-Tech waterproof-breathability and full seam sealing. The hooded nylon jacket offers zippered pockets and hook-and-loop straps to cinch down sleeves. It comes in black, sage, vivid blue and sail red in sizes small to extra-extra large for $100.

Lowrance’s Elite-7 Hybrid Dual Imaging units**** are available as a fish-finder/chart-plotter combo or as a stand-alone finder or plotter. It features a 7-inch, widescreen LED-backlit display and can be divided into three panels simultaneously. Hybrid Dual Imaging combines Broadband Sounder and Downscan Imaging. Prices for combos start at $699; 5-inch models are also available. Sport Fishing Mag

Grappler Anchor

Grappler Anchors, designed for holding rocky or grassy bottoms, are made from aluminum and feature bendable tines. Anglers often chain this style anchor from the bottom and then zip-tie another link to the top, which flips the anchor for retrieval. Grapplers are available in coated and uncoated versions, in a variety of colors and in four sizes for boats up to 35 feet. Prices range from $99 to $174.99.

Garmin echoMAP 50s

Garmin’s new echoMAP 50s (pictured) and 70s fish finder/plotters can refresh position and heading up to 10 times per second with the integration of a 10 Hz GPS/GLONASS receiver. The 50s combines a 5-inch VGA display with an echo HD-ID finder. The 70s comes with a 7-inch WVGA touch-screen display with pinch-to-zoom. Both come with a dual-beam 77/200 kHz transducer. The 50s costs $499.99, and the 70s costs $1,049.99.

Fin-Nor Marquesa Pelagic

Fin-Nor builts its new Marquesa Pelagic lever-drag conventional reels with a forged and machined one-piece frame and side cover and designs them with a precision-drag system for anglers targeting big fish on lighter lines. The stainless-carbon fiber system remains ultra smooth with virtually no start-up spike. The size 30 costs $379.95 and the 40 costs $399.95.

Flying Fisherman’s Passport Collection

Designed by veteran Keys captain Randy Towe, Flying Fisherman’s Passport travel rods come in three separate classes — heavy, medium and light. Each class features a four-piece, 9-foot fly rod and a three-piece, 7-foot spinning rod packaged in a travel case. Prices range from $499.95 fot the light pair of rods to $534.95 for the heavy pair. Quantities are limited at flyingfisherman.com and amazon.com, but both should be fully stocked by the end of November. Sport Fishing Mag

ICOM M73 Series VHF Handhelds

ICOM’s M73 Series VHF handhelds — a plus version and a basic model — are IPX8 submersible, transmit 6 watts of high power, and retain their predecessor’s (M72) slim design. “Last Call” voice recording and playback automatically saves an incoming call for 1 minute. The plus version comes with a built-in rewind feature that can replay those messages; it also features voice enhancements. The M73 Series starts at $249.99. Use ICOM’s dealer-locator page to find a retailer near you or search online.

Costa Tower and Conch Sunglasses

Costa married its molded-nylon frame construction with Monel metal to product its new Tower (top) and Conch (bottom) frames. Tower’s retro-rectangle shape fits medium faces and comes in palladium, gunmetal and gold. Conch’s aviator style fits larger faces and comes in palladium and gunmetal. Both are available in a variety of lens options with Costa’s 580 technology. Prices start at $199. Sport Fishing Mag Sport Fishing Mag

More photos, Saltwater Fishing Gear