Gear

Holiday Gift Guide: The 12 Days of Fishmas!

Skip that partridge in a pear tree: These gift ideas will bring joy to saltwater fishermen everywhere.

By Chris Woodward

Updated: October 19, 2018

For the sake of fun, let’s just pretend that Fishmas is an annual event in December when saltwater anglers’ dreams come true. Imagine one awesome gift every day for 12 days in a row! Maybe these items magically appear, brought by the Great Tarpon, who pops out of the kitchen faucet and delivers fully wrapped presents to your tackle and gear room.

However, if a multi-day extravaganza is not in your budget (or your imagination) this year, consider any one of these gifts a fine option for the angler in your family.

Penn Battle II

On the first day of Fishmas, the Tarpon gave to me: A Penn Battle II spinning reel: Available in eight models, the Battle II sports a full-metal body, sideplate and rotor, HT-100 carbon-fiber drag washers, and line-capacity rings. Models start at the ultralight 1000 size, which offers 9 pounds of max drag, a 5.2-to-1 gear ratio, and 160 yards of 6-pound braid capacity. On the top end, the Battle II 8000 comes with 30 pounds of max drag, a 5.3-to-1 ratio and 475 yards of 50-pound braid capacity. Battle IIs cost $70.69 to $126.73. Courtesy Penn

Columbia PFG Terminal Tackle Hoodie

On the second day of Fishmas, the Tarpon gave to me: A Columbia PFG Terminal Tackle hoodie: This 100 percent polyester, quick-dry hoodie offers UPF 50 protection from the sun. It also comes with Columbia’s Omni-Wick technology that pulls moisture away from the body. The shirt comes in sizes S through XXL and in nine colors. It costs $26.51 to $99.99. … and a Penn Battle II spinning reel. Courtesy Columbia

Okuma Solterra SLX

On the third day of Fishmas, the Tarpon gave to me: An Okuma Solterra SLX lever-drag reel: The Solterra SLX comes in four styles: levelwind, single-speed, two-speed and high-speed, giving anglers different options for different fishing styles and target species. The reels all feature stainless-steel main and pinion gears and shafts, corrosion-resistant frame and side plates, a forged aluminum spool with line-indicator rings and a Carbonite drag system. Open-top high-speed reels are available in sizes 10 and 15; standard single-speed lever drags come in sizes 20, 30 and 50W; two-speed lever-drags are available in 20, 30 and 50W, and levelwinds come in 10, 15 and 20 sizes. The reels cost $129.99 to $299.99. …a Columbia hoodie and a Penn Battle II spinning reel. Courtesy Okuma

Cuda Dual Pliers

On the fourth day of Fishmas, the Tarpon gave to me: A pair of Cuda Dual Pliers: This 7 ½-inch set of pliers is made from aluminum alloy with a bonded oxide film for corrosion protection. The dual-cutting technology comprises titanium-bonded tungsten-carbide wire cutters and a mono/braid and fluorocarbon compound cutter. The pliers come with a nylon sheath and lanyard and cost $43.43. …an Okuma Solterra, a Columbia hoodie and a Penn Battle II spinning reel. Courtesy Cuda

Shimano Saragosa SW

On the fifth day of Fishmas, the Tarpon gave to me: A Shimano Saragosa SW spinning reel: This dedicated blue-water reel features Shimano’s propulsion line-management system, X-Ship gearing and shielded A-RB bearings and provides up to 44 pounds of drag. The reel can retrieve 38 to 45 inches of line per crank, depending upon the model. Available in six sizes — from 5000 to 25000 (40- to 100-pound braid) — and with gear ratios from 4.4-to-1 up to 5.7-to-one, the Saragosas cost $249.90 to $1,093.34. …a pair of Cuda pliers, an Okuma Solterra, a Columbia hoodie and a Penn Battle II spinning reel. Courtesy Shimano

AFTCO Bluefever Utility Gloves

On the sixth day of Fishmas, the Tarpon gave to me: A pair of AFTCO Bluefever Utility Gloves: Meant for any and all fishing purposes — from leadering to fileting — the utility gloves come with Tacky-Grip technology on the palm and fingers and vent holes to drain water. The vented foam-backed mesh keeps hands cool and protected. AFTCO used a nylon-spandex material between the fingers and in the stretch cuff. Available in sizes S through XXL, the gloves cost $22.49 to $27.81. …a Shimano Saragosa, a pair of Cuda pliers, an Okuma Solterra, a Columbia hoodie and a Penn Battle II spinning reel. Courtesy AFTCO

Huk Icon Long-Sleeve Shirt

On the seventh day of Fishmas, the Tarpon gave to me: A Huk Icon long-sleeve shirt: The body of the Icon shirt is made from 90 percent polyester and 10 percent Spandex; the shirt’s back is polyester mesh. The material offers 30+ UPF sun protection, and features stain-release and moisture-transport technologies. Icon shirts come in sizes S through XXXL and in eight colors. They cost $38.08 to $76.09. …a pair of AFTCO gloves, a Shimano Saragosa, a pair of Cuda pliers, an Okuma Solterra, a Columbia hoodie and a Penn Battle II spinning reel. Courtesy Huk

Costa Pescador

On the eighth day of Fishmas, the Tarpon gave to me: A pair of Costa Pescador sunglasses: Pursuant to Costa’s Kick Plastic initiative, Pescador frames are made from recycled fishing nets. The large square frames pair with removable, rubber side shields for full coverage on bright days. Pescadors have a tumbled finish with textured detailing. They come in net gray with blue or gray rubber, featuring blue-mirror or copper silver-mirror 580 glass lenses, and cost $219. … a Huk Icon shirt, a pair of AFTCO gloves, a Shimano Saragosa, a pair of Cuda pliers, an Okuma Solterra, a Columbia hoodie and a Penn Battle II spinning reel. Courtesy Costa

Yeti Hopper Two Cooler

On the ninth day of Fishmas, the Tarpon gave to me: A Yeti Hopper Two Cooler: The Hopper Two 30 measures 25 inches side-to-side at the top, 18 inches tall and 12 inches wide at the bottom, and was designed to hold 23 cans using a 2-to-1 ice-to-can ratio. Its smaller sister — the 20 — and larger sister — the 40 — are both still available at retail but not on the company website. All feature Yeti’s Dryhide waterproof shell and Hydrolok zipper. Available in fog gray/Tahoe blue and in field tan/blaze orange, the coolers cost $249.99, $299.99, and $349.99. … Costa Pescador glasses, a Huk Icon shirt, a pair of AFTCO gloves, a Shimano Saragosa, a pair of Cuda pliers, an Okuma Solterra, a Columbia hoodie and a Penn Battle II spinning reel. Courtesy Yeti

Plano Z-Series Tackle Bag

On the tenth day of Fishmas, the Tarpon gave to me: A Plano Z-Series tackle bag: Plano’s Z-Series zipperless tackle bags eliminate issues common to zippered bags used in saltwater environments. The bags incorporate a water-resistant coating and fast-entry opening. The 3600 bag comes with multiple mesh slip pockets and in the Kryptek Raid camo color. It fits five 3600 Series Stowaway Utility Boxes. The bag is also available in a larger 3700 size. The 3600 costs $55.99. … a Yeti Hopper 2 cooler, Costa Pescador glasses, a Huk Icon shirt, a pair of AFTCO gloves, a Shimano Saragosa, a pair of Cuda pliers, an Okuma Solterra, a Columbia hoodie and a Penn Battle II spinning reel. Courtesy Plano

RAM X-Grip

On the eleventh day of Fishmas, the Tarpon gave to me: RAM’s spring-loaded X-Grip phone cradle with Twist-Lock suction-cup base lets anglers keep their phone secure and accessible on the water. Both ends of the RAM socket arm adjust to create the ideal viewing angle. The cradle fits a variety of phones with or without a case. Rubber-coated arm tips firmly grip the phone while leaving side ports unobstructed. The X-Grip costs $47.49. … a Plano Z-Series tackle bag, a Yeti Hopper 2 cooler, Costa Pescador glasses, a Huk Icon shirt, a pair of AFTCO gloves, a Shimano Saragosa, a pair of Cuda pliers, an Okuma Solterra, a Columbia hoodie and a Penn Battle II spinning reel. Courtesy RAM

XTRATUF Ankle Deck Boot

On the twelfth day of Fishmas, the Tarpon gave to me: XTRATUF designed the 6-inch ankle deck boot specifically for sport fishermen. The lightweight waterproof boot features XTRATUF’s proprietary evaporative XpressCool liner, which wicks away moisture and creates a cooling sensation as your feet start to sweat. Chevron outsoles grip surfaces without leaving scuffs or marks. The boots come in sizes 7 to 14 and in six colors. They cost $69.14 to $95. … a RAM X-Grip cradle, a Plano Z-Series tackle bag, a Yeti Hopper 2 cooler, Costa Pescador glasses, a Huk Icon shirt, a pair of AFTCO gloves, a Shimano Saragosa, a pair of Cuda pliers, an Okuma Solterra, a Columbia hoodie and a Penn Battle II spinning reel. MERRY FISHMAS and Happy Holidays! Courtesy XTRATUF