Want to steal the show during this year’s holidays with the best gift of all? This collection of reels, rods, sunglasses, smartwatches and more offers a few ideas to ratchet up the cool factor.
If you’re looking for a more affordable gift for your saltwater-fishing family member or friend, Sport Fishing also has you covered with a collection of some of the best fishing gifts this year under $100.
Fishing Reels
Penn Conflict II
The Conflict II, Penn’s lightest reel ever, features a rigid resin body and rotor, equaling a 20 percent lighter reel than the original Conflict. Conflict IIs are available in six sizes — from a 1000 size that holds 130 yards of 8-pound braid to a 5000 that carries 300 yards of 30-pound braid — and gear ratios range from 5.2- to 6.2-to-1. The reels cost $149.99 to $199.95.
Shimano Tranx Baitcasting Reels
Shimano released two new sizes for the Tranx baitcasters — the 300 and 400, joining the original 500HG and 500PG, which have become favorites for striper and tuna anglers. Four of the models feature 5.8-to-1 gear ratios; four offer 7.6-to-1 ratios. All feature the Hagane body, X-Ship bearing-supported pinion gear and high-efficiency gearing. The 300s handle 195 yards of 40-pound braid; the 400s carry 275 yards of 50-pound braid. The new reels cost $279.99 and $299.99.
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Okuma ALC Mag Surf Reel
Okuma's new ALC Mag Surf reel features a machined-aluminum frame, allowing open access to the spool. The star-drag ALC Mag Surf features a 6.2-to-1 gear ratio and a multidisc Carbonite drag system, and it holds 190 yards of 20-pound mono. Available in one nonlevelwind model — the ALC-20CS — the surf reel costs $139.99.
Accurate Valiant BV-500-Size Lever-Drag Reels
Accurate's new BV-500-size single- and two-speed fishing reels are the new additions to the Valiant lever-drag series, a favorite for offshore and nearshore species such as billfish, tuna, yellowtail and striped bass. Options include the 6-to-1-retrieve-ratio BV-500 (500 yards of 50-pound braid) and the BV-500N (350 yards of 50 braid) single-speed fishing reels. The BV2-500 (500 of 50) and BV-2 500N (350 of 50) two-speeds feature 6-to-1 and 4-to-1 retrieves. All Valiants are constructed with 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum frames, TwinDrag systems and stainless-steel gears. Single-speeds start at $459; two-speeds cost up to $579.95.
Quantum Smoke Inshore Reel
The third-generation Smoke Inshore spinning reel features R.E.D. (Reel Engine Design), plus precisely aligned aluminum unibody construction for durability and smooth retrieves. The one-piece gear-box means there isn't a side cover to flex under load. Quantum's CSC3 ceramic drag system features a new adjustment mechanism and new plasma-arc-coated washers. Quantum combines all that with SaltGuard corrosion protection, a NiTi titanium bail wire, a new, stronger DuraLok clutch and 11 new PTAC anti-corrosion ball bearings. The new reels cost $179.99.
Alutecnos Gorilla 30/30-Wide Two-Speed Reels
The Gorilla 30 and 30-wide conventional reels feature a maximum drag of 50 pounds with free-spool, plus gear ratios of 3.3- and 1.7-to-1. The wide version provides more than 1,030 yards of 30-pound monofilament. The reels also sport new aluminum ergonomic handles and an integrated drag preset. They cost $769 and $859.
Rods
Okuma PCH Custom Series Fishing Rods
Okuma's PCH Custom series rods offer anglers lightweight, sensitive blanks that deliver enough strength and backbone. The series includes nine casting models, from 7 to 8 feet long, with Fuji or ALPS guides, plus ALPS CAH reel seats and rubber butt caps. The PCH Custom series rods cost $199.99.
Penn International VI Rods
Penn's International VI rods feature lighter-weight tubular-glass blanks and are fitted with aluminum Stuart rod butts and reel seats, AFTCO and Fuji guides, and EVA foregrips. The new series includes eight stand-ups and five bent-butt models and prices range from $279.95-$599.95.
St. Croix Mojo Salt Rods
The new Mojo Salt rods from St. Croix feature Fuji DPSH reel seats and corrosion-resistant Sea Guide boat guides. They're finished with EVA handles and a gimbal (on medium-heavy- and heavy-power rods). The series of rods comes in three spinning varieties (7 and 7½ feet, 20- to 40- and 40- to 65-pound braid) and six conventional designs (6½ and 7 feet, 20- to 40-, 40- to 65-, and 65- to 100-pound braid). They cost $200 to $220.
Shimano Ocea Plugger Spinning Rods
Shimano's Ocea Plugger Full Throttle spinning rods are offered in three lengths and strengths — 8-foot-2-inch medium-heavy-power and 8-foot-3-inch and 8-foot-8-inch heavy-power models — and combine the company's Spiral X and Hi-Power X blank construction. They were designed to throw pencil baits and poppers to pelagics. The new rods cost $599.99.
Fishing Gear
Yeti Hopper Two Cooler
Yeti's Hopper Two features a new design from its predecessor. A tweaked body shape makes it easier to add or remove from the boar, and the leak-proof HydroLok zipper provides easier access. The Hopper Two is available with handles and a removable shoulder strap and comes in three sizes — 20, 30 and 40 — with costs ranging from $299.99 to $399.99.
Columbia PFG Force 12 Insulated Jacket
Columbia’s toasty, insulated PFG Force 12 jacket features OutDRY waterproof technology and sealed seams, yet it remains breathable. The company added abrasion-resistant overlays for protection and 360-degree reflectivity. An attached, adjustable storm hood and a drawcord hem help hold in warmth. Available in pond (green, pictured) and black and in sizes S through XXL, the jackets cost $350.
Swell Industries Stash Coolers
Swell’s Stash Coolers pair the benefits of hard and soft coolers into one rigid, inflatable system. The rectangular C-series is avaliable in four sizes — from 75 to 175 quarts. The A-Series, which is slightly A-shaped, comes in 225-, 300-, 450- and 600-quart sizes. Additional features include reinforced feet that double as tie-down points, multiple carrying handles, stainless-steel D-rings, mesh pockets, large drain plugs and YKK zippers. Stash Coolers range in price from $399 to $999 and are available exclusively at West Marine.
Garmin Quatix 5 Marine GPS Smartwatch
Garmin's new additions to its quatix 5 Marine GPS Smartwatch include GHC 20 autopilot control and the ability to mark waypoints. The quatix 5 provides boat connectivity with compatible Garmin chartplotters and other marine electronics for remote display of data via NMEA 2000 and select functionality. Quatix works with smartphone apps to display tide data and features an anchor alarm, an anchor-rode calculator and a fish-catch log. Water-rated to 100 meters, quatix 5 costs $599.99. A Wi-Fi-enabled Sapphire version costs $849.99.
Costa OCEARCH Sunglasses
Costa, a longtime partner of the shark-tagging project OCEARCH, introduced earlier this year three new frames with shark-inspired colors and a new gray silver-mirror lens. Sales proceeds will go toward expedition funding. The three styles are Half Moon, Rincon and Remora and new frame colors include a Tiger Shark pattern. Half Moon features blue- or green-mirror glass or polycarbonate lenses. Rincon's large, square lenses provide total coverage. Remora has a slightly rounder lens shape and is available in gray or the new gray silver-mirror lens. Prices start at $149.
Hook & Gaff Sportfisher II
A new and improved version of the original Sportfisher watch, the Sportfisher II remains waterproof up to 200 meters. Designed to transition from boat to dock, Sportfisher II features an anti-reflective, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and it comes with a silver, black or blue dial. The lightweight titanium case surrounding the watch is both corrosion resistant and watertight. Hand-assembled in the Carolinas, Sportfisher II prices start at $550.
L.L.Bean Rapid River Boat Bag
L.L.Bean's new forest-green tackle bag, the Rapid River Boat Bag, is just as much home on the bay or ocean as it is on the river. The main compartment offers enough capacity for an extra piece of clothing, tackle boxes and food for a long trip. Additional features include leader/tippet dispensers in the pockets and built-in zingers. The medium bag measures 20-by-10-by-10 inches and costs $139, while the larger bag measures 23-by-12-by-11 inches and costs $159.
