These gifts are perfect for the angler in your life

The Christmas season is upon us. If you’re like me, you still have quite a bit of shopping left to do. When it comes to gift giving, my intention is to give a gift with a purpose. I prefer to provide the special folks in my life with a present they can actually use a lot. Whether it’s something to make their life easier, help them accomplish a goal, or aid them in performing a task, my hope is to give a gift that won’t end up at the bottom of a closet.

Here’s a list of gifts just about any upper Texas coast angler would be delighted to find under the tree on Christmas morning. Not only will these items produce a smile, they’ll also help recipients become better anglers.

Hook-N-Line Charts

There’s nothing like having a big-picture view of an estuary with all of the major fish-attracting hotspots and navigational hazards laid out in front of you. That’s exactly what the charts manufactured by Hook-N-Line offer.

The company produces waterproof, foldable charts for each bay system in Texas, and then some. These charts map out in detail different aspects and features of a particular area and provide GPS coordinates for all the noted locations.

Anglers can use these charts as a means for creating an on-the-water game plan or as a way to explore and scout a new area. A chart may reveal reefs and other hotspots anglers didn’t know existed. www.hooknline.net

Braided Line

There isn’t an angler in the world who has too much fishing line, and a spool of braid is an excellent gift idea. Braided line doesn’t stretch like monofilament line does, plus its integrity is not affected by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Braided line also tends to last much longer than monofilament because it’s abrasion-resistant and extremely strong.

Braid is much thinner than monofilament. There are a variety of braided lines on the market and some of the best are made by Power Pro, FINS and Sufix. My favorite spool of braid is the 30-pound test braided line produced by Finatic Tackle. www.finatictackle.com

Aluminum Pliers with Braid Cutters

For some reason, pliers tend to become too corroded to use right about the time they’re needed the most. A quality pair of aluminum pliers will withstand the wear and tear from the elements and provide anglers with durability that lasts. The most useful aluminum pliers sport a pair of teeth capable of cutting braided line, which makes retying a simple task.

The G2 Braid Cutter All Aluminum Pliers manufactured by Foreverlast Hunting and Fishing Products is a great example of a pair of pliers that gets the job done and is tough as nails. They’re great stocking stuffers for anyone who likes to fish.

Waterproof Gear Bag

During a fishing trip, things are eventually going to get wet. It’s the nature of the beast. For this reason, any angler can benefit from the use of some sort of waterproof gear bag. These air- and water-tight packs are perfect for protecting an extra set of clothes, cell phones and other valuables anglers don’t want to get sprayed or wet while on the water.

Waterproof gear bags come in all shapes and sizes, and there are a ton on the market to choose from. Find one that fits the needs of the angler you’re shopping for and make sure it’s waterproof and not just water-resistant.

Guided Trip

Photo by Capt. Nate Skinner

One of the best ways for anglers to improve their skills is to fish with a professional fishing guide. The amount of knowledge that can be absorbed from a day on the water with an expert is immeasurable. A guided fishing trip can be used as a way to learn how to fish a new area, or as a means for learning new things about a stretch of familiar water. Either way, a guided fishing trip is an outstanding gift for the special angler or anglers in your life.

If you need some recommendations for exceptional fishing guides, feel free to contact me at nateskin10@yahoo.com.