What Is a Good Gift for Someone Who Likes Fishing?

According to "Sportfishing in America," a 2008 report produced the the Sportfishing Association of America, fishing is a pastime enjoyed by 40 million Americans, who generate more than $45 billion in angling-related revenue each year. Given the popularity of fishing, it shouldn't be surprising that there are a wide variety of fishing-related products on the market. If you're looking for a gift for a friend, relative or acquaintance who is nuts about fishing, there are numerous choices from which to choose, ranging from high-tech gadgets to practical gear to wacky novelty items.

  1. Rods and Reels

    • From the novice fisherman to the experienced veteran, a new rod and reel can make an excellent gift. As technology becomes more sophisticated, it's a good idea to do some research to determine the best choice for an experienced fishing aficionado, as his needs may be quite specific. If you're looking for a gift to give a novice, investigate rod-and-reel combos geared toward specific types of fish. For example, the Basspro website recommends a medium-action rod of about 6 to 6-1/2 feet in length as an appropriate choice for an angler who'll be catching freshwater fish.

    Tackle

    • As the "Fishing Gift Guide" on the Basspro website points out, picking out specific tackle for an angler can seem daunting, as the number of varieties of North American fish are nowhere near the number of lures on the market that have been developed to catch them. However, options are soft plastic lures, which have become a staple in most anglers' tackle boxes; according to writer Tim Allerd on the Basspro website, these soft plastic lures can actually prove superior to live bait in many situations. Some are even 100 per cent biodegradable. If you're buying a gift for someone who's passion is fly fishing, a soft-plastic lure isn't appropriate. It's a good idea to check with your local sporting goods store to find a lure that will be most appropriate for your favorite fly fisher.

    Electronics

    • His next fishing trip can be as high-tech or low-tech as he likes, and there are no shortage of electronic gadgets to help him land the big one. One of the most popular gadgets are sonar units, which can help the angler on your gift-giving list to easily see where the fish are. Another useful gift could be a GPS unit, which can help an angler use hydrographic and topographic data to determine where the best fishing spots are.

    Fish Mailbox

    • If you're looking for a gag gift for someone who likes fishing, there are numerous options. Many online gift shops and novelty shops cater to anglers, and offer a variety of fishing-related products ranging from coffee mugs to T-shirts and beyond. A gift for an angler with an mailbox post is a fish-shaped mailbox in which the fish's mouth is the mailbox door that can be opened and closed. There are several different types of fish mailboxes available, such as a baby bass, catfish and firetiger, which is described in detail on the Geek Alerts website.