The 27 Best Fishing Gifts for Any Angler

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Shopping for any kind of gift can be challenging, but—you may be relieved to hear—anglers sure do make it easy on you. Fishing is a sport that requires lots of gear, and most trawlers will be grateful for any additions to their ever-evolving kit.

Before you get started, here are some dos and don’ts when buying fishing gifts. Unless your giftee is a beginner, steer clear of giving core equipment like rods and reels. These are signature purchases for many anglers, and they will likely already be planning any necessary upgrades themselves. (Of course, the exception to this rule is if they’ve shamelessly hinted to you about what they want.)

If you’re familiar with your recipient’s preferred method of fishing and species of take, think about lures. These can be a great gift since they’re a recurring purchase with how frequently they need replacing. Plus, anglers are always game to try new lures and flies, hoping for the perfect one.

It’s best to keep it general if you’re not plugged-in on the nitty gritty details of your recipient’s fishing hobby. There are plenty of gift options outside of traditional items — tackle boxes, reels, and rods — including books on fishing, ocean-themed apparel, or kitchen supplies for making the most of the day’s catch. I included below some fish-themed gifts and novelty items, with options ranging from $12 to over $700.

Tight lines and happy shopping!

The Best Fishing Gifts

• For the Stylish Spotter: Rheos Biscayne Polarized Sunglasses

• For Sunrise Anglers: Yet's Rambler French Press

• For Your Organized Buddy: SealLine Discovery View Dry Bags

• For the Accomplished Cook: Fish Butchery by Josh Niland

• For the Techie: Nocs Zoom Tube

The Expert

What to Consider in a Fishing Gift

As I mentioned above, avoid purchasing critical core equipment for the angler in your life unless they’ve given you specific direction or at least strong hints as to what they need. This means skipping rods and reels, but bigger purchases like fish finders and motors can also be tricky to get right.

Find Even More Perfect Presents: Best Father's Day Gifts • Best Golf Gifts • Best Travel Gifts

If you will be shopping for fishing equipment, whether it’s rods, lures, or tackle, it helps to know what species your giftee likes to fish for, at a minimum. Covertly quiz their fishing friends or family if you don’t have a clue.

To keep it simple, stick to generic gifts like fish-themed apparel, sunglasses, and books on fishing. That said, a bit of information about the recipient goes a long way, since an offshore angler who loves chasing big pelagic fish such as marlin may be confused to receive a hat featuring rivers and trout.

How We Selected Fishing Gifts

As a high schooler, I worked in a fishing equipment factory repairing warrantied fishing gear. It gave me a solid understanding of the mechanics and an appreciation for build quality. I also spend a lot of time testing fishing gear — from fish finders to rods and reels to filet knives — for my work throughout the year. My selections for this article are a collection of my favorite gear from testing, products recommended to me by other anglers, and fun gift options I’ve seen over the years or gifted to myself.

Biscayne Polarized Sunglasses

Anglers are hard on sunglasses, so they’re always in the market for a new pair. High-end fishing-specific shades can cost hundreds, but this lightweight $65 pair is great for gifting. The Biscayne shades fuse style and sport with protectively coated polarized lenses, floating frames, and excellent clarity.

Rambler French Press

Yeti’s new Rambler French Press does double-duty for your angler’s morning joe. Giftees can make coffee in the pitcher and then let Yeti’s famed thermal performance keep it hot for hours. The unique filter seals the coffee off from grounds when you’re done plunging, so coffee stays warm without getting bitter.

Discovery View Dry Bags

Dry bags keep water off clothes and gear, so almost anyone on your gift list will appreciate these. SealLine’s Discovery View bags have two standout features: a one-way vent (so you can push air out and shrink them down) and clear material so it’s easy to see what’s inside.

Fish Butchery: Mastering The Catch, Cut, And Craft by Josh Niland

Anglers who catch to cook will appreciate the nose-to-tail-fin approach of Josh Niland. Even a lifelong angler should be able to pick up interesting techniques and tips. The James Beard award-winning book is split into three parts: proper handling after the catch, butchering to maximize yield and quality, and then finishing with lots of unique ideas for making the most of every fish on the table. Bon appétit.

Zoom Tube

Carting around full-size binoculars isn’t worth the weight when fishing, but there are times your angler may want to magnify their vision to check out a section of shoreline or get a better look at a piece of water. Nocs’s lightweight (about half a pound) monocular Zoom Tube gives your giftee 8x magnification and a generous 32mm objective lens similar to a 400mm camera lens.

Fenix 7x Sapphire Solar GPS Smartwatch

Garmin’s flagship adventure GPS smartwatch isn’t cheap, but it’s a luxury present if you have someone who goes far afield. The Fenix 7x Sapphire Solar, which delivers capable mapping and GPS tracking right on their wrist, lets them explore the terrain where they’re fishing and navigate back to their starting point without having to pull out their phone while on the water.

Sturgeon Life Vest

Life vests or PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices) are essential equipment on the water, and may be legally required in some locations and situations like paddleboarding or kayaking.

The fishing-focused Sturgeon makes the most of the space by putting lots of sport-specific clips and pockets right on the chest. It’s also lightweight, breathable, and easy to get on via the side zip.

X 2-Way Bluetooth Satellite Messenger

Fishing can take folks into some remote places. The Spot X is the satellite communicator to keep your recipient connected to friends, family, or search-and-rescue teams even when their fishing outings take them off the grid and beyond cell coverage.

Even if they’re fishing close to home, with 5G connectivity, the X provides a communication backup if their phone battery dies. And the SOS button provides a way to call for help if things go awry.

Zeus Pro Jump Starter

Battery jump starters are an essential safety backup for any angler to avoid getting stuck at the trailhead or marina with a dead battery. Not every jump starter, however, can handle the larger batteries found in trucks and SUVs. Uncharted Supply’s Zeus Pro gives your recipient 20K mAh of juice, enough to get almost any vehicle or boat going.

Camino Carryall 35 Tote

Anglers usually have gear overflow from vehicle to boat to shoreline. Most reusable bags aren’t built for both water and regular abuse. Help your recipient get and stay organized with the waterproof Yeti Camino Carryall. This handy hauler ensures your giftee’s stuff is ready to go either in their vehicle or to and from the water.

Water-Series Intersect Knife

Water can be tough on knives. Even stainless-steel blades often have hardware susceptible to rust. But the Benchmade fixed-blade Intersect is built for life on the water and appropriate for anyone from fly fisherman to offshore boaters. Benchmade’s lifetime guarantee and free sharpening service mean this could be the only fishing blade they ever need.

The American Fisherman: How Our Nation's Anglers Founded, Fed, Financed, and Forever Shaped the U.S.A. by Willie Robertson

This well-illustrated book gives anglers an enjoyable view of the history of the United States through the lens of fishing as the food and fun that helped shape the nation. Duck Dynasty personality Willie Robertson and co-author William Doyle present history lessons and fish tales in a style appealing to those in the know and for future anglers who are new to the sport and want to learn more.

Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro

Fish is a delicate protein that doesn’t keep fresh for long, and freezing can dramatically decrease the taste and texture. Vacuum sealers remove the air and allow your giftee to freeze fish for longer without such a hit to its quality. And the easy-to-use Anova Vacuum Sealer Pro takes the hassle out of the process.

You can operate the Anova unit, unlike most vacuum sealers, start to finish one-handed. And it uses a high-powered vacuum and double-sealing to ensure maximum quality.

Log Book

Anglers like to think they can remember all the details of every fish, but the reality is memories of the weather, techniques, and equipment can fade easily. Keeping notes of their days on the water in this logbook helps your recipient learn from their mistakes and successes year-after-year. Plus this spiral-bound journal is easy to take on any outing.

Edge Professional 3700 Tackle Box

A good tackle box does more than just help with organization. Plano’s watertight 3700 boxes keep gear away form water and potentially rusting, and the higher-quality polycarbonate plastic is durable and clear so it’s easy to find what they need quickly. And moveable dividers let anglers customize the storage sections.

Offgrid 5 Panel Hat

A brimmed hat is essential equipment for any angler on the water, providing sun protection for their head and keeping rays away from their eyes. Turtle Fur’s stylish Offgrid cap offers those basics, but is available with a fish pattern panel on the sides. Plus the whole things floats, keeping it from going under if it ends up in the drink.

Jump 1000 Power Station

This is a pricey gift, sure, but it’s perfect for your significant other or someone special. Portable battery-based power stations can juice devices over extended vehicle and RV camping and fishing trips.

The Jump 1000 combines high capacity and throughput to run even high-demand appliances away from home. AC and USB ports eliminate the need for adapters. And this power station even includes a jump starting option if a battery runs dead in the field.

No.12 Effilé Stainless-Steel Slim Folding Knife

French knife maker Opinel offers simple, attractive knives at a reasonable cost. This 11-inch filet knife folds up for easy storage in a pack, on a boat, or even in a pocket — and it’s a perfect tool for cleaning fish. If your angler is dealing with larger fish offshore, consider gifting the 13-inch Opinel No. 15.

Remmy Polarized Sunglasses

Most fishing shades sacrifice form for function, but Raen’s high-end Remmy retro rounded sunglasses provide polarized protection in a stylish package.

The Zeiss CR-39 lenses give your giftee the polarized view essential for spotting fish, yet the style is on point. They won’t have to swap the corny wraparounds out when they leave the water.

Permethrin Fabric Treatment

Bugs can be a good sign for fishing success, but they’re also a major nuisance. If your giftee doesn’t enjoy coating themselves in DEET hoping for a few hours of peace (who does?), Sawyer has a longer-lasting permethrin-based solution. It impregnates fabrics with an odorless treatment for clothing and gear that lasts for up to six washes to repel or kill ticks, mosquitoes, and other bugs.

Loyak Water Shoes

Water shoes that don’t look like water shoes? Your giftee will love the versatility of this pair. The Loyak is a water-repelling canvas water shoe that looks just like a sneaker. Its grippy sole is perfect for paddleboards, boat decks, and shorelines, but the shoe looks good enough to wear away from the water, too. Reinforced holes around the edges also let water leave flow out naturally.

Lightweight Bamboo Hoodie

Long days in the sun call for more protection than sunscreen. And anglers can never have too many good sun shirts. Freefly’s Lightweight Bamboo Hoodie feels great against the skin and provides UPF 20+ protection—no chemicals required. The natural fibers are odor-resistant, and the lightweight fabric and looser fit help with keeping cool even on the hottest days.

Spot 400 Headlamp

Early mornings and late nights on the water make for challenging conditions heading out, fishing, and getting back safely. A suitable headlamp lets your recipient keep their hands free while aiming light where it’s needed.

Black Diamond headlamps are popular with climbers and outdoorsmen for a reason, and the Spot 400 offers reliable 400-lumen illumination at a reasonable price.

Dry Box

Dry boxes are handy, but can be hard to control on the water, especially on kayaks and paddleboards. Toadfish’s Dry Box keeps lures and gear dry, but sets itself apart by adding a SmartGrip suction base that sticks to any smooth surface to keep it anchored.

If your angler’s board or boat doesn’t have an adequate surface, pick up some additional adhesive pads to give the box a secure mounting point.

Blue Carbon Steel 12-Inch Frying Pan

Fish fries up best at high heat. Otherwise it can prone to sticking. Non-stick pans help but aren’t built for high heat, so a well-seasoned steel pan with high heat-resistance and retention is an investment in delicious fish dinners that your recipient will enjoy and appreciate for years.

The 12-inch diameter of Viking’s Blue Carbon Steel pan can handle most whole fish and only gets better with use.

Live Bait Drybox/Cooler

Roto-molded coolers have impressive performance and impressive price tags to match. Engel’s Dry Box is a bit more accessible and keeps drinks, bait, and catches cold. And this version comes mounted with handy rod holders. When you don’t need it as a cooler, it works equally well as watertight storage.

Weatherbeater Vehicle Floor Mats

These affordable floor mats are the upgrade your giftee didn’t know they needed. The FormFit Design is custom cut to their rig’s make and model for a precise fit that keeps dirt, water, and debris from finding the upholstery. Stay Put Nibs keep these mats from shifting underfoot. What’s more, they’re durable and backed by a lifetime warranty, just in case.

Expert Justin Park Shares These Tips For Gifting Your Angler

Do you need different gear for the angler who does lake and river fishing versus the ocean?

Saltwater and freshwater fishing have a lot of similarities, but the two environments generally require completely different fishing equipment. Saltwater is much harder on gear, and the size and types of fish pursued often means different rods, reels, lures, and other equipment than if fishing freshwater lakes and rivers. Keep this in mind if you are shopping for a fisher's specific needs.

What is an ideal gift for someone new to the fishing experience?

Beginning anglers will benefit from a basic all-in-one setup that includes a rod, a reel, and some fairly universal tackle. For freshwater, a spinning setup is easiest to learn, and the Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod and Reel is a good starting point.

Does someone need a license or permit to fish?

While some areas don’t require a fishing license, most states will require one to fish legally. These licenses are usually reasonably priced, and most states offer short-term permits, as short as one day if you’re visiting or don’t plan on fishing year-round. Visit the website of the state fish and game department to find out how to get a license. Note: Many states sell them online so you can get licensed quickly from your phone.

What is a more useful gift—a bobber or a float?

The words “floats” and “bobbers” are sometimes used interchangeably, but bobbers most often refers to devices attached to the line when spin fishing, while floats are technically fly fishing equipment.

Bobbers are typically red and white plastic of varying sizes that attach to your line when using a spinning rod and reel setup. Floats are foam or cork used by fly angers. Which is a better choice will depend on the type of fishing your angler employs.

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