2024 Holiday Gift Guide

Can it be that time already?

Somehow the holiday season is fast approaching. Perhaps it’s the warm autumn we’ve experienced so far, but it does seem like the fall run kicked into gear just a couple of weeks ago. Well, all good things must come to an end at some point, and many anglers actually find it a bit refreshing to take a short breather over the winter to recharge their piscatorial spirit. Of course, the key word here is “short,” for in just a couple of months, most die-hard fishermen will be chomping at the bit to get the 2025 fishing season underway.

With that thought in mind, we’ve compiled a holiday wish list full of goodies that anglers can slip into their arsenals without missing a beat. From small ticket items that any angler will find useful, to mid-range gifts that are sure to bring a smile, and even a couple that will make a big splash, here’s a line-up sure to please. Enjoy!

NLBN (No Live Bait Needed) Soft-Plastic Swimbaits (From $6.99/pack.)

We’ve been impressed by the performance of NLBN’s soft-plastic swimbaits line – and many of our customers have been, too. Beautifully designed and laced with iridescent additives so they can be fished in clear or murky water with realistic flash, they are available in three different styles. If you aren’t sure which style your angler might prefer, pick up a pack of each to cover all the bases.

By all accounts, the NLNB 5” paddle-tail is one of the most versatile big-game saltwater swim baits you’ll find on the market, and it accounts for a ton of schoolie to mid-sized keepers in bay and inlet fishing scenarios. It also scores well with weakfish, especially in back bay surfcasting situations. When bigger bass and other large prey are in play, the 8-inch size presents a beefy target while a 3” version allows anglers to match smaller rain baits. 

NLBN 7” K-Tails work well in a variety of saltwater and freshwater scenarios. A weedless bait capable of navigating through heavy cover and rocks, it features a  subtle kicking action, a natural profile, and can be fished weightlessly in slack water or impaled on a heavy-duty jig head for perfect touch and control in noticeable current.

NLBN 8” Straight Tails are  one of the most versatile big-game saltwater swimbaits you can find. For true rod-bending action, choose them for everything  between husky-shouldered stripers to offshore tuna fishing with proper rigging. 

Angler Head Lamps (From $59.95.)

For anglers that like to work nigh tides, a dependable headlamp is a must-have item. Problem is, a lot of the choices out there simply won’t hold under the rough and wet conditions that often rile the biggest fish. That’s why we recommend Fenix headlamps. They are made to the highest standards  in quality and performance, and they really stand up to the elements.

The 700-lumen Fenix HM50R V2.0 LED Headlamp is IP68 waterproof rated, boasts 377-foot visibility and features a Cree XP-G3 S4 LED for optimal performance. Truly rugged with a high-quality aluminum alloy body, it withstands drops of 6.5’ on all six sides. A USB Type-C charging port permits a quick 1.5-hour charge, while its reflective headband helps keep anglers visible after dark. We think it’s a great choice for working the midnight shift whether patrolling inlet jetties, back bay waters or the ocean surf. 

Want even more power? With 1,200 lumens, The Fenix HM60R is a feature-packed, ultra-bright and can even light your way home should your bow light fail. It runs on a single 18650 battery and provides 54 hours of runtime in low mode. Smart frequency-sensing technology, red light output, and dual distance beam are integrated into the design, as well as USB Type-C charging. With a high-quality aluminum alloy frame, it is drop-proof up to 6.5 ft and built to last.

Daiwa SOL MQLT 4000 Spinning Reel ($369.99)

Tough, powerful, surprisingly lightweight with a super-smooth drag, Daiwa’s SOL MQLT 4000 spinning reel is the holiday gift you get for anglers who have been exceptionally good over the past year.

Featuring Daiwa’s full AirDrive system, the Sol MQ puts weight reduction, smoother performance and more power into the hands of anglers know to really put their tackle to the test. It’s Zion construction MQ body allows for a lighter weight yet more rigid performance. Tough Digigears, crafted out of aircraft-grade aluminum. also reduce weight and maximize strength while Daiwa’s renown MagSeal along the main shaft provides optimal corrosion resistance for sustained smoothness.

The 4000 size is a super selection for saltwater fans targeting stripers, blues and false albacore anywhere in Long Island waters.

Bait Pens (From $12.99.)

For those who love live-bait fishing, bait pens offer a convenient and easy way to store anything from live killies to bunker, spot and more – and White Water Outfitters has several from which to choose. Frabill’s Flow Troll is America’s best-selling bait bucket and keeps small baits like killies, shiners, spearing and shrimp lively and at the ready. It’s also perfect for storing live eels. Simply tie it to your boat – or to your belt while wading.

Frabill Floating Bait Quarters are constructed from heavy duty mesh with a weighted bottom ring and foam floating top ring. Collapsible for easy storage and travel, they are ideal for storing spot, bunker, snappers, goggle eyes, pilchards, porgies, croaker, and more.

Larger but also collapsible, Blue Water Candy’s Bait Motel and R&R Tackle Bait Pens feature a larger designs for storing live bunker, bluefish, spots, croaker, google eyes, speedos, pilchards, porgies and more. 

Blue Wing Tackle Automatic Chum Dispenser ($999.99) 

The Bluewing Auto Chunker is a rod holder-mounted bait chunk dispensing device that can both make your chum slick more consistent and bait dispersal more efficient. Constructed of a high-grade aluminum alloy body, polymer collapsible hopper, and a watertight gearbox can run on 12v or 24v systems. Engineered with a sealed compartment for the motor, its electrical components are fully protected from water damage as you rinse it clean.

The Blue Wing Automatic Chum Dispenser is perfect for attracting and holding tuna and other pelagics around the boat. It dispenses a single flat of cut bait over two hours at the slowest setting, and over 45 minutes on its fastest setting. We have no doubt your favorite offshore angler will agree it sure beats manning a chum bucket and ladle.

← Previous Post