2021 Holiday Gift Guide - Fishing
It’s that time of year again! Whether you love or hate holiday shopping, it’s trickier this year than ever to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Fortunately, you’ve got an ace up your sleeve—the fishing experts at PaddleVA! We have trouble thinking of gift ideas for the non-paddlers in our lives (I mean, come on, what are you even supposed to give those people?), so if you’re looking for the perfect gift for the kayaker on your list, you’ve come to the right place. Here are our top picks for everyone from the casual Sunday fisherman to the serious tournament angler.
YakAttack DoubleHeader - $20
The DoubleHeader is the easiest solution to limited track space on a fishing kayak. Compatible with any standard size gear track, the DoubleHeader allows you to offset paddle and rod holders and other YakAttack accessories over the side of your kayak, giving you more space available for transducer mounts, eyelets, and any other accessories you might need.
YakAttack Omega Pro - $40
Speaking of rod holders, why not gift the most versatile rod holder on the market? YakAttack’s Omega and Omega Pro holders fit almost any rod out there, and any kayak fisher can always use another one. Fits any standard size gear track.
Old Town Sportsman - starting at $949.99
If the fisherman in your life doesn’t have a kayak yet, consider the Old Town Sportsman 106 or 120 as a stable and all-around versatile platform for new and experienced anglers alike. Whether you opt for the shorter, lighter 106 or the faster 120, the Sportsman offers an impressive weight capacity and enough stability to stand without tipping over. Complete with a removable high-low seat, gear tracks for accessories, three flush-mount rod holders, and a bow hatch, the Sportsman has just about everything a new kayak fisher would need to get on the water. It’s customizable and comfortable enough that they won’t grow out of it anytime soon.
Watersports Warehouse Anchor Trolley - $40
It’s hard to fish when you’re constantly paddling to stay in the same spot. To help counter drift and spin, the Watersports Warehouse anchor trolley allows you to place an anchor at any point along the side of the boat and easily adjust position to suit current and wind conditions.
Ketch Board - $34.99
For the tournament angler, a reliable and durable measuring tray is essential. A Ketch Karbonate board is the perfect accessory for catch-and-release tournament entrants.
Huk LoPro Hoodie - $55
Breathable UPF protection in a lightweight, stain-resistant hoodie? Sign us up. The Huk LoPro hoodie is a versatile sun protection layer that your angler will actually want to wear. If you know someone who has a tricky relationship with sunscreen, gift them this comfy UPF hoodie to keep sun off their arms and neck.
Pelican Elite Series Cooler - $119 to $178
What’s a day on the water without some cold beverages? Boring, that’s what. The Pelican Elite 20 Qt cooler is the ideal size to fit in most stern tankwells and can hold all the refreshments they’ll need for a whole day of fishing. If they’ve got a bigger crew, take a look at the 30 Qt or even the 70 Qt versions. All sizes come with a lifetime guarantee so you know you’re buying quality.
BlackPak - $130
If your kayak fisher has everything, they could probably use a way to organize it all. The YakAttack BlackPak elevates tackle storage by providing a customizable, riggable system. They can mount up to ten rod holders directly onto the crate, and it can accommodate camera mounts, flags, and other accessories using the built-in top rails. Three rod holders are included in the package.
NRS Chinook PFD - $139.95
The Chinook is the vest to beat when it comes to high-performance, high-comfort fishing PFDs. A high back stays out of the way of kayak seats, and the mesh below it provides plenty of cool air flow on hot days. Graded sizing means you’ll find the perfect fit for anglers of any stature, and they all come with large tackle box pockets and various attachment points for gear and rigging. And of course, it’s US Coast Guard certified.
Werner Skagit/Camano - starting at $135
A car doesn’t move without an engine, and a kayak doesn’t go far without a reliable paddle. The Werner Skagit features the perfect blade shape for anglers in wide fishing kayaks and uses a lightweight carbon blend shaft that won’t wear the paddler out as fast as heavy aluminum shafts. If you’re looking for a more premium paddle, look at the Skagit’s sister model, the Camano, which features a full fiberglass blade for enhanced durability, performance, and weight savings.
NRS Forecast Gloves - $34.75
If you get cold just thinking about your loved one paddling through the winter, keep them warm and toasty with a pair of NRS Forecast Gloves. NRS HydroSkin 2.0 Forecast Gloves deliver the warmth of 2 mm neoprene with convertible thumb and finger tips to give extra dexterity for fishing and knot tying. Tips of the thumb and first two fingers can be slipped out for tying knots, working camera controls and other fine motor operations. Hook and loop patches hold the glove tips out of the way.
Discovery 119 Sportsman Solo Canoe - $1099.99
Does the sportsman on your list fish, hunt, and camp and need a craft that can do it all? Take a look at the Old Town Discovery 119 Sportsman. It’s a compact, solo canoe that weighs in under 60 pounds. For the modest weight, it overdelivers on features, with a comfortable, adjustable seat, foot pegs, molded thwarts with track mounts for all your fishing accessories, and flush-mount rod holders for easy, versatile performance. We suggest a double-bladed paddle with this boat, because even though it provides the cargo capacity of a canoe, it maintains the sleek handling and feel of a kayak.