Are you a gift-giving artist, and is the holiday season your canvas? Do you procrastinate on your holiday shopping because you just don’t know what your loved ones would enjoy? Are you just trying to find an embarrassing gag gift for your annoying uncle? Over the next few days, we'll be publishing holiday gift guides to help steer you toward the perfect present for any type of paddler on your list, no matter what kind of holiday shopper you are. Except for the annoying uncle, because really, everything we sell is pretty cool (not that we're biased or anything). So head on in with your peppermint mocha latte in hand, and we’ll take care of the rest. Alternatively, stay in your Spiderman pajamas and bunny slippers and shop our favorite gift picks from the comfort of your couch. Today we'll look at our best suggestions for the kayak anglers in your family.

If your dad’s proudest accomplishment in life was that massive smallmouth he caught in 2007 (I mean, raising YOU, of course), we suggest a high-quality fishing paddle or PFD to upgrade his gear for the new year. Our favorites here:

Werner Tybee: Hooked – The Tybee is one of Werner’s best-selling fishing paddles, made of quality materials but sitting at an accessible price point. The carbon blend shaft lends strength and rigidity, and durable fiberglass-reinforced nylon blades keep this paddle in good shape no matter where you fish. If you’re not sure what length paddle to get, just let us know what boat they have and we can suggest a good length for it.

Werner Shuna: Hooked – A few steps up from the Tybee, the Shuna features a carbon blend shaft and full fiberglass blades for maximum efficiency and strength. The Shuna Hooked also comes in a wide selection of colors and patterns anglers will love.

Astral Ronny Fisher – The Ronny Fisher takes the popular form of the Ronny and adds specially-designed pockets for tackle boxes, as well as multiple attachment points for all the gear your dad’s getting from his more disappointing children this Christmas. If your mom is the angler in the family, the Ronny Fisher may still fit her well, as all of Astral’s vests are based off of a female dressmaker’s form.

Stohlquist Piseas PFD – The Piseas features full fishing vest functionality at a very reasonable price. With durable Cordura nylon and non-corrosive hardware, this is a quality vest with a good fit and plenty of ventilation. “Drawbridge” front pockets fold down into a work surface and accommodate tackle boxes and thread spools.

Of course, if you’re looking for a fishing boat for the ultimate Christmas gift, we have a thousand suggestions. Here are two of our top fishing kayak picks that almost any angler will love:

Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 – The 2020 Tarpons are in, and we still have a few 2019 models left at closeout prices. The Tarpon’s versatility, relatively lightweight hull, and convenient accessories make it one of our most consistent best-sellers. The real charm of the Tarpon series lies in its appeal for both new paddlers and veteran anglers—this is a boat anyone can grow into as they gain confidence and skill to tackle new waters. So if you're looking for a gift that welcomes a new paddler but won't limit them as their interests evolve, look no further than the Tarpon series, available in 12' and 10'5" versions.

Hobie Mirage Passport 12 – Hobie contracted with SUP board manufacturer and thermoform expert BIC for this exceptionally lightweight addition to its pedal drive fishing lineup. Made of thermoformed polyethylene, the Passport is powered by Hobie’s tried and true MirageDrive Classic, but weighs only 83 pounds fully rigged. Like all Hobie boats, the Passport comes with its own paddle and comfortable mesh frame seat. Stowable rudder and stand-up stability make this a great choice for anyone on your gift list who needs a lighter, more compact boat with full fishing functionality.

Of course, the boat is no good without a way to transport it. The Darby Extend-A-Truck bed extender fits any pickup or SUV with a Class III insertion hitch, and turns your truck into the ultimate boat transport mobile. With a lower price point and easier fit and installation than most roof rack systems, a truck extender is an excellent way to safely transport long fishing and touring boats. It can also stow flat behind the seat when not in use.

And if you're just looking for stocking stuffers, YakAttack accessories are almost always home run gifts.

YakAttack Omega Pro Rod Holder – From the leader in mounting track technology, the Omega Pro rod holder is a great stocking stuffer for any kayak angler. With full range of motion, this handy accessory allows ultimate customization on the water.

YakAttack Multimount Cup Holder – A cup holder is essential for anyone spending long days on the water, so this one easily attaches to most kayak track systems and holds almost any cup or bottle (or, uh…can) you use.

These should fit on almost any kayak with an accessory track system, or tracks can be installed aftermarket for most older model boats. FeelFree boats will require a special adapter to accommodate YakAttack accessories, but don't worry – we sell those too!

Kokatat Sunwester Hat – This hat goes from the boat to the garden and offers SPF 30 protection. Available in pear and canvas colors and small and large sizes.

Remember, ARC's expert staff are available Tuesday through Saturday to answer any questions you have and help set you up with the perfect gift for the paddlers you know and love. We can help you size a PFD or estimate what length paddle to buy, and if you don't see a particular color or size on any of our products, we may be able to special order it for you in time for Christmas. And if you still can't decide, we also sell gift cards! Drop in and see us – we're happy to help you.