Fishing Gift Ideas Made Easy – A Guide for the Clueless

It’s always a challenge to buy something for a hobbyist and fishing is no different. You need to find a fishing gift idea they’ll actually appreciate and find useful. If you yourself know nothing of the hobby, this can be extremely challenging. Luckily for you, I can help you out.

In this post, I’ll explain the why behind why certain items make a great gift in some detail. We’ll talk about practical fishing gifts (the fishing equivalent of “socks”), what to buy if you really want to “wow” someone, and also some cool gift ideas (think, the kind of stuff he/she probably wants to try, but doesn’t want to spend their own money on). My goal is to let you know the sort of gifts every fisherman wants so you can get them something they’ll actually use and in some cases treasure.

Practical Fishing Gifts

There are certain fishing gifts that are basically the equivalent of “socks and underwear.” While they aren’t exactly “cool” fishing gifts, there is something to be said for practical items that are guaranteed to be used. These are the sort of items that every angler needs, and that most anglers have to stock up on year over year. While you aren’t going to take their breath away with any of these, you might just get some brownie points for actually knowing what these items are, and why they’re important.

O-Rings

If you have a bass fisherman in the family, they can never have enough o-rings. These are little rubber circles that are meant to keep artificial worms on the hook longer during the wacky-rig technique. O-rings prevent the worm from falling off the hook easily. This means that one gets much more use out of the lure. Given that the better plastic worms are fairly expensive, o-rings are a great item for any tackle box.

If you need further proof of how much people love these, I earn more frequent commissions on the sale of o-rings than other item I talk about on this blog. This is a guaranteed win. You can purchase a large set of o-rings plus an extremely handy tool to put them on with at Amazon. This is also an obscure enough gift that the recipient is going to know that you put some time into thinking about. There’s simply no way you’d come up with this without research. So, it’s practical, but it’s also extremely thoughtful. That’s a great fishing gift if you ask me.

Sinkers

Sinkers are weighted objects that are used to “sink” a lure or presentation down to the bottom where fish are lurking. They are extremely useful, found in darn near every tackle box, and are lost exceptionally frequently. Very often, your favorite angler is going to go through 6 or 7 of these in a bad hour. While not an “exciting” fishing gift, they are the epitome of practical, and make a great stocking stuffer.

While sinkers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, you’ll find that most freshwater anglers want to use the smallest sinker possible the conditions allow. 1/8 ounce or even less is a very common size, especially if the recipient spends most of their time on lakes or ponds.

Sinkers are made from various materials with the two most common being lead and tungsten. Tungsten is more expensive, but also the better gift for a few reasons. The most important of these is that some states, such as Massachusetts, actually ban lead sinkers. Keep it legal and buy your favorite angler the good stuff. You can purchase some tungsten sinkers at this link on Amazon to get you started.

Pliers

OK, so the first two items mentioned are somewhat circumstantial. Pliers aren’t. Literally every fisherman on earth needs several pairs of these, and they often are accidentally lost overboard. A good, high-quality set of pliers is also one of those things that are just great to hold. It’s like anything else, really. Think about your hobby and the common tools required in it. Have you ever had a higher quality version? Hasn’t it made a difference? Well, pliers do too. One of the more annoying things in life is trying to take a hook out of a struggling fish with pliers that aren’t well suited to the task.

When searching for a pair of pliers, look for ones that are needle nosed, have a good grip, and are long enough that they can go into a fish’s mouth with endangering the angler. An added plus is if the pliers have a little “tooth” at the top that is used for opening split rings. This allows you to easily change out hooks on lures. I personally love these pliers from Rapala. They’re the perfect size, have a good grip, can be used with split rings, and are easy to open. They’re quite comfortable and while you do pay a premium, it’s totally worth it.

Special Fishing Gifts

A “special” fishing gift is basically a premium upgrade of items the recipient ever has. Think of it like this – they always had a car with a cloth interior and now you’ve bought them a vehicle with heated leather seats. That’s kind of the idea here. You want to buy them a nicer version of what they already have. this ensures that they use it more often than what they already own. The two obvious choices are fishing rods and fishing reels.

Buying a Fishing Rod or Reel as a Gift

Let me just start by saying if you’re not careful you can really mess this up. There are several types of fishing rods out there and not everyone uses them all. The two most common are spinning rods/reels and baitcasting or casting rods/reels. They are extremely different and you need to pick the right one, or else you’re buying something that may never be used.

The photo below is of a baitcaster (left) and spinning reel (right). If possible, check out the recipient’s current gear and get them whatever they’re already using. If they have both, the world is your oyster, I suppose.

A baitcaster (left) is more difficult to use than a spinning reel (right), but also is a better choice for certain lures and techniques.

How to Choose the Right Rod or Reel as a Present

My best advice for how you should pick out a rod or reel as a fishing gift is to go look at what the recipient already has. Note the brand and model they’re using. Is it consistent?. Many anglers are very devoted to certain brands. For example, I’m a St. Croix guy. I know and trust the brand and tend to use it more or less exclusively, with few exceptions.

What you want to do is look on the blank (the rod section right above the handle) and take note of the information you find there. It will tell you the brand and model. For example, in the photo above, the rod on the left is a St. Croix (brand) Avid (model). See what rods the recipient already has and then go to the manufacturer’s website and see where it lands “on the totem pole.” For example, while still an awesome choice, a St. Croix Avid is “lesser” than a St. Croix Legend Elite. If you want your rod to be a very memorable fishing gift, buy a line or two up.

You can do the same thing with reels as folks will again tend to buy the same brand. You can again go to the manufacturer’s website and find the line or two up. They’re often listed in order, but a general guide is more expensive = “better”. Yes, I know that will spark a debate, but it’s a fair starting point.

A Critical Consideration When Buying a Baitcaster

If you’ve determined that the recipient uses a baitcasting reel, you must identify if they use a right or left handed retrieve. Unlike spinning reels, which usually are interchangeable, baitcasters come in “righty” and “lefty” models. Trust me, there are few things more unpleasant than having to fish with the wrong one. The difference between the two is simple. Whichever side the reel handle (the part you turn) is on is the side of the retrieve. You determine this by looking down at the reel. Lay it flat so the top (where you can see the line) is, well, on top. If the reel handle is on the left of the reel (as it is in the photo below), the reel is a left hand retrieve. Don’t buy the wrong one!

Make darn certain that you buy the correct baitcaster as it is very frustrating using one with the “wrong” hand.

Cool Fishing Gifts

I’d define “cool” fishing gifts as those items that most of us want but few of us actually want to spend our own money on. These would either be “splurges” or just items that would be nice to have, but not totally necessary. Sometimes that sort of thing makes the best gift.

Life Jacket

Everyone who fishes on a boat should use a life jacket. They’re the law in some circumstances, and a great idea in all others. The problem is the less expensive life jackets tend to be clunky, hot, and uncomfortable.

Mustang Survival is a life jacket brand that has solved all three of these problems. They sell high quality life jackets that have a very low profile normally, but automatically inflate when submerged in water. They are pricey but completely, 100% worth it. They’re lightweight enough that you really don’t even notice them except on the most scorching hot days, which means there’s a good chance you’ll keep them on.

Stuff happens out there. People trip, irresponsible boaters throw up errant wakes, stumps appear out of nowhere, as do rogue waves. Even if you’re the most responsible and grounded person on earth, one visit to a boat ramp on a holiday weekend should convince you that you can’t count on others to be so as well. Wearing a life jacket is a great piece of insurance for mishaps, and if you buy your spouse or child one that is comfortable, there’s a much greater chance they’ll keep it on.

While the particular model I’m raving about is intended for adults, it is also worth noting that Mustang Survival makes a separate (though non-inflatable) line of outstanding life jackets for children. I’ve written a lengthy review of why Mustang Survival makes the best children’s life jackets that you should check out as well.

Binoculars

You might not consider a pair of binoculars to be a “fishing gift,” per say, but let me explain why I’ve always wanted to buy them (and never have). I often fish from a boat on large bodies of water like Lake Champlain. When I’m fishing, I often have a specific spot in mind. The problem is, I frequently will drive towards my spot only to find someone on it once I get close enough to see them. This is usually after a few minutes of squinting asking myself, “is that another boat?” It’s rude just to pull up along side someone so I go and find another spot once this happens, but if I could just tell from further away that my spot was taken, I could save myself a lot of time and aggravation.

Binoculars are also useful for spotting activity, either from baitfish breaking the surface of birds on a feeding frenzy. You’ll find that most saltwater anglers have a pair for this reason, but I haven’t noticed as many freshwater fishermen taking the cue.

When buying a pair of binoculars for fishing, you don’t need to go all out for one of the more expensive hunting models. There’s really no need for the expensive range finding equipment these have. Instead, you should focus on magnification as well as size. Try to find one that is fairly powerful (so you can see further) without being gigantic (so it isn’t clunky). You wouldn’t want to hold a heavy piece of plastic and glass right next to your eyeball while bouncing across the waves. If I were going to buy myself a pair, I’d probably start with something like these ones that are lightweight and waterproof.

Power-Pole Micro Anchor

OK, so the Power-Pole Micro Anchor might just be the ultimate “I really want it but I’m never going to buy it for myself” type fishing gift. Granted, this is a highly situational fishing present because the only people who can use it are ones with small watercraft (canoes, row boats, kayaks, gheenoes), but every single person who has one of those would fall in love with this gift instantly.

A mini power pole is essentially a shallow water anchor. It is a stake that a small engine drives into the lake bottom at the push of a button. This is a much stealthier and easier way to anchor than dropping an actual one. It makes less noise, can be deployed much quicker, and actually holds you where you drop it as opposed to wherever the line lets out. Pretty much every professional bass fisherman has the “full size” models on their boat at this point in life, and every person who doesn’t have one, wants one. If my wife ever bought me one of these for my gheenoe, I think I’d probably die from joy. It would make my fishing experience that much more enjoyable.

If you do purchase this, don’t forget you’ll also need to buy the spike to make it work. There is also an optional (and convenient) battery pack and charger you can purchase.

Personalized Fishing Gifts

If you’re the kind of person who thinks that Thing’s Remembered is the most thoughtful store in the mall, then you’re probably in the market to get some sort of personalized item. Given their unique nature, I won’t really have hyperlinks for you (Google will be your friend) but I thought I’d at least toss out a few ideas of personalized fishing gifts that I’d appreciate and I’m sure the recipient would as well.

Custom Fishing Rods

If you’re in the market for getting someone something truly special, it’s hard to beat a personalized fishing gift such as a custom-made rod. There are master craftsmen across the world who specialize in rod building and can create truly beautiful works of art that are personalized to the angler. Options include having their name etched on the rod, having a custom handle made (certain types of wood are much more sensitive, for example, and can detect bites easier than “off the shelf” rods), or even having the rod created in the recipient’s favorite colors.

Personalized fishing gifts such as custom rods can be heirlooms passed down for generations. For example, I bought Dad a custom rod one year to commemorate my brother who passed away. The rod, “Steven’s Special” was built on a St. Croix Avid blank, had a nice cherry wood handle, and was adorned in the colors of Steve’s favorite sports team, the New Jersey Devils. While it is Dad’s for now, one day I’ll take custody of it until my son is old enough to pass it on to him.

While I don’t have a particular custom rod builder I work with consistently (reach out if you’re a builder who’d like to help with this!), what I can say is that if you go on a popular fishing forum such as ultimatebass or walleyecentral and ask around, you’ll have no shortage of recommendations.

I had this rod, “Steven’s Special,” custom crafted for my father to commemorate my late brother. Note the wood handle and custom colors.

Personalized Embroidery

Earlier I discussed the Mustang Survival life jacket, noting that it was expensive (but totally worth it). Well, if you added a few more dollars to that puppy and brought it to a local seamstress, you could really make it pop and turn it from “just” a super cool gift into one they’ll love for the rest of their life with one simple step: Have their name sewn on.

These life jackets have an exterior fabric to them which could accept thread and needle (carefully, so the actual inflatable isn’t punctured of course). It’s a small little touch but also one most people on the lake don’t have. Further, it gives a small degree of protection from theft, or at least makes recovery that much more likely.

The Ultimate Fishing Gift

You want to know what the ultimate fishing gift would be? If you’re as special to this person as they are to them, then what I would recommend you do is buy them a chartered fishing excursion, and go with them. Even if you hate fishing or think it’s boring, go with them. Trust me, a fishing guide will make the trip more enjoyable for both of you. Here’s why:

  1. All the pressure is taken off of your angler. See, if you just went with them, they’d feel enormous pressure to ensure you had a good time and caught fish. Guess what? That’s the guides problem now – the two of you can just relax and have fun.
  2. No matter how good an angler your husband/wife/kid/whatever is, that guide is probably better at finding fish on any particular day because their livelihood depends on it. This means that it’s very unlikely the day is “boring.”
  3. You get to concentrate on each other. No one has to worry about boat control, what to do, tying lures, etc. All the two of you have to do is show up and have fun.

My wife got me a fishing charter for our honeymoon and it was one of the best memories I have of our relationship. You really can’t go wrong with this gift, assuming you get a good charter captain. Luckily for you, I have written a post describing how to choose a fishing charter so the trip goes well.

My Charter Recommendation

And, as I always mention when I talk about fishing charters – one of the best in the business is my good friend Mickey Maynard. He operates on Lake Champlain (www.lakechamplainangler.com) from about April to late October and spends the entire winter guiding in central Florida (www.largemouthcentral.com). Regardless of where you live in the country, either destination would be a fantastic gift for your favorite angler (Both Lake Champlain and Florida are renowned fishing spots that every fisherman wants to visit once before they die).

Need Other Ideas?

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that I’ve also written a few other articles with fishing gift ideas. Though specifically written to help parents buy their children fishing presents, you might find value with them. Please read my article on fishing gifts for kids or fishing gifts for babies and newborns for more ideas.

I Hope This Was Helpful!

I know it can be stressful to buy a “hobby” gift for someone else, especially if you don’t really know much about the hobby yourself. Please let me know if this article was helpful and pointed you in the right direction. I’m sure if you take my advice you’ll really impress the recipient as the gifts I’ve described are all ones that someone “in the know” would know to get. It will be obvious that you put the time in to get something practical, special, cool, or personalized for them, and they’ll truly appreciate the effort.

Best of luck to all of you. Should you need any more help don’t hesitate to send me an email. I’ll do my best to help you. Thanks!

John Paxton

Fishing Gifts for Kids: Accelerate Their Love for the Great Outdoors

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a kid who loves fishing, look no further. Here are some great gift ideas that they’ll appreciate and which will help accelerate their love for the sport and the outdoors. Whether you’re buying for your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or just a friend, you can rest assured that these recommendations are going to be a hit.

This is a bit of a long post so here are some helpful links to take you were you want on the page:

Stuffed Animals

Younger children love stuffed animals, and a plush northern pike like the one below makes for a much more unique toy than your standard teddy bear!

A variety of fish species are available. Here are some of my kids favorites (click any picture for more information on the product).

In addition to the realistic stuffed animals above, here are a few that might make you smile. Anyone reading their kids “The Pout Pout Fish” or “The Rainbow Fish” lately? Well here they are in all their fuzzy glory:

Toys

Little kids will always love toys, and if they’re into fishing, a toy bass boat is hard to beat. Here are a few options out there that they are likely to enjoy.

Fishing Action Figures

I never had one of these growing up, but wish I did. I bought one for my son when he was younger and I think I’m going to have to buy this one below for him again now that we have a pool to play in.

The bass boat above comes with great little details such as a trolling motor and even twin power poles. It pairs with the Big Country Toys’ Ford F250 and AMAZING fishing play mat (THIS is DEFINITELY making it under our tree this year)! Click on the link to check it out and try to tell me it isn’t awesome!

Playmobil Fisherman

Playmobil is a consistent winner in my house and this toy fisherman would make the perfect stocking stuffer.

A Quintessential Fishing Game

This game has been around for awhile and was a hit at my house. It’s a fun game you can play with your kids, but there are many small pieces, so wait until they’re a little older. You can pick up your copy at Amazon.

A Cool Fishing Bath Toy

Something like this could keep the kids engaged throughout their bath and even convince ones who aren’t so crazy about the tub to hop on in for some fun.

This one does run the risk of getting mom or dad soaked, but your kids will certainly enjoy it.

Books

One of the greatest thing about fishing is that it’s such a thinking person’s sport that one can’t help but want to read more about it. Some of the earliest books I ever read had to do with fishing, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to claim that the sport helped engender a love of reading within me.

You can find a detailed review for most of these books in an article I wrote about the best fishing books for kids, but suffice it to say, these are winners that I read my kids often. You can’t go wrong with any of them. Note that you can also read about more advanced fishing books in my article about the best fishing books I’ve ever read. Here are some of my favorites:

The American Boys Handy Book by Daniel Carter Beard

This book right here sparked more adventures in my mind than perhaps any other I read as a child. In it, you’ll find instructions on how to build everything from aquariums to rafts. It’s basically a field guide to the great outdoors. Click here to read more about it at Amazon.

Gone Fishing by Earlene Long

Of all the books I reviewed in this post, this one has stood the test of time with my son. He still routinely picks this one out and asks me to read it to him now and then. It’s not a bad read either. Sometimes when a kid gets stuck on a book it can be a little rough on the parent, but this is a quick one with fun pictures and you won’t stress about reading it 100 times. This makes it a great gift for any kid who likes fishing. You can purchase it at Amazon.

Outdoor IQ Ultimate Fishing Guide by Dave and Steve Shellhaas

This book is targeted towards children, though from the reviews it appears the type set is pretty small, so don’t necessarily expect it to be the best for younger kids. Even so, how many dinosaur books have you read with them that were a little beyond their scope? The key is in the pictures, and this book has plenty. You can find it at Amazon.

Freshwater Fishing for Kids by Melanie A. Howard

A book filled with great tips and directed at kids. I don’t own this one either, but judging from the reviews, it looks like this is a book more appropriate for kids who already know the basics, as some of the feedback is that not all terms are defined. Pick it up at Amazon.

The Three Little Bass and the Big Bad Gar by James Miller

I remain impressed by this book. Not so much for the story, which is basically just a spin off on the three little pigs, but the story behind how it was created. An eight-year-old and his mother teamed up to create this book and offer it for sale and enjoyment to the world. I think that’s a great story and one that perhaps you and your little one can draw some inspiration from. If you’re interested in showing your kids what is possible with a little imagination and dedication, pick this book up today.

Animals, Birds & Fish of North America, the Illustrated Encyclopedia of: A Natural History and Identification Guide to the Captivating Indigenous Wildlife of the United States of America and Canada  by Tom Jackson

I loved these kinds of books when I was a kid. Each of the more than 420 creatures featured comes with a map showing where in the country one might find them, and a little excerpt describing the species in some detail. This is sure to provide hours of entertainment and would be a great book to give your kids before a long road trip. You can buy it at Amazon.

Northern Pike Secrets (An In-Fishermen Handbook of Strategies) by Al Lindner, et al

OK, so this book is definitely NOT marketed towards kids. So why would I include it? Because it has a special place in my heart. It is the first fishing book that I wore out cover to cover. Even though it’s extremely more technically oriented than most kids can stand, its first chapter discussing the history of northern pike is sure to put your children in wonder.

You might have some difficulty finding this book. As of writing, Amazon has a listing for several used copies, but you may need to go to e-Bay. On occasion, I’ve seen reprints of this series of books at various tackle shops, or for sale on the In-Fishermen website itself.

Fishing with Kids: A Parent’s Guide by John Paxton

I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention my book. While it’s targeted towards parents, it could be a good companion gift (buy the kid the fishing rod, buy the parents this book, and watch things fall in place). You can purchase it at Amazon.

Clothes

While few of us look back at our time as kids and remember loving to unwrap boxes full of clothes, at least these are for their interest. You’ll probably get more mileage out of these than you would for some dress clothes for picture day.

Lucky Fishing Shirt

No one can leave home home without a lucky fishing shirt! I found when getting my kid used to dressing himself, having a supply of clothes he thought looked cool really helped. Anything with fish or dinosaurs passes the sniff test at the Paxton house.

This Kid Loves to Fish

Here’s another good one that your kids might like to wear. It’ll also show less worm gut stains as it is mostly black. Always a plus!

UPF 50+ Kids Fishing Clothes

If you’re looking for something practical, UPF 50+ rated kids fishing clothes would make a great gift. The sun is a real enemy out there, especially when you’re distracted doing something fun. These shirts will minimize the amount of fuss you get over sunscreen and will protect your little ones from its harmful rays.

UPF 50+ Kids Fishing Shirts

This one above follows my concept of “buy kids shirts they think looks cool.” Given the jumping bass, it’s a winner on that front. Check it out in further detail here.

Safety yellow is a great color that gives a bit of piece of mind out there on the water should something happen. You can purchase this one at this link.

UPF 50+ Kids Fishing Hats

My kids wear fishing hats similar to these. I appreciate the 360-degrees of protection that they afford from the sun, as we’re constantly moving while on the boat and can be hit from any angle. As a plus, the tykes look adorable in them.

This kind of model offers even more protection for the back of the neck. Let’s face it: where do you usually get sunburned? Bearing that in mind, it would be a great idea to pick this up at Amazon today.

Fishing Gloves for Kids

The first time my son saw “bass thumb,” it scared him. Even though adults know it is a mark of honor, to see your thumb so scuffed up can be a little traumatic for the little ones. Some gloves like these will prevent that and afford them some protection. As these have an anti-skid design, it’s also less likely your kid will be dropping as many rods in the lake – always a plus!!!

Fishing Video Games

Ideally, you’re trying to get your kids into fishing so they can spend time away from screens, but on the other hand, not all of us live someplace where we can fish year round, at least in comfort. Video games can help scratch that itch during the off season. Further, not for nothing, but let’s be candid here: wouldn’t you rather your children be playing a fishing video game than some first person shooter? At least they’ll learn a thing or two about the sport.

Here are some fishing video games available on the major platforms. Any of these would make a great gift for a kid who likes fishing and gaming. I’m not sure I’m sold that many adults would like these, as most fishing games tend to be designed more for younger folks (I personally haven’t cared much for a fishing video games since the awesome Bassin’s Black Bass with Hank Parker).

Nintendo Switch

We don’t own a Nintendo Switch, so I’m going to have to go based on some reviews out there, but I will say that Nintendo has a reputation to catering their video games more towards children than the other platforms, so these games will likely be well-received by little ones. Here’s a few that caught my eye.

Fishing Star World Tour

This seems to have different fish species than “The Strike” as well as some salt water ones. It’s quite cartoony with big flashing letters when fish are on. Go check out a few of the photos of it at Amazon and see if it’s something your kid might enjoy.

Bass Pro Shops The Strike: Championship Edition

People indicate that their kids enjoy the game. Given that its a Bass Pro Shops game, one would think it would have a bit more thought into it than most. Check the best price at Amazon.

As an added plus, this game is compatible with a cool gadget that turns your switch controller into a fishing rod, which kids should get a big kick out of. Here’s a youtube video of a guy using it to play the game.

Playstation 4

Note that some of these titles may also be available on other game systems. After following the links, consider poking about if you’re interested in buying one of these for a different system.

The Fisherman: Fishing Planet

This game boasts of having artificial intelligence that follows the behaviors of real fish. It also has claims to being the most realistic game, though I’m not sure how good that is in a fishing simulator. Follow this link for more information.

Legendary Fishing

Legendary fishing’s “hook” is that it’s a multiplayer game where each player competes for certain challenges, such as catching 2 fish with a certain lure in a certain time. Being able to play with friends will make for a more interactive gaming experience. More information on Legendary Fishing can be found here.

X-Box 1

As above, please note that many of these games may also be available on PS4, though a few are likely X-Box exclusives. After following the links, consider searching a little deeper to see what you can find if you’d really prefer this for a different system.

Rapala Fishing: Pro Series

A video game designed by one of the most iconic lure company’s on planet earth, this one boasts hundreds of different lures to choose from and unlock, giving kids goals to work towards. You can find it available for purchase at Amazon.

Here’s a video of Rapala Pro Fishing in action if you’d like to see how it plays before you buy it.

Pro Fishing Simulator

This game features over 75 fish species and hundreds of real life lures to catch them with, as well as some decent graphics. It could be fun for your kids to try out lures that they have in their own tackle box to see how they work. You can find more photos and user reviews on Amazon.

Gear

It goes without saying that any kid who is into fishing is going to be into getting fishing gear as a present. With that said, a lot of the stuff marketed towards children out there really isn’t best for them. Indeed, you’re basically buying the daydream effect of their having something fun to look at and play with and call their own, but if you wanted to buy them stuff that lasts, you’re better off parting it out. Here’s a few things to get you started.

Kids Fishing Rods

You might be tempted to go out and buy the first youth combo that you see. I wrote an article to help you wade through the options that you can read here.

Ugly Stik Elite

I wrote an entire article about why I think it’s a great fishing pole for kids that you can read here. In that post, you’ll learn why I think it’s one of the best fishing rods for kids.

If you don’t have time to read an entire article, suffice it to say that it’s an inexpensive brand that has legendary durability which makes it great for little anglers who might not be the most careful yet with their gear.

I have many of these in my rod box and recommend it to all parents. You purchase this great fishing rod as a gift for your kid at at Amazon.

St. Croix Panfish Series

Anyone who has followed this blog for any length of time knows that I love St. Croix rods. While their panfish series is more expensive than the Ugly Stik, it would make any outstanding gift for any kid who is old enough to appreciate (and maintain) fine fishing gear.

Frankly, I think these make great gifts for adults too. Many parents spend the first few years of their children’s fishing career exclusively targeting panfish. A dedicated panfish rod makes this significantly more fun than reeling them in on bass tackle or the like. Consider purchasing one for the parent too!

Kids Fishing Reels

I’m not one for buying the usual “kids” reels with the superheroes on them. Instead, I buy stuff that I think will last so I don’t have to buy it twice. With children, that can be a bit challenging, but here’s a link to an article I wrote that talks about different spinning reels out there that you can purchase. Of them, I’d consider your best bets to be the Pflueger Trion or Pflueger President. Smaller kids will do well with a size 20, while older ones would be better off with a 30.

Tackle

When it comes to taking kids fishing, not all tackle is created equal. I wrote a lengthy article discussing what fishing lures work well with kids that you can read here, but if you’re pinched for time, here are some solid recommendations that are safe for kids to use, and effective.

Strike King Bleeding Bait Spinnerbait

I really enjoyed throwing spinnerbaits with my dad when I was as young as six-years-old. They help kids learn how to cast for distance and accuracy, and catch fish to boot. It’s much more interesting to walk around casting something at likely targets than to sit around waiting for something to eat your worm. These spinnerbaits are durable and effective and make a good choice for children.

It’s also worth mentioning that these lures have a single large hook which is safer for children than smaller treble hooks, as it takes much more force to pierce the skin. Pick some up today!

Yamamoto Senko Kit

Yamamoto Senkos are some of the best baits for kids to use. All they need to do is “wacky rig” these lures, toss them out, let them sink, and usually before they hit the ground, a bass will smash them. If they don’t get a bite, they can retrieve them slowly with some “pops” allowing the bait to fall again on the retrieve repeatedly.

It’s a super effective and easy technique for kids to learn that will put them on fish. While you could buy the packs separately, this handy kit comes with several great colors and a tackle box to store them. It would also wrap much better as a present. I highly recommend purchasing one today.

Frog Nets

While not technically a “fishing” item, one thing I’ve learned this year is that kids absolutely love catching frogs, crayfish, minnows, and anything else that a throw net will capture. I’ve found that my son almost prefers this to actual fishing! Here are a few good options that will make for fun afternoons at your local pond.

I like the frog net below because it is squared at the top as opposed to rounded. This makes a difference because when reaching for a frog or crayfish, it will allow you to pin the net against the ground, reducing the chances your quarry escapes. You can find it, or something similar, at Amazon.

Just don’t forget to get the matching tee-shirt:

Baby Gifts

When my nephew was born I ran out searching for some good baby gifts for him. Here’s a link to an article filled with some ideas for what you could purchase if you’re in that same boat.

If you’re not interested in the full length article, this makes a pretty cute toy. It’s by VTech, so you know you can trust it around littles.

Here’s another one that would make any newborn smile:

Boats: the Ultimate Gift for Kids Who Love Fishing

OK, so it would be a bit crazy to get a child a boat, but here are some inexpensive rafts that you could buy for them that would spark a true sense of adventure. These would go great with a reading of Huckleberry Finn, in case anyone has some summer reading to get through. If you have a local pond, these can provide a neat little adventure for the two of you, especially if shore access is limited on one side (because “that’s where the good frogs are,” naturally).

Seahawk 3 by Intex

The Seahawk 3 by Intex is an inexpensive raft choice that would do fine for getting your kids across a small pond. I’m a little leery of fishing out of it or partaking in other activities that involve sharp objects, but it would be great for frogging. You can purchase it at Amazon.

Excursion 5 by Intex

The Excursion 5 is a step up from the Seahawk 3, as it’s rated for five people. While I wouldn’t recommend bringing five people out on it and expecting to do anything other than sit still, a larger raft can help if you have a few kids to bring along with you to that pond. More details are available at Amazon.

Gheenoe

Chances are if you’re not from Florida, it’s unlikely you’ve ever heard of a Gheenoe, but they’re amongst the best light water craft options for taking little kids out on the water. As such, they’d make a great gift for any family with kids who love fishing. I have an LT10 and love it, though I would caution you that it’s not much of a cartopper and you’ll really want a trailer unless you’re bringing two adults along.

You can find a local dealer by visiting their website here.

The Gheenoe LT10 makes for a great small watercraft to take little kids on, however don’t expect to cartop it by yourself! You’ll want to stick to areas near ramps when possible.

Conclusions

One of the best things about fishing with your kids is that it sparks a love of learning. Once hooked, kids will want to learn everything they can about fishing. It also can become a source of pride for them as they develop their skillset. These toys, games, books, and other gifts are great to keep a kid’s love of fishing going strong. If you know a little tyke who is enamored by the sport, you can’t go wrong with any of them.

I hope this post helped ease any stress you might have had about getting the perfect gift for your little angler. I’ll update it from time to time as I find other cool fishing gifts for kids.

Thanks,

John Paxton