N O V / D E C 2 0 1 9

F I S H I N G ’ S D E A D L I E S T T E C H N I Q U E

SPORT FISHING

T H E N U A N C E S O F S L O W - P I T C H J I G G I N G

C H O O S I N G T H E B E S T J I G G I N G T A C K L E

A N G L E R S

H O L I D A Y

G I F T

G U I D E

P68

P84

SO L A C E 3 4 5

FISH TRIAL

H O T S P O T S F O R W I N T E R

R E D F I S H

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5 8 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

2019ANGLERS HOLIDAY

GIFT GUIDE

B U Y I N G G I F T S F O R A F I S H E R M A N can be challenging, unless you

know the intricacies of that angler’s arsenal or, better yet, his or her covetous

wish list. Of course, gifts can be returned or even swapped among friends, so

don’t let stress spoil the season. ¶ To help you nail the perfect holiday surprise,

we compiled this assortment of 39 gift options and 10 stocking-stuffer ideas

that should streamline your shopping. We included some specific options for

women anglers, as more and more manufacturers are designing technical gear—

particularly apparel—for females. Of course, many gear and tackle items work

equally well for both genders, and we’ve included those here.

F R O M S T O C K I N G S T U F F E R S T O

H I S - A N D - H E R S G E A R A N D C L O T H I N G

B Y C H R I S W O O D W A R D

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JON WHITTLE

REELS

[ A ] S H I M A N O S T R A D I C F L 2 5 0 0 H G

Shimano’s newly redesigned Stradic FL spinning reels feature

smoother rotation, added durability and enhanced casting

distance. They’re offered in five sizes, including the 2500HG

(pictured), which gathers 35 inches of line per crank (6-to-1 gear

ratio), carries 145 yards of 15-pound braid, and delivers

20 pounds of max drag. Weighing 7.9 ounces, it costs $199.99.

[ B ] P E N N T O R Q U E L E V E R - D R A G

T W O - S P E E D 1 5 X N

The 15XN is a new size in Penn’s Torque lever-drag two-speed

series; it gives anglers a narrower, taller platform than the

existing 15LD. Torques feature a machined-aluminum body,

spool and side plates. The 15XN offers 2.8- and 5.5-to-1

gear ratios and max drag of 33 pounds. It holds 450 yards of

30-pound braid and costs $579.95.

[ C ] O K U M A C A V A L L A 5 - I I

Built with a machined-aluminum frame and side plates, a

carbonite drag system and a machined-aluminum spool,

Okuma’s new Cavalla two-speed lever-drag conventional reels

handle tough conditions and come in six models. The 5-II model

(pictured) features 3.8- and 6.4-to-1 gear ratios and delivers up

to 24 pounds of drag. It holds 475 yards of 50-pound braid and

costs $239.99.

[ D ] A C C U R AT E T E R N T X - 6 0 0 X N

Accurate’s TwinStarDrag Tern series includes six sizes; all are

made from 6061 T-6 aluminum. The TX-600XN (pictured) features

a 6-to-1 gear ratio and collects 52 inches of line per handle turn.

Accurate real-world-tested this reel jig-fishing for wahoo, as well

as bottomfishing and commercial kingfishing. The TX-600XN

carries 400 yards of 65-pound braid and costs $379.95.

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6 1S P O R T F I S H I N G M A G . C O M

GEAR

[ A ] Y E T I H O P P E R M 3 0

Yeti’s latest soft-sided Hopper eliminates the zippered closure in favor

of a magnetic seal that permits the cooler’s mouth to open wider. Dual

quick-release buckles cinch it for transport. The Hopper M30 features

7.2 gallons of capacity, and comes in navy, charcoal and river green

(in limited release). It costs $299.99.

[ B ] G E R B E R C O N T R O L L E R ( H I S ) /

M A G N I P L I E R S ( H E R S )

For men, Gerber suggests the 10-inch Controller fillet knife ($50) with

its built-in sharpener. The full-tang blade flexes, and the rubber grip

gets stickier when wet. The 7½-inch Magnipliers ($85) work well

for women—when the jaw tips close, the grip remains manageable for

smaller hands. The pliers also are lightweight due to the hot-forged

aluminum design.

[ C ] S H I M A N O 6 - I N C H P O W E R P L I E R S

Designed for inshore-saltwater use, Shimano’s 6-inch power pliers are

made from fluorine-coated stainless steel. They feature a braided-line

cutter, soft-grip handles, and a lock. They’re capable of opening No. 1

to No. 5 split rings and cost $29.99.

[ D ] M U S TA D J I G P O U C H

Mustad’s waterproof jig pouch features multiple pockets for 35 jigs

total, including five slots for extra-large jigs to 11 inches, 18 slots for

jigs to 7½ inches, and 12 slots for jigs to 6 inches. An outer mesh

pocket holds assist hooks and leader material. The pouch measures

14½-by-9-by-3 inches and costs $61.99.

[ E ] P L A N O Z - S E R I E S TA C K L E B A G ( 3 7 0 0 )

Plano’s 3700 Z-Series bag is made from TPE-coated waterproof fabric.

It measures 22 inches long and 13 inches high, and weighs 13.7 pounds.

The bag comes with two side pockets, front and back mesh slip pockets,

and Plano’s exclusive Utili-Tackle rail system molded, waterproof base.

It holds five 3700 Stowaway utility boxes and costs $114.99.

[ F ] W E E G O 6 6

The Weego 66 water-resistant, portable jump-starter can deliver

enough power to a dead battery to crank any size outboard engine.

The 12-volt jump-starts with 2,500 peak amps and 660 cranking

amps. It can also charge mobile devices and brighten the night with a

600-lumen dual LED flashlight. The Weego 66 costs $199.99.

[ G ] A F T C O 1 2 - I N C H F I L L E T K N I F E

AFTCO crafted its 8-, 10- and 12-inch (pictured) fillet knives in

collaboration with Böker Germany to provide premium blades for

processing fish of all sizes. The knives feature 4116 German stainless

blades with a full tang, upswept design and a bonded finish for

corrosion resistance. The handle is made from overmolded, slip-free

polypropylene/TPR. The 12-inch knife costs $89.

[ H ] C A L C U T TA R E N E G A D E 1 1 L H A R D C O O L E R

The smallest of Calcutta’s Renegade line of seven coolers, the 11-liter

model is roto-molded, providing durability and performance under

tough conditions. Features include an industrial-grade, freezer-style

lid seal, stainless-steel hinge pins, a rubber latch, and nonslip feet.

Available in white, tan, gray and orange, the 11L costs $99.99.

S T O C K I N G S T U F F E R S

Shimano SP ORCA Baby subsurface lure

$19.99 [C]

PowerPro Moon Shine braid

starts at $20.99

Soft Steel Fluoro-Stretch fluorocarbon

$6.99 to $14.99

FishLab Tackle Carnada flutter jigs

$7.99 to $10.99

Berkley Gulp! shrimp (3-inch)

$6.99 (six) [A]

Z-Man Weedless Eye jig heads

$6.99 (three) [B]

Halco Roosta Popper (5½-inch)

$13

Savage Gear 3D Swim Squid

$13.99 to $19.99

Sufix Advance fluorocarbon

$24.99 to $199.99

Seaguar Gold Label fluorocarbon

$18.99 to $34.99

Rapala X-Rap Twitchin’ Minnow

$10.99 to $14.99

Yo-Zuri Crystal 3D Shrimp

$8.99 to $9.99

Lures, line, and leader material make great smaller gifts for fishing friends and family members. Those products come in choices of

colors and sizes specific to different fishing situations, but here’s a good place to start:

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6 2 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

APPAREL

G I L L F G 2 0 0 T O U R N A M E N T J A C K E T / B I B S ( H I S ) / F G 3 0 0 A C T I V E J A C K E T / B I B S ( H E R S )

The men’s jacket and bibs are made from waterproof, breathable fabric with fully taped seams. The jacket ($299) features an adjustable

double cuff and a high-cut thermal collar; the bibs ($249) have full-length zippered legs. For women, the jacket ($229) has adjustable

outer cuffs and comes in two colors; the bibs ($159) feature knee-length zippers (available November 2019).

6 3S P O R T F I S H I N G M A G . C O M

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[ A ] C O L U M B I A F O R C E X I I ( H I S ) / U LT I M AT E

C AT C H H E AT S E A L P U F F Y ( H E R S )

The men’s Columbia Force XII Fleece Jacket features Omni-Shield

Blood ’n’ Guts repellency, zippered chest and hand pockets, a hoodie,

and a drawcord hem. The jacket comes in black, cool gray and vivid

blue, and costs $140. The women’s puffy jacket has Omni-Shield and

Thermarator insulation. Available in black, cirrus gray, dolphin and

harbor blue, it costs $140.

[ B ] B L U E F I N U S A R A S H G U A R D C A M O H O O D

( H I S ) / C A M O L E G G I N G S ( H E R S )

Bluefin made its men’s camo hoodie sweatshirt ($49) from soft

microfiber and spandex. It features antimicrobial properties and UPF

50-plus sun protection, and comes in blue and gray. The women’s camo

leggings ($65) offer SPF 50 ultraviolet sun protection and moisture-

wicking properties. They’re 78 percent polyester/22 percent spandex,

and come only in blue.

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6 4 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

[ A ] U N D E R A R M O U R T I D E C H A S E R H Y B R I D

W O V E N ( H I S ) / T I D E C H A S E R L E G G I N G S ( H E R S )

UA’s hybrid shirt features a lightweight polyester fabric with built-in

stretch. It wicks sweat and dries quickly while providing UPF 30 sun

protection. Available in gray, coho and khaki, it costs $48.99. The UA

women’s polyester/elastane leggings offer UPF 50-plus protection and

four-way stretch. With a 24-inch inseam, the leggings come in petrol

blue and cost $65.

[ B ] M O S S Y O A K S H O R T- A N D L O N G - S L E E V E

T E C H T E E S ( H I S / H E R S )

For him, Mossy Oak designed this short-sleeve tee made from polyester

and elastane (50-plus UPF) with a mesh back panel (20-plus UPF).

The shirt ($19.99 to $34.99) comes in seven camo/noncamo colors.

Her version comes in similar colors, at the same cost, and features

the same technologies, including Coolcore, which manages heat and

moisture to regulate body temperature.

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6 5S P O R T F I S H I N G M A G . C O M

[ C ] P E L A G I C E X O -T E C H S H I R T ( H I S ) /

U LT R AT E K S H I R T ( H E R S )

The men’s Exo-Tech ($99) is a combination sun shirt, face shield and

hoodie made from polyester and elastane. It features UPF 50-plus sun

protection, and comes in six distinctive camo patterns and colors.

The women’s Ultratek ($59) hooded shirt is made from a four-way-

stretch fabric, carries UPF 50-plus sun protection, and comes in five

solid colors.

[ D ] H U K C O L D F R O N T I C O N ¼ - Z I P ( H I S ) /

I C O N X ( H E R S )

The men’s Coldfront Icon ¼-zip from Huk features a durable,

water-repellent face, four-way stretch and hollow-core warming fibers.

It comes in three colors and costs $60. The women’s IconX wicks

moisture and offers sun protection as well as internal cooling fibers. It

comes in four solid colors ($45) and in camo ($50), and is also available

in long-sleeve and hoodie versions.

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[ A ] X T R AT U F L E AT H E R

A N K L E D E C K B O O T

( H I S / H E R S )

The leather version of XtraTuf’s popular

6-inch ankle deck boot is made from

waterproof leather with a Chevron rubber

outsole and neoprene side panels.

The men’s boots come in black, brown

and taupe; women’s come in black,

brown and olive. XtraTuf recommends

sizing up to account for thick socks

(whole and half sizes available).

The boots cost $120.

[ B ] B U F F E C L I P S E

G L O V E S ( H I S ) / S O L A R

G L O V E S ( H E R S )

Buff men’s three-quarter-finger Eclipse

gloves ($35) offer advanced grip

technology (with silicone dots and an

abrasion-resistant film), UV protection and

antimicrobial properties. They’re available

in four sizes and four colors. The women’s

half-finger Solar Gloves ($20) are super

lightweight and breathable, with UPF

40-plus sun protection. They come in four

sizes and three colors.

[ C ] C O S TA B R O A D B I L L ( H I S ) /

W AT E R W O M A N ( H E R S )

Costa’s Broadbill sculpted large-wrap

frames ($189 to $269) come with

nonslip vented nose pads and integrated

temple-tip icons for Costa retainer cords.

Broadbills are available in four frame

colors, including the new matte reef, and

a variety of 580 lenses. WaterWoman

frames ($189 to $269) feature a medium

fit with angled temples and Hydrolite

accents. They come in four frame colors

with seven 580 lens choices.

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ELECTRONICS[ A ] I C O M M 3 7

Icom’s M37 handheld

VHF radio offers

6 watts of RF output

power and 700

megawatts of audio

output. The Li-ion

supplied battery pack

provides more than

12 hours of operating

time. In addition,

Icom has also added

a channel-history

function that stores

the last five channels

for easy recall.

The M37 weighs

10.3 ounces and

costs $277.

[ B ] G A R M I N

G P S M A P

8 6 S C I

Garmin’s floating

86sci handheld has a

3-inch color display,

is preloaded with

BlueChart g3 coastal

charts, and features

inReach satellite

communication,

two-way texting

and interactive SOS.

The unit can extend

onboard Garmin

systems, displaying

boat data, and

providing remote

control for autopilot

and stereo products.

Available in four

models with varying

features, prices

range from $399.99

to $649.99.

[ C ] A C R

R E S Q L I N K

V I E W /

O L A S TA G

ACR has bundled

its ResQLink View

personal locator

beacon with its OLAS

(Overboard Location

Alert System) tag; the

two attach together

for wearing. The

tag alerts captains

in a man-overboard

situation, and the PLB

allows emergency

contact, if necessary.

The View includes

a digital display;

the tag pairs with a

device app. The pair

costs $375.

[ D ]

G L O B A L S TA R

S P O T X

Globalstar’s Spot X

two-way, handheld

satellite messenger

comes with a full

keyboard, and allows

direct communication

with emergency

services. Its unique

phone number lets

family and friends

make contact when

you’re outside cell

range. Spot X carries

an IP67 rating,

and supports GPS

tracking, texting and

check-in. The unit

costs $249.99; service

plans start at $11.95

per month.

[ E ] S TA N D A R D

H O R I Z O N

H X 9 8 0

Available in black

and navy blue,

Standard’s HX980

handheld GPS/VHF

has two scrambler

systems for secure

communication, an

FM broadcast band

receiver, Class H DSC,

and waypoint and

route navigation. With

6 watts of transmit

power, the unit

floats, is submersible

and can also be

programmed with a

PC. It costs $199.99.

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