8 Gift Suggestions For Dads Who Fish

Angling For The Perfect Father’s Day Gift – 8 Gift Suggestions For Dads Who Fish

Whether you’re shopping for your dad, your husband, your brother, or any other man this father’s day if he’s a fisherman then you have a world of gift options at your fingertips. Even if he has some of the items listed below, what fisherman can’t use a backup? I often hear men complaining about losing a favorite lure or other accessory during a day on the water. Here are some items that fishermen might enjoy receiving this father’s day.

Scale

Unlike the scales your own father and grandfather used when they were young, newer versions sport features like ergonomic handles, a digital readout for precise readings, water resistance, and automatic shut-off when not in use which can result in hundreds of hours of use on a single battery charge. If your dad is getting older and having trouble viewing the readout, look for one that offers a larger display. Dad wants to spend his time fishing, not trying to comprehend how much his catch weighs!

Tackle box and tackle

There are a variety of tackle boxes on the market today, and you can buy them everywhere from your local department store to online retailers like Amazon. Depending on how much tackle Dad takes on his trip, you could select a single tray tackle box for an afternoon of fishing or one that features multiple trays to hold enough supplies for an entire weekend of fishing. A few years ago my siblings and I went together and bought our dad a heavy duty tackle box filled with all his favorite brands of hooks, lures, string, bobbers, and various other kinds of tackle. We then added a gift card to his favorite local seafood restaurant just in case “the one that got away” really managed to escape being caught.

Rod and reel

It’s difficult to fish without a fishing rod! Even if the man who you’re buying a gift for this Father’s Day already has his own rod and reel, then buy him a backup. If something happens to his he’ll be happy that he doesn’t have to immediately rush out and look for a new one. Or he could invite you to go fishing with him. After all, the time that you spend with Dad is as important as the gift you select for him on Father’s Day, or any other holiday.

Fishing décor

Most fishermen have at least one room in their home dedicated to celebrating their hobbies, whether it’s the family room or an official “No Girls Allowed” man cave. Fishing-themed décor is often a whimsical way to dress up an otherwise boring room, and at sites like Etsy that offer vintage and handmade items it’s easy to add a personal touch as well. From picture frames to wall murals and art like retro advertisements for tackle, whatever you can’t find locally you are sure to find online when looking for fishing décor to give your dad this Father’s Day.

Fillet tools

What does your dad do after he catches the fish? Does he release them back into water, like many who fish just for sport? Or does he save them for use as ingredients in family dinners? Mine does both, depending on where he’s fishing and what he’s catching. Several years ago I gave him a compact fish fillet kit that he could take on a weekend fishing trip at a popular resort. He loved that the tool allowed him to make two fillets at a time and that when not in use, the knife could safely store away inside the base unit.

Apparel

The sun reflecting off the water can seriously burn skin. Why not get dad a new fishing hat this Father’s Day? Depending on how serious of an angler your dad is, you might consider some of these items.

• Fishing vest – look for one with lots of pockets to hold all the necessities, that’s crafted from materials such as breathable mesh, and other features like D-rings or a padded collar
• Fishing boots – should be lined to keep the feet dry even when wading, and have a decent amount of texture on the bottom to help prevent slipping on slick surfaces
• Fishing hat – a wide brim will help shade your dad’s face from the sun and help him scan the water without constantly having to shield his face with one hand
• Fishing gloves – textured grip helps prevent the fish from slipping out of dad’s grasp so he doesn’t have to lament about the one that got away later
• Fishing parka – sure, Father’s Day is in June but depending on where you live or if your dad is an all-season fisherman, this may come in handy later in the year
• Apparel isn’t limited to clothes – there is an array of accessories that are also available for today’s fisherman such as water resistant watches, polarized sunglasses, and even a fishing briefcase for the angler sees fishing as serious business.

Books

There are tens of thousands of books for sale on the topic of fishing. They cover topics like fishing stories, tips for bigger catches, freshwater fishing versus saltwater fishing, live worms versus lures, and even fishing for the total newbie. My dad isn’t a reader, but a few years ago my siblings and I got together with our mom and selected photos from all our favorite fishing trips with dad throughout the years. Using an online photo service that offered personalized products, we put together a book that included all the pictures along with quotes from each of his kids that proclaimed his redeeming qualities. It was one of his favorite gifts not because of the monetary value, but because of the time and effort we put into creating it.

Fishing trip

If your dad is like mine and already has most of what’s in this list and you’re at a loss for what to give him this Father’s Day, then you could give him the gift of your time. Schedule an afternoon of uninterrupted fishing time. Tell the office to hold your calls and leave your cellphone turned off. Dad will appreciate the effort you make to give him your undivided attention. If you have the means to be a little more extravagant, you might consider chartering a boat for an afternoon of fishing on the open seas or even a weekend trip to some exotic location.

My dad loves surprises.  Last year I got him a retro Coke machine, and his buddies come over all the time to watch sports at his house.  No matter what your dad likes to do, time spent together is always a treat for dads.

Freelance author Ashley Munroe loves the outdoors and spends as many weekends as possible with her family, including her husband, their two young daughters, and her dad. If you’re still having trouble deciding what to get your dad, check out some of the reviews at www.menshideaway.com for inspiration. The how-to guides, reviews, and blog entries are written by men, for men – especially for men who either have or would like to have their own designated space.