I grew up on the south shore of Long Island, in a town that had been a fishing village for over a century. My neighbor was a clammer. He would get up early 6 or 7 days a week to go out on the bay. Sometimes he would bring us some of the clams. My mom would steam them as part of our dinner. They were so delicious with melted butter. As teens we would go with friends to check lobster traps. Summer vacations my family fished on Lake George with my Uncle Marty.
As an adult I moved to Florida. Here kids fish in local canals, and tourists take charter boats on the Atlantic.
Fishing is a sport that can also be a livelihood, luxury vacation, or a hobby for kids. Whichever type of fisherman you are shopping for, from the young to the old timer, we have chosen these gifts for fishermen that are sure to be the big catch.
1. Fish Decanter
Unique gifts for fisherman
For those who appreciate fine liquor, give them a fish themed decanter. You can also choose some fishing themed rocks glasses to sip their drinks from.
For a unique gift for lounging around, give them a pair of fish flip flops. These will definitely get everyone’s attention!
2. Fish Finders
Cool gifts for fishermen
A depth finder is a handy gadget that shows underwater contours to see how far down the fish are. This way, they know where to drop their line.
LED fishing gloves will help them see what they’re doing when it isn’t light out yet. These are also great for hiking or kayaking.
They need to weigh the fish, right? Give them a digital scale.
Another must have item is a portable solar charger. Put the sun’s rays to good use. Then they don’t have to worry about their phone going dead and having nobody believe them about the size of their fish.
3. Fishing Experience
Luxury gifts for fisherman
What to buy for the fisherman who has everything? Send them on a fishing trip. They can never have too many fishing excursions. There are so many, you should be able to find one close to home. For a milestone birthday gift for a fisherman, give them the trip of a lifetime including a vacation stay along with the fishing experience.
If they can’t get away, or they like fishing locally, you can get them an Inflatable Dinghy or a fishing kayak instead.
4. Fishing Shelter
Gifts for ice fishermen
My father in law lives in upstate NY. He has spent many winters ice fishing. I remember borrowing his tent so we could go camping. I asked why it has zippers in the bottom. He explained that they could unzip a section of the floor, make a hole, and fish within the shelter of the tent.
Some ice fishing tents come with the shelter and auger. However, if there isn’t one, they will need an auger for drilling a hole in the ice.
With their feet planted right on the ice while fishing, they can never have too many pairs of thermal socks to prevent frostbite.
5. Multitool Keychain
Stocking stuffers for fishermen
A multitool includes pliers, screwdriver, bottle opener, and other tools they will need in one tool. Plus they won’t lose it, because it will be attached to their keys!
Yuck! It is hard to get rid of that fish smell. Slip some fisherman’s hand scrub into their stocking to get that odor off their hands.
All thumbs? A knot tying tool helps those with shaky hands or poor eyesight thread and tie knots. (I think I need one of these for sewing.)
6. Fishing Vest
Gifts for fly fishermen
A good fishing vest is a must. Fishing vests are filled with pockets to easily access small gear. This is especially useful for fly fisherman who may be wading in the water and don’t have access to their tackle box.
If you aren’t sure if they already have a vest, get them a set of flies. These come in selections to fit every budget, and fishermen can never have too many of these. Another great gift is a net. Nets get torn or dry rot from heat and salt water. They can always use a new one of those.
Looking for more of a novelty gift? Get them some fly fishing glassware. While they won’t want to take these fishing with them, these glasses provide a whimsical motif for drinking a celebratory brew after catching the big one.
7. Coffee Table Book
Fishing gifts for readers
Coffee table books are a nice way to incorporate hobbies into home decor. They provide tons of images for guests to peruse. Choose one with a fishing theme such as the history of trout, or maybe one with another water themed hobby such as surfing.
For those looking to improve their skills or get some know-how for beginners, get them a fishing tips book. Or for some entertainment, choose a book of fishing stories so they can read about people’s real life experiences.
8. Custom Fishing Shirt
Gifts for the fisherman who has everything
Fishermen are exposed to the harsh rays of the sun with no place to hide. Their skin often looks leathery before its time. Protective sun shirts are a must to stave off skin cancer. For the fisherman who has everything, get him a custom shirt. You can even get matching shirts for the crew or family.
Do they have a favorite pet? I bet their cat or dog doesn’t have a toy fish that actually flops around. While I don’t have this, I recently got an electronic bug toy for my cat that drives her wild. I imagine these fish evoke the same frenzy.
A fishing pop socket makes a nice novelty gift for them to use with their phone or tablet.
Don’t forget about cooking the fish. You can get them a cast iron fish pan in the shape of a fish or one with slots for shrimp. You can also get a cookbook with fish recipes to go with it.
9. Magazine Subscription
Christmas gifts for fishermen
For Christmas, give them the gift of fishing year round, with a subscription to a fishing magazine. Many of these are available in either print or digital.
A fishing Christmas ornament always makes a nice stocking stuffer. Some can be personalized as a holiday keepsake. They will think of you each time they see it on the tree.
For a funny gift, give them an ugly Christmas sweater with a fishing theme.
Another great holiday gift is a fishing puzzle. This will keep them busy during the winter months when they can’t get out to fish.
10. Couple’s Fishing Keychain
Fishing gifts for a boyfriend
These key chains with fish humor make a cute gift for a boyfriend. Some come in pairs so you can each have one.
For more of a classy keepsake gift, you can give him a personalized compass. These are nice for a relationship that has taken a more serious turn. You can have a romantic sentiment engraved in most, letting him know what he means to you.
For a less serious relationship, get personalized fishing lures. These aren’t as permanent as a compass, but show you put thought into getting a unique gift.
11. Family Fishing Portrait
Gifts for a fisherman dad
Remember those summers fishing at a mountain lake with Dad? Keep those memories alive forever, with a family fishing portrait.
For a practical gift, give Dad a personalized fishing knife. Even if fishing is not your thing, he will think of you when he sees the inscription whenever he uses the knife.
Or for serving up some fish, give him a personalized fish cutting board.
12. Vacuum Sealer
Fishing gift ideas for preserving the catch
They can’t eat all that fish at once. For big fish they will need ways to preserve the catch. A vacuum sealer is a great way to seal smaller portions of fish for the freezer. Make sure to get them extra bags as well. Our friends in Alaska always send us fresh salmon and halibut packaged and frozen like this.
Or get them a smoker to make their own smoked salmon, herring, or any other fish they like.
You can also get them a dehydrator for salt cod. This is also a great way to prepare food to take on a long fishing trip. They can make jerky or dry fruits and veggies.
13. Funny Fishing Shirts
Funny fishing gifts for men
Everyone always needs t-shirts. They are comfortable and breathable, so they are a great addition to the wardrobe for fishing or just hanging out. Their friends will get a kick out of the funny sayings.
For an adult novelty gift, give him a penis fishing lure. Yes, that is correct! I never heard of these before, but apparently they are a big thing because there are tons to choose from.
For the home, you can get him a toilet paper holder shaped like a fish, nautical rope, reel, or hook.
14. Diamond Painting Kit
Creative gifts for fishermen
Does your fisherman have a creative side? Do they need projects to keep them busy during the winter months? Maybe they would like to try diamond painting with a fishing theme.
Perhaps they have a more practical nature, and want to create something they can use while fishing. In that case get them a DIY fishing lures kit. They will have a full supply in time for the fishing season.
You can even get them a custom rod building kit so they can make their own.
15. New Tackle Box
Useful gifts for fisherman
Metal can rust, and plastic can crack from the sun. It may be time for a new tackle box.
Rods can be expensive, so a rod repair kit makes a great gift for minor repairs, without having to shell out a bunch of money for a new rod.
Do they like to catch their own bait? Worn traps won’t secure the bait. Get them new bait traps, so their hard work isn’t in vain.
16. Custom Fishing Sign
Father’s Day gifts for fishermen
Not sure what to get Dad for Father’s Day? Why not get him a personalized fishing sign to hang on the patio.
For a useful gift, get him a personalized bait towel.
Or you can surprise him with a fishing gift box full of fishing goodies.
17. Fishing Rod Bag
Fishing gift ideas for fishermen
To transport rods and other gear, give them a handy fishing rod bag. These have a shoulder strap, making it easy to carry all their stuff.
A waterproof dry bag is a must, because some things you just don’t want getting wet. Some of these come with waterproof phone cases. If not, I highly recommend getting them a separate waterproof phone case. My father in law said he and his buddies often use their phones to snap pictures of their catch to send to friends on other boats. The last thing they need is for fish slime to damage their expensive phones!
18. Fishing Kits for Kids
Fishing gifts for children
Are they ready for a fishing expedition with the grown ups? Give them a fishing set that includes a kid size rod and reel, along with other necessities.
To emulate dad, you can give them a magnetic fishing set. Kids love these. When I was a preschool teacher the kids always wanted to play with the magnetic fishing games. Just make sure they don’t get wild swinging the line around! This is a great way for them to feel close to dad when he is away on a trip.
You can even give them a fish plushie to keep dad close if he is on the boat for an extended amount of time.
19. Cooler
More good presents for fishermen
They will need a cooler for either storing their catch, or to keep their lunch fresh.
Then get them a fishing themed tumbler to keep beverages cool.
Don’t forget a fishing log book for recording areas where they found the most fish. Then they can head there without much searching next time.
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