Spending time at a river, pond, sea or lake is one thing that fishermen would not miss. Whether they do it for a living, or as a hobby, there are items they need to make their fishing experience fun. Buying gifts for fishermen should not be so difficult a task.

Sometimes, we imagine that fishing is no much more than a fishing pole and a bait. As it is with any other activity, there are lots of accessories and niche-specific items that make fishing more fun, or make it easier.

And you don’t have to bore a hole in your pocket to get a fisherman a gift. There are many simple items that will be much appreciated and would make a difference during their next fishing trip. Here, we look at what to consider before buying gifts for fishermen.

1. Fish Don’t Come Asking To Be Caught

Well, that’s obvious. Fish don’t come looking for you and asking to be caught. And sometimes, light gets in the way. Fishing is done from above the water. If there’s a way to find where the fish are, it would help the fisherman to know where to look.

GIFT IDEA: Bluetooth fish finders come to the rescue. They make things easier as they hook onto a fishing pole, connecting your phone via Bluetooth. They are equipped with cameras and underwater flashlights that transmit live footage to your phone. The ReelSonar Wireless Bluetooth Smart Fish Finder is a perfect gift that does just what its name says.

It supports Android and iOS phones, offering features like waterbed and structure contour mapping, GPS spot tagging with an interactive map, social media sharing, and even more. Compatible with Google Watch and iWatch, it has a 10-hour battery life.

2. Water Damages Non-Fishing Gadgets

Although they don’t really need their phones when fishing, they could be put to good use, as in the case of the bluetooth fish finder above. Most phones are not designed to be waterproof or water-resistant. Sometimes, a fisherman may need to pull out his phone to take a shot or take a call. Other times, their smartphone could be hit by a huge splash.

GIFT IDEA: To help them keep their phone safe, why not get them a waterproof smartphone case? This universal smartphone dry bag would help them keep their phones safe while out fishing.

Fully submersible and waterproof, it can go as deep as 100 feet and offers protection for ID cards, cash, credit cards, and of course, smartphones. Sensitive to touch, the ultra-thin design allows you to operate your phone from either side of the bag, both being transparent. So, you can even take pictures while under water or with wet fingers above water without the images being blurred.

3. Fish Are Caught For Food

It’s obvious, but we need to remind ourselves of this. Since fish are caught to be eaten, then buying a fisherman something that helps in preparing fish for the table is a nice thing to do. An electric fish scaler does just what its name says.

GIFT IDEA: If you’ve decided to get an electric fish scaler, this one is ideal for removing fish scales, easily, quickly and in a cleaner fashion.

The 56W powerful motor is powered by a 12V 2000mAh Li-ion battery. Easily rechargeable, it is waterproof and washable.

4. Tying Hooks Can Difficult

Most fishermen will agree that attaching the hook can be annoying and time-consuming. The hole is just so small, and the wire is quite thin. Anything that would make this easier would be deeply appreciated.

GIFT IDEA: An electric fish tying hook is a simple electronic device that helps fishermen tie fish hooks for them. This QualyQualy Fishing Hooks Knot Tying Tool does just that.

It’s designed in such a way it is very comfortable to use. With it, a hook can be tied in 30 seconds. And your fisherman friend won’t have to call anyone for help, or hurt his hand while trying to tie a hook.

More Gifts For Fishermen

With the factors we’ve discussed above, let’s think of other items we can get for a fisherman. Remember, gifts for fishermen do not necessarily have to be expensive or sophisticated. As long as they help make their fishing experience easier, we are good to go.

Heavy Duty Gloves

From handling fishing poles to carrying heavy fish, work can get really rough, tough and messy on fishermen’s hands. They would need something for protection.

These Gorilla Grip All-Purpose gloves would be a nice addition to a fisherman’s kit. It is ideal for wet, oily or dry usage that requires hand protection. Thin and lightweight, it is an anti-slip glove with a good grip.

Tackle Box

Fishermen don’t leave their tools floating on water. They have to keep their things organized – a place for everything, everything in its place. This is where a tackle box comes in.

A tackle box offers an easy way for fishermen to store their fishing tools and take them along. It makes it very easy to organize fishing gear. This SILANON Fishing Rod Bag is perfect for that. Made of water-resistant materials, it is sturdy and durable.

Or you can check out this fishing rod holder that automatically pulls back when a fish bites.

Lure Set

As a fisherman uses a fishing line, it wears out over time. As things wear out, they need to be replaced. Fishermen can hardly have too many fishing lines. They will have to keep replacing fishing lines over and over again.

This Berkely Trilene XT Monofilament Fishing Line is a great choice. Designed by the professionals at Berkely, it features a sharp contrast and bright colors. Gifting this to your fisherman friend or husband will definitely save him some bucks.

Depth Finder

Depth finders are devices that fishermen use to find out the depth of the waters in which they are. Often used from inside a boat, they help fishermen determine the best locations in which they should cast their rods and get fish of different types according to the depth of the location. They’re probably one of the best gifts for fishermen.

A portable depth finder like this one would be a cool gadget to add to a fisherman’s kit. It doubles as a fish finder and a depth finder, detecting and displaying water depth and approximate fish location.

Fishing Hat

Show me a fisherman who doesn’t like fishing hats. It’s like a signature look for them. Perfect for fishing on a sunny day, it would protect a fisherman’s eyes from sunlight. Some are even designed with vents to prevent overheating. If you’re looking for very practical, yet simple gifts for fishermen, this one surely makes the list.

This fishing hat designed for the outdoors offers sun protection. Featuring a breathable mesh and a sweat absorbing belt, it keeps your head from overheating and prevents sweat from dripping from your head.

Waders

Waders are a kind of clothing that allows you to wade through water without you or your clothing getting wet. It goes without saying, therefore, that waders are waterproof. Sometimes, a fisherman may need to do more than just stand on a bridge to fish. He may need to wade through water and not want to get wet. With a wader, he won’t have to change his clothing after wading.

This Amazon bestseller is something you should consider buying for a fisherman. Made of nylon-reinforced PVC, the seams are double-taped to ensure it is completely waterproof.

Cooler

Fishing trips could last several hours long sometimes. Carrying food and drink along is a good idea for a fishing trip. Like it is said, “good things happen around a cooler.” It doesn’t have to be a picnic-sized cooler.

Why not check out this portable backpack cooler? It can contain as many as 30 cans. Although it is lightweight, it is durable and is made of heavy-duty fabrics.

It is made to provide maximum comfort and is suitable for both men and women. Wine? Water? Beer? It can go beyond drinks and can safely carry fruits and other foods.

Fishing Pliers

Described as unsung heroes in the tackle box, fishing pliers are an important part of a fisherman’s toolkit. It makes hook removal much easier after fish have been caught.

A practical gift for a fisherman, you should consider getting one for your friend.