It can be hard to find a gift for the fisherman who has everything. Dads are pretty hard to shop for already, because they tend to not leave many hints—I’ve been known to do that to my family as well. Wired2fish wants to help you get the perfect gift, so we dug deep to come up with a list of items sure to please just about anyone. Here are some sure-fire hits to make your Father’s Day a success.
CADDIS SPORTS NEVADA FLOAT TUBE
Does Dad like peace and quiet? If he enjoys a bit of solitude, give him a float tube and let him fish those isolated bodies of water all by his lonesome. I’ve been using a previous version of the Caddis Sports Nevada float tube for the better part of 20 years now, catching bass, trout and a variety of other species as I float along. The Nevada float tube is lightweight, packs down small, and inflates quickly when it’s time to fish. The U-shaped design lets Dad get in and out easily, while the padded stabilizer bar with attached stripping apron maintains rigidity and provides a place for fly line or to lay out gear while on the water. A pair of spacious pockets hold a day’s worth of snacks and tackle. Make sure to grab a set of fins and PFD if Dad doesn’t already have them.
GARMIN STRIKER 4 PORTABLE FISH FINDER
A few years ago, I got one of Garmin’s Striker 4 Portable Fish Finder bundles for Father’s Day and I’ve been using it to unlock the secrets of my favorite lakes ever since. Though contained in an easy to carry case that makes going from small boat to small boat a breeze, the Striker 4 has many of the same features found in Garmin’s larger units. You can expect crisp returns and accurate GPS positioning, despite the small size. A suction cup mount easily affixes the transducer to your canoe, kayak, or rowboat and the included float handles ice fishing duty. The cordura case keeps everything contained, including the sealed battery and included charger.
WIRED2FISH COFFEE
Every Dad loves coffee. So get him some of the best on the market with the gift of Wired2fish Coffee. This blend of 100% Arabica beans is perfect for those early mornings or out on the water, giving him a coffee-house quality brew wherever he is. Beyond the great taste, each purchase gives back to the fishing community, with 25% of profits being donated to support clean water initiatives and faith-based organizations. Available as whole beans or pre-ground in single bags, as a subscription, or paired with Dad’s next favorite coffee mug. Did I mention it’s very good coffee? On sale now, use code “DADLOVE” for 25% off this Father’s Day.
BENCHMADE WATER SERIES MINI ADIRA
If your Dad is a knife guy, consider giving him one of Benchmade’s new Mini Adira folders. Benchmade has long been regarded as one of the top makers of outdoor and every day carry knives for decades now, but they have recently joined the world of fishing with their Water series. The knives in this line up are built for use around the water, with CPM-MagnaCut stainless steel that fends off rust while maintaining a 60-62HRC hardness rating for excellent edge retention and sharpening properties. I’ve been keeping my Mini Adira in my right pocket since they were introduced, using it for everything from rope work to cutting boxes. The familiar Axis lock makes it easy to open and close one-handed and the clip keeps it at the ready. So far, exposure to salt water hasn’t affected it.
SHIMANO MIRAVEL SPINNING REEL
I have to admit I was a bit surprised by this one. Initially, I was blown away by its light weight when I opened the box which led to some questions about how it might hold up. However, after landing a dozen striped bass ranging from 44 to 48 inches in as many drops on a 4000-size model, all doubt was removed. The bantam weight is accomplished via the carbon-infused CI4+ body, which is apparently sturdy enough to keep the gears aligned even against stripers weighing 40-plus pounds. The retrieve is smooth, as the reel is stuffed with Shimano’s Hagane gearing and a 5+1 bearing system. Available in sizes from 1000 to 5000, there’s an appropriate model for Dad whether he chases panfish or inshore species.
ISLAND OPTICS PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES
“Don’t worry, it happens to just about everyone when they hit a certain age,” the optometrist told me as I struggled to read the bottom lines of the eye chart. Time for glasses and perhaps more importantly, prescription sunglasses. The family behind Island Optics have been precision-grinding lenses for over 100 years, crafting some of the best prescription sunglasses around—and they do so for a very reasonable fee. This experience is particularly noticeable in their excellent progressive lenses, which are very difficult to accomplish in a sunglass frame. The Crane is a Wired2fish staff favorite, but there are a variety of stylish frames to choose from. Ordering is easy; just pick your preferred frame style and lens colors and upload your prescription.
HIGH CAMP FLASKS
These new flasks from High Camp Flasks are not only terrific travel companions for anglers, but excellent, high-quality gifts for your favorite fisherman. We are fond of the new Torch Flask as well as the 750ml Firelight Flask. These flasks feature electropolished kitchen-grade stainless steel interiors that don’t affect the flavor of your drinks. The wider mouth and magnetic tumblers make keeping drinks cool or warm while on the go on fishing days a breeze. The flasks can keep beverages hot or cold for 24 hours. And the magnetically attached tumblers are insulated to also keep your drinks cool or hot in the cup. The Torch Flask features a resealable cap and a single magnetic shot cup. And the Firelight Flask has two 6-shooter magnetic tumblers, a wide mouth to pour easy and make adding ice cubes a breeze. These are beautiful flasks for your fisherman who loves taking his coffee and favorite cocktails on his fishing trips.
IGLOO LATITUDE 52 COOLER
There are a number of coolers on the market that can keep ice for days at a time. However, if Dad just needs to keep his cold ones cold until the campfire dies out, grab him one of Igloo’s Latitude 52 coolers. This bargain-priced cooler has a 52 quart capacity, which translates to about 76 cans so he’s set no matter how many people show up to the barbecue. The top features self-draining cup holders that keep four beverages upright but won’t hold ice water. Burly handles make the move from tailgate to boat or fire ring easy. The bottom features raised feet to help insulate the contents from hot sand or truck beds.
SHIMANO CURADO 200 M CASTING REEL
If Dad is into flipping, pitching, swimbaits or frogging get him one of the newest baitcasters from Shimano. The Curado 200 M builds on the legacy of the Curado series with added line capacity, holding an impressive 110 yards of 14-pound monofilament in a beefy frame. Six ball bearings and a smooth, strong drag system made this a top pick in our best baitcasting reels for 2024 round up. If Dad does battle with big bass, fishes tournaments, or just appreciates a well-built baitcasting reel, get him a Curado 200 M this Father’s Day. It’s one of the better values out there.
TOADFISH LINE NIPPERS
These super handy clippers offer big grips to make cutting line comfortable and quick. They will cut tiny tippets and 80-pound braid equally well, and you’ll never lose them thanks to the retractable lanyard attachment that you can clip to your bag or belt. A good pair of snips is invaluable as an angler and these are some of the best we’ve found.
AFTCO SAMURAI 2 HOODED SHIRT
Does Dad hate sunburns? Of course he does. So give him the gift of painless hours in the sun with no need to reapply sunscreen this Father’s Day. AFTCO’s Samurai 2 Hooded Shirt provides UPF 50 sun protection that staves off the sun’s rays, even during those sun up to sun down fishing excursions. There was a number of features beyond the sun protection that stood out to us in our review, including its moisture-wicking qualities that whisk sweat away, antimicrobial treatment that provides stain and odor resistance and a fit that is better than most in this category. Available in seven colors, there’s one for every Dad. Plus, this is a great value at only $39.
ROCKY NOWAKE SHOES
Summer means plenty of time in and around the water. Give Dad sure-footed comfort with a pair of do-all sneakers that aren’t afraid to get wet. I recently spent an entire day wet wading the Delaware River wearing a pair of Rocky’s new Nowake shoes and was very impressed by the grip they afforded over cobblestones of varying sizes. The upper is constructed of recycled fishing net, which drains quickly. The footbed is also perforated, letting water out the bottom for even faster drying. The cinch system goes on and off easily, even when wet and doesn’t seem like it will get jammed up with sand. On the boat, in the water, or running errands, the NoWake has you covered. Additionally, with it being so new to the market, it’s a great gift for the fisherman who has everything.
ABU GARCIA AMBASSADEUR C3 ROUND BAITCAST REEL
It’s hard to argue with a classic. I picked up a few Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C3 baitcasters second hand at a local tackle shop (thanks Mr. Beckman!) as a kid and I’m still using them 20-something years later. While these may lack the bells and whistles found in more modern designs, their simplicity gives them lasting durability. The reel features a 6-pin centrifugal brake system that can be tuned to your Dad’s skill level, but if his thumb is fairly educated he can park them all and cast a country mile—this may be one of the farthest casting reels of all time. Models in this series still show up in distance casting competitions. A synchronized level wind system keeps the spool even during the most aggressive retrieves. Available in 5500 and 6500 sizes, this reel is ideal for swimbaits, catfish, or inshore species like striped bass and summer flounder.
PELICAN PERSONAL UTILITY RUCK SERIES CASES
Dry storage is always at a premium on canoes, kayaks, even bass boats or center consoles. Give Dad the gift of peace of mind for his cell phone, keys and other sensitive items with one of Pelican’s Personal Utility Ruck series cases. The innovative design is IP68-rated to provide waterproof protection to a depth of 2 meters for up to 30 minutes, so need to worry if it ends up in the drink. Rubberized bumpers protect contents against drops and the interior has a snap in, flexible lid organizer and rigid divider tray. External lash points let you tie it to your boat. Available in three sizes, with a lifetime guarantee.
REALTREE FISHING REVERSIBLE PERFORMANCE SHIRT
You can never have too many shirts. Get Dad a high-performance tee that can pull double duty with a reversible design that switches from Realtree’s WAV3 gray camo pattern to a heathered blue. This shirt is sewn with fabric constructed of 92% polyester and 8% spandex which pulls moisture away for quick drying and offers sun protection up to UPF 50+. Despite the high-tech fabric, this one is cut loose like Dad’s favorite shirt so he can cast, draw a bow, or swing a shotgun with ease—maybe even a golf club if he’s so inclined. Plus, this one is a real bargain so get a few in different colors, with blue and black also available.
HUK’S A1A BUTTON DOWN SHIRT
I’ve been wearing one of HUK’s A1A button down shirts for a year now. I really enjoy the lightweight, breathable construction and slight stretch that gives me freedom of movement not typically found in a button-up. Maybe more importantly, my wife loves this shirt. It is perfect for when “one more cast” goes longer than it should and I have to scurry to make whatever obligation is getting in the way of fishing (kidding, mostly). A zippered pocket offers security, a fold-close pocket provides quick access and a loop holds your sunglasses when you’re forced to go indoors. Plus, this shirt won’t wrinkle even when stuffed in a ball in your suitcase and has 50+ UPF sun protection.
FENWICK ELITE BASS SPINNING RODS
Fenwick has been a household name for longer than I’ve been alive. Recently, they have introduced a series of rods that are filled with higher tech than previous generations, making them lighter and more sensitive than their predecessors. The Elite series benefits from higher modulus graphite and a new resin formula that really cuts weight—I was surprised when I picked one up at ICAST last year and I’ve been flogging on a different model in the brine for a while now. There’s also a pretty innovative reel seat that provides for more feel. Despite their advanced construction methods, these rods are more inexpensive than they should be. So grab Dad a rod he’ll love for a long time at a reasonable price.
KERSHAW 7-INCH CLEARWATER FILET KNIFE
Kershaw proves you don’t need to spend big bucks to clean fish efficiently with their 7-inch Clearwater filet knife. I’ve been using one of these to tackle everything from stocker trout to big stripers for years. One of the highlights of this knife is the rubberized grip which seems to get stickier when wet, providing plenty of purchase even when working on tough species like catfish. There’s just enough flex to trace backbones but it is rigid enough to handle steaking chores on larger fish. The 420J2 blade sharpens easily for a stainless steel and the included ABS sheath lets me carry it with me to the marina safely.
XTRATUF WHEELHOUSE ANKLE DECK BOOT
Living in the Northeast, I spend a lot of time in boots. During the coldest months, I wear a full-length boot that provides insulation. However, when the mercury isn’t so low, I like a boot that offers waterproof protection that won’t cause me to overheat. This is where XtraTuf’s Wheelhouse Ankle Deck Boot comes in. The lower height lets heat out, but the 100% waterproof upper keeps me dry. They’re fitted with an SRC-rated outsole that offers plenty of slip resistance but won’t mark up your boat’s deck. On and off can be accomplished hands-free and the dual-density insole keeps Dad comfortable. Plus, they offer the same construction methods as others in XtraTuf’s commercial series, like the ones issued to me by the US Fish & Wildlife Service 14 years ago—boots I still wear today. They also have a wider width, which keeps them comfortable even after a full day on my feet.
SIMMS PRO DRY FISHING JACKET
Admittedly, this one is pretty spendy. However, it has also been one of the best fishing rain jackets I’ve ever had. I’ve been wearing one to fish hard water and open for a few years now, and have come to appreciate a few key features. The interior cuffs keep water out, even when reaching deep into the livewell. The Gore-tex shell has kept me dry in 35+ mile per hour boat rides in driving rain, while letting perspiration escape. Ample pockets keep tackle boxes, soft plastics and other must-haves right at your fingertips. The jacket incorporates a D-ring for kill switch or tool lanyards, so you can stay connected to whatever you need to be. The sculpted hood deploys quickly and offers an unobstructed view even at speed.
THE TOTAL FLY FISHING MANUAL
Is Dad interested in fly fishing? Whether he’s a beginner or a lifelong fly angler, he’ll find the information in the The Total Fly Fishing Manual useful. Stuffed with 307 tips and tricks from expert anglers, he’s sure to learn a thing or two. There’s helpful info for bass, trout, salmon and even carp. Flies, gear, and techniques are all covered in-depth, in an easy to read format.
SCIENTIFIC ANGLERS GROOVE PRACTICE FLY ROD
Want to give Dad a gift that is way more entertaining than television? I purchased the Scientific Anglers Groove Practice Fly Rod a few years ago to help my young son learn to fly cast and it’s become a favorite activity for everyone in the family since. The short rod is built to fit inside your living room, office, or basement and let you practice casting when you can’t get to the water. It comes fitted with a woven string that accurately simulates the weight and action of an actual fly line. Set up some markers around the living room and have a family casting contest. Bonus points if you have cats, as they will be as entertained as you all are. This is a great gift for the fisherman who has everything.
