May 03, 2022
By Jeff Weakley & Shelby Busenbark
Father's Day falls on June 19 this year. Don't show up empty-handed or with a last-minute gift card, here's a list of our top Father's Day gift ideas for dads who love everything fishing and outdoors. Whether you're on a budget or ready to splurge, we've wrangled up the best Father's Day gifts of 2022 ranging from $12 to $930.
UA Iso-Chill feels cool to the touch—eliminating heat, so dad can fish longer. The Iso-Chill Shore Break Camo Long-Sleeve Shirt is proven to increase max-out time and output even under those hot, high-pressure situations. Specially designed fibers lay flat against the skin to evenly disperse heat, so it literally feels cool to the touch. Added titanium dioxide absorbs UV energy and quickly moves the heat away from the body.
$40 | basspro.com These two folding nets, photographed at White’s Bait and Tackle in Stuart, Florida, are ideal gifts for the saltwater angler—one or the other net, or both! The smaller model, with a hoop size of 20 by 24 inches and a small rubberized mesh, is the perfect size for redfish, trout, flounder, baby tarpon—just about any active, thrashing fish you might encounter on the Florida flats and backwaters. The larger net, 24 by 28 inches, with a heavier mesh, is sturdy and perfectly sized for permit, cobia and dolphin. The Stowmaster nets are very convenient as they fold in half and the handle slides up to fit inside even small hatches on flats and bay boats. $121 - $256 | norsemenoutdoors.com Dad will never have to buy batteries again with Engels new Rechargeable Live Bait Pump. Quiet and powered by lithium-ion technology, this universal aerator is both convenient and reliable with the ability to attach to any cooler or bucket. The 4-speed pump is watertight sealed, features no rotational parts to prevent any seizure of gears or cogs and is outfitted with marine-grade saltwater resistant stainless steel, made to outlast the Energizer Bunny a thousandfold.
Let’s do some quick math. Two D-Cell batteries cost $10 and last three days. Using your live bait cooler every second weekend would cost you $260 in batteries per year. The pump pays for itself in just a few months. Buy one for dad and one for yourself!
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$49.99 | engelcoolers.com
Were it not for the fact that Daiwa has a solid reputation of packaging honest innovation into all its products, one might view the Exist as a novelty. Yes, at over $800 bucks it’s the gift for the guy who has everything. But it’s also a practical fulfillment of the company’s commitment to building the lightest, best-balanced, most efficient reel possible. Pick one up, give it a turn, and you’ll understand. As Daiwa explains it, you’re feeling the all-new EXIST Air Drive System with ZAION Air Drive Rotor, Air Drive Bail, Air Drive Spool, and Air Drive Shaft. Well, actually, that’s all what you’re not feeling—meaning cranking is effortless. You can practically reel them in by just thinking about it. Five sizes are available, up to a 5000-class which weighs only 7.6 ounces. The reel is available in interchangeable right- and left-handed versions in three different gear ratios: 4.9:1, 5.2:1, and 6.2:1. Daiwa seems to be positioning Exist as an ultra-premium freshwater reel, but it’ll deliver in salt, too. $859.99-$929.99 | daiwa.us Picking a lure for a gift is normally pretty tricky—unless Dad happens to be an avid offshore angler in Florida. In which case, the Nomad DTX 200mm Sinking Minnow will pretty much be “a hit.” This one’s built not only to dive 40 feet into tuna, wahoo and grouper territory, but also to swim straight time and time again thanks to a uniquely self-centering eyelet. It has a reinforced ABS body, and if that somehow fails (great white? errant torpedo?) the whole lure is through-wired to keep those 5X strong, 11/0 BKK singles fastened to your line under the stress of whatever the ocean throws at them. Price is $34.99—a good deal in bluewater budgets. Careful though—the lure was developed by the Nomad Sportfishing crew down in Australia. Once Dad digs into the background, he’ll soon be scrolling for deals on airfare Down Under. $34.99 | nomadtackle.com It’s billed as the “Last Rodholder You’ll Ever Need” but it’s also an ideal FIRST rodholder for Dad’s new kayak (or canoe, or john boat, or even Bertram, whatever). This versatile, adjustable rodholder is featured on many of the boats featured in the 2022 edition of Kayak Fishing Fun magazine (on newsstands now ). The Omega Pro has a rotating collar to accommodate fly, spin or plug outfits, and comes with its own locking track base that’ll work with pretty much any of the popular gear track systems. It’s made in the USA. The one we priced was $40 at retailer South River Outfitters in Stuart, Florida, but YakAttack products are widely available.
$40 | yakattack.us
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Full topside sun protection is a good idea in Florida, and major bonus points if it’ll keep you cool, too. Simms incorporates its Brrr Triple Effect Cooling Technology into this new hoodie series. It also has a built-in sun gaiter with discreet snaps that affix it to the hood to keep it in place, even while running from spot to spot. There’s also a large zippered stash pocket on the back. The shirt is made from nylon and comes in cloud camo gray or steel blue.
$119.95 | simmsfishing.com Here’s a hint for Dad: Clean those stinky fish hands, but keep our ocean waters healthy while you’re at it. This hand scrub from the company Naturally Uncommon has been showing up alongside castnets and foul weather gear in tackle shops around town lately. The company prides itself on a biodegradable formulation of “natural soap, conditioners, fine ground walnut husks and the odor-busting power of lemon essential oil.” Sounds great to us! $12 | fishermanhandscrub.com Who doesn’t like a shore lunch? Well, what about an offshore lunch? Magma designs marine grade grills that pop into a rod holder and are ready to go wherever you happen to be anchored up. These grills are wind tested for even heat distribution, offering the cooking performance usually only found in large backyard grills. Easily transported, the Fold-Away legs are out of the way on-board, but readily available whenever you want to use your grill off the boat. The Snap-out radiant plate provides easy access for clean up but allows the flame-kissed flavor that makes for really memorable meals. You’ll find that the ChefsMate is constructed for years of dependable use. The swiveling control valve/regulator, designed to use 1lb. disposable propane fuel canisters, allows for quick, safe fuel canister exchanges or easily adapt grill to existing on-board low-pressure propane (LPG) or natural gas (CNG) fuel systems. The ChefsMate comes at a nice price point, but for additional features like a thermometer, pulse ignition, full double lining, warming rack and cooktop will up your subtotal.
$299.99 | magmaproducts.com
Danco’s best-selling 7” Pro Series Fillet Knife now comes with a matching set of tongs and spatula creating the ultimate gift for someone who loves to grill and fish! Included is a full tang 4116 German stainless steel blade on a 7” flex knife. Locking, stainless-steel tongs with rubber grips. Commercial grade stainless steel spatula with dual injected Pro Series grip. Also includes a universally sized Danco apron. What dad doesn’t love a good grilling combo?
$39.99 | dancopliers.com
With a focus on style and performance, this frame is ready for anything the water sends your way. Lido comes with top and side shields to help keep light from leaking in and the vented Hydrolite nose pad and temple tips keep your frames locked in place and help prevent fogging. The lightweight, plant-based Bio-Resin frame reduces the carbon footprint of each new pair and maintains the durability standards required for long days on the water. The Lido comes in Costa’s color enhancing, polarized glass and polycarbonate lenses.
$209 - $259 | costadelmar.com
Building on its award-winning legacy line, the quatix 7 Series is a premium marine smartwatch delivering several new boating features – such as MFD control, anchor drag alerts, integrated tide data and more – plus added functionality to support the active lifestyles of boaters, anglers and sailors. Complete with 3 models – quatix 7, quatix 7 Sapphire, and quatix 7X Solar – the series boasts a vibrant, new touchscreen display to complement its classic 5-button design for unmatched, all-day wearability. Plus, the Sapphire edition adds a brilliant, always-on AMOLED display for even sharper clarity, color and brightness – without draining down the watch’s battery. Built to transition seamlessly from boat to shore, the quatix 7 Series can serve as both a dedicated onboard tool with comprehensive connectivity and an elegant timepiece for dinner with friends.
$699.99+ | garmin.com
Depending on dads personal footwear preference, the Brewster Series from Huk has something for every angler. All Brewsters feature Grip X Traction, non-marking outsole, comfort EVA midsole and a slip-on fit. The Performace model offers an upgraded rapid dry mesh upper, pictured above in Volcanic Ash. Most notable in the lineup is the Brewster ATR , an amphibious shoe designed for use in, out and around water. The ATR is formed from a single-density injected EVA with a contoured arch and cupped heel for advanced support and drainage holes provide a breathable fit for those dads who need a little extra room to breathe.
$50 - $65 | hukgear.com
If your dad is the creative/builder type, consider gifting him a rod-building class from the folks at Mud Hole Rod Building & Tackle Crafting. They offer both in-person (from their headquarters in Ovideo, Florida, and Charlotte, Mobile, Houston, and San Diego) and virtual classes, and the classes range in topic from beginner to inshore spinning, surf, fly, bass and mahi-mahi rods. Mud Hole rod kits make choosing your supplies & components simple...and easy on your wallet too!
$199-$249 | mudhole.com
