Lunker Gift Guide

Major value and breathtaking live underwater video come together in one ultra-portable, easy-to-use underwater viewing system. Sure to please any angler on your list, the micro™ Stealth 4.3 from Aqua-Vu comes complete with a 4.3-inch color LCD connected to 50-feet of reinforced cable and a super stealthy micro underwater camera. State of the art viewscreen and camera optics deliver the sharpest, most clear, colorful underwater image available in an economically priced viewing system. Patent-pending magnetic battery charger assures the whole system is completely waterproof. Micro camera system includes clip-on ballast weight and two separate, adjustable viewing fins for trolling/drifting and for ice fishing. Internal Lithium-ion battery powers the micro camera system for up to 6 hours. MSRP $229.99. Learn more at aquavu.com.

Stuff those stockings with LIVETARGET Lures! Rainbow Smelt are common forage to Northern gamefish species such as walleye, salmon, trout, and smallmouth bass. Available in three sizes, eight colors, and shallow- or deep-diving configurations, LIVETARGET’s Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait hosts a weight transfer system, suspends, and produces a deep ‘knock’ sound. Ideal for casting or trolling, these highly effective lures combine incredibly lifelike profiles with realistic finishes that attract fish and promote strikes. MSRP is $14.49. Learn more at livetargetlures.com.

Longtime favorites of maritime adventurers, GILL Dry Bags come in a variety of sizes to meet the needs of anglers, boaters and anyone else venturing into the elements. Manufactured of a puncture-resistant 100% waterproof, PVC-FREE tarpaulin with stitch-free welded construction, GILL Dry Bags come in 5L, 10L, 25L and 50L sizes to keep valuable gear dry and protected in any conditions. At an MSRP of just $35.95, the 10L Dry Bag is right-sized for most anglers and right-priced for any gift giver. Learn more at gillmarine.com.

For anglers who’ve discovered the power of ElaZtech softbaits, carrying extra bags of baits is essential. It’s now easier than ever when you grab a Z-Man Bait BinderZ™ Doublewide softbait storage solution. The Bait BinderZ Doublewide offers ample real estate to house two side-by-side stacks of Z-Man ElaZtech bait bags—up to 20 packs or more. Within the tough 500-denier nylon satchel, two sets of corrosion resistant nickel-plated rings align to accept pre-punched holes on all standard size Z-Man bait bags. Re-sealable bait bags allow anglers to access individual baits without removing packaging. The Bait BinderZ Doublewide is further outfitted with clear plastic pockets sized to store an array of jigheads, terminal tackle, leader spools and other essential tools. Secure plastic clips and hook-and-loop enclosures eliminate zipper failure or breakdown via corrosion. Each Bait BinderZ Doublewide bag sports a built-in handle with a slip-free grip. MSRP is $34.99. Learn more at zmanfishing.com.

For the angler who appreciates the best, this purposeful fishing knife features a fixed 9” fillet blade, a durable black synthetic handle and is ideal for cleaning a wide variety of gamefish, as well as bait prep and kitchen duty. The blade is constructed with Case Tru-Sharp™ stainless steel, which is a special high-carbon steel that helps the blade hold an edge longer than conventional steel. It also offers extraordinary strength and corrosion resistance. This durable knife measures 14” overall and incorporates an easy grip handle with a lanyard hole. A black ballistic nylon sheath is included to keep the knife protected. Made in Bradford, Pennsylvania, USA, this treasured fillet knife includes a limited lifetime warranty and retails for $47.99. Learn more at caseknives.com.

Composed of advanced Tec Fleece, the Task Fleece Fishing Glove is tailored for maximum dexterity while casting, setting the hook and performing other critical angling functions. The high-end fleece material also offers specialized wind-blocking properties above and beyond its exceptional warmth and heat retention. Beyond the Task Fleece Glove’s sound fit and supreme comfort, Fish Monkey also stitched in a synthetic leather palm with a non-slip silicone grid that assures a rock-solid grip in all conditions. Like its other angler-centric glove designs, Fish Monkey included extras such as a touch-screen compatible index finger for seamlessly manipulating your sonar screen or dialing digits on your phone. MSRP $26.95, sizes M-2XL. Learn more at fishmonkeygloves.com.

What angler wouldn’t love a St. Croix fishing rod? That’s a trick question, because no such angler exists. Packing a fishing rod for a business trip or vacation isn’t an easy proposition… unless it’s a St. Croix Triumph Travel Rod. Choose from four different 4-piece, fast action spinning models or one casting model, each of which packs down to less than 20” and comes with a padded nylon soft case. Retail price is $130-$140. Learn more at stcroixrods.com.

The new Daiwa ZILLION TW HD is a high-end reel for the discerning bass fisherman. Well suited for cranking, small swimbaits, pitching and flipping, it is a versatile, smooth operating workhorse that excels at many different roles where precision performance is requisite. The superior performance begins with long casts from the G1 Duralumin Deep Spool, constructed from a lighter, very strong alloy which allows more line capacity for its size. The T-Wing Design level-wind allows line to pay out freer, with less friction, improving distance. The 10+1 ball bearings are encased in a solid Aluminum Frame and Aluminum Side Plate making for an extremely smooth reel with tight tolerances. To prevent dirt and water intrusion, a Magsealed Ball Bearing is utilized at the most vulnerable spot on the crank. Equipped with the Ultimate Tournament Drag (UTD), the reel has smooth stopping power. The Extended UVA Handle is easy to grab and applies more torque per crank. If you are looking to please the bass angler on your shopping list, you owe yourself a look at one of the smoothest operating reels on the market, the ZILLION TWS HD. Retail price is $399.99. Learn more at daiwa.com/us.

Designed to extend the life of an angler’s gear by keeping the most harmful elements at bay in the most rigorous environmental conditions, Flambeau’s Coastal Series 5000 Large Tackle Bag with Zerust® Waterproof Ultimate Tuff Tainers® is specifically engineered to fight back against rust, UV degradation and saltwater corrosion. With tackle sealed in waterproof Tuff Tainers and shielded from corrosion by Flambeau’s patented anti-corrosion Zerust technology, the bag’s zipper-free quick-drying design features rubberized mesh irrigation gates for sand, mud, salt residue and other unwanted debris to freely flush from the compartments while allowing air to circulate after a freshwater bath. This saltwater-smart tackle bag is extreme-conditions-ready for any type of fresh or saltwater angling adventure. Overall Dimensions: 15.5″ L x 8.75″ W x 9.5″ H. Includes: (4) WP5005 Waterproof Ultimate Tuff Tainers with Zerust®. MSRP is $98.99. Learn more at flambeauoutdoors.com.

Looking for an unforgettable reaction from a loved one this Holiday season? Give the gift of fishing access and independence. Powered by the original MirageDrive® Classic with ST Fins, the new Hobie Mirage Passport 12 is a highly manageable 12-foot pedal kayak that will take the angler on your list where they want to go with ease and world-class Hobie performance. Loaded with a ho-ho-whole lot of fishing features and fully compatible with the vast line of Hobie fishing accessories, the easy-to-own Mirage Passport 12 allows anglers to access productive fishing waters unavailable to shore anglers or other boats. MSRP is just $1,599. Learn more at hobie.com/kayaks.

Revitalization, it’s what anglers want in an energy drink, and what they often need in the field. Each 16-ounce serving of Pursuit Energy has about the same amount of caffeine as two cups of coffee, and it’s the caffeine that delivers the initial boost when most wanted or needed. Additionally, Pursuit Energy’s blend of B vitamins, Inositol (a naturally derived type of carbohydrate), and Taurine (an amino acid your body naturally produces) work together with the stimulating effect of the caffeine to heighten awareness and focus by improving blood flow, oxygenation, and nerve communication within the body. Most energy drinks don’t go down so easy, they’re either too sweet and syrupy, taste like medicine – or worse, both! Pursuit Energy is made differently, and tastes like a refreshing soft drink. Multiple flavors are available.

Anglers appreciate having the best fishing line, but – as with a good pair of socks – don’t always look forward to buying it. Here’s your chance to be a hero: J-Braid x8 line is a high quality 8 carrier braid made of the finest materials from Japan. 8 Strands of tightly woven fibers make for a perfectly round profile. The result is a much stronger, softer and smoother line that is more sensitive and farther casting. Available in four color choices and a variety of spool sizes in 6- to 120-lb test, J-Braid is one of the best quality and value braided lines on the market. Pick up a 165-yard spool of 8-lb J-Braid x8 line in chartreuse for about $15. Learn more at daiwa.com/us.

Give your favorite angler the power to make smarter decisions on the water. Whether installed on a bass boat, skiff or kayak, Raymarine’s Element HV Sonar/GPS delivers the sharpest views of the underwater world with HyperVision™ 1.2-megahertz super high-resolution sonar technology. HyperVision technology takes DownVision, SideVision, and Raymarine RealVision 3D sonar to the next level of precision imaging and fish identification, showing structures, vegetation, and fish with lifelike clarity. Element’s onboard quad-core processor delivers instantaneous chart redraw, fast response, and smooth RealVision 3D imaging, while the built-in RealBathy™ personal depth map generator produces high definition bathymetric maps on the fly. Element HV is available in 7”, 9” and 12” models starting at $549.99. Learn more at raymarine.com.

Anglers often find themselves in some stinky situations. Sometimes bait is the culprit; other times it’s the fish they catch, clean, transport and cook. Ideal for stale boat cabins, compartments, vehicle interiors and in-home use, the OZ Radial EZ is a powerful, all-in-one, portable, rechargeable ozone generator that destroy odors, bacteria, dust mites, mold, fungus and mildew. OZ Radial EZ emits a powerful stream of ozone in 360 degrees in multiple operating modes, offers easy one-button operation, and will charge mobile devices via the built-in USB port. MSRP is $249.99. Learn more at ozbyscentlok.com.

Blade baits are a top choice for wintertime fishing – for walleye and crappie on the ice, bass on the open waters of southern reservoirs, or numerous saltwater species up and down the coasts – but these versatile baits excel throughout the year. The Original Steelshad is the blade bait the anglers on your list want. Pick up a three-pack of the Original Steelshad in the popular 3/8-oz size for just $20.95. Choose from a variety of strike-provoking colors including Silver, Gold, Trout, Firetiger, Red/Crawfish, Sexy Shad, Kentucky Shad, Original Tennessee Shad, White Shad, or Yellow Shad. New Mini-Series and Heavy-Series baits are also available. Learn more at steelshad.com.

Josh Lantz

Traditions Media

josh@traditionsmedia.com

(219) 728-8996

Noel Vick

Traditions Media

noel@traditionsmedia.com

(612) 708-7339