May 12, 2014
By In-Fisherman
Check out these top 2014 Father's Day Gift Guide picks for the fishing dad on your list, including many new fishing products any angler would love.
Abu Garcia MGXtreme abugarcia.com - At just 4.9 ounces, this is the lightest casting reel on the market, and the best low-profile reel we've yet fished. Its cutting-edge IVBC-4 centrifugal braking system offers superb spool control. Performance is smooth, thanks to its 10 bearings (seven stainless-steel HPCR bearings, two hybrid CeramiLite, and one roller) and one-piece alloy frame. The reel features a bent carbon handle and either round EVA knobs or standard flat. This year, the MGXtreme is available in 7.1:1 (28 inches per turn) only, and line capacity of 12/115 (mono). $499.95.
Abu Garcia Morrum ZX abugarcia.com - Abu has brought back its top-end round reel, Morrum, enhanced with machined aluminum frame and side plates, bent carbon handle, and titanium-coated line guide. Made in Sweden, where Abu Garcia originated. $499.95
Adventure Products EGO Ti22 Pliers egofishinggear.com - Replaceable titanium cutters on these lightweight, rustproof titanium pliers make snipping braids a snap. With a price tag over $200, you'd best get a grip on the ergonomic handle, and be sure their plastic-coated steel lanyard is attached to something solid.
Berkley Cull Markers berkley-fishing.com - Berkley aids the art of culling bass and other species in tournament situations with new Cull Markers. The floating T-Handle design is easy to grab in the livewell, and the solid, one-piece markers are color-coded with numbers matching the company's 35-pound Precision Scale, making it easy to tell which fish are up for early release. Sold with a storage hanger for easy access and organization. $20
Daiwa Tatula daiwa.com - I was impressed with line capacity and precision feel of Daiwa's latest reel, thanks to its new Air Rotation gearing. The levelwind advances the company's nifty T-Wing casting aperture, which adds distance. Three gear ratios are available, and at one of Daiwa's lower baitcaster price points. $149.99 to $199.99.
Frabill Crankbait Net frabill.com - This addition to Frabill's extensive net line uses a new coating and weave pattern to produce a mesh that resists snagging crankbaits and other multi-hook lures. Three sizes are available.
Humminbird Bow 360 humminbird.com - Humminbird's latest wonder took Best of Show honors in the Electronics category in Vegas. In this fast moving field, blink and you're behind. This new imager shows what's ahead of the boat, a step beyond side-imaging. The unit attaches to the bow-mount trolling motor and its transducer turns 360 degrees to scan all around the boat. It tracks the movement of schooling fish, allowing you to plan the best approach. Units should be available early in 2014.
LifeProof Cases lifeproof.com - Smartphones and tablets have become part of the fishing scene, for use with fishing apps, as well as for communications and mapping — even as sonar and underwater camera displays. LifeProof safeguards these delicate electronics with lightweight submersible, drop-proof protective cases, the latest of which fits the Samsung Galaxy III. The company also offers floating LifeJacket cases for select phones and tablets.
Rapala Magnetic Tool Holders rapala.com - Rapala unveils a trio of magnetic holders to store tools and keep them handy. Available in single, double, and triple configurations, all of which mount on any flat surface. Screws and high-strength bonding tape are included for easy installation.
Shimano Chronarch CI4+ fish.shimano.com - The Shimano Chronarch CI4+ has a new carbon frame, re-engineered brake system, and X-SHIP technology. A departure from the magnesium used in their domestic Core and Japanese JDM Metanium reels, the Chronarch CI4+ carbon composite is even lighter and stronger than materials used in first generation Chronarchs. X-Ship technology, first available in their spinning reels, now brings greater strength and rigidity to baitcasters, reducing torque and subsequent tilt that big fish can put on the reel frame and gearing. Available in 6.2:1 and 7.6:1 gear ratios with 26 and 32 inches of line uptake per turn, respectively, and 10/145 (mono). $269.99.
Rapala 50-pound Digital Scale/Fish Gripper rapala.com - Wrangle and weigh whoppers simultaneously with this rugged, stainless-steel digital scale and gripper combo. Registers in pounds and ounces or metric, on a display large enough to see in photos. Two-minute auto shutoff boosts runtime to 600 hours on two AAA batteries. $50
Steiner Marine 7x50 steiner-optics.com - If you are looking for a nice pair of water-going binoculars, the Steiner 7x50 Marine is hard to beat. Features 7x Magnification perfect for on-water use, with a wide, stable image for tracking boats, buoys and more. High Contrast optics that provide bright, sharply contoured images with natural color definition for outstanding viewing quality suitable for both beginners and professionals. Floating Prism System that uses a flexible silicon lens mount to absorb severe shock, impact and abuse without damage. Sports-Auto-Focus™ System that lets you focus each eyepiece to your vision once, then keeps images razor-sharp from 20 yards to infinity — no more chasing focus on moving targets. $329.99
Shimano Tekota fish.shimano.com - Possibly the most solid line-counter reel on the market, Shimano's Tekota 600LC takes a die-cast aluminum frame and works in tall-tooth gears for more surface area and ultra-smooth cranking power. Tekota's line-counter allows anglers to easily replicate trolling passes and its ergonomic handle grip reduced fatigue. A top pick among Great Lakes salmon anglers for downrigger, dipsy diver, leadcore, and wire applications. $180
