After falling out of my boat this past October and getting a real scare, at the top of my list would be automatically inflating Sospenders or Mustang Inflatables if I did not have them. Sospenders and similar devices are lifejackets that inflate when you hit the water and can save your life. I now wear mine any time I am fishing along.
For fairly inexpensive stocking stuffers for fishermen, a crankbait or 10 are always appreciated. You can’t go wrong with Shadraps in a variety of sizes including #5, #7 and #8 and crawfish, black/silver, and shad are always good colors. Bandit crankbaits are excellent and come in a wide variety of colors. If you know your fisherman’s favorite lure and color, they can never have too many of them.
A spool or two of fishing line is always a needed and welcome gift. I really like PLine and use it in a variety of tests from 8 to 15 pound, and most fishermen have favorite brands and tests. Check with them. I also like Suffix line, a newer monofilament line I have been using for about a year and PLine fluorocarbon. Others like braided line so check with them before buying.
Rods and reels are expensive but are a great gift if you know exactly what they want. There are a lot to choose from so use a gift certificate if you are not sure of type reel and rod length and action they want. I like Shimano Sedona spinning reels. They are fairly inexpensive at about $50 and hold up well. My favorite baitcasting reels are Ambassadeurs. They can be bought in a varitey of styles and costs, ranging from about $75 to almost $200. The old 5500cs hold up good for me.
Clothes are popular and I always liked getting a new set of insulated underwear at Christmas, just when it was needed. Some of the newer stuff is fantastic at keeping a hunter warm on a deer stand or a fisherman comfortable during a January fishing trip. A good rainsuit is always needed by anyone spending time outdoors.
For more expensive gifts, a GPS is very useful for hunters, fishermen and anyone else doing activities outside. Some of the newer ones show detailed maps of lakes and contour maps of hunting areas. A hand held unit can be used for hunting and fishing as well at while traveling in a car.
Depthfinders for boats have come a long way in the past 20 years and most fishing boats have one now. A newer model that shows more detail would be nice, and there are some hand held models for folks that rent boats or move from one to another. Some even come with a combination GPS and they are wonderful.
Membership in outdoor organizations help inform people as well as help protect hunting, fishing, gun ownership and the environment. Give a membership in the National Rifle Association, Georgia Outdoor Network, Safari Club and others. Many have youth memberships at a discount.
Magazine subscriptions are always good gifts. For Georgia hunters and fishermen both Georgia Outdoor News and Georgia Sportsman Magazine have articles about our state. (Disclaimer - I write for both.) I have had subscriptions to Outdoor Life and Field and Stream since I was a teenager and still look forward to each issue.
These are just a few suggestions and are fairly general. Folks that like the outdoors are easy to shop for - there is way too much stuff we want and there is nothing we would not appreciate receiving as a gift!
