BlogDecember 2016

Fishing Gift Ideas that Conserve

Fishing Gift Ideas that Conserve

By Andy Whitcomb

Dec 12, 2016

Here are some gift ideas that can reduce stress on gift exchangers and fish.

This is the season for gift giving. With all of the pressure to find the gift that communicates the appropriate amount of sentiment, this can be a stressful time of the year. Here are some gift ideas that can reduce stress on gift exchangers and fish.

Dehookers. These are nifty tools which are more precise than standard long nosed pliers. They can reach and hold a hopefully barbless hook with almost surgical precision. Safely unhooking a fish for release requires working quickly and efficiently. 

Circle hooks.  If you are using bait, the circle hook is a great piece of tackle. By adjusting the technique of setting the hook, not only does the circle hook tend to hook a fish in the corner of the mouth and thus facilitate unhooking, but it is not easily shaken off during the fight.  

Nets. Though any net can help land a fish quickly, some types seem to have a greater attraction for lure hooks than others. We are looking forward to testing a promising new slick rubber, larger mesh version which claims to be snagless, which would certainly help with catch and release.

State Fish and Game Department Gifts.  State fish and wildlife agencies, or DNRs, often have online gift shops and the money raised goes back into conservation efforts, boat ramps, and such. For example, maybe someone you know would appreciate an Arkansas or Oklahoma Wildlife Department magazine subscription. The Missouri Department of Conservation has “Nature Themed” cookbooks for sale. Or perhaps someone might like a Kentucky wildlife calendar. And most states like New Hampshire also offer gift certificates for 2017 fishing licenses. 

Check out what your state may offer in the way of fishing gifts that fund conservation and, well, fun. 
 
Andy Whitcomb
Andy Whitcomb
Andy is an outdoor writer (http://www.justkeepreeling.com/) and stressed-out Dad has contributed over 380 blogs to takemefishing.org since 2011. Born in Florida, but raised on banks of Oklahoma farm ponds, he now chases pike, smallmouth bass, and steelhead in Pennsylvania. After earning a B.S. in Zoology from OSU, he worked in fish hatcheries and as a fisheries research technician at OSU, Iowa State, and Michigan State.