Father’s Day Gifts For Outdoors Dads
Sunday, June 15, is Father’s Day, which means many of us will be shopping in a panic over the next few days. If you are looking for the perfect gift for your outdoors Dad, consider that he can never have enough fishing, hunting, boating or even camping gear.
With time running short, your best bet is to head to Dad’s favorite tackle or outdoors shop. If he’s known at the counter, chances are the help can steer you in the right direction. Even if your Dad prefers to remain anonymous when purchasing bait and gear, you can at least pick the brains of staffers to get ideas.
Following are just a few possibilities to consider:
● A couple of small, clear utility boxes are a great, inexpensive gift for Dads who need organization in their fishing life. Dad can pop his favorite lures in a box or two and keep them in the truck or on the boat, where they will be easy to find when needed.
● Hunters can be very particular about their gear, so stick to gift cards or small accessories. $15 to $30 will get you some scent eliminating soap or cover scent, which is always in need by hunters targeting deer or bear. A hot seat for stand hunters, or hand warming packets, are also useful. For $50, you can buy a decent hunting knife.
● Surf Fishing Dads can always use another plug bag, belt pouch or pork rind holder. Bronco, Precision and Aqua-Skinz all make plug bags that hold up well over time. Plug bag prices start at about $30 and rise accordingly, depending on size and style.
● A nice fishing shirt is something Dad isn’t likely to pick up for himself. Dress him up in comfort with a lightweight, breathable shirt designed to be cool in the high humidity of summer while also offering protection from the sun. Columbia and Simms offer durable, good-looking fishing shirts sporting specialized pockets for leaders, pliers and small items of tackle. Fly fishermen will be just as happy with a quality fly-fishing vest. Expect to spend $50 to $100.
● To keep Dad looking cool while maximizing his opportunities for just about anything from trout to tuna, give a pair of polarized sun glasses. These help anglers see deep into the water while also protecting the eyes from harmful UV rays, stray hooks, branches, etc. Check out Flying Fishermen, Action Optics or Costa Del Ray, ranging in price from $25 to $250. Buy scratch-proof glass lenses if you can afford them.
● Serious anglers love to read and learn about their favorite past time. Pick up a copy of The Complete Kayak Fisherman by Ric Burnley (Burford Books, $16.95); Fishing Soft Baits in Saltwater, by Pete Barrett (Burford Books, $16.95); Long Island Fly-Fishing by Angelo Peluso (WW Norton and Company/Countryman Press, $21.95); or The Art of Surfcasting with Lures, By Zeno Hromin (www.zenohromin.com, $17.95) and Dad will not be disappointed. If a video or DVD seems like a good idea, check out Captain Al Lorenzetti's Fishing For Trophy Striped Bass (www.skimmeroutdoors.com, $24.95.)
● Tackle shop gift cards are the answer if you simply feel overwhelmed when selecting an outdoors gift. $25 will buy some fresh fishing line, a couple of lures or bait for two or three inshore trips. $50 will let Dad choose a suitable tackle box, pliers or net. For $100, Dad can treat himself to a new pair of waders or a decent fishing rod.
● If Dad already has all the fishing gear he can handle, send him out for a free day of open boat fishing. Take him yourself, if possible, or buy a gift certificate to be used whenever Dad has a free day. A family of four can fish together on an open boat for less than $200 at most ports.
● One last idea: top off the fuel tank in Dad’s boat or SUV. With a full tank, Dad can spend a day heading wherever he wants to go – knowing you spared no expense when it came to his Father’s Day gift.