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In terms of pure excitement, it’s hard to beat a topwater. I find there’s nothing more thrilling than watching a fish rocket up from the depths and smash a lure dragged along the surface. Fortunately, you can find a surface lure designed to catch just about any species these days, from inshore favorites like snook to offshore bruisers like bluefins. And depending on their action, these plugs can be fished at a near standstill up to speeds that only a wahoo could handle.

Shimano’s Pop-Orca has the stereotypical look we’ve come to expect from a modern popper. But the open-mouth design, which Shimano calls a bubble chamber, shoots water out the top of the lure to create a surface commotion that poppers of the past never produced. The giant concave face also makes this popper easy to work, great for those new to the popping scene. Slow or fast, this one excels. Through-wire construction and beefy hooks make this suitable for offshore species.

Plugs like MirrOlure’s Popa Dog combine the attractive side-to-side action of a walk-the-dog-style lure with a cupped face, providing the best of both worlds. This plug is best worked at a medium pace, with the intermediate speed allowing the lure to swing wide in an alluring manner. The concave face throws plenty of water, giving the Popa Dog the power to pull fish from the depths. I’ve found that if a fish won’t commit, allowing the lure to pause and then giving it a hard, rapid tug is just the ticket. The action causes the lure to throw water wildly, which many fish can’t resist. The rattling chamber also creates a vibration that helps fish home in on it, even in stained water.

Back in my ­surf-fishing days, I would sometimes reverse the hooks and line-tie sides of a pencil popper. The result was a plug that dived violently headfirst, offering a perfect imitation of the squid that would chase sand eels into the surf. Yo-Zuri improved upon this action with the Mag Dive, a floating/diving pencil that does a great job of imitating squid as well as a dying or injured baitfish floundering on the surface. Fish this one with long sweeps of the rod at ripping speeds, or slow it down and let it bob along the surface. Built with 4X-strong hardware and through-wire construction to handle yellowfin tuna, yellowtails or other offshore species, it’s also great for inshore favorites like striped bass.

Prop baits have been around the freshwater bass scene for a while now, but you don’t often see them in the salt. That’s why Berkley’s Choppo Saltwater has entered the scene with such fanfare. This topwater features a large propeller that spins around the back of the plug, creating an unbelievable amount of surface turbulence. Because it floats at rest, you can work it at any speed you’d like. I’ve found alternating long and short strips of the rod tip force even fussy stripers to attack.

Rapala’s X-Rap Magnum Stick 17 features a variety of bright, lifelike finishes that provide plenty of flash. The lure sinks on the pause, so it can be worked aggressively without ripping it from the water’s surface. The internal weighting allows the X-Rap Magnum Stick 17 to cast a country mile and makes it swim in wide S-curves on the retrieve. Because of the fast retrieves this lure is capable of, Rapala built it to survive savage strikes from bluewater predators like tuna. If you do pause it during the retrieve, the Magnum Stick dives head-first with an alluring flutter. Single hooks are tuna-strong and make unhooking easy on anglers and fish alike.

Read Next: Catching Redfish On Topwater Lures

Though they dive, I feel comfortable including jerkbaits in our topwater roundup because anglers can keep them near the surface if worked properly. AFTCO made its Blue Fever jerkbait slightly heavier than its competitors, allowing it to cast farther with help from a ­magnetic weight-transfer system that gives it the proper balance once it hits the water. But it will slowly sink, so give it a rather spirited retrieve to keep it near the surface.

Spinning rods are typically used to throw topwater lures, but I like utilizing baitcasters. I find it easy to introduce slack into your line when working topwaters, and that can lead to wind knots on a spinning reel’s spool. The revolving spool of a casting reel seems to do a better job of controlling the slack and preventing tangles. Try a saltwater-specific model such as the Abu Garcia Revo, Shimano Tranx or Penn Fathom 400 Low Profile on your next inshore popping ­adventure. 

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SoCal might be best known for phenomenal weather, longboards, and great music but I think fishing should top that list. San Diego is home to a diverse fishery both near- and offshore, with a wide variety of species calling the inshore wrecks, reefs, and kelp paddies home. Further out, you’ll encounter pelagic species such as swordfish, striped marlin, and many members of the tuna family.

I was invited to San Diego by our friends at Costa to sample the excellent fisheries and test out their latest offering, the King Tide. On the first day of our trip we hit the inshore grounds on one of SoCal’s most famous head boats. We ventured further out on the second, taking 25-foot Parker some 50 miles out in pursuit of Pacific bluefin. The trip gave us the opportunity to test out Costa’s newest offering, which builds on the company’s 40 years of sunglass experience with a host of new features.

Inshore Bounty

San Diego is home to a thriving head boat culture, and the heart of that scene may just be located at the Point Loma Sportfishing center. This marina is home to well-stocked tackle shops, tackle rentals for visiting anglers, and over a dozen head and charter boats. Referred to locally as “sporties,” these boats take fares out on half-day, full-day, and long-range trips that can be at sea for a week or more. A devoted group of anglers take advantage of this fleet, and the fertile waters they frequent.

The Daily Double is one of the oldest boats in the San Diego fleet, built 65 feet long with a 20-foot beam to comfortably fish the wrecks, reefs, and kelp paddies off the SoCal coast. At the helm was Capt. Fred Huber, who has been plying the area waters for decades. On the Costa trip, Huber took us to a few inshore pieces before hitting a productive patch of kelp on the way in. Rockfish, calico bass, sand bass, and sculpins would be our targets for the day, and they proved to be abundant.

Fishing strategy was of the “keep it simple” variety, utilizing three-way rigs baited with live sardines or anchovies, as both were available at the local bait pens. Once in place, the boat dropped the hook to keep us in position over the most productive stretches of structure. The mates set out hurling handfuls of bait overboard, which would kick start the action. After a few minutes of chumming, the waters came alive. Rods bent as calicos and sand bass aplenty came up to the rails, though almost all were released as we had other dinner plans. Fishing was so hot at points that bait was swapped for jigs and still the rods stayed tight.

Beyond the excellent fishing, SoCal’s sport boats typically offer high-quality cuisine. As we hung out in the parking lot waiting for the boat to depart, a gentleman came up to me show me pictures of both the yellowtail he caught on a recent trip, but also the dinners he was served while underway. The breakfast burrito I ate aboard the Daily Double was as good as I’ve ever had anywhere, and the burger I had for lunch rivals anything you’ll find in a top-tier diner around here. It’s said that you can tell how long a mate has worked on the sporties by the pounds they have packed on. Be sure to bring your appetite.

Another unique aspect of fishing out of San Diego are the military vessels you’ll encounter while going to and from port. Naval Base San Diego serves as the homeport to much of the Pacific fleet, and is the second largest surface ship base of the United States Navy housing over 50 vessels at any given time. During my last trip to San Diego several years ago, we saw the USS Ronald Reagan, a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier returning to base. On this trip, we passed an Ohio-class nuclear submarine heading out to parts unknown. Though the Daily Double is fairly large, it shrinks when passing a vessel of that size.

Kite Fishing for Bluefin

There’s more than a little debate surrounding the origins of kite fishing, with a few regions declaring the technique as their own. Whether or not it originated in SoCal, the captains around here have it pretty dialed in. On the second day of our Costa adventure, we took to the seas in one of the boats in the Pinnacle Sportfishing fleet for some epic kite action, West Coast style.

The Parker we fished off was piloted by Capt. Cameron Bingham. If there ever was someone that figured out what they should do with their life, it’s Bingham, and that purpose is catching big bluefins. His enthusiasm was infectious, and kept everyone stoked the entire steam out to the fishing grounds. Two hours clicked away in the blink of an eye listening to Bingham’s stories, his soft SoCal inflection sometimes jumping octaves with pure excitement about past bites.

The value of kites, Bingham explained, was their ability to present baits quietly behind the boats. The baits could be kept 200 yards or greater away from the vessel, limiting exposure to the fish-spooking outline. And suspending them from above meant that the terminal tackle was all hidden from the supersized eyeballs of the bluefin, helping ease their minds about the easy meal being served up.

As soon as we hit the tuna grounds, Bingham set to work rigging up a pair of flying fish to dangle below the kite. Having an extra bait at the ready would ensure we could get back in the action quickly if we got bit and there were other tuna around. Winds that day were under 10 knots, which made for flat seas but less than ideal kite fishing conditions. Bingham said that winds between 10 to 20 knots made keeping the baits aloft easy, but there were workarounds.

Stashed in the cabin were a brace of helium tanks that were used to inflate balloons that would be affixed to the kite; one to the cross arms and another further down the line. Aided by the two helium-filled balloons, the kite would have no trouble keeping the flying fish on the water’s surface. A line attached to a Penn International 50 Wide was run through a snap swivel on the kite’s line, affixed to the flying fish, and ferried out behind the boat.

Once we were in a likely spot with the kite deployed, Bingham climbed up to the upper station and scanned the water with a big pair of stabilized binoculars looking for signs of life. Once he found some surface-feeding tuna, known as a “foamer” in Left Coast vernacular, he hit the throttles and we made our way over at 10-knots, using the kite’s scope to present baits well away from the din of the motors.

Once the bait was in place over a feeding school, Bingham yarded on the line to add even more life to the hovering fish. It proved too much for a healthy bluefin of about 160 pounds to take, and it smashed the bait with a reckless abandon. In that moment, I knew what Bingham was talking about on the ride out. It was all but impossible to not high five the other anglers on board as the rod doubled. About 15 minutes later, we had deep color. Some final theatrics took place at the rail and the gaff found its way home.

We were able to repeat this scenario with another tuna, a 150-pound specimen, later in the trip. The take may have been even more impressive, as the fish made several swipes before finding the hook. Anticipation was high as the flying fish hung in shreds below the kite, but the tuna eventually engulfed it and the fight was on.

After returning to port, our bluefin were taken to a processor for the trip home. Fast and Easy Mobile Fish Processing made quick work of our bounty, working out of the back of a box truck. We loaded coolers for our plane ride home the next morning, and enjoyed some sushi in the hotel before calling it a day. The whole thing had a very SoCal feel about it.

Tuna fishing is always fun, but adding a kite in takes it to the next level. If you ever get an invite, take it. Especially if it comes from somewhere around Point Loma.

Californication

Costa choose Southern California to introduce the new King Tide sunglasses because they were partly influenced by area’s culture. Most of Costa’s performance sunglasses feature what is known as an 8-base curve, which tightly hugs the face to keep stray light out. But Cali is the home of flat bills and fashion-forward eyewear. Costa wanted to develop a pair of sunglasses that would live up to their 40 years of heritage as while fitting in with the cool kids that call SoCal home.

To give them a look that would be appreciated by the fashionistas among us while still delivering the on-water performance that makes them so popular with anglers, Costa developed removable side shields. This allows Costa to produce the King Tides in both the familiar 8-base curve as well as a flatter 6-base curve as you might find in a pair of Wayfarers or other sunglasses designed for looks instead of performance. The removable side shields block light from sneaking in from the peripherals even on the flat frames, preventing squinting and letting you spot fish even on the brightest days.

The full coverage afforded by the side shields also helps block wind, an important consideration with the rise of the fast offshore center console. Duane Diego, proprietor of Pinnacle Sportfishing and Costa ambassador says the King Tides help make long runs more comfortable. I certainly noticed the wind-blocking properties while out in the water.

And, you can easily take the side shields off and stuff them in the case when not in use. Though I don’t care much about fashion, I find myself swapping the Reeftons or Blackfins I typically wear on the water for a pair of Santiagos or other lifestyle frames once I get back to my truck. With the King Tide, you can just remove the sides if you decide you want less coverage. And the tops of the glasses are rubberized, which will keep them from sliding off the console when you throttle down.

Another notable feature on the King Tides is the shark-inspired sweat channels built into the temples. These innovative grooves serve to funnel sweat from around your eyes down to the end of the stems, exiting the bottom through a small notch. To perfect this technology, Costa’s engineers developed “Sweaty Eddy,” an artificial head that secretes sweat like a linebacker at an NFL training camp in south Florida in the middle of July. This allowed them to see how the new sweat-management technologies worked in real-time, allowing them to fine-tune the system and all but eliminate fogging.

On Friday, July 7 the King Tide 6 and King Tide 8 will be available in black frames with 580G blue mirror lenses at select retailers. Suggested retail pricing starts at $329. By September 15, 2023 you can expect to find them on costasunglasses.com and their retail partners worldwide.

If you want a piece of history, you can grab one of the limited-edition King Tide 6 and King Tide 8 models starting on Tuesday July 11. These models feature a black gold frame and never before seen 580G gold lenses. Costa is only releasing 40 of the 6 and the 8, so act fast if you want to get your hands on a pair.

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Garmin has announced the new Force Kraken bow-mount electric trolling motors. These are engineered for the rigors of saltwater fishing with pivot-style mounts, durable marine-grade components, brushless motors and longer shaft lengths for today’s big bay boats and offshore center consoles fishing machines. They also feature a variety of remote control choices, GPS guidance, advanced anchor lock, and voltage options that make the new motors user-friendly.

“We are excited to build on the success of our Force trolling motor and bring new mounting options and features to even more anglers in both the saltwater and inland markets,” says Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. “From power and durability to integration and innovation, Kraken has everything anglers want and need from their trolling motor and more.”

Benefits of Brushless Motors

Kraken’s brushless motor will run on either 24 or 36 volts. It uses a high-efficiency propeller to produce 100 pounds of thrust on a 36-volt system, or 80 pounds on a 24-volt system. At the same time, the Kraken’s brushless technology is extremely efficient and whisper quiet so anglers can fish longer and avoid spooking fish, according to Garmin.

Utilizing multi-band GPS signal reception and integrated AHRS (attitude and heading reference system) for heading hold, Kraken delivers precise boat positioning. In calm conditions, the Kraken can decelerate the motor when it’s within approximately one meter of the user-selected location. And in rough conditions, Kraken will apply more aggressive motor speed for improved performance on larger boats.

Multiple Control Choices

Wireless integration with Garmin chartplotters allows anglers to create routes, patterns and tracks for the trolling motor to follow, and a new illuminated arrow on the trolling motor head allows anglers to confirm the boat’s heading at a glance.

A wireless handheld remote permits navigation from anywhere in the boat. The floating, waterproof remote can control the Kraken’s virtual anchor lock, autopilot functionality, heading hold and point-and-go gesture steering. With a compatible Garmin smartwatch such as the Garmin quatix 7 series, anglers can control Kraken’s steering, anchor lock and more, right from their wrists.

Sonar Integration

Select Kraken models include a built-in GT56UHD all-in-one transducer with Ultra High-Definition ClearVu and SideVu scanning sonar along with chirp traditional sonar. Additional Garmin transducers can be added, and Kraken’s brushless motor technology allows for clear returns with extremely low levels of unwanted noise from electrical and mechanical interference.

Anglers can for the first time install forward-facing sonar such as LiveScope on a pivot-style trolling motor by conveniently routing the transducer cable inside the trolling motor shaft thanks to Kraken’s new LiveScope cable management system to keep the LiveScope cable safe from damage during stow or deploy and deck space free of clutter.

Saltwater Worthy

Kraken is engineered and built to withstand the rigors of marine fishing conditions with a sturdy composite shaft and components featuring advanced corrosion protection. It’s backed by a three-year limited warranty and a lifetime limited warranty on the shaft. The propeller is designed with a thinner leading edge to reduce resistance and maximize thrust, while the trailing edge is engineered to decrease aeration of the water that can cause cavitation and interfere with thrust.

Expected to be available in October 2023, Kraken will be offered in white in 63-, 75- and 90-inch shaft lengths, or black in 63- and 75-inch lengths. Both black Kraken models are sold with a GT56UHD transducer. Suggested retail prices range from $3,699.99 to $4,299.99. For more information, visit garmin.com/force.

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What angler doesn’t want to increase the ability to put more fish in the boat. But some also don’t want to break the bank in the process. That’s understandable, but not insurmountable. Here five affordable ways to achieve your fish-catching goals.

1. More Rod Holders

Let’s start with the premise a boat can’t have enough rod holders. If your boat only has a couple on each side of the gunwale and a few on the stern, that’s not enough. Adding more holders is a great way to boost your boat’s fishiness.

• If you are adding more holders on the gunwale, get creative and angle the new ones outward. 45 degrees. That way you can create a mini trolling spread quickly without having to deploy the outriggers if your boat has them.
• Adding rod holders farther forward on the gunwale is useful if you are drift or kites fishing.
• Most fishing boats don’t have enough cupholders either, so you can kill two birds by installing a combo cupholder/rod holder like the models from Mate Series for about $120.

2. Manual Shallow-Water Anchoring Systems

While fancy, electric-powered pole anchoring systems are the preferred way to go when it comes posting up in shallow water, not everyone can afford them or want the vertical intrusion on the stern of their boat. Several companies have manual versions that consist of a portable pole and a receiver sleeve that mounts to the bow or stern of a boat and keeps you from having to dig out the anchor, which can rarely be done in stealth. The Stayput shallow water anchor costs $250 from $350, and has bow or engine bracket mounts.

3. Dehooking Station

The first de-hooker I ever saw was in the 1960s, which was nothing more than a thick wire (cut from a coat hanger) that had a small bend at one end and a handle made of built-up tape on the other. These are handy for dehooking nasty fish like saltwater catfish.

Recently I saw a version of this dehooker that you can mount to the side of your boat called the Overboard Pro ($89.95) that retracts when not in use. It can also be mounted over a baitwell to extract baitfish caught on a sabiki rig, without touching the fish.

4. Bow Casting Platforms

When sight casting for fish, having an extra foot or so in height can make all the difference. Some cash-challenged anglers just stand on their coolers but this can be an accident waiting to happen. The best bow casting platforms are made from carbon fiber but these can cost more than $1,000. There are several less expensive versions like the Fishmaster Casting Platform ($349), which has a turnbuckle to attach to an eye mounted on the foredeck to keep it steady and even comes with a leaning rail to steady the angler.

5. Track Systems

Track systems are a fantastic, inexpensive way to add versatility to your boat. If you can overlook the fact these systems originated with freshwater anglers, you’ll appreciate their clever design. A section of aluminum track is mounted to the gunwale and a host of accessories can be attached to it and slid around for customization. Items like rod holders, bait rigging stations, cutting boards, downriggers, electronic mounts and net holders can be added or removed as needed. One of the best systems is made by Traxstech with prices starting at about $38.

The post Five Inexpensive Ways to Increase Your Boat’s Fishiness appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

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Your Dad might say he doesn’t want anything this Father’s Day, but odds are that’s not true. Anglers tend to be gearheads, and love the latest gadgets—especially if they will help them catch more fish. Salt Water Sportsman compiled the latest and greatest so you can skip the tie and get Dad something he’ll actually use.

Bluefin USA Performance Sport Shirts

From out fishing or out to dinner with the family, Bluefin USA’s Performance Sport Shirt is a stylish and versatile upgrade to traditional fishing shirts. $59

Pelagic Traverse Hybrid Shorts

I’ve been wearing a pair of Pelagic’s Sharkskin Boardshorts for the better part of a decade, enjoying the freedom of a pair of shorts that reliably holds my favorite pair of fishing pliers but let’s me cannonball off the stern on a whim. But if your Dad is looking for something more technical, get him a pair of the Traverse Hybrid Shorts. These shorts are a wearable tackle organizer, with a “fluoro-friendly” spool pocket that features a hole for easy line feeding on one side and a double-stacked tool and accessory pocket on the other. $80

Penn Fathom 400 Low Profile Reel

Get your Dad involved in the low-profile revolution with Penn’s Fathom 400 low profile reel. These palmable baitcasters are an excellent choice for those targeting redfish, specks, and striped bass. Light-tackle flounder pounders north and south will appreciate the lightweight nature of the reel, which holds more than enough braided line to probe the near-shore depths. In spite of the small size, the Fathom 400 packs Penn’s legendary drag system. $269 and up

Garmin Quatix 7 Smartwatch

Give Dad fast access to all his fishing and boating data with the Garmin Quatix 7 Smartwatch. This wrist-top computer integrates with a variety of marine electronics, giving you the ability to control key MFD features, set autopilot, mark waypoints, and even control the stereo remotely. The smart watch is easy to use, with traditional buttons or a touch screen interface. A battery life of up to 18 days means Dad won’t have to look for a charger out on the water. $499 and up

G Loomis GCX Inshore Spinning Rods

A G Loomis spinner has been one of my favorite rods for over 20 years now, taking a variety of species up and down the East coast. You can give your Dad his new favorite rod this Father’s Day with a G Loomis GCX Inshore spinning rod. This series is perfect for light tackle inshore anglers, with 11 available models from medium light to extra heavy. With a proprietary multi-taper design that removes material where a blank is unlikely to fail and adds material where it might and a beefed-up resin system, these will probably last your Dad a couple decades—like mine did. $295 and up

Pelican TRVL Air Travel Cases

If your Dad loves to travel, be sure to get luggage that can soak up the bumps and bruises of an angling adventure. Pelican’s line of TRVL Air Travel Cases are built as rugged as the cases that photographers have trusted to protect their valuable gear for years, but weigh up to 40 percent lighter. The result is a lightweight but tough waterproof suitcase that can roll down the tarmac and right onto the boat. The hard shell keeps delicate fishing equipment safe, and the built-in wheels and extendable handle make getting from Point A to Point B a breeze. I love the internal dividers keep everything organized, even after significant turbulence or bombing down a backroad in the bed of my truck. Available in carry-on and checked sizes. $377 and up

Bluefin Superleggera Camo Solar Hoodie

Chances are your Dad hates sunburns. Keep him protected with Bluefin’s Superleggera Camo Solar Hoodie. Built with microfiber yarn, the Superleggera is the softest and lightest performance tee that Bluefin has ever produced, while still maintaining a UPF 50+protection rating. The anti-microbial quick dry fabric wicks perspiration to help keep Dad comfortable, and eliminate that sweat smell that can accompany a long day in the sun.

Costa Corbina Pro

Costa has been making the best sunglasses on the water for nearly 40 years now, so outfit your Dad with a pair this Father’s Day. The Corbina Pro is an excellent choice for a variety of face shapes, offering good coverage that prevents stray light from sneaking in and a performance fit. A lightweight bioresin frame and adjustable nose pads combine for all-day comfort. Of course, they come with Costa’s legendary polarized 580 lenses that cut through glare and offer 100 percent UV protection. Available in five lens colors. $284

Ignik Deluxe Fire Pit & Grill

What Dad doesn’t enjoy a barbeque? Ignik’s unique Deluxe Fire Pit & Grill packs a gas grill and fire pit into a container the size of an ammo can, so he can take it to the sandbar, the beach, a tailgate or just in the backyard. Throw some fresh filets into removeable grill insert and enjoy a delicious shore lunch, then swap the gas line to other side and enjoy a fire as the sun goes down. And because the source of the flame is contained, you can use it in many areas that have a burn ban. Just be sure to check with authorities first. $299

Bubba Tidal Pro Casting Rod

Does Dad prefer baitcasters to spinning rods? If so, check out Bubba’s Tidal Pro casting rod. The medium-heavy 30T Toray graphite stick comes in your choice of 7- and 7.5-foot lengths, with a fast action that’s perfect for launching even lightweight baits. An ergonomic carbon fiber handle features a unique, non-slip grip that provides comfort even during long sessions on the bay. Backed by a limited lifetime warranty. $329

Yeti Roadie 60 Wheeled Cooler

A hot day on the water requires plenty of cold beverages. But transporting a fully loaded cooler can be a chore—unless it can roll. Yeti’s Roadie 60 Wheeled Cooler saves Dad’s back by moving up to 98 cans of frosty beverages effortlessly down the ramp. Non-slip feet keep the cooler planted while underway, or you can use the tie-down slots to make sure it doesn’t move even when it gets really nautical. $500

Fishing Booker

Odds are pretty good that Dad has a closet or garage full of tackle—maybe even both. If you’re not sure if he needs a new rod or reel, consider giving him a fishing trip. With Fishing Booker, you can choose from a wide variety of fisheries throughout the United States. Select your destination, date, and group size and see a variety of captains available to make Dad’s dream trip a reality.

AFTCO Reaper Windproof Jacket

Help Dad cut the chill of long boat rides on cold mornings with AFTCO’s Reaper windproof jacket. This stylish garment was a Best of Category winner at ICAST 2022, thanks to the durable three-layer stretch soft-shell ripstop with an ultra-warm Hexatron fleece lining that protects from the elements while giving Dad the freedom of movement he needs for powerful hook-sets. A DWR treatment makes water bead up and shrugs off a light drizzle. $119

Hardy Zane Rod

Named after angling Legend Zane Grey, Hardy’s Zane rod lets Dad create some angling adventures of his own. Based on the blank design found in Hardy’s award-winning Proaxis series of rods, the Zane line up comes in a number of lengths and line sizes to suit all saltwater anglers. Dads targeting snook and stripers will be impressed with the 8 and 9 weight models, flats anglers chasing bones will appreciate the lighter weights and the big guns are perfect for the tarpon folks. Built with salt-safe titanium and stainless frame guides and anodized reel seats. $595

SeaTow Membership

Give Dad the gift of peace of mind with a SeaTow membership. As a member, he can call on SeaTow’s network of local captains for assistance when things go wrong, 24/7. Membership includes tows, fuel delivery, jump starts, prop disentanglements (no diver), parts delivery, and even un-groundings in some circumstances. The helpful local captains will even offer navigational assistance and advice on tides and weather. Gold Card Package is $199.99, trailer coverage is extra

Columbia Men’s PFG Tamiami Shoe

If you’re really not sure what to get Dad, consider a pair of these go-anywhere sneakers from Columbia. The PFG Tamiami shoe is water-ready, with a comfortable mesh upper that drains quickly and resists stains. The wet-grip outsole with razor siping will help keep Dad planted as he casts, and won’t mark up boat decks in the process. Boat, beach, or town, the PFG Tamiami will keep Dad comfortable. $80

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