What's On Your Christmas Wish List?

[happyhappa]

Hi there!

Thank you so much for reading my post- I hope that you can help me!

My super sweet boyfriend is an avid bass fisherman and I am a complete newbie to fishing (I've been 5 times... and I still don't know when there is a fish on my fishing line or not).

Anyway, I would like to get him something nice for Christmas, but because I know nothing about fishing, I thought I would turn to the experts!!!

What would YOU like for Christmas?

For those who would like more information, I'll let you know everything that I know.

He has Abu Garcia reels- I think he likes the Revo ones.

I think his poles are Shimano (Is that a brand?)

He really likes the Yamamoto senkos- but I know he has swim baits and crank baits and.... spoons?

He likes frogs and spinners (are those top water?)

He has a fish finder- but I don't know what kind because it is on his big boat at his dad's house.

He likes large mouth bass the best and does most of his fishing in the CA Delta.

I have a $150 limit this year (I went a little overboard last year).

Anyway, I know you are all really busy and I sound completely hopeless with my lack of fishing knowledge (I hope that I haven't offended you... I think fishing is a fantastic sport!), and I SO SO appreciate your helping me to brainstorm gift ideas.

Thank you so much in advance!!!

I so appreciate your responses!

[deep]

He has Abu Garcia reels- I think he likes the Revo ones.

I think his poles are Shimano (Is that a brand?)

That's the problem! When he's not looking, you need to take them off the rods, throw them into the water, and get him some shimano reels.

Jokes apart, get him some Northstar jigs, along with a few packs of Rage Craws. He'll love them.

[A-Jay]

Why play the guessing game, give an Angler what an Angler wants. Let them pick it. It's always difficult to determine what to purchase, how to purchase and where to purchase your items, but you can be confident that a Gift Card will be simple and convenient. Tackle Warehouse gift cards are currently being offered for 10% off.

Good Luck and Happy Holidays.

A-Jay

[I.rar]

I would also suggest a TW card. I know I want a Shimano curado 51e but I wouldn't expect my wife to get one for me. Plus if I order it myself I could get the other necessities like line and maybe some hooks. While I'm at it some more plastics and maybe hardbaits too lol.

[Packard]

I would also suggest a gift card. It is hard to know what he might like if we don't know what techniques he uses and all the equipment he has now.

[Grey Wolf]

I vote gift card from either Cabelas or Bass Pro, let him decide what he wants , he should be able to get something nice for around 500.00 !

[JigMe]

Gift card is definitely a good idea, or buy from a local tackle shop but make sure the item/s can be exchanged.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

Ok i'm gonna go away from the popular gift card idea. Why? Because its impersonal. It doesn't take allot of thought to go by a gift card. Will he like it...probably..will it mean as much as a well thought out and researched gift...no.

First let take the rods and reels..You can pretty much kick those out. People are very brand oriented and only he knows what kind he wants next. Without giving it away and asking whats next on his rod and reel list you'll probably get it wrong.

There is an exception though. You could pay to have his reels professionally cleaned and maintained. Most anglers do clean there on stuff but few go to the extremes that a professional would. I would check with Delaware Valley Tackle on this forum if you want more info on this idea.

Next lets kick out electronics( fish finder). Most are very expensive and unless you know exactly what he wants then its best to just stay away.

Now to the good stuff Tackle.

Soft baits like Senko's on are a good idea but $150.00 worth of 1 type may be overkill. I would suggest finding out more on what soft baits he like to through and mix it up a bit. Rage Tail products have many fans (including myself) and even if he hasn't tried them yet you won't break the budget getting a package or 2 of there products.

Hard baits like crank baits and spinner baits.

Crankbaits again some tend to be brand loyal. Find out what he likes such as Lucky craft, Strike king etc.. Once you have that knowledge you can move onto color and style. Being in CA i cant give you much knowledge on this since i'm on the oppoisite end of the country but there are many here that fish there and they can let you know what works. Probably something natural would be good. No flashy colors.

Spinnerbaits and jigs are a good choice but again not all are created equal. Maybe talk to some of the guys here that make 'em. they can lead you in the right direction.

Its great that you have taken an interest in something he likes. If you do some research and get him some good items he will appreciate it allot more than a gift card.

[Gangley]

Ima Bass Ninja....

I completely understand your opinion and can see the basis for it, but I respectfully disagree. Personally, there is nothing I hate worse than trying to pretend I like something given to me that I really don't, then pretend I don't mind traveling to the store to return it. A gift card to me means "hey, i dont know what you want for sure, but you do, and I want you to be as happy as possible with my gift so I want you to have whatever it is that you really want".

I know they will be happiest getting whatever they really want, and the giftcard allows me to "give" them what they really want.

As far as lures, I would never pick lures for somebody else. If he has spent the money on several Revo's, then he has the money to spend on lures. Based on the ASSUMPTION of his spending habits, if he wanted certain lures, he would most be able to afford them and would likely already have them.

If you dont want to do a gift card, then the nicest thing I can think of would be upgrading what you know he already likes. That reduces the chances of you getting him something that he doesnt like. For instance, next time the subject of fishing comes up, casually ask him what model Revo he uses. Make a mental note then go look for the upgraded model of that reel and get that for him. Same goes for the fishing rod. Figure out which Shimano rod he uses, then purchase the nicer/upgraded version of that rod.

Hope this helps, good luck!

[BUZZKIDD]

I vote gift card too. I would take it as an impersonal gift if my girlfriend randomly picked out a bunch of tackle and hoped for the best. She supports my hobby but doesn't have a clue what i use.

[Shane J]

Another thought would be to have him do a wish list on the Bass Pro Shops website. Then you'll have a real good idea of what he wants, but he won't know what, if anything, you are going to buy for him.

[Lund Explorer]

My suggestion would be checking out a few swim baits, and I've even got as link to a website!

http://www.mattlures.com/products.htm

20% Off until 12/15, Free Shipping over $50, Free Gift over $100

Then you only need to tell us if your boyfriend is a member here. If its CAdeltaLipRipper, a bunch of these other young guys are going to turn green with ***!

[Scorcher214]

If your guy likes spinnerbaits, you cannot go wrong with these bad boys.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Soft-Wire-Doctor-Spinnerbait-Ko-Man-Chi-Combo-/280772830943?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item415f5d66df#ht_2484wt_1270

[JIGFISHERMAN.]

Last Christmas my wife bought very specific things that I asked for for christmas. Lot's of soft plastic baits. I gave her a big list, knowing the list was far too big, and so that she could pare it down herself.

Honestly, I thought it was so cool she went to Gander Mountain, found what I wanted and bought it, that I thought that was the best Christmas present ever. MUCH BETTER THAN A GIFT CARD.

Find a way to go through his tackle. Write down what he has, and what colors, and buy that. Just the fact that his wife/girlfriend took the time to buy him fishing stuff vs the normal boyfriend/husband Christmas gifts will make it truly great.

IMO, do the legwork (like your doing) and forget the gift card.

[JIGFISHERMAN.]

One other thing.....Some of the nice hard swimbaits are expensive items that a bunch of us will hold out for, just because of the cost. This makes them GREAT gifts.

BTW, I'm amazed nobody has mentioned an Alabama rig. THAT would be a gift from a girlfriend that pays attention!

[Ima Bass Ninja]

Gangley,

I understand your side of things too no one wants to put on a fake smile and then return a gift and plus its just my opinion, so no need to be respectful when you disagree...lol...JK.......But to me this is where the research part of my post comes in. If the OP were to call some of her boyfriends fishin buddies or maybe boyfriends Dad (since his boat is parked there) then they could tell her more specific info on what fishing type of gifts to get. then there would be no need to return and the receiver of the gift would be joyfully surprised that there partner took such an interest.

Lets say you wanted a particular lure. would it be more meaningful for your partner to get you a gift card and you go get it yourself or for them to do a little digging and buy that item for you?..

Sometimes the thought that goes into the gift is as valuable as the gift itself

[deep]

My suggestion would be checking out a few swim baits, and I've even got as link to a website!

http://www.mattlures.com/products.htm

20% Off until 12/15, Free Shipping over $50, Free Gift over $100

Then you only need to tell us if your boyfriend is a member here. If its CAdeltaLipRipper, a bunch of these other young guys are going to turn green with ***!

X2

Great baits from a great bait-maker. None of the ego that some other CA bait-makers have, and awesome customer service.

[NoBassPro]

Last Christmas my wife bought very specific things that I asked for for christmas. Lot's of soft plastic baits. I gave her a big list, knowing the list was far too big, and so that she could pare it down herself.

Honestly, I thought it was so cool she went to Gander Mountain, found what I wanted and bought it, that I thought that was the best Christmas present ever. MUCH BETTER THAN A GIFT CARD.

Find a way to go through his tackle. Write down what he has, and what colors, and buy that. Just the fact that his wife/girlfriend took the time to buy him fishing stuff vs the normal boyfriend/husband Christmas gifts will make it truly great.

IMO, do the legwork (like your doing) and forget the gift card.

My wife had me email her a wish list from Bass Pro to avoid confusion. It worked quite well.

[flippin and pitchin]

Your boyfriend is very lucky to have someone who takes an interest in his hobby/passion. To be practicle, I would suggest a gift card but from Tackle Warehouse. They will have those specialty items dedicated to Delta fishing. I think TW cards are discounted right now. Then, take the time to sit down with him when he orders product and ask him why he is buying what. You learn, he get's stuff that will go to use. Pretty good deal overall.

[Bassn Blvd]

_{I would suggest a life size Jeniffer Aniston poster for his garage. :respect-059:}

[MrsTomustang]

First...welcome.

Second, I lived in the Sacramento/Placer area for over 20 years. Nice to have another NorCal lady on the forums.

Third, I can speak to this comment from both sides, as both a wife with an angler hubby AND as an avid bass angler myself, I like the approach of asking family, friends OR ask him to make a 'wish list' of everything he wants now and in the future. Have him put down small to high $ items.

As NoBassPro mentioned, many websites have wish list creators that he could create and print or email it. He would not know what on the list you got him, but, you would certainly get him what he wants, with no guessing.

And, the best gift is always those that you give just because. Now with the list you can drop by a sporting good store and pick him up something from the list anytime. My husband and I do this together because life is short and precious.

Best of luck and Happy Holidays!

Jenn

[Glenn]

California Delta eh? That's frog and flippin country! Set him up with some RageTail frogs and RageTail Hawgs and he'll be a happy camper. Just look at his plastic baits to find out what colors he likes. Speaking of which, get him a few bottles of JJ's Magic while you're at it (www.jjsmagic.com). You'll have plenty of $$ left over for a gift card like the others have suggested.

He'll be golden!

[NorcalBassin]

Regardless what you get him, he's a lucky guy to have you take the time to sign up to a large forum like this just for ideas.

[happyhappa]

Goodness! Ask and you shall receive! I cannot believe the outpouring of expert advice here and all of your willingness to offer advice!

I am honestly overwhelmed with gratitude!

Thank you all so much!

I plan on breaking into his garage tomorrow and into his fishing cabinets.

I know how much he loves fishing, and for a newbie like me fishing seems to have a completely unique language, all its own.

It has been simply fascinating to begin to learn about!

I think that the fishing community has made the biggest impression on me- everyone seems so genuine and earnest.

Again, your outpouring of support and advice is astounding-

I am so thankful.

Thank you so much!

I'll keep ya posted with what I decide and how he likes it.

Thanks again!

[Nitrofreak]

Me personally it sounds like you enjoy each other's company.

Why not take the oppertunity and go to the store of his choice and let him pick out what he wants and take the day to learn a little about the sport for yourself.

There are also fishing vacations that you both may enjoy.

Lots of great ideas and I am sure what ever you decide to do will make his Christmas AWESOME !!