Gifts for Fishing Lovers Beyond Another Rod and Reel
By the Giftruly editorsUpdated 19 hand-picked ideas
There's a reason anglers have garages full of rods. Each one does something slightly different, and each has a story. The same goes for reels, line and the lures in their tackle box, which they've chosen based on the fish they chase, the water they fish and a lot of trial and error. Buying any of that as a surprise is a gamble, and it's usually a losing one.
But the hobby is full of other things they use every trip and rarely replace: pliers that have rusted shut, a scale that stopped working, a tackle bag held together with tape. This guide starts with those everyday tools, then moves to gifts for fly anglers, comforts for long days on the water and small off-season gifts. At the end, there's a short explanation of why rods, reels and lures are best left to them, and what to give instead.
If they also spend time on boats or kayaks, our guide to gifts for boaters and paddlers has more ideas. For a broader outdoors lover, try gifts for hikers and campers, and if you're shopping for June, see Father's Day gifts.
Know exactly who it's for?
Tell Truly about them in a sentence. You'll get ideas picked for them, each with a reason why.
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Tools that live in every tackle bag
These are the workhorses. Whether they fish for bass from a boat, trout in a river or catfish off a dock, they'll use these on nearly every trip.
- 1~$25
Aluminum Fishing Pliers
Corrosion-resistant pliers for unhooking fish, cutting line and opening split rings. Cheap steel ones rust within a season; these won't.
Anglerspractical - 2~$25
Digital Fish Scale with Tape Measure
A handheld scale with a backlit display and a built-in tape measure. Settles every argument about how big the one that didn't get away was.
AnglersHikers & Camperspractical - 3~$30
Fishing Fillet Knife with Sheath
A thin, flexible blade made for cleaning fish. A sharp fillet knife wastes less meat and makes the end of the day go faster.
AnglersHome Cookspractical - 4~$30
Portable Fishing Line Spooler
A clamp-on tool for spooling new line onto spinning reels with even tension, avoiding twists and tangles. Useful for anyone who respools their own reels.
Anglerspractical - 5~$35
Fishing Reel Maintenance Tool Kit
Precision tools and lubricant for cleaning and servicing reels at home. A good fit for the angler who likes keeping gear in top shape.
Anglerspractical
For the fly angler
Fly fishing is a hobby with a lot of craft around it. People tie their own flies, learn new knots, read rivers and talk about hatches. The best gifts lean into that craft.
Fly rods and reels are chosen by line weight and the water they fish, so we've stayed away from them here.
- Our favorite6
Fly-Tying Vise and Material Organizer Starter Set
~$68
A tabletop vise with an organizer for feathers, thread and tools. Tying flies is how many fly anglers spend winter evenings, and catching a fish on a fly they tied themselves is a special moment. A wonderful gift for someone who's mentioned wanting to try it, or who's still tying on a cheap vise.
- 7
Fly-Fishing Landing Net with Wooden Handle
~$55
A light net with a wooden handle and a soft mesh basket that's gentler on fish being released. It's practical and good-looking, the kind of thing an angler keeps for years. A strong pick for anyone who practices catch and release.
- 8
Fly-Fishing Fly Box with Assorted Flies
~$35
A waterproof box stocked with a variety of flies. It's a fun gift for a newer fly angler who's still building a collection. Experienced anglers tend to choose flies for their local waters and hatches, so for them, the box itself or a gift card to a fly shop may be the better choice.
- 9
Fishing Wader Boot Hanger and Drying Rack
~$30
A wall rack that holds waders and boots upside down so they dry properly between outings. Waders left in a heap develop mildew and leaks. It's a modest gift that shows you've noticed how they look after their gear.
Comfort on long days on the water
A fishing trip can mean hours in direct sun, reflected glare off the water and lunch eaten out of a bag. These gifts make the long days more comfortable, and they don't depend on what species they target.
- 10
UPF 50 Fishing Sun Hoodie
~$35
A light long-sleeve hoodie with UPF 50 protection and a hood that covers the neck. It's what fishing guides wear for hours in the sun, and it stays cooler than people expect. Sizing is usually relaxed, so their regular T-shirt size works. Pick a light color for hot climates.
- 11
Polarized Sunglasses
~$60
Polarized lenses cut glare off the water, which helps anglers spot fish and structure below the surface. Anyone who fishes without them notices the difference immediately. If they already wear prescription glasses, clip-on polarized lenses may be a better fit.
- 12
Insulated Fishing Cooler Backpack
~$55
A soft cooler with a leak-resistant liner and gear pockets, carried on the back for long walks to the water. It keeps lunch and drinks cold for the day. A great choice for bank and river anglers who hike to their spots.
- 13
Waterproof Fishing Tackle Backpack
~$55
A water-resistant pack with configurable tackle trays and room for a day's supplies. It frees both hands for carrying rods. A good upgrade for someone whose tackle is stuffed into an old school backpack.
- 14
Portable Castable Fish Finder
~$130
A small sonar sensor cast out on the line that shows depth and structure on a phone. It's a fun gadget for shore, dock and kayak anglers without a boat-mounted finder. It needs a smartphone, and anglers with a fish finder on their boat won't need it.
For the off-season and the stocking
Small gifts to keep them thinking about fishing between trips.
15.Fishing Knot Tying Practice Board ~$20
A small board with cord and illustrated steps for common knots. Handy for beginners and a good refresher for anyone.
16.Fishing Trip Logbook with Weather and Catch Pages ~$20
A journal for recording location, weather, tackle and catches. Over a few seasons, it becomes a useful record and a keepsake.
17.Fly-Fishing Casting Practice Rod and Target Kit ~$34
A short practice rod with a yarn fly and target for working on casting in the yard or living room. Great for winter practice.
18.Floating Waterproof Phone Pouch ~$12
A sealed pouch on a lanyard that floats, so a phone survives a dropped moment over the side of a boat.
19.Collapsible Fishing Rod Holder Bank Spike Set ~$24
Two bank sticks with padded rests that hold rods steady beside the water. A cheap upgrade for catfish and carp anglers.
Rods, reels, line and lures: why to hold back
Rods are chosen by length, power, action and the species and techniques they're used for. Reels have to match the rod and the line. Line comes in different types and weights for different fishing. Even lures are personal: anglers build their collections around specific waters and fish, and a generic assortment often ends up unused at the back of the box.
If they've told you exactly what they want, by all means buy it. Otherwise, a gift card to their favorite tackle shop lets them pick what they need. Paying for a fishing license, a guided trip on new water, or a day on a charter boat are also excellent gifts, and they create a memory as well as a catch. For someone brand new to fishing, a day with a guide is often the best way to start.
Shop this guide by price
Under $25
$25–$50
$50–$100
Tips for buying fishing gifts
Find out what kind of fishing they do: fly, bass, saltwater, ice or panfish from the dock. The best gifts vary a lot between them.
Avoid rods, reels, line and lures unless you know exactly what they want. Tackle shop gift cards are always welcome.
Tools like pliers, scales and fillet knives work for almost every angler.
Experiences like guided trips and charters are some of the best gifts you can give.
Write a line about where and how they fish in our gift finder, and it'll pull together more ideas.
Fishing gift questions
What's a good gift for someone who loves fishing?
Aluminum fishing pliers, a digital scale, a fillet knife, polarized sunglasses or a sun hoodie are useful for almost every angler. For a bigger gift, a guided trip or a fly-tying set is hard to beat.
What do you get a fisherman who has everything?
An experience, like a guided trip, a charter or a fishing license for a new state. Gear care gifts, like a reel maintenance kit or a wader drying rack, also work well for someone with a lot of equipment.
What's a good cheap fishing gift?
A knot-tying board, a fishing logbook, aluminum pliers, a floating phone pouch or bank rod holders all cost around $25 or less.
What's a good gift for someone who wants to try fly fishing?
A casting practice kit lets them learn the motion in the yard before they ever reach a river, and a knot-tying board helps with the fiddly part. Pair either one with a half-day lesson from a local fly shop or guide; most beginners learn far faster with someone showing them in person.
Should I buy a fishing rod as a gift?
Only if they've asked for a specific one. Rods are chosen by length, power and action for particular fish and techniques. A tackle shop gift card is the safer way to help.
And if you can, go with them. Most anglers would trade any present on this page for a quiet morning on the water with someone they love, even if that person spends the whole time reading a book in the back of the boat. Pack the coffee and the sandwiches, and let them pick the spot.