It's that time of year. Everyone publishes their gift guides – and they're usually paid ads or involve products only made by advertisers.
What follows below is a quick gift guide based on cool items the BassFan Staff has seen this year.
Some are produced by BassFan advertisers, but some aren't. That made no difference. Here you go.
Gear
> Daiwa Viento reel – Most pros feel Shimano makes the best reels overall, but other manufacturers are catching up here and there, even in the innovation department. The Daiwa Viento has one of the coolest features we've seen in a while: the "twitchin' bar." Tap this bar with your thumb and the bait jumps – noticeably, but it doesn't move much. It's almost like a shaking action – like what dropshot or shakey-head rigs do. You have to try it. There's an interesting story behind it – something about Japanese saltwater anglers using the bar to entice squid. No MSRP info, but the Tackle Warehouse-powered BassFan Store lists it for $199.95.
> More info: www.daiwa.com
> SPRO Bronzeye Frog – Dean Rojas single-handedly brought the western frog phenomenon to the rest of the country this year, and the Bronzeye is his design. He won a bunch of money on it and almost won a couple of big events with it. Maybe next year he'll earn a W with Kermit. MSRP: Bass Pro Shops lists the frog for $7.99.
> More info: www.spro.com.
The Spro Bronzeye Frog is sure to be one of the hottest baits next year.
> Mann's HardNose baits – The biggest thing in soft-plastics since Strike King 3X and Terminator SnapBack. While 3X and SnapBack baits don't break, HardNose baits stay on your hook like you can't believe. In that way, it's the gift that keeps on giving. Buy 'em at Cabela's.
> More info: www.mannsbait.com
Reading Material
> Sowbelly: The Obsessive Quest for the World Record Largemouth Bass – A book so engrossing, it's impossible to put down. Part adventure, part tragedy, it speaks our language, exposes our desires and leaves us all better off for having read it. Even Sports Illustrated gave it the nod as one of the year's best sports books. MSRP: $23.95.
> Order it here at the BassFan store.
The Big Bass Zone is jam-packed with hardcore information.
> Big Bass Zone – Go where almost no one has gone before when you immerse yourself in Big Bass Zone: print edition. This book is guaranteed to revolutionize the way you think, and fish. Authors Michael Jones and Bill Siemantel jam-packed it with cutting-edge, hardcore theories and techniques that work everywhere. Fully illustrated too. MSRP: $24.95.
> More info at StoegerPublishing.com.
Stores
> Bassgifts.com – The site name says it all.
> BassFan Apparel – You can't believe how inexpensive this stuff is – and it's high-quality stuff! Why should you pay through the nose for everything? Click here to get it.
Anything From...
Okay. Here's the "we love our advertisers" section, but we think you'll be hard-pressed to argue with our logic.
> Lucky Craft – C'mon, who wouldn't want a couple of Pointers in their stocking?
> Tru-Tungsten weights and jigs – These weights don't fray your line. They're the best tungsten weights on the market. They also make stockings heavy.
> Vids – By Ike and Classic Patterns. They don't get any better.
> Ultimate LureSaver – Crankbaits are expensive! Ultimate LureSaver gets them back! Enough said.
> Solar Bats – Lots of fishermen still fish with subpar polarized sunglasses. Do yourself, your eyes and your fishing a favor. Get Solar Bats. They work great, they're light and they won't break the bank.
Join...
> Skeeter BassFan Army – Want a chance to fish the $100,000 Skeeter BassFan Army Weekend Warrior Championship next year just by fishing your local trails? You have a shot if you're a Skeeter BassFan Army member. All it takes is $19.95 and catching fish! Click here to join.
> Ranger Owners Group – Do you own a Ranger? Show your colors – and maybe win some money while you're at it. For more info, click here.
> Skeeter Real Money – It's the Skeeter Performance program, it was the Skeeter 'Reel' Money program and next year will be the Skeeter Real Money program. Full details aren't available yet, but it sounds like it'll be different. More info: www.skeeterboats.com.
