OH NO! It’s that time again! Shopping for anglers is frustrating; but for the person receiving it there’s a guaranteed stint in the return line!

The tough Eddie Bauer Adventurer Medium Rolling Bag rolls through airline baggage handlers! Fishing, golf or business trips, a locking retractable handle with smooth–rolling skate wheels easily navigates airport terminals. Durable 500–denier Cordura® nylon reinforced with a ballistic nylon bottom construction is tough! Finished with leather touch points, this bag meets airline carry-on requirements! Internal mesh pockets unzip for organized travel. Outside pockets stow phone, change, wallet, and keys. Another larger pocket holds a light jacket, sweater or a laptop. Outside lower pockets store smaller items: chargers, cables or TSA liquids bag. Main compartment compression straps secure everything! eddiebauer.com

Nearly 30 years ago, a Grand Canyon river guide combined the best of shoes and sandals, creating the world’s first Sport Sandal. That heritage continues as TEVA reintroduces one of their very first products, the Original Universal. Featuring traditional nylon webbing, contoured EVA topsole and durable rubber outsole, the Men’s Original Universal makes as much sense today as decades ago when it stepped into the river and marketplace. Teva.com

Robert Montgomery is the outdoors writer of our generation. His latest book shares the joy of nature for kids and the kid in all of us! Fish, Frogs and Fireflies-Growing up with Nature reflects on outdoors enjoyment and heritage. Montgomery and 13 friends journalize varying perspectives celebrating insight into the outdoors. amazon.com

From Gerber, knife and utility toolmaker, comes the ideal outdoor knife for kayak, canoe, anywhere on the water! Gerber’s River Shorty’s fixed blade knife with a sheath is perfect for on-the-go activities. The blunt tip on the rust resistant stainless steel blade is less likely to puncture a rubber raft! The High-VIS green easy-to-grip handle makes this water tool easy to locate and utilize. Cuts line, small branches or slices a sandwich! River Shorty attaches easily to belt, backpack or PFD! Great stocking stuffer. gerbergear.com

If your angler wears the pants in the family try Wrangler Rugged Wear Angler pants, a bass fishing community staple for years. Lightweight and comfortable with side tool pockets to hold pliers or knife. The kill switch loop allows attaching line snippers. Back pockets have secure closures. The relaxed fit with a double pleated front, elastic waist fabricated in 100% cotton, 6.5-ounce Ripstop fabric create comfort. wranglerangler.com.

Widely accepted sports clothing manufacturer Under Armour is making outdoors strides as well! Active anglers will love the comfort and fit of rugged Guide Pants. A member of Under Armour’s OFFSHORE ARMOUR fishing collection, they’re constructed of lightweight, ripstop UPF 30+ nylon with UA’s signature Moisture Transport System wicking sweat away from the body. Light enough for the hottest days while unzipping into shorts. Comfort never smelled so good with anti-odor technology. Stain release materials keep fishy things from soaking in. underarmour.com

Dry, comfortable feet are always appreciated! The women’s Winter Cove Boot from legendary deck shoemaker Sperry Topsider is a lightweight, waterproof and breathable boot. At home on the road and boat, Sperry’s sole is designed for surefooted stability and agility on all terrains. Removable full-length compression molded EVA footbed customizes comfort. This durable three-season boot features quilted uppers, micro-fleece lining and faux fur accents. sperrytopsider.com

Known for waterproof socks and gloves, Hanz Extremity wear has a grip on smart phones with the new lightweight Tap-Knit Touchscreen Glove! No more removing gloves to answer or make calls! Even better, these gloves work with new touchscreen fishing depth finders! In addition, functional Gripper dots maintain their grip. Seamless design eliminates annoying ridges on hands and fingers! Great for fishing, golf or everyday wear! hanzusa.com

For outdoors activities, don’t reflect upon the suns glare! World famous Maui Jim Polarized Plus sunglasses are now lighter than ever! The Haleakala style, the latest offering from Maui Jim in the PureAirTM series, takes the weight out of the clearest sunglasses! New, translucent durable thermo-plastic frames retain their shape even when flexed. Available in several frame and lens colors for any activity! mauijim.com

Specializing in everything fishing, clothing maker AFTCO is introducing a NEW Angler Performance Sun Shirt! This long sleeved breathable polyester stretch fabric shirt blocks 96% of the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays. It dries quickly and is stain resistant. Total sun protection also features thumbholes to protect hands and palms! The AFTCO Brush logo on the front chest adds to its good looks! aftco.com

Gift certificates are great. Online, catalog and brick and mortar stores are loaded with outdoors gifts. But the best gift of all is time on the water. Find a buddy, a spouse and especially a child, and go fish!

Potomac River Bassing in December

 A month changing from beginning to end! Early, water will be around 50 degrees and near 40 by the end!

Early, try Lucky Craft Flat CB DR crankbaits on 12-pound test Gamma fluorocarbon line on a sensitive cranking rod like Quantum’s KVD. Slowly crank drops and hard cover near deeper water. Red when cloudy or with stained water. Otherwise, try chartreuse patterns. New KVD Mustad Ultra Point short shank triple grips grab more fish and hold on! They allow upsizing hooks one size. Bump cover for aggressive strikes. On warmer days, lower tides and clearer water; try Mann’s Baby 1-Minus in craw patterns along shoreline cover like tree laydowns. Also try Mann’s Classic spinnerbaits with gold blades and white skirts slowly crawled through bottom cover.

With higher water, target shoreline cover and docks with Mizmo Swamp Monster creature baits Texas rigged on 3/0 Mustad Ultra Point Mega Bite hooks on casting gear for pitching to cover with GAMMA 14-pound test fluorocarbon. Mizmo green pumpkin tubes on spinning gear with open-hooked insert heads. Garlic flavor Jack’s Juice encourages fish to hold on.

Written by: Steve Chaconas 
Capt. Steve Chaconas, Potomac bass fishing guide, BoatUS “Ask the Expert” (http://my.boatus.com/askexperts/bassfishing/)

Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. Book trips/purchase gift certificates: info@NationalBass.com.