By Steve Chaconas

Fishing for Holiday Gifts?

Shopping for anglers is frustrating; but for the person on the receiving end, there’s a guaranteed stint in the return line! Choose gifts for on and off the water!

Football players wear gloves for better grip. Fishing gloves must enable finger use for knot tying and sensitivity. Fish Monkey Pro 365 Guide Gloves enhance fishing performance and provide protection from outdoor elements. The newest patterns are Fish Monkey virtual hand graffiti. Comfort, grip and support and a quick-drying spandex back provide total UPF 50+ sun protection with a non-slip silicone palm print. Getting on or off is easy with “pullers”.  Several angling gloves are available. fishmonkeygloves.com

Slipping into something more comfortable, sport sandal maker TEVA created Ember Moc.  Part sneaker, part sleeping bag, Ember Moc is a shoe in for traveling airport feet, slipping feet around the house, stepping out to get the paper, or even at the campground.  The easy-on shoe features a collapsible back allowing feet to slide in while heels rebound for slipper like comfort in an outdoor leisure shoe. The polyurethane sockline/footbed delivers comfort. teva.com

Outdoors people will love the toughness. Others will appreciate the style and comfort of the windproof and water resistant Grundens Midway Hooded Softshell Fishing Jacket. Comfortable 4-way stretch softshell fabric allows movement and protection against cold, wind and damp air. Fit features like a three-piece adjustable hood, cinch-cord waist adjustment and adjustable wrist cuffs seal out bitter wind and cold air. Pockets for gear and personal item storage including an MP-3 friendly interior chest pocket. grundens.com

Giving foul weather the boot, Grundens new Deck-Boss Fishing Boots are essential for wet land or boat decks. Deck-Boss Boots provide all-day comfort. A flexible and protective toe cap and injection molded upper eliminate delamination and cracking. The Patented “Herkules Grip™” compression molded rubber outsole provides traction. With a height of 15 inches, the flexible upper boot can be folded down. A 1-inch groove holds a durable silicone band, keeping pants out of muck and legs dry.  Manufactured in the Pacific Northwest. grundens.com

Women deserve outdoors clothing! Since 1897, Filson has provided rugged outdoor wear for miners, prospectors and lumbermen. This tough company has a softer side too!  Filson’s new brushed cotton flannel, button front Women’s Alaskan Guide Shirt is comfortable versatile, and breathable.  A tight weave provides durability and wind resistance. The Women’s Alaskan Guide Shirt offers a tailored fit designed for mobility and adjustable cuffs. Back darts add female form-fitting comfort and movement. Machine washable. filson.com

Fishing electronics are incredible for finding and catching fish, and expensive and are easy targets for thieves looking for a quick buck and getaway. Theft protection is necessary. Simple, compact and easy to install, DuraSafe E-Locks fit most bracket-mounted electronics, eliminating the hassle of uninstalling and reinstalling equipment, saving time and reducing wear and tear on plugs and wires. DuraSafe E-Locks can be keyed alike, protecting several units. Constructed with marine grade materials. Made in the USA. durasafelocks.com

Phones ring when fishing, hunting or enjoying the outdoors. Hands-free ear buds always fall out at the wrong time. Decibullz Bluetooth earphones mold to the exact shape of your ears, easily and quickly for a better and secure fit. They can be softened and molded for a comfortable, secure and noise isolating perfect fit. Containing microphone with volume control, Decibullz Wireless in-ear machined metal earphones are small and light. Bluetooth technology provides on-the-go sweat proof and waterproof earpiece performance. decibullz.com

Don’t reflect upon the suns glare! World famous Maui Jim sunglasses PolarizedPlus2® technology protect eyes from glare and harmful UV rays revealing and enhancing vivid colors. A bit larger, Byron Bay’s sleek wrap frame provides a little more width to fit comfortably for long days on the water. Easier on the eyes and your face, Bi-Gradient SuperThin scratch and solvent resistant glass lenses are 32% thinner and lighter than standard glass. A lightweight frame has embedded rubber nose pads and spring hinges. Four frame/lens color combinations. Available in prescription. mauijim.com

Award winning outdoors writer Robert Montgomery’s newest book, Kickin’ Bass, has elevated bass fishing into a cerebral zone. The right lure at the right time in the right place will produce the bass of a lifetime. Learn the decision-making process from angler/writers who know how to fish and communicate. The perfect gift anglers who have everything, except on-the-water success. amazon.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

Target hard cover near drops as fish prepare to head into winter holes. Use Quantum spinning rods with faster Quantum Smoke reels and downsize to GAMMA 6-pound test Edge fluorocarbon either as a main line or leader with 15-pound test GAMMA Torque braid. Reels with smooth drags are important, like the Quantum Smoke.

Drop shot, shaky head, and split shot are best bets. Use Mustad 1/0 Mega Bite hooks along with 3/16-ounce Water Gremlin BullShot weights for drop shots and split shots. MIZMO’s BarbWire head keeps baits in place and increases hook ups with 5-inch Doodle worms. MIZMO also makes great 3-inch grubs and tubes. Use 1/8-ounce heads for both. Also break out Punisher hair jigs with matching chunks. Use slow horizontal presentations. Soak soft plastics and jigs in Jack’s Juice garlic bait spray.

Also time to tie on Silver Buddy lures. Use ½ ounce on 10-pound test GAMMA EDGE on casting reels like QUANTUM VAPORs on KVD Quantum spinnerbait rods with enough tip flex for casting and hook-setting backbone.

Mann’s Loudmouth II cranks on 10-pound test EDGE work along warmed surfaces. Use shad patterns in clearer water or sunny days, craws otherwise. On warmest days, try suspending jerkbaits when water reaches 50 degrees.

Author Capt. Steve Chaconas is Potomac bass fishing guide & contributing writer for BoatU.S. (BoatUS.com) Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. Book trips/purchase gift certificates: info@NationalBass.com.