By Steve Chaconas

Fishing for Holiday Gifts – Annual Guide

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!

When fishing expert AFTCO makes a hoodie, it’s a sure thing it isn’t just carrying a school logo. The AFTCO Reaper Hoodie includes a built-in face mask and neck warmer with laser cut ventilation offers extra warmth with sufficient breathing. Ventilation in underarms too. Traveling at boat speeds, the Reaper hood stays in place, anchored with a dual cinch shock cord.  100% Polyester tech bonded Microfleece keeps the Reaper Mossy Oak® tech hoodie warm and toasty. Hand warming pockets secure quietly with Blocky Tapey pocket enclosures. AFBLOCK sun protection. AFGUARD stain resistance keeps the Reaper looking great for outdoor or casual wear. aftco.com

Slipping into something more comfortable, sport sandal maker TEVA created the Ember collection.  Part sneaker, part sleeping bag, Ember is a shoe in for frequent flyer footwear with carry-on packability that stands up to layovers in style. Around the house, stepping out to get the paper, or even the campground, this easy-on outdoor leisure shoe features a collapsible back allowing feet to slide in while heels rebound for slipper like comfort that repels light splashes. Aegis® antimicrobial treatment keeps smells at bay. Microfiber sockline/footbed delivers soft comfort with an ultra-light EVA foam midsole, and grippy rubber outsole for all-day wear. Men’s and women’s. teva.com

Maui Jim Southern Cross lighter SuperThin PolarizedPlus2 lenses let you see what you’ve been missing and protect from harmful UV and HEV rays. Glare is eliminated, clearing the way to enjoying the outdoors with enhanced color, clarity, and detail. Scratch resistance lenses are water and oil repellent for easy clean up. Triple-injected nylon frame is lightweight and durable. Embedded textured rubber nose pads and spring hinges provide better fit and comfort. Three frame color options. Lens color choices are MAUIGreen over a Neutral Grey base, Neutral Grey Bi-Gradient Mirror, or HCL Bronze Bi-Gradient Mirror. Southern Cross is available in prescription through local eye care professionals. mauijim.com

Boating anglers will get a charge all day out of the Power-Pole CHARGE Marine Power Management Station. Batteries operate trolling motors, electronics, livewells and fire up outboards. Charging systems have come up short, until the CHARGE system from Power Pole that keeps batteries ready to perform. It’s a traditional battery charger, charge-on-the-run, and emergency start system, in one compact and easy to install unit. No matter the battery consumption needs, this smart charger automatically devotes more power to batteries that need it. CHARGE tops off batteries during the day if one or more run down, always reserving power to crank up the outboard to get back home. CHARGE will juice up the boater and every battery on your list. power-pole.com

When it comes to made in America batteries, nothing lasts longer or charges faster than DEKA AGM deep cycle batteries. Gel batteries can withstand rough water and long trailering vibrations and hold up without spilling or leaking in any weather. DEKA AGM batteries will be the thing Santa brings with piece of mind. eastpennmanufacturing.com

When a company dares you to ruin their pants, they must be tough. Black Diamond jeans are constructed with an innovative combination of best-in-class materials. Forged Denim Pants feature the world’s best climbing denim. For those less inclined to climb, this means they’re wearing very comfortable jeans. Light strength-to-weight ratio regulates temperature while allowing maximum flexibility and performance. Cordura™ fibers create a durable, light and stretchy denim. Metal rivets keep pockets, designed for easy access even while sitting, in shape! The fit is fashionable and comfortable. If only gloves would fit like Black Diamond Forged Denim Pants. Good enough to wear every day. blackdiamondequipment.com

Foul weather fishing clothing specialist Grundens’ Ballast Insulated Jacket is filled with PrimaLoft Eco WR 60gm (60% recycled) with a comfortable quilted lining. Thin and soft PermaLoft delivers the best lightweight heavy duty insulation. The rugged exterior shell fabric offers professional-grade abrasion resistance for tough outdoor activities with shoulders cut for action. Hand warming, chest and interior pockets are zippered. An interior rib knit cuff, under snap adjustable cuffs, keeps heat from escaping. An adjustable hood and a snap tab adjustable hem make a better fit. Engineered for warmth when wet, the Ballast Jacket works with you outdoors but looks good enough to go on the town. grundens.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 10-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. Time for 3” avocado stingray grubs on ¼ ounce ball head jigs made with Mustad Ultra Point hooks. Also break out Punisher hair jigs with matching chunks. Use slow horizontal presentations. Soak soft plastics and jigs in bait spray.

Also time to tie on Silver Buddy lures. Use ½ ounce silver on sunny days, gold when cloudy, on 10-pound test GAMMA EDGE on casting reels like QUANTUM Smoke on KVD Quantum spinnerbait rods with enough tip flex for casting and hook-setting backbone.

Flt-sided 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 River bass fishing guide. Potomac fishing reports: nationalbass.com. Book trips/purchase gift certificates: info@NationalBass.com.