It would not be right for me to give Christmas ideas for hunters without giving some for fishermen.  If there is a fishermen on your list, you can bet that any of these gifts will put a smile on his face.

1. A new rod and reel
Most women that I know would tell you that you can’t have too many shoes or purses and a fisherman would say that there is no such thing as too many rods and reels.  This is the one piece of equipment that every fisherman must have.

If you want to make it a great gift, you will need to do some research.  Each fisherman has his own style of fishing and a personal preference when it comes to his rods and reels.  Some like closed face while others prefer spin cast or bait casters.  Others use a combination of all three.

It would be wise to check with a fishing partner to get an idea of what exactly he needs. Prices could vary from $50 to $500 for most combos, so have a price range in mind before shopping.

2. Tackle box
If you have hooks, weights, and lures, you will need some way to organize them.  Every fisherman has one or more tackle boxes. Some are soft sided and others are more like a hard plastic tool box. Some fisherman prefer the individual clear boxes to organize each category of bait separately.  Here again, asking a fishing partner could be a good way to determine which style your fisherman prefers. You can always snoop through his or her gear to see what needs upgrading.

3. A new life jacket
This is a gift that is often overlooked. However, each person in the boat is required by law to have one.  Many fishermen like the ones that inflate if you hit the water, but I prefer the ones that are more like a vest.

The vest gives me added warmth when traveling in the boat and also has pockets where I can store things.  When purchasing a life vest, pay attention to size.

If your fisherman is like me you might also pay attention to color.  My boat is red, so I like a red jacket to match.  Being color coordinated might no help me catch more fish, but at least I look good while trying.

4. Fishing glasses
These glasses are multi-purpose. They will protect from the sun and wind as well as help to see under water.  A good pair of fishing glasses will be polarized which helps to take the glare off of the waters surface.  When buying glasses, a floating strap is also a great idea.  Fishing glasses may range from $20 to $250-plus, so you don’t want them to sink if they fall in the water.

5. Rain gear
I’m not talking about a poncho or the unbreathable PVC plastic rain suits of old.  There are many high tech fabrics that are available today that will keep your fisherman dry and yet still be breathable.

GoreTex is an example.  If you didn’t pay at least $100 for the suit it probably isn’t a good one and the great ones can be real expensive.

Keep in mind that great rain gear may last a lifetime and it is the difference in a good and bad trip.  Most fishermen keep theses suits in their boats because it is guaranteed to rain eventually.

6. A new boat!
That’s right. … if you can afford it, why not?

I mean what fisherman wouldn’t love a new fishing boat? Before you make this purchase, be sure to buy a boat that matches the type of fishing that it will be used for.

Need help picking one out? No problem give me a call and I can help spend your money. If you choose to do this, then by all means tell them that I recommended it.
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Once again always remember that Christmas isn’t about the gifts we purchase, but about the gift of eternal life made available to us through Jesus Christ!  May you have a very, merry Christmas!

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Brian Johnson, originally of Port Neches, is pastor of the Outdoorsman’s Church in Winnie, owner of DuckDogTrainer.com and outdoors writer for The News.