THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 11, 1994 TAG: 9412080183
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 23 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Tight Lines
SOURCE: Ford Reid
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
Fishermen have got to be the easiest people in the world to shop for. There may be an angler out there who is set for life with equipment and gear, but I haven't met him.
If all else fails while Christmas shopping, look in the angler's tackle box and give him some more of the same. Nobody really has all of the lures and plugs that he wants.
Then there are rods and reels. A few well-placed hints ought to do the trick on that score. Rods and reels come in an array of sizes, materials and intended uses that are baffling even to the expert. But you should be able to let someone know exactly what you want.
Every angler could use another good fillet knife.
There are some excellent stainless steel knives on the market, but I prefer a good carbon steel blade. Yes, it rusts and looks awful in a short time. But the important thing is that it can be sharpened quickly, easily and very efficiently.
While you're at it, throw in a sharpening stone. A good one will last a lifetime.
A favorite recent gift of mine is a windproof and waterproof lighter sold in many fishing catalogs. They are expensive - about 50 bucks - and at first it seemed like just another gimmick to me. Besides, they make a disconcerting, hissing sound.
I threw mine in a travel bag and didn't use it much until recently.
Because nobody is supposed to smoke anymore, the catalog blurbs talk about using them to light a life-saving fire. But they will also light a pipe in a 30-knot wind. Really. When they say windproof, they mean it.
Another favorite piece of equipment is a Swiss Army knife of the smallest size. The knife has a scissors that I think works better than anything else for trimming knots. The blade will do in a pinch to cut a piece of bait or bleed a bluefish.
But of all, the knife is so small that I actually carry it. Other knives are in the beach buggy or, worse yet, at home, when I need them but this one is always on me.
A good pair of polarized sunglasses also makes a nice gift. These glasses allow you to see beyond the surface glare on the water. They not only make you a better fisherman but make your fishing more interesting, too.
Polar tech jackets have gotten popular and they are terrific for fishing. For one thing, they can go in the washer and dryer, a particular advantage when you come home with all of your clothes smelling like long-dead fish.
Now several companies are offering socks made of that material. It is warm without being heavy or bulky and retains heat even if it is wet.
I think these socks are the best thing since long underwear with waders. Even if your waders leak or a rogue wave catches you and splashes over the top, your feet stay tolerably warm.
There are two weeks until Christmas. Start dropping those hints and it could be a good holiday all around. by CNB