Gifts for the Fisherman Who Has Everything (That Aren't More Tackle)

The best gifts for a fisherman who has everything are things he would never buy for himself: a day with a local guide, a way to display a lure with a story, a framed photo of his best catch, or a set of glasses with a real lure for the stem. The one thing to avoid is more tackle, because he has already chosen the rods and lures he trusts.

Anyone who has stood in a tackle shop trying to guess a brother-in-law's preferences knows how this goes. Rod length, line weight, reel size: a near miss is still a miss. The better route is to give him an experience, a keepsake, or something for the table once the fishing is done.

Quick picks

• A guided charter or a day with a local guide. Sold as a gift certificate.
• A shadow box for a retired lure. The one with a story behind it.
• His best catch, printed and framed. From a photo he already has.
• A license renewal or state park pass. Quiet, useful, always appreciated.
• A fish-fry kit of consumables. For the part after the fishing.
• A fishing log journal. Dates, water, weather, what worked.
• Glasses with a real lure for the stem. Our pick, below.

Gifts for fishermen that are not gear

A guided day on the water

Even an experienced angler enjoys fishing water he does not know, with someone who does. A half-day charter or a day with a local guide gives him that, and he does not have to plan any of it. Most charters and guides sell gift certificates, so ask about one before you book a date for him. If he fishes with a friend or his kids, ask whether the trip can include a second seat.

A shadow box for a lure with a story

Many fishermen keep one lure they will never throw again. It might be the one that landed a personal best, or one handed down from a father or grandfather. A small shadow box or display case turns it from something in a drawer into something on a wall. If you do not know which lure it is, ask someone who fishes with him. They usually know.

His best catch, framed

Nearly every serious angler has a photo of the fish he is proudest of, often sitting on a phone. Print it large, frame it well, and add a small plate with the date and the water. It is a gift for fishing lovers that says you were paying attention.

A license renewal or park pass

It is not glamorous, but handling the license or state park pass for the year takes a small chore off his list. Check the rules for his state and the date it expires before you buy.

A fish-fry kit and a fishing log

If you want to give him something to use up, build a basket of consumables for a fish fry: seasoning, breading, and good oil. A fishing log journal is the other quiet option. A notebook with room for the date, the water, the weather and what worked becomes more valuable every season he fills it.

Polarized sunglasses are a reasonable gift only if you know the brand, lens color and fit he prefers. If you are guessing, skip them.

Our pick: glasses with a real lure for the stem

This is the one we make. AnglerVitre crystal glasses have a real fishing lure set into the stem. It is an object he recognizes at a glance and almost certainly does not own. They come as a set of 2, which makes it a gift for him and for whoever he fishes with, or whoever is waiting at home with the fish fry.

The glasses are $89 a set, in your choice of lure color: green, pink, purple or yellow. Choose the wine glasses, or look at martini and champagne if that is what he pours. Shipping is free in the U.S., they arrive gift-ready, and they are hand wash only.

If he fishes with a fly rod, the lure is not a fly, and we will not pretend otherwise. But a fly fisher often has a spot in the cabin or on the shelf for exactly this kind of piece, and the glasses are meant to be enjoyed in that setting.

See the AnglerVitre wine glasses

What to skip when buying gifts for fishermen

Some gear is personal, and a guess will usually be wrong. Leave these to him:

• Rods and reels. Length, action and weight are matched to the water and the species he fishes.
• Line. Type and strength depend on what he fishes for and how.
• Waders and boots. They need to fit, and the wrong size is useless.
• Lures and flies in bulk. He has favorites, and a mixed bag of lures rarely hits any of them.

If you really want to give gear, a gift card to his local tackle shop lets him choose it himself. It also keeps the purchase with someone who knows him.

Timing

If you are ordering glasses, place the order by December 15 for delivery before Christmas. Charters and framing both take more lead time than people expect, so those are worth sorting out early.

Questions people ask

What do you get a fisherman who has everything?

Choose something that is not tackle: a guided trip, a display for a favorite lure, a framed photo of his best catch, a fishing log, or glasses with a real lure for the stem. These work because they do not depend on knowing his gear.

What are good fishing gifts for dad?

A day on the water with a guide, a framed print of his best catch, or a shadow box for a retired lure all tend to land well. A set of 2 glasses works too, since it is something he can share with you or your mother.

Are the AnglerVitre glasses dishwasher safe?

No. They are hand wash only, which protects the lure and the crystal.

Do they ship free?

Yes. Shipping is free on all U.S. orders.

Browse the full AnglerVitre collection, or see more ideas on our gift ideas page.