ESPN Outdoors Winter Gift Guide
There are about 7,000 different directions you can go when looking for fishing and hunting gear and accessories, so we're narrowing the list down to lucky 13 for the winter season.
Hunting season is here, fishing season never leaves, and Christmas is around the corner, so please enjoy the 2009 ESPN Outdoors Gift Guide as a resource for all your hunting, fishing and gifting needs. (click on the photo to see the product in a gallery).
Fishing Fashion
If you're still wearing old school style fishing shirts, it's officially time to upgrade. Put the flowered button-up back in the closet (or trash, whichever's closer), and wear something that doesn't get in the way on the water. This Hydro Performance Shirt from Old Harbor Outfitters is one of many good options. There are a lot of features, but we'll just say it's a lot better than what you have. Throw in some OHO Big Rock Shorts, and you're looking good, feeling good and catching fish. MSRP Shirt: $34.95 Shorts: $49.95
Mathews Passion
Want to catch a little less grief from your wife during hunting season? Get her involved. The NEW Mathews Passion is specifically engineered and designed for the lady archer. Featuring draw weight options from 30-70 pounds, the 29 3/4-inch axle-to-axle Passion weighs only 3.6 pounds -- a weight that any female archer can be comfortable with.
Toro Winch -- Abu Garcia
If anglers are looking for a small but powerful low-profile reel, it's unlikely they can do better than the Toro Winch. Based on the hugely popular Revo design, the reel has a large-capacity spool, making it ideal for saltwater and large freshwater species. The reel has an alloy frame and side plate and comes with 4.6:1 gears.
Rattlin' Spook and One Knocker Spook -- Heddon
The company's newest topwaters feature the same walk-the-dog action anglers have come to expect, but now have a different sound. The One Knocker Spook, which features a single tungsten rattle, has a distinctive rattle when walked back and forth. The Rattlin' Spook contains several tungsten BBs and is just as loud as the One Knocker, though the sound is completely different.
New Ride
Catch the latest fishing fad -- the kayak. Wilderness Systems' Commander 120cx Limited Edition lets function meet style. Combining the agility and superior paddling experience of a kayak with the stability, capacity, and comfort of a canoe, anglers or adventure seekers get an experience once thought impossible. If you're into that sort of thing.
Get Dressed
There is nothing worse than leaky waders. Literally, nothing. Stay dry with Frogg Toggs BULLTOGG, which has a 5 mm neoprene upper with a durable and puncture-resistant "Bull Hide" poly-nylon shell. The Advantage Max-4" or Mossy Oak Bottomland pattern keeps you hidden, the boots, which are glued, stitched and taped on, keep you dry. Cover everything up with a pro action top and bottom and winner winner, duck dinner. Wader MSRP $239.95.
Money Frog -- Yum
The legs of this frog paddle create a disturbance akin to a buzzbait when retrieved along the surface. The frog stays upright even without a weighted hook and is made of a durable plastic said to hold up even after being mauled by several fish.
Liqua-Bait Locker -- Plano
The days of stinky liquids running all over your tacklebags are a thing of the past. This leak-proof utility box system keeps liquid-activated lures, such as Berkley's Gulp, supple and in their natural fluid. The boxes are offered in two sizes, Deep and Extra Deep, and includes a sealed wallet for packaged baits, a bottle that holds liquid baits and a tong-style bait grabber.
Aiming Assistance
What good is a gun if you can't put it on target? For those of you who need aiming assistance, try the Trijicon RMR" (Ruggedized Miniature Reflex) RM05 is a dual illuminated reflex style sight with a 9.0 MOA amber dot (no batteries needed). It can be used on all types of weapons -- handguns, carbines, rifles, and shotguns with an adapter. At $475, it's cheaper than a high-end scope, but can still put you on target.
Gulp Alive Ghost Shrimp -- Berkley
If ever there was an imitation that would fool even the real thing, the 3-inch Ghost Shrimp are it. The little creatures look just like they are alive, in addition to having the Gulp Alive scent of which saltwater species cannot get enough. The Ghost Shrimp come in re-sealable packages (bags or containers) and are available in popular colors, such as new penny and natural with sparkle.
Net Gain
A net might not be on the top of your fall fishing list, but you need a way to get your catch in the boat, especially as the cold weather (and cold water) starts moving in. If you have a working net, move on, if you need a working net and want to mark this item off your list for a long time, try a Frabill net. Retail prices range from $59.99 to $129.99.
Macho Minnow
This flashy minnow-imitator works like a dream when jigged through a hole in the ice. The lure's cut-slab beveled-edge design creates an erratic darting, tumbling action. It is available in six sizes and 10 holographic baitfish image colors.
Bow Case -- Plano
Travel can be tough on equipment. You need a durable case that will protect your investment. The 108110 AW Bow Case from Plano has a lot of support at the center of the case, protecting your sight and rest. It fits almost all bows (traditional or parallel limb) and the lid provides safe secure transport of a dozen carbon or aluminum arrows. Elements are also kept at bay as the rubberized gasket protects the interior from dust and rain.












