Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #1

This single best gift you could possibly fit in a stocking is an airline ticket to a new peice of water you have not swam, sailed or fished in. There is no better way to celebrate the Holidays than getting away in our book. And, while mastering the aquatic life in your locale may be challenging and rewarding, the real excitement the ocean provides is when you are in uncharted waters, or at least uncharted to you. New fish, new beaches, new currents, tides, climates, birds, bars, isles, etc. are just a plane ride away and whether you sit on the beach, surf, dive, charter or bare boat there is an experience for every price point. So, please get the hell out of here.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #2

No self-respecting marine themed blog could write a Stocking Stuffer Recommendation List without some reference to booze. That is why the second most important gift for the Holidays is a bottle of Goslings. 2 Reasons: 1. Rum, 2. No matter how mild this winter is, a Dark & Stormy takes you back to the warmer days of summer. I had several one night this late summer and like a good tequila, the hangover was half the fun! Be sure to include some limes, ginger beer and ice with the Rum.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #3

The Storm Soft Baits have proven to be one of the most effective and affordable baits I have ever used. They are sort of the Clouser of conventional fishing. I have actually, in the Sosin-Mantra, created a rod set up just for these artificials, a 7 foot, loose 10lb test spinning outfit that always carries a Storm at the end of the line - they are that good - buy many and experiment with color combinations.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #4

You, or the person you are shopping for should be tying your own flies. It is a wonderful pasttime, provides a more complete fishing experience and is quite gentlemenly. You will not save money unless you really go through flies like a madman, so Bluefisherman take notice - but you will probably break even in a few years. There are so many great flies to tie and so many tricks, tools, and materials to learn about that you will surely keep your eyes on the ball when not fishing once you become a fly-tyer. Orvis' Travel Vise is suitable for travel and permanant use - has all of the function needed for most uses and has a decent pricepoint. The experienced tyer will appreciate the vice for a second/backup or travel vice as well.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #5

Alright, the final 5 gifts. These are MUST-HAVES.

The Tivoli PAL, a small weather-fearless, big batteried, iPod-ready, great sounding, great looking portable radio is a must for the boat, beach, dock, dinghy, reef, jetty, pier, ferry, intertube, surfboard and liferaft. There is something both modern and nostalgic to sit on the water listening to a single speaker radio, that happens to be attached to your iPod and sounds great. Keep it in your kitchen to use when at home so it can charge and throw it in your bag on your way out the door - MUST HAVE!

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #6

A good thermos is more valuable than gasoline, booze, fishing pole, sail or hull on some mornings. Those mornings typically fall the day after a night of cooler, more expensive beverages than coffee. And, there is never enough - so a large Thermos is always welcome aboard. This model floats, because dropping the coffee overboard is punishable by death.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #7

Nauctics has already pitched the benefits of the Timex Tide Watch, which is awesome - but we feel that wearing a watch on BOTH wrists will surely be the fashion statement to beat this season. So check out the Luminox Ultimate Navy Seal Watch, the Navy Seal reference is no gimmick, throat-slitting, bomb setting Navy maniacs are outfitted with this timepiece for their escapades. More than capable of handling dives, extreme temperatures, race countdowns and anything else (except the tide, check your other wrist), this watch will surely satisfy.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #8

A Four Piece Fly Rod can fit in a Stocking right? Of course it can. Personally, my Fly Rod arsenal is entirely Sage Rods, but I have thrown a Thomas and Thomas Fly Rod and I can tell you that I was pleased as punch with it. In fact, my next rod will probably be a Thomas and Thomas - I think a 9 Weight would be the right weight for an all-purpose travel rod. Nothing would be nicer than packing for a trip to some locale with water access and pulling a Thomas and Thomas Rod out of your garage/closet/car and loading it in your luggage. Seriously consider this rodmaker for your next purchase - and don't freak at the price, a Fly Rod is something that you hand down to your children.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #9

Relatively unknown but great Magazine Shallow Water Angler is a terrific gift to any fisherman. Colorful, fun and focusing on the sort of fishing that anyone can enjoy rather than the offshore focus of other magazines, the Editors and contributors of this magazine are true fisherpeople.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #10

Similar to an Ivy Leaguer, dropping the fact that you spend time on the water to everyone within earshot is a right of passage for mariners of all types. Except readers of this Blog you shameless snots. So, when it comes time to write thank you cards to everyone who bought you all the items on the Nautics Stocking Stuffer Guide, one must use a note card depicting the majesty of the sea. There are loads of these, from many different photographers and painters - usually found in the standard cute shop near the marina in America's favorite seaside destinations. However, not too many on the web (if you know of some please let us know). We found this painting and thought it to be lovely!

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #11

Let's face it, you don't really know what you want, or what you need. Once you pull the tarp or shrinkwrap off your boat this spring you will discover the damage the Boat Gremlins have inflicted on your prize in your absence. You will then head to the local marine store and part with an unexpected and unacceptable amount of money, followed by hours of horrible repairs to fix them. So, maybe a gift card to West Marine, the largest Marine Retail / Cataloger is good thing to keep in your back pocket before you splurge on a $500 Belt Buckle.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #12

Many boat manufacturers include a standard or sub-standard compass in their boats as they can get expensive. Add the fact that compasses can lose their focus over the years of having handheld radios with large magnets laid beside them, and you may be ready for a new compass. Even though the compass is now seen as a style standard, not a navigation ais thanks to GPS and everything else, but the compass is simplest tool for dead reckoning or finding your way in the dark and/or fog. Ritchie Compasses are a great value and make a great selection from Kayak Compasses to Brass Pedastal Compasses. The SS2000 fits nicely in your stocking.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #13

A lucky number 13. Number 13 is the new Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones, I know, I know, what Stocking Stuffer List doesn't have a pair of these on it! But there is more to this gift beyond the sheer greatness of the product - every power boat should have 2 pairs at minimum aboard as they completely knock out the sound of a ripping deisel but still allow for discussion. A friend of mine tossed me a pair before a 3 hour run and it was delightful. I was thinking it would be good for catching ZZZ's when not on watch too, especially if those on watch are chatty, or worse, singy.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #14

Finally, we recommend something affordable - Flies! They can be as cheap as $0.75 and are always appreciated by fisherman. Even non-fly-fisherman are known to tie flies ahead or behind a plug for teasing / schooling purposes. Dan's Custom Flies are nice an cheap, great selection and easy ordering / shipping choices.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #15

Everyone loves the beach when it is sunny, but there is so much to see on the water during the non-perfect days too. The winter, the rainy days and at night are great times -but you will need some artificial light to enjoy it. Clamp a light to your hat so you can keep your hands on your pistol and blackjack with the Surefire E2L Outdoorsman. This little sucker is great for grilling at night too.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #16

Sailing sneakers at first glance seem a bit limp-wristed. I knew these dudes who wore them and they also drank beer mixed with Sprite. . . that was a long time ago and I am just getting over it. However when the action is on, whether having to switch sails in a race, make a cast from the bow in heavy seas, or realize your cocktail is seconds away from falling overboard, you want to make sure you are are sure-footed. Helly Hansen are not shoe-makers as much as outerwear experts, but these shoes will keep you on deck, last several seasons and not send a "Let's have a Wine Spitzer Boys!" vibe to everyone in your harbor.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #17

Jaws, the book should be the number one stocking stuffer, in fact Jaws the book, or the movie should be all 25 recommendations, repeated over and over. This is no paperback, you need the hard cover. I don't care for the modern jacket design, you should go to your local library and steal their original copy from the 70's. If you have not read Jaws, please leave Nautics and return after you have read it, as you are not welcome here otherwise. It will be hard to top this gift.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #18

If you buy an underwater camera you will surely sacrifrice some other feature or function in order to support underwater photography. Waterproof cases make a lot more sense. Nautics will need a whole lot of improvements from other camera manufacturers before we stop endorsing Nikon for all your optical needs. So, a beautiful little Nikon Waterproof camera case appears to be a great stocking stuffer. The case holds the latests Coolpix cameras, can go to depths of 130 feet, manages to allow for all the functions and looks cool to boot. Maybe I will tally up the cost of a stocking full of all our recommendations at Christmas, so far, outside of the socks, this is one expensive stocking.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #19

Considering we spend our free time on the water, our non free time working towards getting to the water, or just thinking about when we get to the water, how much time do we actually spend in the water? It is amazing to throw the mask and fins on, without planning or intention and see whats happening, either from the boat, at the beach, or even right around the dock. There has been some pretty decent innovations in diving and snorkeling gear in recent years too, split fin flippers, rebreathers and now The Mares Demon Mask - you cannot beleive the visibility these puppies provide, and comfortable! Now, when you are snorkeling, you will have plenty of notice when a Moray Eel decides to kill you.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #20

Say what you want about Sage Fly Rods ( I say they are very nice, I have had a 7 weight of theirs that has fished every season since 1990), but there is no better piece of luggage than the Sage Kit Bag. Luggage may not be the right word, it is pretty small, about the size of a tackle box, or a 30 pack of Bud. I use mine for flyboxes, reels, leaders, gloves, first aid, grenades, and a water bottle. The bag can be carried along the beach, stowed in the car, tucked away on the boat - so no need to pack and re-pack for every trip. Semi-waterproof, rugged and only midly abused as an advertising billboard for Sage, this bag can be rolled up and partially stuffed in the top of a Christmas stocking.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #21

Whenever I watch Saltwater Journal I am distracted by Mark Sosin's belt buckle, a shiney Tarpon holds his pants on quite handsomely. I was finely able to track down the artist responsible for these buckles, among other things and I think they are worthy of Nautics' reader's stocking. Silverfins is the brand and there are Permit, Bluefish, Trout, Grayling and others to suit whatever fish haunts you. I am pretty torn over which species to choose and they are not cheap, so the one buckle for each day of the week idea is out, for now. Good luck picking yours, and even better convincing "Santa" a $500 belt buckle is not showy.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #22

It appears as though we are on the eve of a truly modern world. I can remember when I first used a GPS, along with a map and a few friends, it was always a few steps behind and it only showed a few numbers, and it was truly incredible. Garmin's new 765CSx packs so much power and features it is hard to imagine where we will be in a few years. A great big battery, a color screen, an efficient number of buttons and no doubt a powerful antennea make this model the clear winner for GPS that are stocking-friendly. I think you may find this will follow you to the car as it also has the entire Garmin street system in it as well, oh, and add lakes, trails, topo's for hiking and custom mapping on your PC. You can find it for less than $500 now.

Save Our Grouper

Attention Grouper Fishermen! The National Marine Fisheries Service has announced the closing of both commerical and recreational bagging.

"A temporary closure of the recreational fishery for gag, red grouper, and black grouper will protect these species during the February/March spawning period. This closure will support the red grouper rebuilding plan, while preventing a shift of fishing effort to other groupers."

Be sure to target other non breeding, less endangered species this winter, in the meantime, enjoy some grouper.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #23

There are many great knife manufacturers and they all have their appeal and purpose, but at the end of the day the primary role of the knife is to cut. Not to fit in a pocket, or have pliers, or even a Flash Drive - the best knife will not compromise. I have never been disapointed with Gerber, and neither have the TSA agents at various airports that have taken them from me. As I researched their fixed-blade knives, one really stood out, The Gerber LMF™II. The reason it stood out is due to the following fact:

"The butt cap, which can be used as a hammer or as a window punch; even through helicopter Plexiglas"

If your knive cannot bash through helicopter windows, you are a complete loser.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #24

I was worried that Binoculars that have decent range, stabilzation and quality would not fit in your average stocking. I was wrong - Nikon has a sweet pair. As a Nikon camera owner I can testify to the quality of their glass and finish. Add the recent end of manual camera manufacturing, you can count on their prowess in the technology space. The Nikon 16x32 Marine StabilEyes VR Image Stabilized Binoculars appear to be finest binoculars ever, well no - they are the finest compact binoculars - those super huge ones you see Admirals peering through from the bridge of an Aircraft Carrier that are over 3 feet long are super cool too. This is the sort of item that when produced from a stocking, send grown men into mild hysterics.

Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #25

Did your mom/dad/foster parent/kidnapper put socks in your stocking? My stocking seemed to give unending birth to baby socks all morning!! And, as a parent, are not food, water and clothing essential needs that cannot be passed off as "gifts"? As if Santa read my list "Train Set, Legos, Bazooka, Socks." and just went with socks.

Well, I have come to love socks in my stockings almost as much I as I love them on my feet. So I am choosing a mean pair of heavyweight socks as Nautics' Stocking Stuffer #25, from Patagonia, where a $20 pair of socks is an investment in your toes. I chose the heavyweight becuase I feel like one day you are fishing barefoot, or in flip flops and the next you are in boots and 18 layers shaking and wondering why you insist on chasing the last Striper to the bitter end.

Speaking of Stockings . . .

For a fisherman, then fun stops at the stocking - all of the best gifts are stocking size, lures, knives, pliers, headlamps, Pistols, bobbers, line, I could go on and on - and I might just! Nautics will be posting Stocking-sized gift ideas every single day until Christmas, so be sure to send "Santa" a link to the site so you don't have to suffer the shame of wrapping your own presents, that you bought on Christmas eve. So, unless you live in a family that puts Boats and Penn International Tuna rigs under your tree, join us in focusing on the stocking this year.

Yo Zuri

I find that a stocking on Christmas is somewhat pointless without any lures in it. Of course they need to be well packaged as I am known to jam my arm into the stocking with reckless abandon, and without the aid of the Mimosas I enjoy on Christmas morning ( ok, every morning . . .) that can sting. This year, be sure to forward links to great lures to whomever is responsible for your stocking. I am looking to replenish my Yo Zuri collection this year, and when I say "I", I mean my wife, and when I say my wife, I mean "me".

Adpative Shades

Smith Sunglasses may not be as well liked by fishermen as Maui Jim's, Costa Del Mar's and others, but the price to quality ratio is pretty incredible with the interchgangeable lenses found in the Sliders Series. I opted for an Amber, Gunmetal and Yellow lens portfolio, which all neatly fit in the glasses case. The gunmetal is great in mid-day sun, the amber is good in the AM and PM sides of noon, and the Yellow, while not polarized - is the suprise color - on foggy and or cloudy days and at daybreak and twilight, these glasses are almost as valuable as polarized lenses.

Nautics Promotion

Please ignore this post, just housekeeping. Thanks.
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