6 Budget-Friendly Holiday Gift Ideas for Anglers

By Debbie Hanson

Dec 06, 2021

List of holiday gift ideas for anglers that includes budget-friendly fishing gift ideas for everyone from fly fishing enthusiasts to ice fishing aficionados

‘Tis the season to look for useful holiday gift ideas for anglers that won’t break the bank. If you have a long list of fishing fanatics to buy for this year, find out which budget-friendly fishing gift ideas for conventional anglers, fly fishing fans, and ice fishing aficionados will always be appreciated.

1. Fish Identification Guide

If you have a new or beginner angler to buy for, one of the best fishing gifts is a pocket-sized illustrated fish identification guide that can be used as a reference in the angler’s local area. Try to find an identification guide that is laminated and comes in a fold-out format, so that it can be taken outdoors under any weather conditions. In general, you can pick up a fish species identification guide in the $10 to $20 range.

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2. Line Cutters

Most line cutters cost under $15, which makes them an ideal stocking stuffer and one of the most economical holiday gift ideas. Before you buy, check the package to make sure it can cut clean through all braid, mono, and fluorocarbon fishing lines. Most line cutters also come with a carabiner that can easily be clipped to a belt or vest.

3. Fishing Pliers

If you’re shopping for fishing gift ideas that are also practical, keep in mind that your favorite angler can always use an extra pair of pliers. Look for pliers that are rugged, corrosion-resistant, and made with non-slip grips. Pliers always come in handy for rigging, unhooking fish, and crimping split shots.

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4. Tippet Holder

A tippet holder is one of the most useful and reasonably priced fly fishing gifts you can buy in the $20 to $30 range, but be sure to check in stores or online for a model that has a spring-loaded hinge design. A spring-loaded hinge will give an angler the ability to add or remove tippet spools quickly. In addition, most tippet holders come with a clip that makes it easy to attach to waders, a vest or pack. This practical gift means no more scrambling around looking for loose tippet spools!

5. Ice Skimmer

A skimmer is an ice fishing gift that keeps ice holes free of floating ice and slush, which helps to prevent them from freezing over. Skip the plastic ice skimmers that can break or shatter in the cold and go for a metal ice skimmer as a gift instead. Your cost will generally be in the $15 to $20 range for a quality ice skimmer, which is very affordable.

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6. Rubberized Landing Net

Conservation-minded anglers will appreciate fishing Christmas gifts that contribute to proper catch and release, like a rubberized landing net. Rubberized landing nets not only help to protect the slime coat on fish, but also won’t get snagged on fishing hooks, lures, and flies. Rubberized landing nets for trout or bass start around $25 and go up in price depending on the size and manufacturer.

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Now that you have a list of budget-minded holiday gift ideas for anglers, you can relax a little, right? Head over to the Places to Fish & Boat Map and find a few places where you can wet a line to unwind during the seasonal hustle and bustle.

What is AmazonSmile?

AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones. When you shop AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to RBFF. 

Debbie Hanson
Debbie Hanson
Debbie Hanson is an award-winning outdoor writer, women’s sport fishing advocate, IGFA world record holder, and freshwater guide living in Southwest Florida. Hanson’s written work has appeared in publications such as Florida Game & Fish Magazine, BoatUS Magazine, and USA Today Hunt & Fish. To learn more about her work, visit shefishes2.com or follow her on Instagram @shefishes2.