Father’s Day Fishing Gear Guide

Searching for the best fishing gifts for Dad? Our Father’s Day Fishing Gear Guide is a curated list of the best new fishing lures and angling products for 2024, as well as legacy baits and other fan favourites every fisherman needs.

Since their release last summer, CrushCity soft plastics ($8.99+) have taken the fishing world by storm. You cannot go wrong giving Dad these premium, cutting-edge soft baits. Here’s a quick overview of the collection:

Heavy Hitter & The Mayor — High-end paddletail swimbaits excellent for largemouth, smallmouth and striped bass, walleye, northern pike, lake trout and other predators.

Bronco Bug & Cleanup Craw — Meal-sized baits ideal for many largemouth and smallmouth bass presentations, like football jigs, Texas rigs and VMC Tokyo Rigs ($6.49+).

Ned BLT — The quintessential soft plastic for Ned rigging, catches everything from trophy panfish to epic-sized bass and trout.

Creeper — Next-generation curltail grub packed with multi-species capability — especially potent for bass, walleye, trout and panfish.

The Suspect — The ultimate finesse swimbait for clear water and coaxing bites from walleye, bass and trout, also superb for big panfish.

The Jerk — A versatile, minnow profiled plastic that’s deadly on a jig or on a finesse rig (e.g., drop-shot, split-shot) for bass, walleye and trout.

Freeloader — Excellent spinnerbait or bladed jig trailer, but also effective fished on a Hybrid Swimbait Jig ($6.49) for bass, walleye and pike.

Jigs never go out of style, which is why Dad will love getting some of VMC’s new Finesse Football Jig, Swingin’ Neg Jig and Ned Rig Jig ($6.99), all of which match-up perfectly with the Ned BLT, The Suspect, The Jerk, Creeper and Cleanup Craw. 

Hair jigs are a hot fishing trend, so be sure to also grab Dad some of the Moontail Jig ($9.49+), Bucktail Jig ($6.49) and Marabou Jig ($6.49+).

Fact: quality hooks catch more fish — and nothing compares to VMC’s ultra-premium RedLine Hook Series ($8.99+). Ultra-strong, ultra-light and ultra-smooth, RedLine Hooks feature a Needle Point design for powerful hook-ups that fish can’t shake. Dad won’t want to use any other hooks again.

The Elite CountDown ($18.49+) and Elite Shad Rap ($19.99) represent the next evolution within the Rapala family. Featuring modern construction, high-definition finishes and cutting-edge features, Elite lures make the best fishing gifts for dads wanting the latest in high-tech tackle. 

The PXR Mavrik 110 ($22.99) is the complete package as far as premium jerkbaits are concerned for bass, walleye and other predators. This lure has a Long-Cast System, suspends head-down like an injured baitfish, delivers a hard-cutting, semi-erratic action and is armed with premium VMC RedLine Series treble hooks. 

Guaranteed to please dads addicted to bass fishing,  the OG Deep Tiny ($16.49) is a premium balsa, floating, non-rattling crankbait with a finesse-like action and 7-foot diving depth.

Dads fond of catching walleye, bass, lake trout and pike will appreciate the fish-catching features of the new Rippin’ Blade ($14.99). Precision balanced to deliver vibrations, even at slow speeds, its three line-tie positions allow for customized action.

Upsize Dad’s jigging lure collection by gifting him the Jigging Rap Magnum ($16.49). At 2-3/4” and 1-1/8 ounces, it’s tailor-made for sonar-focused fishing tactics, but performs just as well when used for traditional pitching, casting and vertical jigging fishing techniques for bass, walleye, trout and pike.

One of the best fishing gifts for Dad is a box full of his favourite lures in the latest and greatest colours. From bright, custom-paint inspired patterns to natural, realistic finishes, there’s ample choice in the Shallow Shad Rap ($14.49), Jointed Shad Rap ($12.49), Scatter Rap Tail Dancer ($17.49), Scatter Rap Minnow ($16.49), Original Thunderstick ($8.99), Original Hot ’N Tots ($10.49) Rippin’ Rap ($11.99) and Jigging Shadow Rap ($16.49) collections.

Rapala Tackle Trays ($10.99+) will make it easy for Dad to keep lures and terminal tackle protected and organized. Available in two sizes and several internal configurations, trays feature heavy-duty construction, smart designs, UV-proof plastic and a Quick Latch System that allows for single-hand opening and closing.

Sufix fishing lines are world renowned and sure to be a hit with Dad this Father’s Day. Recycline Monofilament ($12.49+), Advance Monofilament ($17.49+), Advance Fluorocarbon ($41.99) and 832 Advanced Superline ($27.99+) are just a few options sure to please. 

The Code CLX rod and reel spinning combo ($99.99) delivers outstanding performance and incredible value. The 7’1”, medium power, graphite rod is paired with a smooth, reliable reel. Add some Sufix line and he’ll be ready to start catching bass, walleye, panfish, trout and more.

Fathers fond of harvesting fish for the table will appreciate the quality, sharpness and efficiency of Rapala fillet knives, available in traditional models, like the Fish ’n Fillet knives ($28.99+) and Soft Grip Fillet ($25.99+), as well as electric versions, such as the cordless R12 Heavy-Duty Lithium Fillet Knife ($199.99) and Electric Fillet Knife Set ($99.99). Also think about giving Dad a Fillet Glove ($29.99) for finger and hand protection. 

Rapala’s collection of fishing tools always make great Father’s Day gifts. A few popular items are the Rapala Fish Towel ($4.99), Mag Spring Pliers ($45.99), Precision Line Scissors ($25.99), Retractable Lanyard ($26.99+), 7” Elite Pliers ($139.99) and 50lb Sportsman's Digital Scale ($54.99). 

Rapala Neck Gaiters ($14.99), the Hooded UV Shirt ($49.99), the Performance Hoody ($69.99), sunglasses ($28.99+) and Caps ($29.99+) are summertime essentials and all make great Father’s Day gifts. The Rapala Hooded Performance Sweatshirt ($79.99) is another good one and a fan fav for cooler temps. 

Fishing isn’t fun if you’re uncomfortable, and Rapala’s guide-tested rain gear is made to keep anglers dry and warm (without overheating) in the nastiest of conditions. Sure to be a hit as a gift this Father’s Day are either the Rapala Pro Rain Jacket ($354.49) and Bibs ($354.49), or the Rapala Rain Jacket ($269.99) and Bibs ($269.99) set.