Last-Minute Stocking Stuffers for the Angler

Walleye can’t resist Rapala’s CrushCity soft plastics ($9.99+), especially the scrumptiously appealing profiles and actions of The Jerk, Mooch Minnow, The Mayor, and The Creeper.

The powerful scent and flavour of CrushCity Boost Garlic ($14.99) will enhance any soft- or hard-bait, trigger more strikes, and get fish to hold onto baits longer.

Crankbaits catch walleye all open-water season. Fan favourites include the Shad Rap ($11.49+), Deep Tail Dancer ($20.99), while the Harvest Shad ($10.99+), Gold Miner ($18.79), and Shad Rap Elite ($22.99+) are new, in-demand cranks.

Catching walleye using live-bait has never gone out of style, which is why they’ll love finding TechSet Spinners ($7.19+), Hover Jigs ($8.99+), and QuikStrike Trailer Hooks ($6.59+) in their stocking.

Need walleye ice fishing lure recommendations? No problem. You can’t go wrong with any of the following: Jigging Rap ($9.99+), Jigging Shadow Rap ($16.99+), Snare 50 ($11.99), Rippin’ Rap ($13.49+), Hatchet Spoon ($8.99+), Rattling Roach Spoon ($10.99+), Leech Lake Flutter Spoon ($9.99+), Pinhead Pro ($12.99+), and Rattlin’ PT Spoon ($11.99+).

Hard-water anglers will also appreciate finding a Clam Pom Hat ($29.99) or Knit Toque ($29.99) in their stocking.

Sufix Defcon ($9.99+) is a versatile fluorocarbon-coated copolymer line perfect for a variety of live-bait techniques and artificial presentations. For ice anglers, look no further than Sufix 832 Advanced Ice Braid ($13.49) and Advance Ice Fluorocarbon ($14.99).

Every walleye angler should have quality fishing tools for cutting line and removing hooks, so consider gifting them XD Super Line Scissors ($14.99) and Fisherman’s Pliers ($19.99).

A Wacky or Neko-rigged stick-bait is a reliable, easy-to-fish bass catcher. Give them everything they need to get in on the action with CrushCity’s PigStick ($9.99), Crossover Rings ($8.79+), Crossover Pliers ($25.29), Neko Weights ($7.19+), and VMC’s RedLine Series Wacky Neko Hook ($9.99+) — or get them a mishmash of awesome hooks with a Wacky Kit ($20.29).

Other CrushCity soft baits ($9.99+) sure to please bass anglers include the new Salted NedRoll, Bronco Bug, Cleanup Craw, Ned BLT, Mooch Minnow, and the Mayor. Best to also toss in a tube of CrushCity Boost ($14.99) in Clear or Garlic for good measure.

DT Series crankbaits ($12.99+) are a dependable gift choice for any bass angler. Coming in six sizes, these crankbaits deliver consistent cranking at depths of 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, and 16 feet. 

If you know their favourite fishing techniques, consider adding VMC terminal tackle to their stocking. RedLine Series Hooks ($9.99+) are the best on the market and will definitely help them put more bass in the boat. Tungsten is also trending, so why not also toss in some Tungsten Worm Weights ($13.79+), Tungsten Flippin’ Weights ($14.79+), Tungsten Tear Drop Weights ($10.99+), and Tungsten B.E.T. Drop Shot Weights ($10.99+).

Anglers who regularly finesse bites from bass will appreciate finding Sufix Revolve ($32.49+) in their stocking. This high-tech braided fishing line is tailor-made for finesse fishing techniques and pairs perfectly with Advance Fluorocarbon Leader ($17.49+).

Rapala’s Neck Gaiters ($16.49) provide SPF50 sun protection and are made of stretchy, fast-drying, moisture-wicking 100% polyester — easily fit into any sized stocking.

Light hair jigs are super potent all year long for panfish, and a good reason to give them VMC’s Bucktail Jig ($7.19) and Tungsten Roach Jig ($11.99+) this holiday season.

An inline spinner is an easy-to-fish lure panfish can’t turn down. The Blue Fox Vibrax Shallow ($8.29+), Vibrax Bullet Fly ($8.29), and Whip Tail Deep Runner ($4.39+), along with the Mepps Aglia and Classic Vibrax Glow ($9.49), are reliable inlines they’ll appreciate receiving as gifts.

Stocking stuffer options abound for anglers who chase panfish on the ice. From micro jigs to new, innovative lures, the following are sure to bring a smile to their face: Nano Rap ($11.49+), Tungsten Torpedo Spoon ($12.49), Bladed Bull Spoon ($8.49+), Hatchet Spoon ($8.99+), Pinhead Pro ($12.99+), and Rattlin’ PT Spoon ($11.99+), Caviar Drop ($10.99+), Confetti Drop XL ($8.49+), Ultra Light Rippin’ Rap ($11.49+), Tikka Mino ($12.99+), Tingler Spoon ($7.99), Flash Champ Spoon ($7.99), Tungsten Larv Eye Jig ($7.99+), Tungsten Bugbite Jig ($9.99+), and Tungsten Bullfly Jig ($9.29+).

Sometimes overlooked, quality fishing line is a must for panfish. The previously mentioned Revolve and Defcon are good open-water picks, while Advance Ice Monofilament ($8.79+) and Advance Ice Fluorocarbon are outstanding choices during the hard-water season.

The Glow Pick 6 ($15.99) is a perfect stocking stuffer for panfish anglers. This 2-in-1 tool is an easy-to-use de-hooker that also features a bright LED UV pinch light for quickly charging glow baits.

For hard-bodied lures, the Super Shad Rap ($28.49) and Super Shadow Rap ($26.29), X-Rap Jointed Shad ($32.79+), and Husky Jerk ($12.49+) are dependable lures and all trusted by some of the best fishing guides.

Falling somewhere in between soft plastics and hard-bodied baits are hybrid lures, like the X-Rap Otus ($31.99) and X-Rap Peto ($28.49). These baits do an excellent job triggering predators and are definitely a foolproof stocking stuffer for pike and musky anglers.

Musky and pike can’t resist the flash, vibrations, and flaring bucktail of a predator-sized inline spinner, like the Mepps Musky Killer ($27.49+) and Black Fury Musky Killer ($27.29+), which are available in single or tandem treble hook configurations.

Turning to ice-fishing stocking stuffers, anglers will appreciate finding VMC’s Bladed Predator Rigs, which come in Wire ($11.99+) and Fluorocarbon ($7.99+) options tailored for live-bait and dead-bait presentations set underneath a tip-up, dead-stick, or rattle reel.

And speaking of tip-ups, Clam’s Blue Ice Tip-Up ($26.99) and Actic Warrior Tip-Up ($51.99) are an ideal size to fit into a stocking, and will certainly help them catch big predators on the ice.

Good ice jigging lures for toothy predators include: the Jigging Rap Magnum ($17.99+), Snap Rap ($12.99), Rippin’ Rap ($11.99+), and Clam Pro Tackle’s Ribbon Leech Flutter Spoon ($12.29+), Super Leech Flutter Spoon ($13.49), and Peg Flutter Spoon ($13.49+).

Sufix ProMix Braid ($22.99) is ideal for pike and muskie. This ultra-durable, low-stretch braided line offers exceptional lure control, firm hook setting power, and superior knot and shock strength. For ice jigging, look to 832 Advanced Ice Braid.

Inline spinners are tried-and-true trout lures, and the Blue Fox’s Whip Tail Kit ($14.99) and Super Vibrax Tri-Pack ($21.79+) take the guesswork out of picking lure colour.

Long-time favourites among trout anglers from coast to coast to coast, Pixee ($7.79+) and Rattlin’ Pixee ($10.49+) spoons feature heavy construction and are equally deadly whether cast or trolled. Just as sure to please are the Kwikfish ($13.99+), Kwikfish Xtreme ($10.49+), or Hot Shot ($10.49+).

If filling a stocking for someone who ice fishes for trout, it’s worthwhile adding any of the flashy Clam flutter spoons noted earlier for pike. Trout are also easily fooled by baitfish coloured CrushCity soft-plastics fished on jigs, so also consider The Jerk, Freeloader, Creeper, and Mooch Minnow as stocking stuffers.

Casting distance, abrasion resistance, strength, and sensitivity are some reasons Revolve, 832 Advanced Superline, and ProMix braided lines are popular lines for many trout techniques. And given how line-shy trout can be at times, it’s a good idea to include Advance Fluorocarbon Leader in their stocking.

Anglers who wade, walk the bank, walk-in to remote lakes, or fish from a small boat or float tube are often very conscious about packing light. If any of these situations apply to the person you’re shopping for, give thought to getting them the compact Retractable Lanyard ($34.99+), Precision Forceps ($29.99+), and Retractable Line Scissor ($19.99+).