What to Buy an Angler for Christmas?

My guide to getting those smiles on Christmas morning

Buying a Christmas present for an angler should be straightforward. They like fishing, so you buy them some fishing tackle.

Then you start looking.

Different hooks, floats, feeders, leads and rigs. Some things come in several sizes, and others look almost identical but do completely different jobs. Before long, you’re wondering whether another pair of socks might be the safer option.

And there’s nothing wrong with a decent pair of socks! Our sister site, Soar Trading, sells locally made walking and fisherman’s socks, another useful present for someone who spends plenty of time outdoors.

If that sounds familiar, you’re certainly not the only one. You don’t need to know everything about fishing to buy a useful present, but knowing a little about the fishing they do makes a big difference.

Start with what they fish for

“Goes fishing” covers quite a lot.

An angler fishing for carp with boilies and bite alarms will use different tackle from someone fishing a float for roach, perch and bream. Even two people fishing the same lake might use completely different methods.

Before buying anything, try to find out what they fish for and how they usually fish.

You don’t need a detailed explanation. “He fishes for carp”, “she uses a pole”, or “they fish with a feeder on the local lakes” gives us something to work with.

If you’re still unsure, a photograph of their tackle, or the name of something they already use, can be more helpful than trying to remember a string of fishing terms.

Useful doesn’t have to mean expensive

It’s tempting to think a fishing present needs to be a new rod or reel. It doesn’t.

Anglers get through the smaller things. Hooks need replacing, rigs get used, and floats, feeders and leads are all useful when they suit the fishing being done.

A selection of the right tackle can be a much better present than one expensive item that isn’t quite what they need.

Rods and reels can be quite personal choices. If you’re planning to buy one as a surprise, it’s worth checking what the angler wants first. Otherwise, you could spend a fair bit of money on something that ends up at the back of the shed.

That isn’t much of a Christmas present for either of you.

Why we’ve put together Christmas fishing bundles

We’ve been putting together gift bundles ourselves at Soar Tackle to make choosing a useful fishing present a little easier.

The idea isn’t to put a collection of unrelated bits in a bag and call it a gift set. It’s to bring together tackle around a particular type of fishing, with a clear explanation of what’s included.

Our Method feeder bundles are aimed at anglers who enjoy that style of fishing. The Carper’s Bundle brings together a selection of Gardner rigs, leads, leaders and accessories for carp anglers.

They aren’t complete fishing outfits, and they aren’t all intended for the same person. The important thing is choosing the bundle that suits the recipient, rather than simply picking the one with the most items.

Have a read through the contents and what isn’t included. If you’re unsure, ask us before ordering. We’d much rather help you choose than have someone unwrap tackle they can’t use.

Buying for a junior angler

If you’re buying for a younger angler, start with where they are in their fishing.

Are they completely new to it? Have they been going with a parent or grandparent? Or are they already fishing regularly and getting quite particular about their tackle?

Those are three different situations.

For someone just starting, keep things simple. Tackle that suits the way they’re being taught is more useful than a complicated selection they don’t yet know how to use.

It’s worth speaking to the adult who takes them fishing. They’ll usually know what the youngster already has, what needs replacing and what would help on the next trip.

For a junior angler who already enjoys Method feeder fishing, a suitable tackle bundle could make a useful present. For one learning to fish with a float, a float-fishing selection is likely to make more sense.

Young anglers don’t necessarily need something labelled “junior”. They need tackle they can manage, understand and use for the fishing they’re doing.

And remember that a tackle bundle isn’t a complete starter kit. Depending on the fishing, they’ll still need the appropriate rod or pole, reel, line, bait and fish-care equipment, along with help using it properly.

What if they already seem to have everything?

Most anglers who “have everything” still need essentials like hooks, weights and other terminal tackle. These are generally consumable items.

Replacing something they use regularly is often a safer choice than buying an unfamiliar gadget just because it looks impressive.

This is where our bundles are perfect as we have based them around items of tackle that an angler is always in need of.

And if you really don’t know, don’t feel you have to guess.

A gift without the hook sizes

If you’d rather leave the tackle choices to the angler, have a look at our Soar Tackle branded merch. It’s another way to give them something connected to the fishing they enjoy, without having to work out which rigs or feeders they use.

You don’t have to become an angler to buy for one

You just need a little help finding something suitable.

Whether you’re buying for a partner, a parent, a grandchild or a friend, tell us what you know about their fishing and the budget you have in mind. There’s no need to apologise for not knowing the names of everything.

That’s what we’re here for.

Have a look at the Christmas fishing gift bundles from Soar Tackle, or have a word with us at the shop in Kegworth. We’ll help you choose something useful, so you can spend less time puzzling over hook sizes and more time getting Christmas sorted.