A Beach City Angler's Wish List

Editor's Note: In this five-part "Wish List" series, Hermosa Beach Patch columnists share their picks for the season's ultimate presents, from music to beach gear to green gifts, and much more.

As so many anglers will tell you, fishing is more than a hobby—it’s a part of their very being and gets into their blood.

Recognizing how important fishing is to the essence of your loved one is a great way to personalize any gift and let them know they are worth the effort. Here are some great gifts to keep in mind for the holidays:

• A fishing license: A California sportfishing license offers a full year of more fishing opportunities than any other state in the country. California has 1,100 miles of ocean coastline, 4,172 lakes and reservoirs, 29,664 miles of streams and rivers, and 1,800 miles of bay and Delta waters. A sportfishing license is an angler’s passport to these amazing opportunities. Even more important, the recipient of your gift will think of you every time he or she goes fishing. The 2012 sportfishing licenses and gift vouchers can be purchased online, and for anglers who fish in Mexico, Mexican fishing permits can also be purchased online.
• A fishing trip: What better gift for the angler in your life than a day’s fishing? Sportfishing landings and lakes all sell passes or gift certificates. A days fishing at a lake will cost about $20 while a half-day trip out of a local landing will be about $40. The pass can be redeemed whenever the angler wants to fish.
• Stocking stuffers: Hooks, sinkers, flash lights, lures, plastic swimbaits, a spool of fishing line, tide charts, and pliers all make great stocking stuffers.
• Fillet knife: Every angler needs a good fillet knife. A good knife is indispensable for getting the most meat off a precious catch. A dull fillet knife is not only dangerous but also wasteful and can result in butchering your prize.
• A good book: How can you go wrong with a good book? The book can be informative about a particular species of fish or geographical area one is interested in. It also could be a novel that relates to fishing like King of the Moon or Wahoo Rhapsody.
• Life jackets: This gift may just save a life. Life jackets run the gamut but the ones that are the most comfortable to wear are the ones that will get used. Some jackets inflate automatically when a person falls into the water while others inflate after the wearer pulls a cord.     
• Personal EPIRB: This is another lifesaver. The emergency position indicating radio beacon sends out a distress signal with your exact GPS location in case you go overboard or become lost at sea.
• A camera: Fishermen and women love to brag so a functional camera that allows your loved one a chance to post their trophy catch on Facebook as soon as possible is a must. A waterproof camera is always a good idea. Furthermore, anglers can practice CPR; catch, photograph and release.
• Fish market or seafood restaurant gift certificate: Let’s face it, the fish do not always cooperate so if your angler gets skunked, a gift certificate to a local seafood restaurant or market ensures that they will bring home fish to eat whether they bite or not.

Coming up next in the "Wish List" series: Our Hermosa Beach Patch editor will share a few of her favorite things this holiday season.

Earlier: ; ; A Wave Rider's Wish List