Stay calm, there’s no need to panic. Father’s Day is June 18, but there’s still time to get the perfect gift for your hunting and fishing Dad. And if you opt for express shipping, there’s plenty of time. Here are some suggestions from the editors at Outdoor Life.
HOTTEST BASS LURES:
He’s your Dad, you can’t pick up a bass lure or two at the local tackle shop and call it good, right? Here’s a cool way to put a little something special into your gift giving. Because the Bassmaster Elite series anglers know more about bass lures and fishing patterns than anyone else on the planet, we gathered a list of the hottest lures used during the recent Elite event on Sam Rayburn reservoir in Texas. Buy a few or buy them all. There’s a lure on this list for all seasons.
MEGABASS ITO VISION ONETEN JERKBAIT
Kelley Jay fished this jerkbait in green and finished in 10th place. ($25) BUY IT NOW.
SPRO BRONZEYE POPPER
The Midnight Walker pattern paid off amid the brushpiles and treetops for Cajun Baby Cliff Crochet. Who doesn’t like to fish frogs? ($11) BUY IT NOW.
HEDDON ONE KNOCKER SPOOK
When the bass were feeding hard, Alton Jones Jr. went old school and hammered them with the Spook in Foxy Mama pattern. ($8) BUY IT NOW.
BOOYAH PAD CRASHER FROG
Just because no one will ever be happy fishing one frog lure. Try the bullfrog pattern. ($7) BUY IT NOW.
LIVINGSTON LURES JERKMASTER
Hank Cherry worked the jerk on backwater hydrilla pockets using the AYU pattern. ($10) BUY IT NOW.
STRIKE KING RAGE TAIL THUMPER
When the winner of the Bass Master Classic, Jordan Lee, tells you that this worm helped him finish fourth, you’ve got to listen. He used the 10-inch version and alternated between a Carolina and shaky head rig. ($6 per 7) BUY IT NOW.
LUCKY CRAFT SLENDER POINTER
Brent Ehrler finished second on Rayburn thanks in part to hitting the hydrilla beds with the slender pointer in Aurora Black. ($19) BUY IT NOW.
YAMAMOTO ZAKO
Ehrler’s other hot bait was a ½-ounce bladed jig in green pumpkin with the same colored 4-inch Zako swimbait trailer. ($7 per 6) BUY IT NOW.
STORM ARASHI TOP WALKER
Brandon Palaniuk was able to win $100,000 thanks to his ability to fish the entire water column. He fished shallow with the Storm Top Walker in Pro Blue color. ($9) BUY IT NOW.
ZOOM MAG FINESSE WORM
When bass were deeper, Palaniuk turned to a 5-inch finesse worm in green pumpkin. He fished it weedless with a Neko hook and 1/32-ounce Neko weight. ($4 per 10) BUY IT NOW.
ZOOM OL’ MONSTER WORM
Palaniuk occasionally swapped out the finesse worm for a 10 ½-inch Zoom Ol’ Monster in plum color. ($5 per 9) BUY IT NOW.
BASS PRO SHOPS FML10HA
Dad needs a new reel—one that will stand up through the years but won’t break the bank. The Outdoor Life Tackle Test team put this BPS baitcaster through the paces last fall and gave it our “Super Saver” award. It’s 7.3:1 retrieve rate gobbles up line at 30 inches per turn with a spool capacity of 190 yards of 30-yard braid. Lots of features at a low price. ($70) BUY IT NOW.
WRANGLER COOL VINTAGE JEANS
Wearing jeans during the sweaty dog days of summer just plain sucks. For those times when Dad shorts just won’t cut, Wrangler Premium Performance Cool Vantage jeans are a great option. Wrangler’s sweat-control technology is said to wick away sweat and moisture five times faster than regular jeans. We didn’t do the scientific testing, but fished in them in 90-degree weather and were blown away by the comfort level. If your father has put on a couple pounds in the last few years, consider getting the relaxed or comfort fit options. (from $30) BUY IT NOW.
HUK PACKABLE RAIN JACKET AND PANTS
Finding rain gear that doesn’t either leak or turn into a sauna can be a remarkable achievement. Finding a set that fits into your glove compartment or tackle bag is even tougher. This stuff is not cheap, but HUK’s All-Weather Series jacket and pants are made to last, won’t bind you up while fishing through a storm, breathable, and windproof. ($100 ea.) BUY IT NOW.
MAUI JIM MAUIREADERS
If Dad’s been asking you to do his knot and rig tying, he’ll appreciate this Father’s Day gift most of all. MauiReaders are the perfect combination of form and function for anglers who need both eye protection and bit of magnification. They’re pretty cool looking, too. Lenses are polycarbonate and available in grey, bronze, and HT for low-light situations. ($229) BUY IT NOW.