With Christmas just around the corner, I thought I’d go through a Christmas wish list for both the budding and expert angler in the family.
For the barra fisherman, one thing that is always welcomed is a new baitcasting reel.
Shimano is well-known for its diverse range of upmarket baitcasters, and this year, its top-of-the-range baitcasting reel is the Shimano Bantam 150A and 150HGA.
Ultra-smooth, with eye-bulging casting performance, the Bantam is very similar in appearance and design to the outstanding Shimano Metanium but is built on an aluminium frame as opposed to the Metanium’s magnesium frame.
Weighing in at just 215 grams – pretty good considering its all-metal construction – it’s worth every cent at a recommended retail price of $665.
Of course, if you want to spend more, you could match the Bantam with the new Zodias Travel 610M baitcast rod which features a 5-section, high-power carbon blank mated with a full-hollow carbon monocoque rod butt for the ultimate in lightness and sensitivity.
Recommended casting lure weight range for this rod is 7-21 grams.
As a combo, this offering from Shimano is a great option for anglers travelling to distant destinations as it will fit in regular luggage (with a packed length of just 46cm) without the need for additional bulky rod tubes.
The Zodias Travel has a recommended retail price of $439.
Another baitcasting reel that might suit the angler in the family who wants a more-specialist reel is the Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS.
This little pearler is billed as a bait finesse reel; it is definitely on the small side, and it’s targeted at anglers who like to throw ultra-light lures.
Spool it up with 15 pound braid and you can have a lot of fun fishing Darwin Harbour flats and Kakadu billabongs.
It would make a great Chrissie present for a sportfishing hubby who warrants a $700 spend.
Over the last few years, threadline reels have become increasingly popular for barra fishing.
This is both because they are easier to cast with and because they have the versatility to be used for bluewater applications.
Once again, Shimano is King when it comes to threadline reels, and the new Shimano Vanford range of upbeat threadline reels is an absolute show-stopper.
In fact, the Vanford FA won Best In Show in the fishing reel category at this year’s Australian Fishing Trade Show.
The new Vanford comes in sizes from the diminutive 500 to the 5000XG.
The 4000 and 5000 sizes are ideally suited to Top End barra and light tackle sport and reef fishing.
You’re looking at about $400 for either of these Vanfords which is great value considering the incredible array of features.
In a nutshell, when you spin this reel, you can’t help but be impressed with its silky, gossamer-smooth operation.
Another threadline reel that will appeal to Top End barra and bluewater anglers is the latest Stradic SW range.
It starts with the 4000XG and goes up to a big-fish-catching 10000HG which is an absolute weapon and ideally suited to the Top End billfish scene.
Shimano reckons the Stradic SW was designed for the hard-core offshore angler, and is built to tackle big game in the unforgiving environment of saltwater fishing.
It comes with a suite of advanced features and is well priced at a tad over $500.
As far as one-piece fishing rods go this Christmas, the undisputed Rolls Royce of rods is the G.Loomis range.
In baitcasting rods, you won’t find a G.Loomis under $679, which is in the IMX-Pro range.
You can double that when you start looking at the G.Loomis Conquest range, which has nothing selling under $1399.
Clothing is usually a well-received Christmas present, and there are a myriad of options in branded fishing apparel.
Shimano again has an impressive selection in both Men’s and Women’s clothing.
The latest sublimated shirts are cool to look at and cool on the water, and all selling for about $80.
The Huk brand of fishing apparel has been a winner in Top End angling circles since it first arrived on the scene a couple of years ago.
There are so many short and long-sleeved shirts to choose from, and some with hoods.
Yep, you can’t go wrong buying a rod, reel or fishing clothing for the angler in the family this Christmas.
The Shimano Zodias Travel 610M baitcast rod and Bantam 150A make a formidable travel option, and it’s a pretty handy combo when you’re fishing your home turf too.
Roxy Woolley and Layla Hadden wearing Shimano Hooded fishing shirts. What fishing girl in the family wouldn’t want one of these for Christmas?
This Huk colourful fishing outfit would package well as a Christmas present for your favourite female angler.
