CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Hook & Tackle’s Beer Can Island shorts offer comfort and utility in a variety of camo and geo camo patterns. Next, Hull Float sunglasses from Hobie Eyewear feature frames made from the plastic trimmings of Hobie kayaks, so they float in the water. Hobie Eyewear also offers your choice of six magnetic clip-on polarized sunglasses that fit over your prescription lenses and come in a variety of lens colors. The Rux 30L waterproof tote bag keeps your gear dry, clean and ready, whether you’re on the water, the beach or a muddy trail. Finally, Miami-based Hook & Tackle offers moisture-wicking shirts made of comfortable fabrics, while Whitewater Fishing’s Spindrift Merino Fishing Hoodie is made of a blend of merino wool, nylon and lycra. Photos provided
By Steve Waters
The fishing industry is constantly innovating, which is great news when shopping for the anglers on your holiday gift list.
Miami-based Hook & Tackle has been a pioneer in fishing clothing since the company began in 1989, from UPF 50 sun protection in shirts, shorts, hats and pants for men, women and children, to lightweight, perspiration-wicking materials.
Island shorts
The company’s popular men’s Beer Can Island shorts are now available in eye-catching blue and gray dot camo and geo camo patterns.
The stretchy, comfortable, quick-drying shorts have deep front pockets, a zipper-secured rear pocket, a side pocket that can hold a cell phone or fishing pliers and the signature beer can pocket that can also hold fishing accessories. The shorts, which also make a bold fashion statement on land, retail for $65 at hookandtackle.com.
The shorts can be matched with one of the company’s many long-sleeve performance fishing shirts and hoodies, which feature radial sleeves for a full range of movement, whether you’re casting to a fish or reeling in one.
“They’re UPF 50, quick dry, water repellent, odor resistant and soft as you can imagine,” chief marketing officer Stan Rudman said of the moisture-wicking shirts.
Sunglasses
The new Hull Float sunglasses from Hobie Eyewear feature frames made from the plastic trimmings of Hobie kayaks. Like the kayaks, the lightweight polarized sunglasses float in the water.
Hobie Eyewear also makes the revolutionary Duo Series. The company offers three frame shapes for prescription eyeglasses, with your choice of six magnetic clip-on polarized sunglass lens colors, including gray, copper and cobalt blue.
“What’s great about them is they are your everyday glasses that you wear with your prescription in them,” spokesman Dylan Coates said. “If you’re someone who likes spending time outdoors and you don’t want to pay for an expensive polarized sunglass prescription, simply take our magnetic clips and put them on and you can’t even tell that they’re clip-ons. They look like a regular pair of sunglasses.”
The clip-ons have a hook and two magnetic points that securely stay on the frames. While on the water, you can change the color of the lenses depending on the light and water conditions. Coates said the eyeglass frame with one clip-on retails for $120 plus the cost of your prescription.
Additional clip-ons are $40 to $50. Visit hobieeyewear.com/collections/duo-collection.
Fishing hoodie
Michigan-based Whitewater Fishing sells a Spindrift Merino Fishing Hoodie that is very different from typical hoodies. The garment is made of 82% lightweight merino wool, 16% nylon and 2% lycra. Soft, stretchy and with UPF 50 protection, the hoodie is right at home on the water or out for dinner in South Florida.
“It’s just a really comfortable, breathable, lovely hoodie,” said Whitewater spokesman Jay Anglin. “Merino is such a great material to work with. The temperature regulation on it is phenomenal. Everybody has this idea that wool is too hot. That is not the case with this.”
It listed last month for $129.99 at whitewaterfish.com.
Waterproof tote bag
The Rux 30L waterproof tote bag keeps your gear dry, clean and ready, whether you’re on the water, the beach or a muddy hiking trail en route to a campsite. The fully welded, no-zipper bag can be used as an everyday, roomy tote bag. When the weather turns, it converts to a roll-top dry bag. The bag, which is made from heavy duty coated nylon, stands open so it’s easy to pack and unpack. It comes with a removable shoulder strap and a lifetime warranty. The bags, normally $170, are available in three colors as well as 25L sizes at rux.life.
Outdoors writer Steve Waters can be reached at steve33324@aol.com.
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