Where has this year gone? Is it possible that it’s time to break out the holiday gift guides again already? Why, yes, yes it is.

If you have a fisherman or watersports enthusiast in your life and you’re unsure of what to get them this holiday season, look no further!

Not only are all of these great gifts, they’ve been tested and approved by experts in the industry. All of the following items have received awards in recent trade shows, judged by leading figures in each field.

So you can buy and give these gifts with confidence that your friend or loved one will love it!

ICAST 2017 Winners

ICAST is the world’s largest sport fishing trade show. It features the latest innovations in fishing gear, accessories, and apparel. These were picked by a panel of expert judges as best in their categories.

✅ Best Fishing Accessory: Yeti Panga Airtight Waterproof Submersible Duffel Bag

A 100% dry duffel bag. Submersible and tough as nails, the Panga is designed for extensive backcountry stays, epic fly fishing adventures, and remote hunting trips. Completely airtight and rugged as hell, this is the go-anywhere, do-anything duffel bag built for adventure.

✅ Best Tackle: 13 Fishing Spinning Rod

A good selection of different level rods for adults and kids in all kinds of price ranges.

✅ Best Saltwater Hard Lure: Rapala X-Rap Magnum 40

Massive diving lip allows the Rapala to dive deep. Can be run up to 13 knots for big game fish worldwide.

✅ Best Freshwater Reel: Shimano Curado K Baitcasting Reel

Compact and ergonomic design built tough enough for tournaments. Centrifugal breaking system to control spool speed which gives easy to manage spool control and break force.

✅ Best Rod and Reel Combo: Lew’s Mach Crush Speed Spool Bait Cast Combo

Lightweight and durable, this rod and reel combo was built to provide anglers with smooth and reliable fish-fighting power. What makes the rod so remarkable is its use of 9 double-shielded stainless steel ball bearings for smooth retrieval.

✅ Best Saltwater Rod: St. Croix Legend Tournament Inshore Casting Rod

Composed entirely of non-corrosive components. This rod has been designed to eliminate all transitional points, which aids its smooth action and increased sensitivity. Each component was thoughtfully designed for ultimate sensitivity, a “must-have” feature for reeling in big fish.

SUPConnect Editor’s Choice Award Winners

Every year, the team from SUPConnect travels to the Outdoor Retailer Show where they announce their ‘Gear of the Year‘ awards for various product categories. Here are some of the picks for this year’s winners.

✅ Best Overall SUP: Surftech Generator Tuflite

In order to win the prize for Best Overall Gear of the Year, the item must meet two criteria: a distinctive offer and broad appeal. The Surftech Generator meets both criteria.

With its thoughtful design for paddlers of all levels, appealing graphics, and affordable price point, it’s easy to see why the Generator was voted Best Overall SUP by readers, retailers, and the editorial board.

✅ Best SUP Technology: Fusion StereoActive Watersports Portable Stereo

The Fusion StereoActive was created by a group of sports enthusiasts specifically with stand up paddling in mind but is suitable for all water sports. Here comes an innovative new portable speaker that will change the game for water sports enthusiasts for years to come. 

AM/FM/Bluetooth/USB capable plus fully submersible and floatable, this is the outdoor stereo system you need before you even think of heading out on your next excursion.

✅ Best Fishing SUP: Rackham Aero 12′4″ Fishing SUP

This is the fishing SUP that beat out over 80 other boards for the coveted Best Fishing SUP award. It offers amazing functionality for fishing, eye-catching graphics, and is made by the leading innovator in the fishing paddle board market.

If you want the best of the best in fishing SUPs, once you go BOTE you’ll never go back!

✅ Best Inflatable SUP: Starboard Blend Zen Inflatable SUP

Full disclosure: this isn’t THE winner of best inflatable SUP but it’s the winner’s little brother. The true winner was the Starboard Touring Zen (which isn’t available on Amazon). The Blend Zen is the slightly smaller version of the Touring at a respectable 11’2″ long and 32″ wide. 

Starboard is widely known as one of the best SUP manufacturers around and is the preferred brand of many tournament racers worldwide. The Blend Zen meets Starboard’s usual exacting standards and embodies all of the unique technological advances that Starboard is known for.

Starboard is the Audi of the inflatable SUP world — renowned for quality and excellence.

Paddlesports Retailer ‘Gear To Watch’ Picks

While there weren’t specific award winners at the new Paddlesports Retailer trade show, multiple outlets reporting on the event recognized these items as some of their most exciting finds at this year’s show.

NRS Quiver Inflatable SUP

This is the ultimate river-running ISUP loaded with features. With a river specific fin set up and well-placed grab loops, the NRS Quiver offers the most in both maneuverability and stability.

As recommended by SUPtheMag.com.

Hala Hoss 11’0 SUP Inflatable Paddle Board

Another recommendation from SUPtheMag.com, Hala has finally come up with a solution to a common ISUP problem: not being rigid enough.

In their newest designs, Hala has implemented a carbon fiber weave stringer that give the boards a super rigid structure that make you forget you’re paddling an inflatable.

When you combine that with the bevy of other features offered, like a rolling backpack and industry-leading 3-year warranty, you’ve got the makings of an exciting new product in the uber-competitive inflatable SUP market.

Astral Buoyancy Men’s Brewers Watershoe

Astral is giving a facelift to its extremely popular Brewer line of water shoe. With an array of stylish colors and designs, these shoes are as comfortable on land as they are trudging through river beds.

Gear Aid Akua Dive and Rescue Waterproof Knife

Amazing product for anyone who spends as much time under the water as above it. Featuring a quick release sheath for easy access and a blunt nose to prevent punctures to inflatables. The blade is also handy as a screwdriver or pry tip for digging into shellfish.

And what self-respecting knife doesn’t have a bottle opener on it? Great multi-tool for any diver or water baby.

GNARBOX — Portable and Backup Editing System for Any Camera

What good is an epic outdoors adventure if you don’t capture it on camera? Pics or it didn’t happen, right?

Gnarbox is revolutionizing how we record and upload images and videos by allowing us to do it in the field! No more waiting until you get home hours or sometimes days later, upload your video instantly. Use the app to edit your photos and video and share it with the world.

Gnarbox is the portable software, hardware, and storage solution you’ve been looking for that is built for use in the field and travels easily.

As recommended by CanoeKayak.com.

SUP Lovers Swag (Great for Stocking Stuffers!)

Ok, these may not be award-winning gifts, but they will be the perfect complement for any of the above items!

Not only will you be gifting them with the latest, most kickass gear on the market, you can also allow them to showcase their love of the sport with some cool swag as well. These items make great stocking stuffers and are easy to send.

With their fun, catchy slogans, who wouldn’t want one of these shirts, mugs, or stickers in their lives?

Be the Gift Hero

There ya have it! Everything you need to be the gift hero for the SUP lover, fisherman, or paddler in your life.

What do you think of these gift suggestions? Which one would you like to most have? Leave a comment below, I’d love to hear what you think!

Paddle On!