There is only a little more than two weeks left before Christmas, and you can prepare a variety of gifts for outdoor lovers in your life.

Fishermen and hunters are difficult to buy because they are very picky about the equipment they use. Take fishing equipment as an example. The shop is full of fishing rods, reels and bait. Many are useless, but there are also many convenient items.

Here are some suggestions that may make your shopping easier without affecting your bank account. Lake County is fortunate to have five excellent fishing tackle shops. They are Limit Out Bait and Tackle of Clearlake Oaks, Clearlake Bait and Tackle of Clearlake, Clear Lake Outdoors of Lakeport, Konocti Bait and Tackle and Lakeport Bait and Tackle of Lucerne. Fishing tackle shops provide gift certificates, making shopping more convenient. In addition, Walmart and Big 5 in Clearlake offer a variety of fishing tackle.

If the person on your shopping list is an experienced fisherman, stay away from fishing rods and reels. Most fishermen have their favorite things, the price is as high as 500 US dollars, and they will not use anything else. If you plan to buy fishing rods and reels for young people, please do not buy cheap spinners. A good spinning rod and reel are easy to use and cost about $40. The most popular rotating rod is 6 feet long and medium weight. This line should be 8 pound or 10 pound test. They can be used for trout, crappie or bass. Children as young as 6 years old can learn to use the rotating rod with little guidance.

Inexpensive stocking stuffing includes crank bait, spin bait or plastic worm. The popular bait for bass fishing on Clear Lake this year is Lucky Craft LV500, which sells for about US$20. The other popular crank bait is the deep dive. This also cost about $20.

A fishing tackle box is a great gift. Most cost less than US$35, and almost every fisherman can use a new one.

Plastic worms are another popular item. Senko is still one of the most popular plastic baits on the lake. A pack of 10 sells for $8. Brush Hogs is another good plastic worm.

When buying plastic worms, it's best to seek the advice of local bass fishermen to see what they like best at this time of year. The green bear color is very popular one week, and next week it may be a grape neon color. A local fishing tackle shop can help you choose the currently popular plastic worms or other fishing tackle. Even better, buy gift certificates from these fishing tackle shops to let the fisherman choose his/her own equipment.

Every fisherman can use a new pair of warm gloves, and a good pair of gloves costs less than $15. Almost every fisherman I know wears at least four pairs of polarized sunglasses every year. You can buy a pair of sunglasses for less than $50. The thick coat is very popular with fishermen and hunters. When buying a coat, make sure it is large enough. Most fishermen and hunters wear heavy shirts under their coats, and there should be enough room to swing your arms freely.

All fishermen aged 16 and over must have a 2022 fishing license. They are great gifts and can be purchased at any licensed agency. All you did was fill in the person's name. You can also order a license by visiting the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) online and using your credit card. The cost of a fishing license in 2022 is $54.

For those who want to spend a little more money on a unique gift, a guided bass fishing trip in Clear Lake is a good idea. The average cost is about US$400-500, and the name of the local guide can be obtained by visiting the local fishing tackle shop or the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.

Most hunters can use the new camouflage day pack. They cost less than US$35 and can be purchased in the sporting goods section of most local stores. A new hunting knife is a great gift, and one of the best is the old favorite, the Buck knife.

The perfect Christmas gift for that young man is to hike with him/her by the lake or in the woods. In other words, spend time outdoors with your loved ones.

As in previous years, I will provide some tips or recommend Christmas gifts. Please call me at (707) 263-1699.

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