Iko Prints
We all wish to preserve a memory of a special outing or that catch, or the desire to make art of the sport we love. Recently while out on the Bay I kept one fish for a meal and some art. Art you said? Yep, Iko Prints has a Gyotaku Fish Printing Kit, so you can DIY your own form of wall-hanger. Gyotaku (which translates to “fish rubbing) is a traditional form of Japanese art where ink is applied to the fish to make a mirror image including its texture on a sheet of special absorbent paper. This fish print kit includes brushes, Sumi ink, 10 sheets of Xuan paper, a paint bowl, and instructions, and is a great way to share your experience and memories of your catch. It’s easy, quick, and fun too. Price: $49.99. Visit ikoprints.com to commemorate the next cool catch.
-By Eric Packard
Magellan Outdoors
I spend a lot of time outdoors and absolutely abhor applying sunscreen to my arms and legs throughout the day. So, I wear long sleeves and pants even while fishing in the hot summer months as a means of UV protection. The new Jacob Wheeler Ventilated Hoodie and Tech Hoodie ($49.99) from Magellan Outdoors are great offerings to suit my needs. The Tech Hoodie is quite breathable due to a blend of polyester, spandex and Tencel (a rayon-like textile made from cellulose). Its UPF 50 sun protection rating is sufficient to defend your epidermis, and its moisture wicking properties with antimicrobial tech helps keep odors at bay. This shirt comes in a variety of colors and fishing-inspired graphics. The Ventilated Hoodie features a perforated polyester/spandex material that’s incredibly lightweight. It has the same antimicrobial and moisture-wicking factors as the Tech Hoodie and is a great option for those extra-steamy summer sessions. Pair these hoodies with the Jacob Wheller Angler Tech Pants ($59.99) or shorts to fish in all day comfort while protecting yourself from that burning ball in the sky. Both are made with nylon/spandex UPF 50 quick-drying fabric with ample stretch. The pants have ventilated sections on the inner thigh. BONUS: The pants and shorts have a recessed fishing line cutter on the button which is handy if you misplace your braid snips. Price: $45.99 to $59.99. Check ‘em out at academy.com.
-By Zach Ditmars
Cross Point Gear Sport Gloves
We know it’s the heat of summer right now, but when I first got a pair of the Cross Point Gear Sport Gloves to test out it was a very chilly spring. These waterproof knit gloves use a three-layer waterproof-breathable construction with a synthetic CoolMax liner that actively wicks moisture during high-output activities. They are lightweight and form-fitting and even feature touchscreen-compatible fingertips and silicone palm and finger grips for a better wet-weather grip. Added bonus: an antibacterial treatment reduces odor. These gloves came in handy during those first few shakedown cruises of the year when it was downright frigid. Between driving in an open cockpit boat and dealing with spray to cranking the boat back up on the trailer, my hands stayed dry and warm. I was pleasantly surprised to realize I never felt like I was dealing with bulky, non-dexterous gloves. I also used them while cleaning my boat down several times this spring. Most of my fishing gloves are fingerless, so these will be my new go-to pair when the water and wind turn icy. Price: $54; visit crosspointgear.com to keep your fingers toasty when the weather turns.
-By Kaylie Jasinski
Bollé Airdrift Sunglasses
If you need a new pair of fishing glasses and you like them uber-light—so light they float—it’s time to check out the latest offering from Bollé, called the Airdrift. The angular eight-base frames are designed to maximize peripheral vision while still protecting against glare and wind from the sides, and weigh in at barely over an ounce. Rubber nose pads and temple grips keep the shades firmly but comfortably in place. Airdrift sunglasses feature Bollé’s “VOLT+” lenses, with high contrast color and enhanced polarization. We thought they felt great and delivered awesome optics, and a standout feature that surprised us was the integrated air pockets in the frames; they keep the glasses floating upright and level so they’re easy to spot and retrieve if they go in the drink. Price: $220. Visit bolle.com to see what you’ve been missing. Literally.