2013 Holiday Gift Guide Part 1 - Tis the Season for New Reels, Rods and Baits

Introduction: The weather outside is frightful, and the bite is less than delightful, so if you're stuck inside, come enjoy TackleTour's 2014 Holiday Gift Guide!!! Yup, it's that time again. The holidays are here and we've assembled a list of some of the hottest tackle to recommend for that fisherman on your list. From finesse to big baits, from freshwater to saltwater, from fishing line to fishing apparel, from mainstream to that must have enthusiast gear, it's all right here. Joining us this year as our TT Holiday Girl is the ever so lovely Jillian. So get ready to start your list, be prepared to check it twice, three times or more, because this holiday season the selections are hotter than ever!

Joining us this year as our TT Holiday Girl is the ever so lovely Jillian

Freshwater Baitcasting Reel (Daiwa Tatula): The marketing effort Daiwa put into the launch of their 2nd Generation T-Wing reels this year was unprecedented for the company. This is especially so if you consider the Tatula is far from flagship status. Daiwa is known for putting a great deal of effort into designing, building, and marketing their high end product, but this year that's all shifted. The Tatula and its slightly more coveted, tuned counterpart, the Tatula Type R represent a new focus for Daiwa and so far we like what we've seen and tested.

Freshwater Casting Reel : Daiwa Tatula - $149 at Tackle Warehouse

So why is the standard Tatula on our list over the Type R? It's all about value. The primary difference between the standard and Type R versions of this reel are the spool and drag star. The standard Tatula performs perfectly fine, so depending on your intended application, the added expense of the Type R can be difficult to justify. For our recommended holiday buy, the standard Tatula is it! Available now at Tackle Warehouse.

Freshwater Baitcasting Rod : 13 Fishing Omen - $99-$129 at Tackle Warehouse

Freshwater Baitcasting Rod (13 Fishing Omen): When it comes to rod companies 13 Fishing has grown tremendously in a very short amount of time by delivering enthusiast appeal in quality fishing rods that bear a price tag that you just don't expect from rod's with these features. The 13 Fishing Omen Black Casting Rods leverage Japanese 30 ton Toray carbon fiber blanks and make use of the company's own Evolve Titanium Y-Guides with Zirconia inserts. Grips consist of a combination of EVA and cork and to top it all off these rods come with a 5 Year Limited Warranty. Ranging from only $99-$129 dollars at Tackle Warehouse these aggressively priced 13 Fishing Omen rods are a great deal.

Freshwater Spinning Reel : Shimano Stradic Ci4+ - $219.99 at Tackle Warehouse

Freshwater Spinning Reel (Shimano Stradic Ci4+): This Season Shimano redesigned the Stradic CI4+ reel and took the construction to the next level. Using updated CI4+ material the new reel is over 200% stronger than Shimano's normal XT-7 graphite and more than 20% lighter as well. This reel is a great choice for finesse fishing or for anglers that simply prefer to fish with a spinning reel. As an added bonus because the reel is constructed out of a carbon composite the frame delivers plenty of rigidity with excellent corrosion resistance, making it a great choice for brackish and inshore applications. Available in a wide range of sizes at Tackle Warehouse the 1000-2500 size reels are idea for bass applications and retail for a very reasonable $219.99.

Freshwater Spinning Rod : Okuma Helios - $174.99 at Tackle Warehouse

Freshwater Spinning Rod (Okuma Helios): Okuma is probably best known for their reels but the Company has also completely updated their lineup of rods over the last few seasons as well. The Helios spinning rods are a perfect pairing for the Company's own Helios Spinning Reel but can just as easily be paired with any other lightweight spinning reel. These are the lightest rods that Okuma has ever produced and they start weighing in at just 3.6oz. and make use of a 40 ton graphite that we have found to be very sensitive in our field tests. Part of the reason the rod feels so light and balanced is the use of ALPS mini guides with high quality Zirconium inserts. These rods are attractively styled and are ideal for finesse applications and retail for $174.99 each at Tackle Warehouse. 

Next Section: Hot Baits for the Holiday Season