Shopping for someone who lives on the water? Most "gifts for fishermen" lists are full of novelty mugs and cheap multi-tools that end up in a drawer. A handmade Calcutta bamboo gaff, tuna spike or deck brush is the opposite: something they'll use every trip, built in colors that match their boat.
Here's our holiday gift guide, organized by budget and by the kind of angler you're shopping for.
Under $25: a stocking stuffer they'll actually wear
Fishscale Gaff Co. tees ($19.99). Our Death Stick, The White and Fish Machine designs are an easy add-on, and a nice way to pair a shirt with the matching gaff or spike.
Around $100: the tuna spike (best gift for the offshore angler)
If they chase tuna, yellowtail or dorado, a Calcutta bamboo tuna spike (from $94.99) is the gift they didn't know they needed. It's a 316 stainless steel ike jime brain spike on a bamboo handle. One quick spike stops the fish from thrashing, which means less bruising and better-tasting fish at the dinner table. Not sure what that means? Our guide on what a tuna spike is and when to use it explains it.
- 1/4" × 4": yellowtail, bonito, dorado and school-size tuna
- 5/16" × 4.5": the all-around size for yellowfin and bluefin (the safe pick if you're unsure)
- 3/8" × 5": larger tuna and other big, thick-skulled fish
Add the optional screw-on sheath so the point is protected in a tackle bag.
$120–$190: gifts for the boat owner
Calcutta bamboo deck brushes ($149.99–$189.99). Every boat owner scrubs the deck after every trip. A bamboo-handled brush wrapped in their favorite colorway turns a chore tool into something they're proud to leave out on deck. See what makes a good saltwater deck brush.
Custom bait net ($119.99). For the angler who fishes live bait, a custom net built in their colors is a gift that gets used every time they load the tank. Here's what to look for in a bait net.
Calcutta pick gaffs (from $149.99). Great back up utility gaff and industry standard for fisherman in northern waters.
$150–$330: the showpiece gift, a Calcutta bamboo gaff
A handmade Calcutta bamboo gaff (from $149.99 for a 3 ft gaff to $299.99 for a 6 ft gaff with a titanium hook, a little more for select colorways) is the gift that gets hung on the wall between trips. Bamboo floats if it goes overboard, flexes to absorb head shakes, and won't gouge gelcoat.
Not sure which one to pick? Use this cheat sheet:
- Fishes from a kayak, skiff or bay boat: 3–4 ft gaff, 2.50–2.75" hook gap (calico bass, halibut, yellowtail, dorado)
- Fishes offshore on a sportfisher or center console: 5–6 ft gaff, 3.00–3.25" hook gap (tuna, wahoo, white seabass)
- Chases giants: 4.00" hook gap for big tuna, swordfish and marlin
Our gaff size guide goes deeper, and the bamboo gaff price guide explains what you're paying for.
The ultimate gift: a matching set in their boat's colors
Many of our signature colorways (Shaka Stick, Local Legend, Fish Machine, Slob Stick, Ganja and Offshore Original) come as a gaff, a tuna spike and a deck brush. Put all three together and you've got a matching deck kit nobody else on the dock will have.
Want it in their boat's exact colors, or with the boat name on it? Build it yourself with the Custom Gaff Builder, Custom Tuna Spike Builder, Custom Deck Brush Builder and Custom Bait Net Builder. See some custom gaff build examples for ideas.
Order early: everything is handmade
Nothing here sits on a warehouse shelf. Every piece is built to order:
- Standard colorways and custom colors without a boat name: usually ship in 5–7 business days
- Custom builds with boat graphics: allow extra time, usually 8–12 business days
Add shipping time on top of that and the holiday rush, and the safe move is to order custom gifts by late November and standard colorways by early December. If you're cutting it close, message us before you order and we'll tell you honestly whether it'll make it.
FAQ
What's a good gift for a fisherman who has everything?
A custom Calcutta bamboo gaff or tuna spike in their boat's colors. It's one of one, and it's gear they'll use on every trip.
What if I don't know what size gaff to get?
Pick the length by the boat (3–4 ft for kayaks and small boats, 5–6 ft for bigger boats) and the hook by the fish they target. If you're still unsure, a tuna spike or deck brush doesn't require sizing and is always useful.