Hello to all Prostaffers from most of the time sunny California!!

I was thinking about what gear I might need for next year and the thought came to me that you guys must have some favorite items to recommend. And seeing that it's getting near to the Holidays and gift giving season I figured Santa might be able to use a little professional help also.

I'm wide open of course, shoes, sunglasses, raingear, gloves, jackets, socks, boots, pocket knife.... anything you would consider to be a personal favorite. Ya know like one of those special little don't leave home without it to go fishing items you've come to love over the years.

OK..... so you might say "Hey geobass, that's a cool question but how bout a little peak into your favorites bag just to get us in the spirit. Fair enough.... here's one of my alltime favorite fishing accessories.

A palm straw fishing hat from SunBody Hats of (mofish will probably be glad to hear this) Houston, Texas. I bought one of the Mexican Standard Palm Cattleman 4" wide brim hats about ten years ago. It has proven to be a fantastic fishing hat. Handmade in Guatemala, it is constructed in the snake coil fashion sewn overlapping from top to outside like the way shingles overlap on a rooftop. Great sun protection with the wide brim, very durable and good in the rain too, because of the overlapping coils, it is vertually waterproff.

Anyway when I bought it at a shop here in Los Angeles about 10 years ago for about 25 bucks I though it was pretty pricey but man let me tell ya, it has proven to be well worth it. There is already a picture of me wearing the hat posted at the begining of my "Reading the Signs" question... some of you may already have seen that one of me with the rainbow so I won't post it again.

And oh yeah!!! The bass seem to like it also. I've been foutunate enough to catch some pretty good lunkers while wearing it too!

Here's a link to SunBody Hats...... take my word for it, the Mexican Standard Palm Cattleman style hat makes a great fishing hat... I added a chinstrap myself. No big deal, just poked two holes in the brim near my ears and got a good long black shoelace. Worked like a charm.. also it has proven to be real good for ocean fishing as well.

https://ssl.webwize.com/Sunbody/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=196&CFID=2075729&CFTOKEN=33835818

I'm looking forward to hearing about all the Pro's personal favorite fishing accessories and also from anyone else that wants to give good 'ole Saint Nick a pointer or two!!!

Good fishing to you guys, later.......... geobass

Geobass, I like the Wrangler Angler and Diamond Cut jeans, they really wear well and are comfortable. Also I love the Leatherman Multi-tool. Ono's sunglasses with built-in readers lens have been a big benefit to me as well. A plug knocker made by Gripper has saved me lots of time and baits. Lots of good stuff out there. Johnnie

Man that is the exact hat I have hanging on the wall geo! Its right there with the six other hats that I keep for all occasions.

Next thing I like is my Frogg Toggs rain gear. Light weight and wind proof.

Digital scale made by Rapala keeps me honest.

Pro Rule measuring board most accurate measuring board made. Has white lines and numbers so you can see the tail sweep across the line if its close.

My home made AIR system to keep my fish alive. 12v aerator from Academy Sports and Outdoors, and two large air stones, run to each live well, from Wal-Mart.

Oakley sunglasses.

Under Armor, both heat and cold gear, to keep me comfortable while fishing. Unbelievable stuff right here.

The $1.00 packs of hand warmers to keep the hands toasty. (Wal-Mart) All ways have some handy, you never know.

Adidas vented type tennis shoes. Unbelievable comfort in the summer when its hot. Light weight and very cool with all the venting that they have.

Sun block, cant remember the name of them but they come in a small package the look like hand wipes. Very nice and easy to use. You don’t get sun block all over your hands with these things.

That should get you started.

Lets not forget about the hottie we should bring to put on the tanning lotion and supply us with our cold drinks as we are fishing to our hearts content. Be tuff getting her in the stocking. Might as well make it fun. Guess she can fish too. Just a thought..LOL

Yeah, Conley, I forgot them Frogg Toggs-I love 'em. JC

I like the way you think Nunzio !

Capt'n

Hey guys from beautiful overcast Kentucky Lake. First off, Happy Holidays!!!! Now is definately the time to go over your fishing needs list and check it twice. I agree with some of the other replies. A good pair of Solar Bat sunglasses, Columbia rainsuit, new G Loomis rod and maybe even a Shimano reel or two.
This is also a good time of the year to look at your tackle boxes and replace any that are old and battle worn. The one item I carry in my boat that most people seem to overlook is a good first aid kit. This can save a fishing trip. Hope this helps.

Great suggestions from everyone... Conley you beat me to the punch with Frog Toggs and Under Armor (UA), so I'll have to add that I couldn't agree more about those two items. Both are quality made and extremely functional for fishing. The UA line of clothing is designed for athletes and takes things like sweating and manuverability into consideration with their designs. Their cold weather gear is all extremely light weight, but it keeps you as warm as toast.

Kevin made a great suggestion with the First Aid kit... definetely something you want to have in you boat or tackle bag. You never know when a hook is going to get you bad.

Here's one for you: binoculars (smaller size) I always keep a pair in my boat and they also come in handy when shoreline fishing. Nothing is more annoying than walking half a mile to find out that there is no openings to fish from on a bank.

On a side note, let's all welcome Kevin Springer to the website. He is a new ProStaff member from Kentucky.

And yes, "Happy Holidays" to everyone.

BC

KEVIN WELCOME TO THE SITE!

Great idea on the First Aid Kit, reminded me to replace some stuff in mine.

I would suggest sealed tupperware type containers to place digital cameras, Ipods,ect.. in. If you get caught downpour they come in handy. Others; Flashlight, grease gun, extra trailer bulbs, and a can of carpet cleaner.

Bassin
Butch