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Last-minute gift ideas for ‘outdoor sportsy’ people

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By Jim Morris, Contributing Writer Updated 6:31 PM Saturday, December 17, 2011

Here’s the situation, outdoors fans. You have seven shopping days left before Christmas. So if you are still looking for a gift to give a deserving outdoorsman or outdoorswoman, you’d better be taking care of it faster than Santa can drop down your chimney after a month on Jenny Craig.

Outdoor sportsy (my wife’s term) gifts — like everything else — can be as inexpensive as a couple of bucks for some bobbers or as expensive as a new bass boat. Um, I’ll take the latter, thanks. Red would be nice.

Here are a few ideas that fall in between:

• The folks at Fisherman’s Headquarters (4th and Keowee in Dayton) are all abuzz about a set of new baits they’ve been selling about as fast as they can make them. They’re variations on the Alabama Rig they are calling Buckeye-Bama Rigs.

They use small jigheads, hardwired together to look like spokes on an umbrella. Soft plastic twisters are attached to each hook with Colorado blades above them. In Ohio, the configuration is allowed to carry three hooks, so there are three arms on the lure. For fishing in other states, as many as five arms hold hooks.

“This type of rig is about the hottest thing in tournament fishing,” said Chris Hochwalt, co-owner of Fisherman’s Headquarters. “When they are pulled through the water, they resemble a school of minnows.”

What hungry bass can pass that up?

The rigs sell for $19.95 assembled. They will sell you the parts and you can put them together yourself for $14.95. They also make a buzz bait version that sells for $19.95.

• If you have a friend who camps and loves to spend lazy afternoons reading or napping, how about a hammock? Gander Mountain has several styles, including one that hooks up to a frame or can be tied between two trees for $30.

• Coleman has a new tent called Instant Tent 8. It can be set up by two people in a minute (unless you are all thumbs, like me). It will sleep up to eight, which might be a tad crowded. It sells for $240.

• Cabellas.com has a new two-way GPS radio, the Garmin Rhino 600 Series. It not only tells you your location on a GPS screen, but transmits it to others in the area. Prices range from $349 to $499, depending on features.

• Ohio State Parks are selling gift cards in denominations of $5 or more. They can be used for everything from lodge and cottage stays, to camping, golf, rentals or merchandise.

Gift cards may be purchased online at ohiostateparks.org, at any state park office or by calling (866) 644-6727.

• Along the same lines, you can buy a gift certificate from the Division of Wildlife that allows the recipient to use it for Ohio fishing or hunting licenses or hunting permits. They are also good for buying Wetland Habitat Stamps and Wildlife Legacy Stamps. Check them out at wildohio.com.

• When you have bought all the gifts you can for the outdoors person, don’t forget the dog. Woodrow Wear makes a product called Power Paws. You put these sock-like protectors on each paw and your dog is ready for icy sidewalks. They’re available in several colors and sizes for $19.99 (for four). Go to woodrowwear.com.

Outdoors columnist Jim Morris can be reached through his Website at www.examiner.com/outdoor-recreation-in-dayton/jim-morris or by email at sports@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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