Best Gifts for Dads Who Love Fishing & the Outdoors

If your dad is anything like mine, you know exactly how hard he is to shop for. He's usually got everything he needs, and whatever he wants, he's already bought himself. The trick is to go one step bigger or better than he'd buy on his own - the gear he'd love but would never quite justify.

Whether he's a fisher, a camper, a cook or all three, here's what I'd give a dad who loves the outdoors - for Christmas, a birthday or Father's Day.

The easiest way to buy for an outdoorsy dad is to think about where he's happiest - on the water, at the campsite, or out in the hills - and go a notch above what he'd pick for himself.

When in doubt, go for the thing he keeps talking about but never buys. That's usually the gift that lands best.

If he loves getting out wide, the Daiwa Saltist X Slow Jig combo is the gift of the year. It's a matched rod-and-reel bundle built for slow-jigging - everything he needs in one box, and exactly the kind of thing he'd never buy for himself.

I'd choose it because it's a proper, memorable gift: no piecing a setup together, just a balanced combo ready to fish. If he's more into dropping baits deep, our Daiwa electric reel guide breaks down the bigger units too.

The gift of the yearDaiwa Saltist X 150 BC Slow Jig ComboRRP $465.96Shop the Daiwa Saltist X 150 BC Slow Jig Combo

A fishing dad always needs more rigs, so a Black Magic Snatcher Flasher Rig is an easy win - there's no risk of doubling up, and a few in the tackle bag never go to waste. For more ideas, see our Best Fishing Gifts guide.

An easy winBlack Magic Snatcher Flasher RigRRP $13Shop the Black Magic Snatcher Flasher Rig

For the dad who runs the camp kitchen, the Gasmate Classic 2 Burner LPG Stove is a brilliant gift. Two burners means he can actually cook a proper feed for everyone - bacon and eggs in the morning, a big fry-up at night.

I'd choose it because it's the sort of reliable, does-the-job kit a dad uses on every trip and quietly loves.

Feeds the campsiteGasmate Classic 2 Burner LPG StoveRRP $129Shop the Gasmate Classic 2 Burner LPG Stove

Or, for the dad who runs the drinks, the Dometic Cool-Ice 56L chilly bin. Cold drinks at the end of a day on the water are hard to beat, and this heavy-duty bin keeps a whole weekend's worth icy. See our Best Camping Gifts guide for more.

For the drinks guyDometic Cool-Ice 56L Chilly BinRRP $354Shop the Dometic Cool-Ice 56L Chilly Bin

For a dad who's always outdoors, The North Face Men's Antora rain jacket is gear he'll use constantly and put off buying for himself.

I'd choose it because it's a solid, no-fuss waterproof - light, packable and trustworthy when the weather turns. If you want to weigh up the brands, our Arc'teryx vs Patagonia vs The North Face comparison is a good read.

Worn constantlyThe North Face Men's Antora Rain JacketRRP $250Shop the The North Face Men's Antora Rain Jacket

Round it out with a pair of Oakley Holbrook sunglasses - a classic he'll wear everywhere, on the boat and off it. They're the kind of easy, can't-go-wrong gift every dad appreciates.

A classicOakley HolbrookRRP $360Shop the Oakley Holbrook

You don't need to spend big to land a great gift for dad. Here's a quick way to shop by budget.

On a tighter budget this year? See our Best Fishing Gifts on a Budget and Best Camping Gifts on a Budget guides for smaller picks. Or just browse the full range at Land & Sea.

To have your gifts arrive in time, place your order by 12pm on these dates (standard shipping):

Allow an extra 2 working days for rural delivery. These are indicative cut-offs and may change - we'll confirm the final dates with our shipping partners closer to Christmas.