Whether you're a Bay angler chasing bluefish or a lake lover going after largemouth bass, as the new season hits you'll almost certainly want to check out some new fishing gear this spring. Every season brings a new crop of cool goodies; these are some of our top picks for spring of 2025.
Hobie Hull Float Sunglasses
Hobie Eyewear has some new sunglasses called the Hull Float that not only protect your peepers, but also the environment. “Upcycled” is the buzzword, because the buoyant frames are crafted from castoffs of Hobie kayaks that get created during the manufacturing process. Even the included case is upcycled from hull material that gets ground down and reformed. Frames are then matched up with a pair of bio-based polarized injected polycarbonate lenses coated with HydroClean, a hydrophobic/anti-reflective coating. We tried a pair of Hull Floats and found them to be uber-comfortable, with feather-light, flexible frames that wrapped around perfectly to block out light and left very little gapping. The optics seem to be on par with other top-shelf polycarbonate lenses, and come in Sea Green Mirror, Grey, Cobalt Mirror, and Sightmaster Plus yellow. Price: $119.99. Go to Hobie Eyewear to perk up those peepers.
XtraTuf Riptide Sandal
Your feet like foam shoes á la Crocs, but you’re not a fan of the look? XtraTuf has a new “drainage shoe” called the Riptide Sandal, which is as perforated as a landing net but has a sleeker look than most molded foam footwear. Shaped more like a slip-on sneaker than a bathtub, the foam itself is a bit different, too. It’s made of what they’ve tagged “BioLite,” an EVA foam produced from raw sugar cane that will biodegrade, so it’s an eco-friendlier material than traditional TPE or TPU thermoplastics. Turns out, it also feels good on the tootsies. We tried wearing a pair of Riptides on the boat and found that they felt cushiony underfoot, while their aerated nature stayed cool and instantly drained when dipped overboard. Plus, we found them grippy on fiberglass. Bonus Feature: Thanks to all that ventilation our feet no longer smell like chum. Double Bonus Feature: If you stare at the pattern on the bottom of the soles long enough and let your eyes blur a little bit, it looks like a bunch of anchors. Price: $55. Visit XtraTuf for some podiatric pleasure.
Handing Fishing M1
I recently tested out the Handing Fishing Tackle M1 6’6” Medium – Fast Action Spinning Rod and Reel on various fishing trips targeting species such as hickory shad and chain pickerel. I loaded up the 3000 size reel with Blast 20-pound test braided fishing line. I was surprised I was able to easily spool up all 300 yards, whereas other reels of this size typically seem to only hold 250 yards or so. My first impression of this combo was how lightweight and comfortable the rod felt in my hand. The unique reel seat twist lock feels very secure, and the EVA handle and exposed blank really helps you feel even the slightest of bites. The carbon-fiber butt adds a nice aesthetic as well. The Fuji Alconite guides seem much smaller than on comparable rods and I noticed that this feature enabled very precise casting. Another thing I noticed with this setup is that I could launch my lures much further than similar rod and reel combos in my arsenal. As far as sensitivity, this rod tip holds its own and the fast action is ideal for jigging and finesse fishing swimbaits. The M1 reel has a sleek look to it and 9+1 bearing system feels smooth upon retrieval. The only thing that I found undesirable is that the rod blank has sort of a ribbed texture to it, though at the end of the day that has no impact on its performance. If you're looking for an affordable option that gets the job done, be sure to check them out at Handing Fishing. -By Zach Ditmars
Rocky Talkie
Whether you're on a boat or land communicating with fellow anglers can often be more valuable than anything else in your tackle box. On boats, many fishermen use VHF radios to communicate what areas are hot and what patterns are working out on the Bay. However, Marine VHF radios are not permitted for land use. A few weeks ago, I headed out with the Angler in Chief to do some spring shad fishing on the banks of a tributary off the Potomac River. With a pair of Rocky Talkie five-Watt radios clipped to our tackle bags, we hiked through the woods in search of productive fishing holes. The first few spots did not produce so we separated in search of the fish. With the press of a button on the Rocky Talkie we were able to communicate through the day on what lures were effective and spots on the river where we observed fish stacked up. This GMRS radio is rated IP67 to be waterproof up to three-feet in the event it takes a spill into the drink. Its rubber housing and shatterproof LED screen are also built tough in case you accidentally drop it to wrangle in a monster fish. The 1800 mAH battery lasts around five days on one charge and it features 22 channels, as well as access to 11 weather channels and NOAA alerts. The Rocky Talkie boasts a 35-mile line of sight range which should be achievable on open water, but in situations on land in various terrain you can expect that to be significantly less. To legally use a five-Watt radio a FCC General Mobile Radio Service must be obtained (it takes just a few minutes to apply online), and Rocky Talkie will reimburse you for the $35 fee; Rocky also offers less powerful models that don't require licensing. Visit Rocky Talkie to talk it up. - By Zach Ditmars
Hard Head Custom Baits Dirty Banana
No bananas are allowed aboard? Well not in this case! Hard Head Custom Baits have a new color for their shad head jigs call the “Dirty Banana”. This variation on their classic jig design features a yellowish-chartreuse head splashed with brown paint, and a white and sparkly gold skirt. They have also improved the eyes on these jigs by recessing them and using a more oblong pattern for a more realistic appearance. I paired up this jig head with one of my favorite soft plastics and hit the Bay in search of rockfish and it certainly did not disappoint. These bananas are definitely allowed on my boat. Visit Hard Head Custom Baits to check 'em out. - By Zach Ditmars