|
Must-Haves for a Day on the Water
Welcome to our first Good Hunting newsletter, where the editors of Garden & Gun will share their favorite gear, gadgets, and goods. This week we’re headed out on the water, where I’ve spent much of my free time since I was old enough to take the family jon boat out solo. These days I’m still at it, though the boat is bigger and my “crew” has also increased in size. But the goal remains the same: to make the most out of our time, whether on the boat, at the beach, or chilling by a mountain stream. —David DiBenedetto, Editor in Chief
> Follow me @davedibenedetto
| |
Made in the ShadeIf you haven’t seen a Shibumi Shade at your local beach this season, it shouldn’t be long. Made in North Carolina, the sunshade turns a typical beach umbrella’s nemesis—the wind—into its support. With just one pole, a small weighted bag of sand, and a guideline, it stays aloft in as little as three mph of breeze, providing ample relief from the rays for up to six adults, a few kids, and, of course, a couple of dogs. $250; shibumishade.com
| |
Get in the Spirit
One of the most memorable glasses of rum I’ve ever enjoyed was at a bonefish lodge with legendary fly fisherman Flip Pallot. I learned that Pallot was a devotee of the spirit, so I wasn’t surprised to find out recently he was part of a crew behind the launch of Frigate Reserve Rum. No PR stunt this, the rum lovers teamed up with master distiller Don Pancho Fernandez in Panama to produce a rum that sips smooth and deep. $29-$109; frigatereserverum.com
| |
The Ultimate Boat BladeThere are a few time-honored rules to follow on a fishing boat: Keep your hands out of your pockets (lest you hit a wave and land nose first on the deck), no bananas, and always carry a knife. For my money, no boat blades top Spyderco’s Salt Series, which is impervious to corrosion and clips onto a pocket with ease for an unobtrusive piece of safety. Whether you’re carrying the classic Salt 2 (above) or the new, beefier Siren, you can use them to free a wayward rope wrapped tight around a prop, slice bait in a pinch, or cut the tag end of your fishing line. $131; Salt 2. $240; Siren
| |
A Sportsman’s Second SkinOutdoor adventures call for gear that goes the extra mile, and this new bamboo hoodie from Duck Camp will take you from the boat to the blind with ease. The ideal transitional layer, it’s soft, breathable, and equipped with UPF30+ for days casting from the bow, while the state-of-the-art early season camo blends perfectly with coastal marshes and flooded fields. The hoodie is available in a range of other patterns and solid colors, and in sizes S–3XL. $59-$64; duckcamp.com.
| |
In the Bag
Taking its cues from where the traditional boat bag leaves off, the Yeti Camino Carryall adds a waterproof bottom that is rigid enough to keep the bag upright (for when water is sloshing on the deck), rugged handles, and plenty of room to stuff whatever you need for a day on the boat or the beach. It’s not the cheapest boat bag, but I can attest that it’s going to be the last one you’ll need to buy. $150; yeti.com
| |
Nothing but NetIf your summer finds you out on the stream or a mountain lake in pursuit of trout, you’d be hard pressed to slip a more beautiful net beneath your quarry than those from Heart Wood Trade. Handcrafted from both native and exotic woods in Austin, Texas, each net is unique. Creator Dustin Scott takes into account a buyer’s hand size and even height to dial in the dimensions. From $345; ggfieldshop.com
| |
Spillproof CoozieEnjoying a boat beer is one of my personal delights. Spilling said boat beer is one of my pet peeves (though I’m terrific at it). A new “coozie” from Charleston, South Carolina’s Toadfish Outfitters has solved the problem. Gently set it on the console and it suctions tight, resistant to the rocking and rolling of a rough day or an unexpected boat wake. Need a sip? Just lift straight up and you’re met with no resistance. Really. It’s a game changer. $28; toadfishoutfitters.com
| |
|
|
|
|