The best Christmas gifts for 2018 by Peter Jung

Christmas is a time for family, friends and fun. There tends to be a fair bit of cheer involved, and way too much good food. People flock to their favourite holiday destination with unwrapped gifts packed, ready to be used for the first time.
When it comes to fishing tackle, there are plenty of gift options for any level of angler. The hard part is deciding whether the gift should be practical, outside the box or the start of someone's fishing journey. Here are some ideas to get you started.
COMBOS
Combos fit into the 'practical gift' category. There are fishing combos available for almost all aspects of fishing, from colourful kids' outfits to heavy rods and overhead reels to target larger pelagic species.
Most combos include appropriate line, and may even come with a few lures or hooks and sinkers. They also come in many price points (just remember that you tend to get what you pay for).
Combos aren't for everybody. However, if you're buying for someone who either doesn't fish often, is a fishing novice, or who wants to try a new style of fishing, a combo is a great choice.
Entry level
Prices for entry level combos range from around $40-$100, and it doesn't really matter what brand you choose. These outfits will get you fishing, and with minimal maintenance they should last a couple of years.
Style specific
There are so many different ways to catch fish these days that fishing style specific or species appropriate outfits are very popular. Combos to fish with lures or entry-level bluewater options tend to range from $100-$300. There is some real value in these outfits, as manufacturers push the boundaries of product quality. The quality of fishing products, like any other sporting equipment, continues to move forward. Older technology then filters down into the inexpensive ranges, which is a win for everybody.
In this category, those brands that put a lot of effort into research and development also offer the best quality for the price. Daiwa has shown this for many years, and the 2018 TD Black combo is no different. The reel features Daiwa's latest LT (Light Tough) technology, and the rods are built on their Nanoplus HVF blanks. They're super lightweight outfits and are great value for money.
Shimano is the other major brand that makes good combos during these seasonal periods. They ensure that each outfit is balanced, and only the current reel and rod models are used.