SAN CLEMENTE – Father’s Day is different than other holidays or events that call for gifts. Dad wants practical, but he also appreciates gifts that allow him to “level up” while taking part of his favorite activities. Sometimes, that means getting him something he’d never just buy himself, and it also could mean buying him something he won’t know he loves until he has it. Whatever angle it might be, here are some WON-picked selections
Penn Fathom II and Fathom 500 Low Profile
Penn was proud to announce the return of the “O.G.” Fathom 2-speed back in SoCal’s “Show Season,” and anglers – who made all the noise that resulted in the reel’s return – were stoked to say the least. Penn brought it back exactly how it used to be, including the black-with-gold-trim look, push-button 2-speed clutch and easily-adjustable drag system.
The re-issue included the most popular models on the West Coast including the 25 Narrow (the overall #1 in California) which packs a 5.5:1 high speed and 2.7 on the low end, the 30 which is mechanically the same reel as the 25 Narrow only wider for more line capacity and the 40 Narrow which is ideally suited for 80-pound braid and up to a 100-pound top-shot making it a versatile “go to” reel on multi-day trips.
Immediately following the re-issue, anglers rushed to local shops to grab them making them a hot commodity in early spring. That rush has since settled, and most outlets have a good supply of them heading into the summer season.
For anglers looking for a low-profile workhorse, Penn also released the Fathom 500 Low Profile which also had PCS Show attendees buzzing. The new Penn Fathom 500 Low Profile Reel expands the legacy of the Fathom series into a compact, precision-engineered design made for heavy-duty salt work. Featuring a full-metal body and crank side plate, this reel maintains perfect gear alignment under heavy loads, delivering the strength and durability Penn is known for.
Plano GoNow storage system
Most outdoorsmen have some level of “grab and go” built in to how they store specific types of gear for various brands of adventure, and Plano’s new GoNow system takes a giant leap into the next level as far as that goes. WON will be field testing the Plano GoNow system over the course of 2026 starting in the Eastern Sierra this month.
Designed to elevate outdoor gear storage and organization, the new Plano GoNow system features both a Small and Large Box and a host of accessories designed to keep gear organized, accessible, and ready at a moment’s notice. Built with thoughtful internal organization, rugged weather-resistant construction, and accessories for different pursuits, Plano GoNow ensures hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts spend less time searching for gear and more time outside.
The Plano GoNow system is designed to give outdoor enthusiasts a smarter, more efficient way to store and manage their gear. With intuitive organization, durable construction, and modular accessories tailored to different pursuits, GoNow helps eliminate the frustration of misplaced equipment and last-minute searching. The result is a streamlined system that saves time, reduces unnecessary spending on duplicate gear, and ultimately makes it easier to get outside more often and focus on the adventure ahead.
And wait ‘til you see how these things can be customized. Optional attachments include rod holders, filet boards, bottle openers, internal trays, dividers and drink holders, and that’s just the ones WON is putting in play. There’s a lot more out there making this system as versatile as it is tough. Stay tuned for the results of WON’s field tests.
For more info, visit PlanoOutdoors.com
HK VP9 X “Bear” 9mm
Heckler and Koch phased out the previous generation of VP 9mm pistols and replaced them with the current iteration that packs upgraded triggers, grip frames and slides. The all-new American Shooting Sports in San Dimas (AMShootingSports.com) already has an impressive roster of HK VP9s (the Bear Models) at the $959 price point on hand along with some upgraded “kits,” so checking those out in-store or online is the way to go.
These pistols includes a night sight (front), optic-ready slide and adjustable back straps. They’re very comfortable to shoot and carry the performance and reliability standards HK is well known for. The internals were also updated making them a top choice on the California-compliant market, and the trigger performance has been a huge selling point on these VP9 X Bear 9mm pistols. They feature a “light take up” and positive reset that many testers said felt like a single-action break.
“HK offers the best quality semi-automatic handgun on the market for the price,” said Jordon Hirschi of American Shooting Sports.
If you’re a shooter but a pistol isn’t on your radar at the moment, visit the website for American Shooting Sports or stop by the shop (which just opened) in San Dimas. Local gunners are going to love the casual, low-pressure, helpful environment not present in most gun stores, but Hirschi made a point to built his shop precisely around those elements.
For more info visit AMShootingSports.com
Furuno TZMAP
Furuno’s new TZMAP Series is a lineup of all-in-one chartplotters built specifically for anglers who want premium fish-finding and navigation technology without the headache of complicated, high-end network systems. Available in 9-inch and 13-inch touchscreens, these stand-alone units give an anlger elite “big-boat” features in a simplified, budget-friendly package.
For finding fish, the built-in tech is top-tier:
• TruEcho CHIRP Fish Finder: Delivers crystal-clear detail of the water column making it easy to spot target fish and bait pools.
• CHIRP Side-Scan: Scans out to both the port and starboard sides, revealing precise seabed terrain and structure where fish love to hide.
When it comes to mapping, the unit uses TZ MAPS. The user can download highly detailed contour charts, satellite imagery, and custom depth shading directly to the screen via Wi-Fi. This makes identifying underwater drop-offs, reefs, and channels incredibly easy. It even includes AI Routing, just tap where you want to fish, and it automatically plots the safest path.
For safety, the TZMAP series easily connects to Furuno’s radar systems and features a Dynamic Mooring tool. This tool combines real-time weather forecasts with your charts to tell boaters exactly where it is safe and calm enough to drop anchor.
Ultimately, the TZMAP series gives you elite sonar clarity, incredible mapping detail, and an easy, smartphone-like touchscreen interface. It is everything you need to find more fish, navigate safely, and get back to the dock without any unnecessary tech clutter.
For more info, visit Furuno.com
Gamakatsu filet knives
Gamakatsu is universally respected as an elite hook manufacturer, but the Japanese company actually offers anglers all over the world a lot more than that. A Father’s Day shopper should look at Gamakatsu’s filet knives. Available in four sizes from 6- to 9-inch, each comes with a premium sheath, but a serious cutter with use for all four models can stow them in Gamakatsu’s Knife Roll Bag. Given “Gama’s” well-known prowess when it comes to hook manufacturing be it surgical sharpness, slick finishes, durability and corrosion resistance, it should come as no surprise the same know-how rolls right into these very reasonably-priced filet knives. They also hit the sweet spot between maintaining an edge, “sticky” sharpness and easy to sharpen on the water or in the field when the time comes.
Gamakatsu’s non-hook offerings also include tackle storage solutions from utility boxes on up to tackle bags, lures, tungsten sinkers, floats, snaps, swivels, rings, spring locks, pliers, cutters, everyday-carry knives, performance apparel and much more.
For more info, visit Gamakatsu.com
Stealth Lithium Batteries
Stealth Batteries designs premium lithium marine batteries tailored specifically to meet demanding outdoor environments. By utilizing advanced Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) technology, these batteries offer massive upgrades over traditional lead-acid options, directly impacting how you fish, boat, and explore off-grid.
Traditional batteries suffer from voltage drops as they deplete, causing your trolling motor or electronics to lose power right when you need them most. Stealth Batteries deliver consistent, dependable power throughout their entire discharge cycle. Whether you are running a 12V Kraken setup for your main power or a specialized 16V Livescope battery to keep your forward-facing sonar crisp and interference-free. Stealth’s marine lineup also offers heavy-duty power at a fraction of the weight of conventional batteries. Weight is the enemy of speed, fuel efficiency, and shallow-water draft.
Every angler’s rig is different, and Stealth eliminates the need for messy, heavy battery series connections. With a dedicated 24V Stealth (60 AH) and 36V Stryker (60 AH) battery in their lineup, you can power high-thrust trolling motors using a single, streamlined battery. Paired with their multi-bank chargers (ranging from 3 to 5 banks), managing your power ecosystem becomes effortless. For outdoorsmen who refuse to let equipment limitations dictate their adventure, switching to Stealth means less time worrying about power management and more time focusing on the catch.
For more info, visit StealthBatteries.com
