Whether it's dragging a tube on Lake Erie, slinging giant swimbaits on Clear Lake or pitching craws on Okeechobee, bass anglers have to rely on top gear. Most buy what they need when necessary.

But if you're in the spirit of giving, you can't go wrong with these six hot bass fishing Christmas gift ideas. They have been put to the test and will help catch more largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass anywhere in the country. 

This certainly isn't a definitive list because some will say "that's not as good as this" or "these will outshine those." That's fine. But these are proven bass fishing baits and tools to help catch more fish, whether you're on the dock at the farm pond or a bass rig on the big lake. They'll make great Christmas gifts for your bass guy or gal this year, too.

Texas Tackle Split Ring Pliers

For bass fishing geeks who throw crankbaits and topwater baits with treble hooks, there are a couple of benefits to switching the rings and hooks before hitting the water.

First, you can alter the weight of the bait and how it performs by changing the size of the split rings. That may sound crazy but it's true. If you'd like the rear end of a topwater popping bait such as a Pop-R to sit lower, switch the split ring and rear hook to a sturdier model — perhaps one designed for saltwater. That added weight can make a difference. If you're catching bigger bass or they're aggressive, stronger hooks and split rings could be the difference in landing or losing a fish.

Changing the hooks and rings is a pain if you're using your fingernails, a pocket knife or regular pliers. That's where the Texas Tackle split ring pliers are worth their weight in gold. The little tapered tab at the end of one of the plier arms slips between the split ring, separating it so you can remove it from the bait or the hook from the ring. To add a hook, split the ring, slip it on and slide it around. Done.

Whether you're switching out hooks and rings in your box for the entire season or for some other reason, this is one hot stocking-stuffer any bass angler would love.

Strike King KVD Series Crankbaits

Kevin Van Dam is aguably one of the greatest, if not the greatest, tournament bass anglers in history. The Michigan native has won four Bassmaster Classic championships, seven Angler of the Year Titles, 25 tour-level tournaments and more than $6 million in prize money. That last figure doesn't count endorsement earnings. Not bad for a 50-year old who's been at it since about 1990.

Van Dam has for years been sponsored by Strike King, which is based in west Tennessee. While Van Dam loves to throw a spinnerbait, he's also dialed in pretty keenly to crankbaits. His attention to detail and demand for specific action with the baits is legendary. The company worked more than three years to try to get a jerkbait completed that he liked and wanted. It's safe to say he's not going to just slap his name on a bait and let it ride.

His signature KVD Series crankbaits are what you'll find in his Plano boxes, in all sizes from the small 1.0 model to the big 8.0. The square bill design helps give the baits an erratic wandering action. Throw these on 10-, 12 or 14-pound test line, depending on the cover you're fishing around, or even up to 17-pound test if you're in heavy cover. These baits also have no rattles, which sometimes alert and spook fish. With the quiet approach, a bass is more apt to see it and react. With a wide variety of colors and size options they're a great gift for any bass angler.

HUK Element Icon

From spring to autumn you'll find me in some kind of thin, breathable performance shirt whether I'm out fishing, working in the yard, trail running or sitting around enjoying a cold beer on the porch.

Back in the day, I didn't use sunscreen and got sunburned pretty regularly. That was stupid. The cumulative effects of the sun are proven to be a contributor to skin cancer. Now, I'm usually in a long-sleeved shirt and don't mind putting on sunscreen along with a broad-brim hat. I'm not perfect and I don't care if you laugh, but let's just say I'm comfortable being wiser.

The HUK Elements Icon hoodie is super for multiple reasons, including:

— it's thin and lightweight, so it dries quickly when you sweat and won't hang like a sheet of flank steak the way a cotton shirt does in summer
— it's anti-microbial, so you won't smell like a convention of wet goats
— it's available in sizes S-3X, and they're cool for kids, women or men

The Element Icon is available in four colors. Personally, I prefer the Manta and Blacktip if you're planning on sending me a gift this year.

NetBait Paca Craw

One of my top things to do for bass is to swim a jig tipped with a craw that has claws or flappers with a lot of action. It's key to triggering a bass (or redfish) to strike because it can see the commotion and pick up the vibrations through its lateral lines.

NetBait's Paca Craw is a longtime favorite of mine, with the 4-inch Baby Paca Craw getting the nod for my swimjigs. There's a Tiny Craw, which is 3 inches long and super for a jighead for finesse or small creeks. The big 5-inch model is great for Texas-rigging and flipping into cover.

The Paca Craw has a little extra plastic in the edge of its claws, giving them an alternating wiggle on the fall or when retrieved. The thick plastic tip holds a hook well or snugs the bait to a jig. You can add scent or a rattle in the hollow body. I've fished these for years and always have had good success with them.

Vicious Fishing Line

If your fishing line stinks then you're not going to catch fish. It will break at the wrong time, pop when you get a lure hung but don't want it to pop, and if you're dealing with frustration due to line you won't have fun.

Vicious Fishing began in 2006 and within just a couple of years had vaulted into the bass fishing world. Tournament pros used the line, friendly outdoor media got the word out and it was affordable. But best of all, it worked under tough conditions. I've fished with Vicious co-polymer, fluorocarbon, mono and braid around some of the nastiest wood and rock cover, boat docks with rebar sticking out, in thick hydrilla on Guntersville Lake, Bienville Plantation and in Louisiana for redfish, and it's always worked.

Personally, I prefer the fluorocarbon and the Moss Green 30-pound test braided line. The latter has a smaller diameter than 30-pound test fluoro or mono, it doesn't "sing" in my rod guides (which is annoying), and I have utmost confidence in it when I'm pitching a jig or soft plastic into cover.

If you can't decide on one bass fishing  Christmas gift idea, pick up a couple of different spools of this line. Your angler will be happy.

Lew's Tournament Pro Speed Spool

Back in the olden days some of the first fishing reels were constructed with brass until new materials came along, but brass was still used for the guts of the reels similar to how watches were made. If you were going to have gears with teeth they needed to stand up to pressure and the elements. Brass did that.

Today we have a truckload of materials to use for hunting and fishing items, from titanium and plastic to steel and wood. Brass still gets the nod with the Lew's Tournament Pro Speed Spool LFS Series reel, though, with its guts designed with brass components. Why? Because they worked then and they work now. Longtime bass anglers know the name Lew's Speed Spool; the name and company were revived more than 10 years ago and today is on solid footing with a slew of top products.

Features among the LFS Series reel include:

— lightweight carbon sideplates combined with a one-piece aluminum frame, for a weight of just 6.5 ounces
— an 11-bearing system with stainless steel ball bearings and a one-way clutch bearing, providing smoothness and strength
— solid brass internal gears precision-cut on CNC machines
— a Zirconia line guide that can handle braided line with ease

I have a couple of older model Lew's reels that have put up with some hard use and abuse, and they keep on slinging baits. Perhaps Santa will bring some new ones for me this year, too.