If you’re shopping for that perfect Christmas gift for your favorite fisherman, maybe I can help. People who fish are easy to shop for, thanks to the huge selection of boating accessories and tackle available.

In fact, there are so many fishing-related products on the shelves and on the Internet it can be confusing. Here are a few suggestions.

Sonar units, fish finders or depth finders are all one in the same. A sonar unit under the Christmas tree would make any fisherman happy.

The entry line models start at $80 but keep in mind you get what you pay for. Go at least two to three steps above the low-end units. Lowrance is the leader in marine sonar. The X-52 ($200) is dependable and user friendly, with many of the same features of the more expensive units.

For a few dollars more, Lowrance offers a color sonar, the X67C ($270). Comparing the standard monochrome sonar with a color unit is like comparing black and white television to color. You can see a lot more detail and eliminate sun glare with color sonar. Color units will eventually phase out monochrome.

If your budget is higher, take a look as the Lowrance X102C ($530.00). Of course, you can spend more. The X102C sells for $530 and it doesn’t stop there. The top-of-the-line Lowrance LCX-111C HD ($2300.00) features sonar and GPS with an internal hard drive.

Any crappie fishermen would be happy with a new graphite jig pole. B-n-M has been around a long time, and it’s hard to beat the Uncle Bucks Graphite pole ($40). They now offer a lighter version with a cork handle and reel seat that puts the reel at the base of the pole, where it should be. The Crappie Deluxe jig pole sells for $60.

For the bass fishermen, take a look at G. Loomis rods. G. Loomis builds the finest graphite rods in the world. Mention G. Loomis to a group of fishermen and the first thought is “expensive”. The good news is they offer several grades of graphite rods with prices ranging from $100 to $400. The GL2 is their entry line rod. From there, you can go up to a GL3, IMX or the very best rods in the world: the GLX.

There are so many fishing reels on the market it’s hard to nail it down to one brand but Shimano (owners of G. Loomis rods) has a great reputation among the hard-core fishermen. The Curado ($130) is a tough reel that will get the job done. Of course, you can spend more — all the way up to $500 — on a Shimano reel.

Some good smaller items that we all need include fishing line, lures, hooks, etc. If all else fails take the easy way out — a Bass Pro Shop gift certificate.

Eddie Roberts writes a weekly fishing column for The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached by e-mail at fishingwitheddie@highstream.net.