Cigars & Fishing

Who could ask for a more relaxing afternoon than smoking cigars and fishing? Both activities are rather meditative and we tend to indulge in them with others who have an equal appreciation. Before you back your boat into the water, here are a few tips to guarantee the smoothest possible fishing trip with a cigar in hand. 

Get a Good Torch Lighter

Rule number one for smoking outdoors is to get a good cigar torch. A lighter with a windproof or wind-resistant jet flame makes it ten times easier to light up outside – especially if you’re smoking on a boat or smoking in the wind. Matches and soft flame lighters are good backups, but you can light up much faster with a torch. There are dozens of sporty, high-performance models to check out.

Bring a Cigar Clip

Steady your cigar in a reliable cigar clip when you’re reeling in a feisty catch. It’s too easy to lose a good cigar over the side of the boat or accidentally burn yourself if you’re clamping down on it in your mouth while you’re in the middle of angling. There are plenty of multi-purpose cigar holders to consider tossing in your tackle box.

Protect Your Cigars

Transport your cigars in an airtight travel humidor. Sturdy travel cases like those made by Xikar are designed to keep water out too. An interior foam lining secures your cigars so they won’t roll around when the seas get choppy.

Choose Good Cigars

If you’re more of an endurance fisherman, pick out an inexpensive bundle to smoke in case the boat thrashes back and forth. Every big premium company makes affordable bundles you can smoke for around $1 to $3 per cigar. There are dozens worth trying from Rocky Patel, Oliva, Don Lino, Villiger, Argyle, and more. We’ve even got one called Fine Catch that’s dedicated fishing fanatics. Save higher-end premium brands that cost over $10 for the calmer waters when you can really enjoy your cigar without having to constantly set it down or relight it.

Heartier Cigar Wrappers

Cigars with thicker wrappers fare better when you’re smoking in breezy conditions. Thinner, more delicate wrapper varietals will go out faster if you need to set them down. If you can handle a heartier cigar, the thick oily Ecuador Sumatra wrapper on Ashton VSG, or the Ecuador Habano varietals found on My Father Le Bijou 1922, Oliva Serie V, and San Cristobal perform perfectly outdoors. A dark, oily color is usually a sign a cigar’s wrapper is resilient. 

Consider Longer Cigars

Because fishing ties up our hands, it’s not always convenient to set your rod down to maneuver your cigar or take it out of your mouth. Consider smoking longer shapes like Churchills or Double Coronas – cigars that are at least 7 inches. When you smoke a longer shape, the lit end of the cigar is farther away from your face when you’re holding it in your mouth, and you’re less likely to get unwanted wafts of smoke in your eyes.  

Bait and Switch

If you’ve got some seasoned fishermen on board who are inexperienced when it comes to smoking cigars, don’t be bashful about handing them a cigar from an inexpensive bundle to start. Keep the premiums out of reach until you know your fishing buddies will appreciate the taste – and they can hang onto a good one without dropping it overboard.