Sometimes it’s a big deal and sometimes it’s something pretty small that makes fishing easier. When it comes to handling fluoro leader material for all the splices to braid, the Shark Tooth is one of those small pleasures. After just a couple of trips, I can say this: the thing works.

Of course, it doesn’t look like much (frankly, like something little girls use to hold their hair in place) and it was devised by fly fishermen, so we would never think to look in that direction, but it’s handy and complete. It allows you to pull off just what you need, provides a protected stainless steel blade to cut the line, and keeps the tag end under control.

As you can (sorta) see from the photos, the components are pretty simple. A length elastic with the cutter (shark tooth) riveted on with two hollow fasteners. The “holes” through the shark tooth (the one behind the blade, is the key one) serve to feed line, which you then draw across the blade and while thumbing the plastic protector, to cut cleanly.

Things to note. First, wrap the Shark Tooth strap around the spool with the blade pointed in the same direction as the line unwinds. Then stretch the band out and take the tag line and thread it through the “back” hole from underneath. Finally, when you dispense line by pulling the tag in one hand, use your thumb and forefinger of the other hand to serve as spindle or axle so the spool turns.

I had thought there might be a risk of abrasion as the leader goes through the metal grommet, but I can’t see or feel anything with the leaders. And, when you think of how fussy the fly guys are, including their use of a lot lighter material than we like, I think we’re going to be just fine with these–for less than 5 bucks, too.

Another thing it’s done for me is let me use every yard of a spool of fluorocarbon. When you use “whole spool” fluoro, unless you’ve measured out pretty closely, you always end up with line at the end of the spool. Now I don’t waste those last few turns.

'COOL' not enough for me

Sometimes bullet-proof ain’t enough. And come to think of it, style isn’t everything either. So, when it comes to optics for anglers, I can’t tell you how disappointed I was after hanging around the show for the WileyX press conference this past Thursday.

Yeah, they’ve got our Skeet Reese; they’ve got the other Mark Davis; but as an optics manufacturer, they’ve also got short-sightedness (pun intended.)

It was a couple of seasons back when I asked Wiley’s Mark Fisher (in the face of Ono and Costa Del Mar’s introductions of bifocal, polarized glasses) when Wiley might have a similar offering. Last Thursday, Fisher told the media that such a product was well down on the company priorities list.

Maybe he thought the offer of a free pair of WileyX’s to all who were present would mask the obvious; that we’d all overlook this gap in the product line. But I heard murmuring as the room emptied.

Hey, I like Reese and Davis; they’re both dynamic figures. But not everybody is in the MTV demographic. Reese, by his own admission, is 20 years in the fishing business and now 40 years old. He’s no kid and the fact his only contribution to the Wiley forum was, “I just wanted them to build a cool set of glasses,” doesn’t have me rushing to the eyewear counter. Heck, forget about that safety element Wiley likes to tout, Skeet doesn’t even use the protective inserts!

Maybe somebody forgot to tell him, it’s in your 40′s that your near vision starts to go South. But that’s also when your earning power starts to rise. People buy $200 eyewear for a lot of reasons. But having the multiple benefits of being able to fish in all light conditions, see up close and also be able to afford it, are some issues in front of him (his sponsor) and a good portion of the market.

Sure, I want our military to have the best. They need all the safety gear available. But that’s not the issue here. If Wiley doesn’t particularly care about me and my fishing experience–or yours (in that 40 and up category)–where does that leave us?

Frankly, somewhere else.

So here’s one.

Having stood on the sidelines for an awful lot of tournaments over the years– sometimes guys break down and the organization has to go out and find them. The “Disabled Boat” flag is a gaudy banner that you connect to your rear running light if your boat breaks. Obviously, if you’re a tournament guy and are hoping someone will find you and take you and your fish to the weigh-in on time when you’re out of commission–this could flag could be critical to your situation.

Or, if for some reason you need to abandon your boat, the yellow flag might help you track it down in a sea of red skier flags.

As the company says: “The Disabled Boat Flag is professionally designed, clearly visible, bright yellow and black lettering message with the universally known red circle with slash. The flags can be attached to your stern light via Velcro strips. The flags send a clear message to others you are safe and have intentionally left your boat to weigh in, or are seeking help in the form of a tow/assistance from water patrol.”

There is not a lot of information on the website such as actual dimensions or material, but the images suggest something in that 18 x 24 inch range, made of nylon and it’s cheap–less than 15 bucks–including shipping!

Anyway, if more anglers become educated to look for this particular yellow and red banner, there’s no doubt it could be a big help out there. And think about it.  If you find yourself in a pickle with 25 pounds in the box and no way to get them home–this could prove to be a career-saver.

Since the earlier era, however, a couple things have occurred. One, Yamamoto changed its molds on the bait we used to split-shot and Carolina rig, and Kalin, of course, was sold to Uncle Josh in Wisconsin, and kind of slipped out of the spotlight.

When Al Kalin was shooting baits in Brawley, he was never quite convinced about making a 4-inch version. He had the 3- and 5-inchers, and that’s what the wholesalers got used to selling. Instead, the Yamamoto 4-inch was pretty much all we had to fish here. It’s a nice bait, but the tail is really a “wobbler” while the Kalin was known more as a “rippler.”

Each had its detractors: The Kalin tail was criticized for being too thin and sticking to itself. The Yamamoto tail, with a skinny link, and not-so-tough plastic between the sickle and the body, could fall victim to an aggressive bluegill  (so you had to rig up another 60 cent bait).

What has brought the Kalin back into focus is the fact that the new owners at Uncle Josh decided to go ahead and make a 4-inch version and it’s one of those lures that just feels “right.”

However, if you only go by the photos, you don’t “see” the big difference. Maybe this is why Al, a pretty shrewd observer, held off. The bass marketplace is a funny place.

The key with the Kalin grub is proportion. With many baits, just scaling the dimensions up or down doesn’t work. Depending on the design, there can be buoyancy, friction and water flow issues that are perfect in one size, but which may interrupt the action when one of the elements such as diameter, body length or tail width gets beyond a certain size. You sense that today with the 5-inch Yamamoto. It’s a pretty long, snaky bait compared to the 4-inch version.

In the two two sizes of Kalin, the baits act virtually identically–so much so, it could be argued they are the same. But on an eighth-ounce pea head, for example, they are different in the water. There is a faster fall with the smaller bait since the body diameter is less in the 4-inch than with the 5, even though the tails are not that dissimilar.

Of course, the real issue here is not which grub is better (since the fish on a given day will make that decision). But rather, you now can add that 4-inch size Kalin to your arsenal. And that it’s a 40-cent bait, may also have some appeal.

Either way, it’s something I’ve been awaiting for quite a while.

But bass anglers are never satisfied. New methods create new necessities and new technology allows for the creation of new products. And while there was a time I never thought I’d need a faster reel, a lighter rod, or more transparent fishing line, the fact is I use them all now.

So how about this deal? I sure didn’t see them coming (and maybe that’s the point), but I just discovered you can actually get transparent “hardware.”

That’s right, a company called Aquateko has introduced the InvisaSwivel, that comes in a range of pound tests, and apparently was so innovative,  it was recognized as the “Best new product of 2009″ by the publishers of four Southeastern sportsman magazines.

Although the inspiration may have come from the needs of saltwater anglers regarding durability and strength, it’s pretty hard to deny that one less visible component underwater has to be a plus for the guys who fish bass in clear or heavily fished waters, or who are looking for something that just does more.

Who knows if this generation of the InvisaSwivel is that special product, but the fact is, it some real pluses: like being self-lubricating, free turning, non-reflective, silent and easy to connect.

The company says: “Following the same principle as Fluorocarbon line, these swivels are Flouro-Clear, making them practically invisible in water. The superior resin compound allows the swivel to perform at nearly neutral buoyancy.”

Furthermore, says Aquateko:  “The swivels are also perfect for the anglers that are not proficient with tying uni-knots. This will allow a standard clinch knot to connect either braid to flouro or braid to mono with the InvisaSwivel acting as the transition. Inshore and freshwater anglers will appreciate the clarity and light weight of the inshore series, with swivels ranging from 12-pound up to 55-pound in weight class.”

The swivels run about a buck apiece and sell in 5-packs, so they are not dramatically more than the high-end steel products. Hey, I’ve got some questions. I want to see them in action. But if they can really help with a spoon, drop-shot, Carolina or swimbait application, you watch. The guys will use ‘em.

We know about some other reels that have an “inch-along” feature with the idea of moving the bait in small increments without having to raise the rod tip. The  Pinnacle Vision Slyder model, however, gets that same bait movement by using a finesse wheel on the sideplate that you can turn with your thumb.

It’s really a natural motion you can impart one-handed, (sort of like the wheel on a computer mouse) when you think about it. In fact, in very little time with the Vision Slyder you really won’t think about it at all. Seemingly made for cold weather and slow presentations, you can creep the bait along, but all the while, keep the rod tip low and ready to set the hook.

When you need to pick up line for a standard reel-set, with a 7:1 retrieve speed, this Pinnacle is going to catch up fast, even if the fish swims right at you.

I’m sure you’re squirming over the price, which is right at 70 bucks retail, but the fact is, fat margins are going away in much of the fishing industry. And while you might think of this as a specialty reel (though it has the regular stuff like graphite frame, externally adjustable anti-backlash system, multi-disc drag, machined aluminum spool, and Unlimited Anti-Reverse™) that’s not a lot of money.

Sure, we’re all style and brand conscious, but companies such Pinnacle seem to find it much easier to offer special features without special prices. And as long-time colleague and company spokesman Marc Malkin suggests, “At Pinnacle, we’re really upgrading our products.”

But not every day is the same out on the water. With an extra layer of clothes and a lot of adrenalin going, we don’t always sense the changes in conditions. But down there, those marks on the color graph–those are living creatures that are facing another winter day of survival.

True, some days they are hot to go, rising up in the water column to catch your bait as it falls. Other days they like that slide-and-glide look from Norway. And then there are a lot of other days, when bellied down in the mud or silt, they need a real good reason to get up and move even a foot or two.

Blade baits give them another look–a different sound and a different vibration. These metal vibrators might have been designed as a crank, but as a jigging lure, fished in short rips and allowed to fall back to the bottom, they do what can’t be duplicated by any other winter bait.

Yes, there is more than one to choose from, but you probably need at least a half-ounce. The Heddon Sonar tops out with a half ounce model, the BPS Lazer Blade has one that weighs 5/8′s and the old Silver Buddy, has halves, a three-quarter and even a one-ounce model. They all have their moments, and with the head down and the tail up, they have very good hooking qualities.

Here are some things to consider:

1. An .012 to .015 line diameter lets this bait fall freely. That helps with a half-ounce lure down to 35 feet or so, and makes sense with a slightly heavier lure fished even deeper.

2. Sharpen the stock hooks and you’ll be fine. And so you know, those that come with split rings and those that don’t all foul your line at about the same rate–and it’s not very often.

3. Use a short stroke (18 to 24-inches) when you rip the bait up off the bottom. You want it to stay close to the fish. The bait is not much of a line twister, but you could use a small swivel a couple of feet up the line, or just let the bait dangle and untwist after every few drops.

4. The slightly nose-down attitude (front hole line tie) seems to work just fine. (But there is no rule against experimenting.)

5. Color sometimes matters. Silver, gold and silver/blue all work, but usually not all on the same day. And sometimes one color catches an alternate species, and another seems to draw bass. (Lots of personal knowledge: channel catfish eat the gold one real good at times.) I also think solid white could be a good color.

But, maybe, just maybe, the planets are aligned one last time for the man (and his story) who caught the enigmatic world record largemouth bass back in 1932. I say that, earnestly, having just this afternoon, received a wonderful volume for review entitled, Remembering George W. Perry.

Written by Perry’s long-time chronicler and family friend, Bill Baab of of Augusta, Georgia, the 160-page paperback looks and feels so appropriate to the catch that has stood the test of time…or at least, up to whatever moments of time it has left. From the earliest accounts, both tainted and accurate, including the story of the previous record that Perry broke, to his many exploits as a pilot and his dedication (even heroism) as a friend and caregiver, it’s obvious, the life of George Perry was much more than a fish story.

Even as I write this, I keep opening up the book to check on accounts, including the presence of a photo of the record fish that for so long everyone said did not exist. Then there is a caricature of him from the 1970′s that appeared in Bassmaster Magazine, and all the repeated assaults on his record including many from California, plus the several tributes after his death (in a private plane crash) in 1974. They add up to a truly stirring account.

Yes, Baab has been a George Perry pundit throughout his career, but I trust this work. Knowing a little of the task of gathering family histories, it’s evident the author has done his part to gather and assemble the facts, while still acknowledging the fringe accounts, in addition to the many layers of mythology that have colored how we feel about his (Perry’s) day on Lake Montgomery so long ago.

Yes. I sense that Bill feels good about his work. I think you will too.

Hey, we can’t do anything about the future world record catches, but we will be richer for knowing about the existing one. It’s here in Remembering George W. Perry, ($24.95 retail) in black and white, available at www.whitefishpress.com.

Not that anyone on tour ever fished an exposed hook, but now they don’t have to. Because the shaky head is similar enough to a round head in presentation, it works with a fat, hard, straight tail plastic worm that when the head sits properly, it holds the worm diagonally up off the bottom.

Of course, it works well on a hard, gravel, shale or rock bottom–perhaps even better than a Texas rig because the weight and worm don’t separate on the fall.

Yet the standard, exposed hook pea head would appear to do all the same things as the shaky head–except for the worm angled up off the bottom. You can even get a pea head with a wire or fibre weedguard.

So will the shaky head replace the open hook jig? I’m not so sure. For one thing, if you fish around rock, (and especially shale or sandstone) your losses are going to be almost identical: zero–so why pay more?

But I see the open hook advantage making a greater difference the minute you drop down in line size, fish deeper or make presentations on longer casts. Anything in your approach that makes it harder to deliver maximum hook penetration favors the thin-wire, open hook style.

Maybe you can find a customized version that evens up the relative advantages, but I don’t see it in the products most commonly available. The basic trade-off between the exposed hook and the self-weedless, beyond driving the hook point through plastic is the diameter of the wire and distance necessary to drive the hook.

The photo shows two Owner jig heads that I use regularly.  They are top of the line for both styles. Yet, fishing 6-pound line in 30 feet of water, for example, bite for bite, I hook more fish on the exposed pea head.

I’m not saying it’s a better head, but within the parameters noted, distance and non-braided line diameter, it can be a more efficient head. Just look closely at the distance between the tip of the point and the barb. These are needle points. They require force. And the fisherman is responsible to provide it.

And there’s another matter.  While you might not think it possible, just the way the bait aligns on the hook affects its speed of fall. The round head goes “bombs away” straight down. The angled shaky offering causes drag in the water and slows descent. If you’re dodging limbs and snags, by all means, go shaky. But if you need to fish vertically, or need the bait to drop quickly from lip to ledge, then the guy with the pea head gets the edge.

Subtle, yes. But you really need them both.

Yes, all singles and tandems work fine in the brush. But I’ve been around long enough to know that the first dual-bladed spinnerbaits were actually twin-spins. A lure that has a blade on either of two spreader arms, allowing for a slow fall–like a parachutist, before he pulls the ripcord.

It turns out, however, that the trademarked Sidearm (by Secret Weapon Lures, scary, eh?) is both a single-spin and a twinspin by virtue of quick switch design (check the photos). On the one hand, it can be a single with a #5 1/2 willow, or it can be turned into a very slow moving, slow falling twin with some broad, #6 Indiana blades. The latter configuration gives me some options for winter, or for vertical cover, because of that slow drop.

And while I’ve heard some say the hardware can kink up, I’ve found that’s pretty rare. For fishing on the fall with the twin blades, I just give the bait a pop with the rod tip before I begin the retrieve and that seems to clear any problem. But since you feel this bait so well when it falls, you know if something’s wrong, right away.

The oddity of the switch to a single-spin is the blade is attached to a short shank by a clevis, so it turns as if it were the forward blade on a tandem. In other words, while it turns freely, guys who like to burn a spinnerbait in clear water will not get the same quickness of revolution. But for dirty or cold water where speed is not essential, then the quick blade-changing abilities are a feature that’s pretty hard to dismiss.

UPDATED (about 2 p.m.) Like everyone else, I would want some alterations–say some smaller blades–but there is just no clean way to do that yourself.  But, here’s what company President Joe Haubenreich says, “Blades from smaller Sidearms can be clipped on larger baits, or one can purchase spare blades in a variety of sizes, shapes, and finishes. In seconds, without tools, the angler has dozens of different looks he can put in front of a fish.”

The company also offers Colorados and turtleback styles as well. But for now, with really nothing else like it for the fish to get wary over, I think the Sidearm has some real possibilities, and this week I’m going to give it a more serious test run.

Not sure where you would buy some–but I’ve got mine. Right now, that’s all that matters.