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.

TONY LAIN on 'em early

Part-time tournament pro Tony Lain may not get all the hours he wants to fish, but this proven performer (most recently a qualifier for the CBC State Championship) regularly delivers in the clutch. And one of his secrets to success is to mine every moment–especially the morning hours.

For the Sun City resident, that means hitting the best water at first light. “In the tournament situation, you want to fish your big fish water–points, humps or flats next to deep water–at that time. That’s prime time for a big bite.”

Depending on the seasonal conditions, what he uses will vary, of course. “If there’s a reaction bite, I’m throwing a Revenge spinnerbait deep runner. If it’s a crank bite, I’ll use a square-bill deep diver. And if there’s topwater, I go with a Jackall Bowstick. That’s a bad dude in the morning for big bites.”

As with most successful competitive anglers, there is always a clock ticking. Having already planned for the approach, he’ll have the key rods and baits on deck. There’s no digging in the locker during those precious low-light moments.

But one thing everyone wants to know is when to do you break from a spot, so I asked him, how long does he push an approach. He paused, then said, “For me, under tournament conditions, I’ll work a spot 15 to 20 minutes and then get off to the next one.”

But that’s not the whole story. “They say never leave biting fish, but if they’re not the right size, you’ve got to leave them,” he advised.

After that, experience takes over. Having left a spot, he said, “We normally have a milk run in our minds–several humps offshore (sounding a lot like Diamond Valley, though he never mentioned it by name.) Or in a crunch you go and fish a point.”

But in thinking big early, he never waivers. “In low light, you need to throw your bigger baits. Even with worms, you don’t want your 4-inch Robo, you want that 12-inch Power Worm.”

I ask that for a good reason after doing some reading this weekend. While I’ve heard reference to threadfin shad spawning more than just once (a year)–and that in early summer–I really hadn’t confirmed that in my head.

And I should have.

So when I looked at some available data (click here), I realized that yes, there could be multiple shad spawns in the front of summer, and then again later when those conditions generally repeat themselves at the end of summer.

Because of the numbers involved and the reputed short life-span of the baitfish (around two years), it seems pretty apparent that those “mature” or larger shad that are supposed to dominate the fall season, are probably more of a theoretical presence. In other words, if you take a million 2 1/2-inch shad and they lay say 10,000 eggs each, and do this three times in 12 months, what is the forage base going to look like?

The young of year grow to just under an inch in three to four weeks, and maybe up to 2 1/2 inches in the first year. No matter what is left of the mature, max-aged adult shad that are still alive, they are going to be lost in a sea of smaller baitfish. If that’s the case, then, when we drop down in size of our offerings, we are not doing anything unusual, we are just going in with another bite-sized bait.

Yet, that’s not all bad because where this kind of biomass is present, it also means that all the fish–all sizes of predator fish–are faced with equal conditions. And in all likelihood, the fact that shad tend to school by size, and that larger shad hand in the upper stratum of water, it also figures the predators that want more bang for their bite are also shallow.

It’s not enough to match the hatch. I think it’s presentation including levels, angles and vibration may have more to do with drawing strikes. Whatever the finesse methodology, it has to have more to do with drawing attention to the bait, rather than mimicking to the last detail.

What touch do you “add” that draws attention to your bait?

As we’re about to do a banner change on the KGF home page, I thought I’d come up with one last contest featuring some nice Sebile baits for the winner. In this case, I’ve got a couple of smaller Magic Swimmers, plus a Bonga Minnow topwater and a Koolie Minnow rip bait. You know what that stuff costs, so it’s a nice take-home for one question (plus a tie-breaker, if necessary).

As they often do, foreign manufacturers (speaking specifically of the design) often come up with their own versions of popular U.S. lures. In the case of the classic “lipless vibrator” lure, there are lots, however, the original design (and even the first notable modifications) were all plastic, not metal, U.S. products. That’s what I want, no Sonars or Silver Buddies or Gay Blades.

For fun (and profit) can anyone give me the names of  five baits or models of those lures, from U.S. companies ONLY. I can think of at least four brands that had or have these lure types, but there is wiggle room (pardon the pun) because there were differing model names among those. You can draw from those model names if you like.

Just give me five only. If I get more than one response with the correct answers, we’ll go with the following tie-breaker.

As a spin-off from the lipless crank came a series of tight vibrating, lipped baits as well. Luhr Jensen has a popular one, but more than 25 years ago, so did Bomber. To break the tie, name those two “fast” lures.

RIB WORM no more?

UPDATED–Not intentionally, but the “bug” that got into my site and shut me down also gobbled up my lead paragraph. The gist of it, I’ve been waiting for a couple of months for a reorder on 4-inch Yum Rib Worms. Instead, today, I got word that one of my favorite worms has been discontinued.

For almost three years, this fatter-than-the-other-guys’ ringed bait has more than made my day on many a trip. I’ve had partners just shrug their shoulders or grit their teeth, once they realized there wasn’t going to be a better way to catch ‘em than the Yumster and an 1/8-ounce Owner darthead.

Unfortunately, the bass market sometimes goes with lean and sexy instead of chubby and reliable. So says Lawrence Taylor, PR director for Pradco Outdoor Brands. In his words, “A company spokesman said slow sales is the reason for discontinuation of any product.”

As a consolation, he noted, “Special orders can be arranged though.”

Right now, though, I’m shaken. I’ve got some watermelon and smoke/red/black, but I’m leery of substitutes.  Sure, there are other ring worms around, but none with the same feel, the built-in LPT scent attractor, or the confidence I have built up with the big three: green pumpkin, watermelon/red flake and the watermelon pepper.

But maybe, just maybe history will repeat itself. After all, Yum is part of the same company that once discontinued the Pop R! What a comeback that bait made.

Well, okay. I’ll try and get through this the best I can. But tell me, Owner didn’t say they were going to stop making their dart head, did they?

GARY KLEIN, former PAA board member, is leaning toward B.A.S.S. circuit

“Change is good–sometimes.” So says former Oroville resident and 29-time Bassmasters Classic qualifier Gary Klein.

In this instance a lot is changing in his professional career. Not only has ESPN sold B.A.S.S. to a new ownership group led by former TV host Jerry McKinnis, but Klein’s Triton boat sponsor was purchased by Platinum Equities, already holders of Ranger, Champion and Stratos brands.

On the one hand, this might seem like an opportune time to advance the cause of the player driven Professional Anglers Association (PAA) which has commenced its own tour. After all, Gary is a former member of its Board of Directors.

But it’s not happening.

When I caught up with him practicing on Lake Conroe yesterday (site of the PAA’s huge Toyota Texas Bass Classic) Klein told me,  “I haven’t been competing in PAA because of scheduling, but I’ll be competing in the last two.”

But it was evident he was miffed over last year’s snub in the TTBC, an event originally spawned by pro fishermen. “I was not part of it last year. They had some points system that had me (way down). I would put up my year and my career against a lot of guys (for a shot at the $200,000 in prize money).”

As it turned out, the tournament took 15 from FLW, 15 from B.A.S.S., 15 from PAA and 5 provisional spots for Toyota sponsored pros. Obviously, Gulf States Toyota was pulling the strings, which is prima facie evidence that there is no “Big 3″ in bass organizations. That’s because PAA, as yet, cannot stand on its own.

“BASS and FLW are still owned by third parties. PAA is angler run; but time will tell,” says Klein.

Reflecting on the sale of B.A.S.S., he says, “I look at it as a positive. I’m excited for B.A.S.S. and I applaud Jerry and I will support him to the best of my ability. The brand (B.A.S.S.) has been around for a long time. If Jerry puts on a competitive (tour) and I have the credentials, I’m going to be involved.”

As for the merry-go-round within the boating industry, Klein says, “It’s a positive for Triton because Earl (Bentz, the founder) is still a part of it. That’s a really good thing and gets them out from under the corporate umbrella and should get them more one-on-one with the dealers.” As Gary suggests, “It certainly needed a change of direction and Earl has reached out to everyone of us (on the pro staff.) He brings a personal touch.”

Which gets us back to the PAA, which Klein has enthusiastically supported from the beginning. “I’m not saying (Toyota demands) are a bad thing nor that they (the PAA) don’t have hurdles to overcome. I’m just not involved with them.”

PATRICK SEBILE exults

We’re pretty used to the U.S. outdoor media ‘homering’  Shimano-Loomis every year, but when it comes to lures and terminal tackle, you’d have to say it’s Sebile that is capturing the world’s attention.

True, not every item is for bass fishing (same as Shimano/Loomis ‘best of shows’) but the fact is, Sebile is drawing attention without offering a me-too version of somebody else’s popular product.

In Australia earlier this month, Sebile actually won four awards with their products (one not really a fishing item). That, however, follows a three award showing at the European fishing trade show EFTTEX held in June in Spain.
In that case, they had winners that sounded a lot more “bassy” with the D&S Crank and the Pro-Shad spinnerbait.

At ICAST, held in Las Vegas in July of this year, Sebile had just a solo award winner (though it did knock down two the year before with the Magic Swimmer Soft and the Spin Shad).

Interestingly, the one U.S. winning item, its Soft Weight System with tungsten gum rubber weights, won recognition in all three shows. In other words, people are looking more closely at Sebile for its innovation and for tools that meet angler needs in a new fashion.

This doesn’t mean the U.S. bass market is suddenly going to embrace all the items (that spinnerbait is a departure from what we’re used to) but at least bass anglers have something “new” to look at.  And that’s not bad.

ORIGINAL POST–Starting today you’ll find the first installment as Bassfan.com unveils a series chronicling the enigmatic history of ESPN as the operator of B.A.S.S. (click here). Some things you will remember, and some you won’t, but what stands out for me is the lack of vision by the owners, as they bought one bill of ill-advised goods after another for 10 years.

But more than that. It’s obvious, that the bass fishing public (including tournament participants) never understood what ESPN saw in fishing. To them it wasn’t a hobby; it was a way to make money from non-mainstream sports. People want to bash poker, soccer or hotdog slamming. But they actually make money for the network.

In the real world, bass tournaments are much more akin to bowling–only they aren’t as easy to cover as four lanes at the Pin Palace.

Nonetheless, read up on the amazing last decade of B.A.S.S. There must be some lessons to learn for any business.

ORIGINAL POST: Crazy, California bass fishing. From a roll-the-dice showcase event ahead of a new tour upstate, to stacked prizes for year-end events in WON, everyone is hoping to hit a home run as we close 2010 and look ahead to the New Year.

But rather than wait until those results are in, I’ll say it right now: I’m skeptical. There is no way the BassWestUSA Clear Lake Open (click here) can draw more than 70 boats without repercussions for its announced 2011 schedule of pro-ams.

The new Open costs are not overwhelming, but with such short notice for the event (a couple of months is all), no tradition to stand on (this ain’t the U.S. Open) and with the lake not showing all that well (thank you, CBC), NorCal anglers are probably not taking any financial risks. Consequently, look for a poor showing.

Although there is some difference between “weekend” tour and showcase or touring anglers, the fact of the matter is, discretionary income seems at an all-time low. If 20 or 30 more pros (more than I expect) show at Clear Lake, figure a like number will merely suffer the loss of $1500 in entry fees, which could get them three starts in the much-heralded US Anglers Choice pro-ams debuting at the end of January.

Which brings me to the situation with WON Bass. They are going all-in for the end-of-season contests at Havasu in September and the Delta in October, putting up a fully rigged Nitro on a $350 gamble for each pro. True, a couple of guys have a shot at a second boat for Angler of the Year honors, that’s no carrot for the rest.

What this means is those who fish these two events have probably planned to fish, or not, ever since they learned of the prize boat and have been saving accordingly. And while it has been duly noted that the Nitro is, indeed, a very nice trinket for the entry, the market–that pool of guys who would be willing to lay it down–is just not that motivated right now.

Stepping back, you can argue that one organization or the other will have a “better deal” next year by padding the purse with options or by additional sponsor prizes. But what you can’t guarantee is that enough serious fishermen see any difference in their own financial situations of say, two years ago, compared with how it may be in the next 10 days to six months. Or if they expect any improvement in their situation should they finish even a respectable 25th at any given event.

I could be wrong. The winners always smile. But as long as National Guard persists in the territory, expending angler resources for a shot at the Forrest Wood Cup, expect a lukewarm response for the weekend tours, especially in the South.

MIKE FOLKESTAD blanked twice at the Forrest Wood Cup (file photo)

UPDATED–Got off the phone with Mike Folkestad earlier this evening. I figured he’d had enough time to digest his stunning two-day blank at Sydney Lanier during the Forrest Wood Cup. Who would have predicted such a result on a clear, deepwater worm bite?

Certainly not Mike as he said, “That was terrible.” But time goes by. “I was bummed for a couple of days. It was the Forrest Wood Cup. You want to bring something up,” he said. “It’s all past now.”

But whether he fishes through that result or if there is some lingering effect, the one thing it showed me is just how narrow a margin there often is between success and failure. To put things in perspective, if you didn’t follow the results, each of his co-anglers (“They were good fishermen,” Mike said) weighed three keepers. The first partner finished in third place overall, and the other 13th.

But when you look at the daily numbers–and I think this cold, hard reality of any tough bite–the only difference between Folkestad and each of his partners was three bites a day. I don’t know if they fished eight or nine hours, but the only difference was the size of the fish the first day, when Mike caught ” a few shorts,” and the second day when he didn’t get a fish.

Any way you cut that, it’s about one-third of a bite per hour {not per 3 hours} average–that’s all. When you assess that reality, it doesn’t matter the tournament setting. It doesn’t matter the reason or even the attempted explanation.

Yet for the record, even though his practice did not produce any ironclad patterns, it gave him the feeling he might tough out a limit each day. In the case of some steep walls he found in one tributary (that “no one else was fishing” and produced 3-pound bass in practice) his unpressured fish let him down.

When he was forced to the brush piles on channel edges where his partners used a local worm similar to Robo’s Prizm Shad, he never caught a 14-inch bass. He had first cast, fluorocarbon and he had the same drop-shot rig, but on those rare moments when the fish would bite, they fell for the second cast every time.

“I’ve blanked on one day before, but I don’t remember ever going two days,” he related. “I was leading the Western Classic at Lake Mead–quite awhile ago–and the second day, I didn’t get a bite. I only needed one fish, I had such a big lead.”

So here’s the lesson: It can happen. Don’t let it break you.