The river environment is very dynamic and water conditions can change in a matter of a few hours.  Based on much of the research I’ve reviewed, smallmouth tend to be sight feeders. As a result, color selection is high on my priority list.  Factors like scent, profile, and action are certainly part of the tube equation but in the spirit of keeping it simple, I”m going to focus on color. Here’s a quick and easy breakdown that can help you narrow your color choices quickly.

In the rivers I fish smallmouth have two primary food sources, crayfish and various minnow species. The most coveted is the crayfish. Of course a tube bait is a great crayfish imitation. Water clarity is my litmus test for choosing a tube color.

In clear water conditions, I’m looking to “match the hatch” and use more natural colors. Smallmouth in clear water seem to shy away from unnatural colors. There are exceptions to every rule but I find this statement to be accurate far more often then not.

If  I’ve decided to throw a tube in clear water, I’ll select colors that match the color of the crayfish in the body of water I’m fishing. When I’m fishing familiar waters, I typically know the color of the crayfish. If I’m fishing unfamiliar waters, I’ll turn rocks and observe a few crayfish then look at my tube selection to find the closest color match. Colors like pumking, carolina pumpkin, and various shades of green or brown work well in clear water. Laminated two color baits can also be great choices because often the bottom of a crayfish is lighter than the top.

Once the water crosses the line to stained or muddy, I start looking for colors that will provide contrast. Again, I’m trying to appeal to the smallmouths sense of sight. In muddy water, I may also go to a tube with a slightly bigger profile. The goal is to make the bait stand out in stained water. Great contrasting colors are dark greens, black, and dark browns. If the water is dark, but the sun is shining I may choose a bait with red, gold, or silver metal flake…sometimes all three!

This quick and easy guide will get you on your way to success with tubes in various water condition. The key is to be aware of changes in water clarity. I’ve been around fishing long enough to know that there are very few “hard and fast” rules and I know that conditions can change rapidly. As fisherman, we need to be aware of those changes and make the right choices. Color is just one of them!

I recently had the good fortune to be one the the “first kids on my block” to receive a Temple Fork Outfitters Gary Loomis Signature Series rod. Now that’s  a mouthful! Like any serious fisherman, I was first overjoyed with my new acquisition. After my head came out of the clouds, I proceed to put the rod through the paces over the period of several weeks. Overall I found the rod to offer exceptional performance and  value for a rod in the 100 dollar price range. It met or exceeded my expectations in a number of area. It’s no wonder Field & Stream called this series the “Best New Spinning Rod of 2010”.

The rod I chose to field test was a 7.5 foot spinning rod with medium power and a fast action. I selected the rod specifically for kayak fishing and tossing unweighted finesse baits such as a three inch soft stickbait. I like 7 - 7.5 foot rods for kayak fishing. Rods of this length increase your casting distance, make it easier to leverage fish from a low vantage point, and allow you to work a smallmouth bass around almost any kayak bow.

Ok…enough with the technical stuff…time for the review.

First Impressions

The fist thing I noticed out of the box about this rod was that it balanced very well. Some longer rods that I own are very tip heavy. The rod is still a little tip heavy at 7.5 feet but it is not as pronounced as I anticipated. The overall workmanship of the rods is excellent. The “fit” and “finish” is first class. The wraps are well done, the guides are straight and the split grip handle is nicely done. The AAA cork handle has synthetic rings at both ends of the fore grip, grip, and fighting butt that make them more durable. The Signature Series Rods also sport SIC guides, one of the hardest insert materials available.

One of the great things about these TFO rods is that you do not need to read the fine print on the rod blank to determine what power rod you have in your hands. Each power has a specific color on the exposed blank of the split grip handle. For example, my medium light power spinning rod has a silver color on the exposed blank of the split grip. That’s great for guys like me who pile a minimum of 5 rods into a kayak or boat. Color coding makes it easy to be sure I have the right rod in my hand.

Casting

The medium light power rod casts my unweighted baits like a bullet. The rod loads nicely and stores a lot of energy. On the forward cast, the rod blank generates good acceleration and launches a three inch stickbait more than a respectable distance. This is what I was hoping for and the TFO rod delivered.  The Loomis Signature Series is  definitely a smooth ride.

Sensitivity

I fished the TFO Gary Loomis Signature Series Rod using both monofilament line and 6/20 braid with a 10lb. test fluorocarbon leader. I found the sensitivity exceptional using both monofilament an braided lines for a rod in this price range . Honestly, because of the length of the rod and the medium light power, I had concerns that I would not be able to feel those subtle “taps” often associated with finesse’n smallmouth bass. My fears were quickly calmed once I started fishing. Even with a slight bow in the line caused by the current, I could certainly feel those taps. In addition to unweighted plastics, I also threw some 3 inch worms on a 1/16 oz jig head and found that I could feel bottom and even the subtle difference when a twig or some random water plants were hung on my bait.

Fighting Performance

During the past several weeks I’ve probably caught close to 100 smallmouth on the Gary Loomis Signature Series Rod. The medium light power, fast action rod has ample backbone to wear out even the most rambunctious, broad shouldered smallmouth. The length of the rod I chose was also a bonus when trying to work a smallmouth around the bow of my kayak.

The Temple Fork Outfitter’s Gary Loomis Signature Series Rod definitely exceeded my expectations for a rod in this price range. Are there rods that are more sensitivity, lighter, and have more bells and whistles? We all know  that answer to that…yes. However, at the 100 dollar price point this rod offers exceptional quality. If you are a budge minded angler, who still wants a quality product, the Gary Loomis Signature Rod by TFO should be at the top of your list. I know I’m already planning a second rod. I need a new soft jerkbait rod!

I’m a huge fan of top water baits; All kinds of top water baits such as poppers, prop baits and walk-the-dog baits. If there’s a good top water bite on, you can be rest assured that I’ll be tossing one of these baits. In particular, prop baits and walk-the-dog baits are among my favorite lures. I typically don’t like to take a lot of time to customize top water baits because many are great right out of the box. That being said, I’m certainly not apposed to making simple modifications that will increase effectiveness.

Over the years, I’ve observed that some of my most effective top water color patterns have one thing in common. Regardless of the type of bait, the best producers have some shade of red on the underside of the lure. When shopping for top water baits, this has led to some frustrations. Sometimes the color patterns with red are sold out. Other times there’s a color pattern that I like but it has no red in it. Still other times I find a great top water bait with a unique action but the manufacturer does not offer a color pattern with red in it.

My solution? It’s pretty simple. When I get a new top water lure that I want to modify, I take a red sharpie and color a dot under the head of the bait. I always put the dot under the head. Smallmouth seem to lock in on the red dot and this results in more front treble hookups.

It is best to color the baits well in advance of fishing to allow for drying time. Sharpies work but the color eventually does come off. This is particularly true with plastic baits. Wood baits, on the other hand, hold the color much better. Another rather inexpensive option for coloring your baits is Do-It Quick Coat Pain Markers. This is definitely a more durable, permanent solution.

I don’t color all my top water baits. If I have 3 baits with the same pattern, I’ll usually only “red dot” one of the baits. Just in case, however, I have a red sharpie stowed in my gear for water-side modifications or in the event I need to touch up a bait. Remember to dry the bait thoroughly before touching it up.

Making simple color modifications to baits is certainly nothing new but I’m surprised a lot more anglers don’t do it. It only takes a few seconds and can help you put more smallmouth in the boat. In my mind, that’s a great trade off!

Summer smallmouth fishing has arrived or is just around the corner for much of the country. Yes, it is time to think about patterning those smallmouth bass during the hot long days of summer. We also need to think of the baits we’ll be tossing at those aggressive summer smallmouth bass. I took a quick assessment of my lure choices and found that I could probably boil the vast majority of my summer arsenal down to five baits. These five baits can cover a lot of water conditions and all of the water column from top to bottom. Lets take a look!

1. Soft stickworm - fantastic bait down to about 8 feet depending on rigging. This bait though really shines in the shallow clear summer waters. Smallies love them!

2. Soft jerkbaits- Summer brings renewed baitfish activity and the young of the year. Smallies will actively and aggressively chase soft jerkbaits. These baits are available from a variety of companies and in a variety of sizes starting at about 3″. Match the size and coloration of your localbaitfish for best results in clear waters.

3. Prop baits - One of my favorite in this class of baits for smallmouth bass is the tiny torpedo. Prop baits are versatile baits. They can be “popped” on top with short jerks or even “dragged” to make abuzzbait like presentation. Aggressive summer smallmouth will annihilate the baits! Prop baits are great during the first hour or two of daylight in the summer but can be an “all day” bait if there is cloud cover.

4. Tube baits - Tube baits can be fished shallow or extremely deep depending on how you rig the bait. I like tube baits in the summer when presented with rising water conditions, cold front conditions, stained water, or when it just seems the bass are holding on deep current breaks. This is a great old standby. Try to match the color of local crayfish for best results. In stained water, go with something dark.

5. Crank Baits - Depending on design, crankbaits can cover water from 1 foot to 20 feet which is probably good for any smallie chaser! I like crankbaits in the summer when water conditions are rising on the rivers or when I encounter stained water. Some of my favorite color patterns incrankbaits contain crayfish colors such as reds, browns, oranges, black, chartrues. If your chasing smallmouth on lakes, you might want to match the baitfish colors and patterns.

I try to avoid writing product reviews unless I’ve spent some time putting an item through the paces. Recently I was headed to Virginia to do three full days of  flat water paddling and spend some time paddling the Potomac River. The forecasted air temperatures were expected to be about 55 degrees even though the water temperatures where in the mid to high 60’s. Given the unseasonably low air temperatures, I knew I was going to need something to keep the chill off and protect me from the splashing water. I took a quick look over on the Columbia website and found the Backpaddle jacket so I picked one up.

I think kayak fisherman often overlook the necessity of paddling apparel. We often make due with the clothing we wear on the boat or our wading apparel.  Much of this gear doesn’t have the water proof seals and breathable materials that outer wear made specifically for the paddler offers.

The Back paddle jacket makes use of Omni-Tech® material which is waterproof-breathable and fully seam sealed. The jacket will keep you safe from cold water splashing and overspray. Waterproof neoprene cuff and collar gusseting provides added reinforcements against the chill. The jacket certainly kept me warm and dry while paddling.

A small detail that I really appreciated was the  extended rear lower hem which guarded againt “drafts” going up the back of the jacket. I also found the jacket to have ample room for underlayers and the polyester mesh lining helps it slide over those underlayers easily.

The jacket is also cut in a way that provides great mobility which is important when paddling and fishing. Lots of casts, hook sets,and reaching to land that trophy smallmouth is always on a fishermans agenda!

Overall the jacket performed well. It isn’t a dry top nor is it true “cold weather gear” but for those unseasonably cold spring/summer days or early mornings it definitely gets the nod from me.

Most of the time when I’m on the water, other fisherman will ask the age old question “what bait were you using when you caught your fish”. I’m always glad to tell them but surprisingly very few fisherman follow up with what should be the second question. “What type of presentation were you using?”. This always amazes me because beyond locating the fish, presentation is such a critical piece of fishing success.

Another upside of focusing on presentation is that it can extend the effectiveness range of a bait. Lets take for example the very popular soft stickbait. Most fisherman see this as a shallow water bait that is effective in 4 feet of water or less and in fairly open water. I would argue that by changing up your rigging approach you can extend the “effectiveness” to a much wider range of depths and cover. Lets take a look at just three of my favorite rigging techniques and possible applications.

Nose hook

Al Winco's Custom Baits 3" Baby Stick Worm rigged on a Gamakatus 1/0 drop shot hook

A nose hooked soft stickbait can be used in open water, rock, or around sparse cover. I typically nose hook my baits on a circle hook or a finesse style drop shot hook. The great thing about this rigging technique is that it adds very little weight to the bait which allows for a very slow fall. A nose hooked bait presentation is great to use when you encounter smallmouth that are in a nuetural to negative feeding mood. The slow fall and natural drift created by this rigging technique are the ticket for triggering strikes from less then enthusiastic smallmouth.

Weedless Whacky Rig

Al Winco's Custom Baits 4.5 inch Stick Worm Jr. rigged on a 1/0 Gamakatsu Finesse EWG Weedless hook

Rigging a soft stickbait on a weedless circle hook can take the bait to all new places. You can fish the bait by pitching it between lilypads, drop it into holes in weed mats, and flip it into wood. This is a more vertical style of fishing but presenting a stickbait in cover like this can be extremely effective. Most fisherman don’t even think about using a soft stickbait around this kind of cover therefore in heavily pressured waters it definitely gives fish a look at something they’ve never or rarely seen. Hold on to your rod on this one!

Jig Head

Al Winco's Custom Baits 3" Baby Stick Worm rigged on 1/8 oz. jig head

If you want to go deep with your soft stickbaits there are a number of ways to accomplish this. One of the simplest is to rig the bait on a jig head. This is a great rigging technique for presenting the bait in deeper water or bouncing the bait along rocky river runs where smallmouth may be feeding. It definitely changes the action of the bait but you still have that great soft stickbait profile that smallmouth love. If I’m going to rig a soft stickbait on a jig head it will  almost always be the 3″ size on a 1/8 oz. jig head.

Wrapping It Up

Time has proven that soft stickbaits are not a craze. They flat out catch fish. My primary fishing mantra is “It is not one big thing that makes a good fisherman, it is a lot of little things that come together to make a great fisherman”. Focusing on presentation and increasing the types of cover and depths you can fish soft stickbaits effectively will certainly help you become a better fisherman.

From top to bottom: Yum Houdini Shad, Zoom Fluke, Slug-Go 3 inch size

One of the most popular yet, maybe, least understood baits for smallmouth is the soft jerkbait. These little gems are among my go to baits for spring smallmouth bass. In addition, they see a lot of “water time” during the summer. As we head into spring full speed here in the north east, I thought I’d throw out a few brands of soft jerkbaits along with their strengths in terms of fish “attracting” and “catching” abilities. In a nutshell, this article is part instruction and part product review BUT all about catching more smallmouth!

Soft jerkbaits are most noted for their unpredictable and erratic action. Most likely they mimic a fleeing baitfish which triggers old mr. smallies instinct to attack. lets take a look at three different jerkbaits and the subtle differences that sometimes can make or break a day on the water.

3 inch Slug-Go

About the bait
The Slug-Go brand name and style of bait arrived on the scene during the mid 80’s and created the soft jerkbait craze. That craze is now a standard in bass fishing circles. The three inch model is the smallest in a line of baits offered by Lunker City LLC.

Key properties
The extremely slender profile of the three inch Slug-Go is ideal for mimicking small minnows and other soft finned baitfish. The slender profile of this bait also creates a distinct “darting” action after a jerk. In addition, the bait offers a very slow fall rate that drives smallmouth crazy. A 3 inch Slug-Go is fairly light so lighter spinning tackle would be the best choice for tossing the bait.

Application
The smallest Slug-Go is great for river and creek smallmouth. The bait offers a subtle slow fall presentation that is best suited for shallow water applications. It is also my bait of choice in very clear water conditions when a delicate presentation is necessary. The slow fall rate of this bait is a key strength. The fall rate can be slowed even more by using a light wire offset worm hook that Lunker City produces specifically for the Slug-Go.

Rigging
Texposed is the most common rigging convention for this bait. Lunker City produces a light wire hook that has been designed specifically for the 3 inch Slug-go. My preference, however, is a size 1 offset extra wide gap worm hook. I find my hookup percentage is slightly higher with this style of hook.

4 inch Zoom Fluke

About the bait
The Fluke is produced by one of the top plastic bait companies in the country, Zoom. The 4 inch model is part of a family of baits with the “Fluke” name. Flukes are available in a variety of sizes and colors. You can check out the baits on the Zoom website.

Key properties
The 4 inch Fluke is a great bait for mimicking medium sized baitfish. The wider body creates a larger profile and displaces more water. Properties that say “hey..hear i am!” to any smallmouth in the vicinity. The split tail design gives the bait an even more realistic profile and creates more forward “glide” or “drift” when you pause the bait after a jerk.

Applications
The bait is slightly heavier and less boyant that the Slug-Go so it can be fished a little deeper. I will typically go to this bait when I need to fish in the 3-6 foot range. The larger profile also makes it my soft jerkbait of choice when the water has a slight stain or color. Most importantly, it is great for matching the size and profile of medium sized baitfish.

Rigging
Like the Slug-Go, the Fluke can be texposed rigged. I always use an extra wide gap offset worm hook with this particular bait due to the wider body. Again, the main goal is to increase hookups and successfully bring the smallmouth to hand. A size 2/0 or 3/0 hook will work perfectly with the 4 inch Fluke.

5 inch Yum Houdini Shad

About the bait
The Houdini Shad is produced by Yum Bait Company. There is less size selection in the Houdini Shad than some other soft jerkbaits but this bait certainly has a place in any soft jerkbait fisherman’s tackle box. The bait is enhanced with Live Prey Technology (LPT) fish attractant.

Key properties
The first thing you’ll notice about the Houdini Shad is it’s big bulky profile. It is great for imitating larger baitfish when smallies are really on the feed. The Houdini Shad can be cast long distances and it sinks faster than most other soft jerkbaits on the market. As mentioned previously, the bait is scent enhanced with LPT so fish tend to hold onto it after the strike. The last and most notable feature of this bait is the paddle tail which gives it a distinct circular glide after the jerk. The Houdini Shad slowly circles to the bottom with a subtle tail wag that I have not seen from any other soft jerkbait on the market. The paddle tail is perforated so you can convert it to a split tail or even just knock out the middle of the paddled creating a diamond shaped hole. This in turn, changes the action of the bait as it falls.

Applications
The bait can be used when trying to match the size and coloration of larger baitfish. Because of the baits bigger and bulkier profile, it also does well in stained or even muddy water. I’ve used the bait under these conditions with excellent results. The bait can be fished shallow or deep. I’ve fished the bait down to 8 feet with success and patience. When fishing deep, I typically count the bait down to depth. I will also throw this bait when I’ve established that the fish are in a neutral feeding mood. The unique tail action sometimes entices fish to bite that are refusing other baits.

Rigging
The Houdini Shad can be rigged a number of ways but texposed is probably the most common way to fish the bait. Again, due to the bulk of this bait, I typically rig it with either a 4/0 or 5/0 extra wide gap offset worm hook.

I’ve been a catch and release smallmouth angler for over 20 years and I’m always looking for ways to better insure a successful release of my catches. Most anglers understand the basics of reducing handling time, protecting the fishes slime coat, and revival techniques. These tips have  been the subject of many articles.

Always support the fishes weight by placing one hand under it's belly

In recent years, various lip grippers have come on the market aimed at helping anglers better land and release fish. I’m particularly fond of lip grippers like the Boga. As a Kayak angler, I’m always searching for better ways to control fish and save space. Having a smallmouth bass with a mouth full of treble hooks in the cockpit of my kayak is certainly not my idea of a fun time! Grippers are the ticket! Unlike nets, they take up very little space and are an extremely effective tool for landing feisty smallmouth. During the 2009 season, I successfully landed and released many smallmouth ranging from 15-20 inches with my grippers.

I prefer lip grippers rather than landing nets for several reasons. First, as alluded to previously, they require a lot less space in my kayak. That is certainly a plus for a lure junky like me who needs at least 30 lbs. of hard baits, plastics and terminal tackle. Of course this is a slight exaggeration but you get the picture!. Second, the gripper if used properly, reduces the need for extensive handling of the fish thus preserving the fishes slime coat. In addition, nets (even rubberized) tend to get tangled in lures and increase the handling time of the fish. Last, nets can damage a fishes slime coat.

Here are a few quick tips for using Boga style grips.

• Select grippers with fish friendly design- grippers with a swivel, like the original Boga grip, can help decrease the chances that a struggling fish will end up with jaw damage. Also, some grippers have spring “shocks” that, again, reduce the chances that a struggling fish will suffer jaw damage as you lift it out of the water.
• Keep the grips in an easy to reach location - This speeds up the time it takes to land the fish so you don’t over play it. Too much time spent fighting a fish can decrease the chances of its survival after the release. The great thing about grippers is that you can attach them easily to objects in your boat or kayak so that they are ready to use. I attach my gripper to the seat straps on my kayak.
• Always support the fish near the belly - When you lift a fish from the water using a gripper style tool,  place one hand under the belly/anal fin area to support the weight of the fish. This lessens the pressure on the jaw and decrease the probability of jaw damage.
• Keep the fish in the water as long as possible if your going to get a photo - Grippers make this really easy. I’ll often attach the wrist rope to a clip on the side of my kayak so the fish can rest in a horizontal position in the water as I get my camera prepped and ready for the shot.

Grippers you might want to check out:
Boga
Bass Pro Shops Grip Master
Berkely Lip Grip

Here are our six picks for best new rods under $100

Abu Garcia Vendetta

The Vendetta is “factory balanced” to balance with the Revo and Soron reels. It features at Fuji Soft Touch reel seat, Pac Bay zirconium guides and EVA foam grip. Priced at $79.95 and $89.95.

St Croix Mojo Bass

The Mojo is built on a SC-II graphite blank and features Fuji ECS reel seat, split grip & Batson Forecast guides. It is available  in technique specific models and comes with a 5 year warranty.

Lamiglas Excel

The Lamiglas Excel is entirely made and built in the USA.  These are rumored to use the same blank as the higher priced Certified Pro models. They feature Fuji exposed blank reel seats and split grips. Many of the models are in the $150 MSRP range, but pricing for the series starts at $99.95.

Wright & McGill Skeet Reese Signature Series Tessera

These rods, design by Skeet Reese, feature “S-Curve” blank construction for superior strength, lifting power, sensitivity and weight reduction. They have a split grip, large fighting butt, molded rubber handles and zirconium guides. Priced at $89.99.

Falcon BuCoo

The Falcon BuCoo uses blanks made in the USA , feature exposed blank reel seats, Fuji Hardloy guides, split grips and use EVA lightweight foam. These rods weigh in at under 4 oz. which is pretty amazing for a sub $100 rod. Pricing starts at $99.99.

Temple Fork Outfitters Gary Loomis Signature Series

TFO’s Gary Loomis Signature rods are color coded by power for easy identification. All of the rods in the series are fast action.  They feature split grips and SIC guides.  Priced at $99.95.

The Original Gerber Fisherman Multi-Tool 600 was introduced in 2001 and with a flick-of-the-wrist became a must have fishing accessory. I got my first one in 2002 and can’t remember any of the over 400 days on the water since then that I haven’t had my Fisherman Tool with me. This has been one of my all-time favorite pieces of essential equipment, so you can understand how disappointed I was to learn over a year ago that the product was being discontinued, but that disappointment quickly changed to excitement when I learn that it was being redesigned.

I received the new Gerber FliK Fish Multi-Tool in late August and have been on the water with it in my Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140 Angler as well as in the water wading in my Frogg Togg waders and boots. The FliK Fish is a great fishing accessory and just like the original with a flick-of-the wrist the long needle nose pliers deploy quickly, keeping one hand free for more important tasks.

The FliK Fish is a little heavier than the original at 9.2 ounces compared to just under 8 ounces, but this isn’t even noticed while using it. What jumped out at my right away were the “outboard” tools. All the implements open while he tool is closed, unlike the original, which had to be opened to access the implements. I especially like this feature with the wonderfully sharp scissors that are able to cut 150# line. They cut through superlines and braid with ease. The FliK Fish has the same tools as the original. These include the afore mention scissors, a saw blade, carbide coated hook sharpening file and knife blade, as well as four smaller tools which include a flat-head and Philips screwdriver head. When the implements are locked into place there is an “opening assist” feature that you pull back to retract and lock back in the handle. Pulling this back also pops the smaller tools up for easy opening.

Opened or closed the FliK Fish is ¾” shorter than the original and the long needle-nose pliers are ¼” shorter than the original, but are slightly narrower. During the years I have used the original and now with the FliK Fish, I feel the long, narrow needle nose pliers have helped get hooks out of fish that would have been very tough with a normal wider needle nose pliers. The slightly narrower profile of the FliK Fish pliers will only make tough hook removal even easier.

The case for the FliK Fish has also been improved. With the original, taking the long, narrow needle nose in and out eventually wore through the bottom of the case. As you can see from the photo, the case has been redesigned to eliminate this problem. The new case actually will also accommodate the original. When open the handles on the FliK Fish are slightly farther apart than the original making spreading the pliers easier. Unlike the original, when closed the handles are locked together, which smoothly unlock when you flick your wrist to open the pliers for use.

The only feature from original I believe will be missed relates to cutting hooks. The FliK Fish has built-in pinch cutters that are adequate, but aren’t as hard as the three-sided carbide cutters on the original. Along with being harder, if there was any damage the blade could easily be rotated to a fresh cutting surface. Because of the more compact size, which I do like, there was not space for the three-sided cutter. In an emergency I’m sure the pinch cutters will do the job. I tested them on a lighter wire hook and they worked fine, although a small indentation was left behind on the blade.

As I said at the beginning of this review, I have been a “huge” fan of the original Gerber Fisherman Tool and the “new” FliK Fish is even better! The Gerber engineers did a super job with the redesign.