I have a pair of Muck Arctic Pro Boots.  My feet are always dry and warm when I am ice fishing.  LOVE THEM!  The only limitation is low traction.  Hence, I purchased a pair of Kahtoola Micro Spikes.

The Kahtoola Micro Spikes have 3/8″ spikes made from high quality stainless steel.  These spike grip under load without bending.  They will keep you vertical at all times.

The elastomer harness allows you to quickly put the spikes on.  Once they are on, they stay on.  Other brands then to fall off without warning.  You only notice when you need them most.

The elastomer harness also allows you to quickly remove the spikes.  This is key for me because I drive to my spots fully geared up; driving with spikes is a skill that I do not need to master.

The Kahtoola Micro Spikes grip so well I am ice fishing, that I also use them when I am plowing and shoveling snow.  High Quality + Multiple Uses = High Value.

Today I had the opportunity to press pause and visit Al Gag’s Fishing Lures in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts.   Al Gag’s shop is centrally located in the middle of an unsuspecting mill building that is surrounded by a canal and a river.

I parked my Suburban in the spacious parking lot.  I braved the polar temperature (20 degrees Fahrenheit) to reach door 19.  I then boarded an old school freight elevator with a capacity of 6,000 pounds to reach the third floor.  The Al Gag’s command center is a fully optimized 900 square feet area in the epicenter of a creative community of artists and craftsman who network and inspire each together to build amazing products and services.

Al started our conversation by showing me pictures of trophy fish hooked via Whip-It Eel and Whip-It Fish from Maine to Florida.  The pictures were a foreshadow to the new products that will soon be available and that is currently being refined based on field testing and feedback.

The new product that hooked my attention immediately was the new jigs.  Al Gag’s signature jig geometry will now be followed by Owner hooks with bleeding sharp points and super strong wires.  These hooks can hold trophy striped bass, tarpon, tuna, and everything in between.  You will not find these hooks on the Owner website or catalog.  These hooks are custom made to Al’s exact specifications.  Since the hooks are custom, the supply of these news jigs is limited.

These new jigs with the custom Owner hooks are currently only available at fishing shows.  You do not want to be without these new jigs.  Stop by Al’s booth at one of these shows and stock up! 😉

• Striper Day | January 19, 2020
• Connecticut Surfcasters Association Demo Day | January 25, 2020
• Springfield Sportsmen’s Show | Feb, 21-23, 2020
• MSBA Sport Fishing Expo | March 14 – 15, 2020
• Northeast Fishing and Hunting Show |March 20 – 22, 2020
• New England Saltwater Fishing Show | March 27 – 29, 2020

In addition to the beastly jigs, you will soon be able to dress your Whip-It Eels and Whip-It Fish with skirts.  This subtle modification will give your presentation a seducing action that fish cannot resit!  What about ultra-violet? Great question! 😉  What about new colors?  Yes!  Think “Chicken Scratch” and “Wonder bread”. OMG…fish beware!!!!  Bottom line, from trout to tuna, Al Gag’s has a jig and plastic for you.

Before you sit down with Al Gagliarducci to talk fish, clear your schedule.  After producing several successful lures that pushed the boundaries of lure action, sound, and color over the past 40 years, he has many stories to tell.  Funny stories.  Fishy stories.  And stories that I cannot repeat here! 😉  I am glad that I cleared my schedule for Friday the thirteenth of December, 2019.