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This is the fourth in a series of articles looking at 2007 new fishing gear.

Check out the 2007 rods
Check out the 2007 reels
Check out the 2007 lures

As if the vast array of new rods, reels, and lures isn't enough to get a fisherman excited and dreaming about warm weather, there are also the "extras" to think about: new hooks, lines, sinkers, tools, and tackle bags.

The choices are nothing short of spectacular, too.

Fishing lines today are thinner but stronger than ever, hooks are sharper, and now there are metal pliers that float.

It's for sure your grandfather's tackle collection never looked like what's available today.

Here's a quick look at some of the choices you may have to make before the fish start biting again:

AQUAPAC

If you haven't dropped your cell phone overboard by now, rest assured it'll happen sooner or later.

Not to worry, however, if the phone is in an Aquapack Flip-Phone Case, a waterproof case that also floats. Best of all, you can still use the phone while it's in the case.

Several sizes are offered to store other valuables, as well, including small cameras.

(866/929-0639; www.aquapacusa.com).

BAREFOOT TACKLE
Freshwater anglers should be interested in the Gitzem Jighead; with its semi-flat head it darts and glides rather than drops straight down.

Jigheads like this have been used for years in saltwater for bonefish and other shallow swimmers.

The Gitzem is offered in sizes ranging from 1/8 to 3/8-oz in a variety of colors. Weedless versions are also available.

(919/596-5007; www.fishingbarefoot.com).

BERKLEY

Everyone wants to know the weight of the fish they've caught, and Berkley's Tournament Digital Culling Scale System not only weighs fish up to 15 pounds, but also stores the weight in memory.

Color-coded fish clips that correspond with weights listed in the memory take the guesswork out of the culling process if you're in a tournament.

In new lines, Berkley has introduced FireLine Crystal, the latest generation of this braided line, featuring a crystal finish. Trilene Maxx is a new copolymer line combining the best features of two long-popular Berkley monofilaments, XT and XL.

(877/777-3850; www.berkley-fishing.com).

BULLET WEIGHTS

New this season are Screw-in Weights made of tungsten and available in several color choices.

Tungsten weights are smaller than similar lead weights and also more sensitive because they're harder.

If you want to peg any of your soft plastics, these are the ones to use. Sizes range from 1/8 to ½-oz.

(308/382-7436; www.bulletweights.com).

DO-IT CORP.

If you're the tinkering, do-it-yourself kind of fisherman, you'll like creating your own spinnerbaits, jigs, and sinkers with one of the special kits offered here.

The packages include everything needed to make dozens of lures; the catalog offers even more specialized items for truly customized lures.

(319/984-6055; www.do-itmolds.com).

FLAMBEAU

Fresh and saltwater anglers should welcome the latest tackle storage systems from Flambeau, which include the 4003ST and 5003ST Boat Bags that can actually be mounted on your boat gunnel.

Each bag includes three plastic utility boxes and has side compartments that will hold others.

(440/632-1631; www.flambeauoutdoors.com).

GAMMA

This company has quickly become popular in bass fishing circles; saltwater anglers may be interested in Gamma's Transparent Leader Material, which is reported to be 100% fluorocarbon.

(800/437-2971; www.gammafishing.com).

INNOVATIVE TEXTILES

The newest Power Pro braid is Phantom Red Power Pro, which gradually becomes less and less visible the deeper you fish it.

(800/650-8003; www.powerpro.com).

LINDY

Lindy's Cent'r Slip Kit includes several of the famous No-Snagg sinkers for freshwater fishing in rock-filled waters, along with an assortment of snelled hooks with swivels.

(218/829-1714; www.lindyfishingtackle.com).

MUSTAD

Freshwater anglers have learned that the wacky worm technique works year-round, and it just became even easier with Mustad's new Ultra Point weedless wacky worm hook.

It's a wide-gap design with a wire weed guard, so now you can fish safely around weeds and brush without losing your worm.

(315/253-2793; www.mustad.no).

P-LINE

The latest line here is Evolution, a low-stretch, abrasion-resistant copolymer line (three different nylons have been blended); redfish anglers may like the smoke/silver color.

They may also want to try Halo Fluorocarbon, a new line that incorporates the best features of several different fluorocarbons to create a better casting, less visible, stronger fluorocarbon.

(800/537-2394; www.p-line.com).

PLANO

The newest addition to Plano's FlipSider tackle storage system, which has proven extremely popular (it combines features of both hard and soft cases), is the FlipSider Satchel, which has 16 hard plastic lure compartments (visible through the Satchel's hard lid), as well as storage room for three large utility boxes underneath.

This FlipSider, like the previous models, includes an EVA foam exterior for added protection.

(630/552-3111; www.planomolding.com).

SEAGUAR

This year the company that introduced fluorocarbon to American anglers offers its flurorocarbon in convenient 30-foot packages, designed just for leaders.

Best of all, you can easily afford them.

(212/867-7040; www.seaguar.com).

SPIDERWIRE

Long distance casting problems with braided line may be a thing of the past with SpiderWire's new UltraCast. The company says this is the best braid they've ever made, offering superior knot strength and giving more castability, both without sacrificing any abrasion resistance. Strengths range from 10 to 130-lbs.

(877/777-3850; www.spiderwire.com).

STREN

Some redfish pros are already using Stren's new Tinted Fluorocarbon Leaders, particularly tannic.

Also available this year is the new Sinking Braid, a fast-sinking braided line that also casts well; Stren makes it in 10 to 50-lb. sizes.

Mono-users may want to look at Super Knot, a new monofilament with a lubricant additive that not only makes knot-tying easier but also maintains knot strength.

(877-777-3850; www.stren.com).

SUFIX

A new digital braiding process here produces a thinner braid that all anglers will certainly appreciate, as it translates into easier casting.

Sufix also offers a range of monofilament lines that also work well in the salt.

(800/554-1423; www.sufix.com).

TRIPLE FISH

Chum Line is the company's newest leader material, a baitfish-scented leader that actually leaves a scent trail in the water. It's available from 6 to 100-lb. strengths.

(352-243-0873; www.triplefish.net).

TRU-TUNGSTEN

Freshwater frog fishermen should welcome the Hack Attack Frog Hook, featuring an extra-sharp two-barbed hook for floating, hollow-body frogs.

It's available in 3/0, 4/0, and 5/0 sizes, and also features a special M bend on the shank to help keep the frog in place.

(724/349-2260; www.tru-tungsten.com).

XTOOLS

New here are the ProXseries Floating Metal Pliers, Xcutters, and HybridxPliers.

All feature the famous green handles that allow the tools to float in case you kick them overboard. All have tungsten carbide blades so you can easily cut any type of line or braid.

This company is now owned by Shakespeare so look for even more innovation in the future.

(800/334-9105; www.xtools.us).