letter on Wigston's Tasmanian Devil Lures

Letters from Wigston's Tasmanian Devil Fishing Lure users

July 1, 2005

Professional Guide Reports on the Tasmanian Devil Fishing Lure

Being a full-time professional guide and owner of Tightline Outfitters requires a lot of time on the water and the use of a variety of products. Currently I guide out of Colorado on the ice and open water. I have also done some guiding in Minnesota. Throughout my career as a guide and pro-fisherman, I have been very fortunate to be able to fish all across the country for all species, from musky to salmon to everything else in between. Many years ago I was introduced to a lure called the Tasmanian Devil.

The lure is made in Tasmania, Australia by Wigston's Lures. The bait is constructed of a small lead tube that is painted and then covered in plastic with plastic wings on each side. The plastic covering prevents the coloring to ever chip or fade. The lure swims will an erratic wobble. There are 4 different freshwater sizes and weights, 2 saltwater sizes and weights, offered in over 100 different color combinations. Between the small 1/4 oz and the large 2-1/2 oz and variety of colors, there is something for all species. The great thing about the lure is it can be used in many ways. I do a lot of trolling, casting and vertical jigging when using my Tasmanian Devil's. I actually personalize my lures by removing the center wire and treble hook. I then take the hook of my

choice, add a split ring to the hook, run my line directly through the center of the Tasmanian Devil, and tie directly to the split ring. By doing this it gives the lure more action and allows me to use the hook of my preference.

The Tasmanian Devil has been around for many years, but has only been seen in the Colorado region due to trial markets. It is just now beginning to be carried by many major distributors and retailers across the U.S. and Canada.

The Tasmanian Devil is one of the best lures I've ever used when fishing the big waters of the Great Lakes. My experience has mainly been on Lake Erie for walleye/small mouth and Lake Michigan for salmon and trout. I typically match the size of the lure to the fish I am targeting.

When fishing for walleye, small mouth, trout and smaller salmon, I use the 1/2 oz Tasmanian Devil. When I go for lake trout and larger salmon, such as kings, I use the 1 oz. One of the benefits of this bait is that it can be my "go-to" lure any time of the year. It is one of the best trolling baits I've seen due to the fact that I can troll it from .5 to 3.5 miles per hour, getting no line twists and a perfect action.

It can be pulled behind down riggers, dipsies, and flashers without changing its performance in the water in any way. I also do a lot of vertical jigging with this bait as well. While vertical jigging, I do a snap jig presentation by rapidly bringing my rod tip up 1-2 feet then lowering it, letting the bait fall with an injured bait-fish effect. This is one of my favorite techniques for deep-water walleyes. If you decide to use a casting method, you can do a straight retrieve or add short jerks to your retrieve, giving the bait a less consistent action.

For any information or questions about the Tasmanian Devil fishing lure or Tight line Outfitters, please feel free to contact Nathan Zelinsky at 303-947-8327 or email to nate@tightlineoutfitters.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sept./05

Do not forget there great for ice fishing as well

J.D