Halco reinvents an Australian classic in time for ICAST

A new lure from Australian brand Halco will be making its debut at the ICAST trade show in Florida. The history of the Halco TB55 goes back to the company’s original timber Tilsan Bass lure designed by Til Martinello more than 20 years ago.

Halco acquired Tilsan Timber Lures from Martinello in 2002 and extended its distribution by selling it overseas as Halco Bass, maintaining the Tilsan brand only in Australia.

Halco’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Tim Carter (main picture), takes up the story. “The Tilsan Bass is a good lure, but there were a couple of problems. The first was the availability of the timber used to make it. The required quality is difficult to source.

“And second, the quality control of the timber is inconsistent. Sometimes it is very dense and the lure sinks. Other times it is too buoyant and it floats like a cork.”

Halco found the solution by moving the lure to plastic production, so that the buoyancy could be controlled. It also means that the colour pallet has been expanded to 15, including clear-bodied versions that were impossible to produce in timber.

“The action of the new plastic lure exactly mimics the wooden version, so we have stayed true to the lure’s roots,” added Carter. “The action is best described as a hybrid between a crankbait and a jerkbait.

“It has been a great success in testing. It runs around three metres when cast and can make five metres when trolled with light braid and a fluorocarbon leader. Now we plan to introduce it to the trade at ICAST and then, a few weeks later, at the AFTA (Australian Fishing Tackle Association) show.”

Designed to be neutrally buoyant in freshwater, the TB55 is 55mm long, weighs 7.5g and is armed with Mustad ≠6 black nickel trebles. Some models feature Halco’s trademarked Invisi Glo technology that glows in the dark, while others feature UV reactivity. RRP is expected to be around $15 AUD.

“We are really excited by the wide potential uses for this lure,” said Carter. “It could easily be at home in trout and perch waters in Europe, largemouth bass lakes in North America or flathead estuaries here in Australia.”

ICAST booth no: 2003
T: +61 8 9430 5080
www.halcotackle.com