ICAST 2015 Coverage

ICAST 2015 Coverage

Pike and Beyond with Scandinavian Lures from Westin

Date:	8/23/15
Location:	Orlando, FL
Admission:	Buyers & Press Only
Manufacturer:	Westin
Reviewer:	Zander

Introduction: The first ever Westin lure was created by the late Ingvar Westin, a skilled toolmaker who wanted to create a "toy" for his children back in 1952. He carved a fish which wriggled and rolled, and since it looked like an oversized pike lure he called it "Jatte" which is the Swedish word for "giant." It wasn't long before this toy caught the attention of local Pike anglers with the quality balance and side to side action, and the "Westin Roll" as they called it was soon catching some of the biggest pike ever caught in the region. Since then the company has expanded quickly and now offers a complete range of fishing tackle.

Thomas shows us the lure that started it all

At the show we met with Thomas Petersen Eldor of Westin who showed us a wide range of baits beginning with one of the lures that started it all, the Westin Jatte. Today the modern Jatte is made out of ABS plastic and makes use of Japanese style carbon steel hooks. This floating bait has a full wire through body construction to handle the pressure of taking on the biggest pike.

Originally designed as a toy the Westin Jatte has become legend among European Pike Anglers

There is a lip on the Jatte so when it is retrieved it will dive down to 2-4 meters and the modern day version continues to deliver the same "Westin Roll" unique rolling movement that makes the bait so deadly for predatory fish.

Meet Tommy the Trout

Tommy: Meet Tommy, Tommy the Trout that is. Tommy is Westin's hybrid swimbait which features a hard head and lip and a slide in soft plastic body to deliver the deadly combination and action of both a hard and soft bodied swimbait. Tommy is available in different lengths and depths and the heavier versions can get all the way down to 5 meters.

Like Tommy the Trout, Mike the Pike is a swimbait with a hard head and soft body

Tommy's detailed pectoral and pelvic fins exhibit a flapping action when retrieved and a full eyelet to hook wire construction helps keep Tommy in one piece when a big bass or pike takes hold. Tommy is available in four patterns, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Artic Char, and Crazy Firetiger and reference pricing for this lure is right around 30 dollars.

This little crab bait caught our attention

Westin Crab: There wasn't a whole lot of information available on the new Westin Crab but that didn't stop us from checking out this innovative little hard bodied lure.

The hard bodied crab is tint and features realistic looking appendages

The crab is very detailed and features a hard shell and appendages with a line tie in the back of the bait so when retrieved it looks like a retreating crab. While the baits looked good out of water it is when they are fully submerged when they truly come to life.

Arms up in defense present the hidden treble hooks

The claws are buoyant and when the bait is in the water they rise up in defense position. With any movement in the water or on the line the claws swing tantalizingly. This also essentially arms the bait as the treble hooks are cleverly hidden in each of the claws. This is one tiny bait that will pinch back when struck! At the show no pricing for the crab was yet available but this looks like a very cool little bait.

We sure hope baits like Mike the Pike will soon be available in the U.S.

Westin has a very strong following in Scandinavia and has aspirations to expand into the U.S. market with new distribution. At the show their booth was constantly mobbed by attendees, and though Westin's roots are in pike fishing the brand offers a surprisingly wide spectrum of tackle. It remains to be seen if Westin can successfully enter the domestic market but we sure hope they do this coming season so we can meet Tommy the Trout and Mike the Pike firsthand.