GEAR

Halco's Top 5 Lures for Your Next 4WD Adventure

There is nothing quite like the freedom of a 4WD trip. Whether you’re navigating the dusty tracks of the Kimberley, beach hopping along the Eyre Peninsula, or exploring the hidden creeks of the East Coast, the rig is packed, and the fridge is stocked.

But when space is at a premium, you can’t bring your entire garage of fishing gear. You need a small set of lures - a selection of hard-working, versatile gear that can catch a fish in any water across Australia.

We’ve teamed up with the crew at Rhino-Rack recently to talk adventure, and it got us thinking: if you could only take five lures on a lap of the map, which ones would they be?

Here is the ultimate "Touring Top 5"

1. The Halco Twisty (Chrome)

The "Don't Leave Home Without It" Lure. The Twisty is arguably the most famous metal lure in Australia, and for good reason. Its unique curved ends create a wobbling, flashing action that mimics a wounded baitfish perfectly.

  • Where to use it: Everywhere. Cast it from the rocks for Salmon, off the beach for Tailor, or jig it over reef for Snapper.

  • The Pro Tip: Don’t just pack one. Carry a few sizes from 10g to 55g. The smaller ones are deadly on Trout and Bream, while the heavier ones cut through the wind when the surf is pumping.

2. Slidog 105

The Snack-Sized Stickbait. When you see tuna or mackerel smashing bait on the surface, you need a lure that casts like a bullet. The Slidog 105 is a sinking stickbait that is incredibly easy to work - just "grip it and rip it" or give it a slow, seductive shimmy on the sink.

  • Target Species: Mackerel, Queenfish, Tailor, and even large Flathead.

  • Why it’s a touring essential: It’s tough. Built with heavy-duty rings and hooks, it can handle the "brutes" of the north without bending a treble.

3. Roosta Popper 105

For the Surface Strike Addicts. Nothing gets the heart racing like a surface eat. The Roosta Popper 105 is designed to move a lot of water with a lot of noise.

  • Where to use it: Tropical estuaries for Barramundi, or around headlands for Trevally and Kingfish.

  • The Setup: You can change the action by changing your rod tip height. Keep it low for a loud bubble trail, or high for a more splashy, erratic skip.

4. Trembler 70XS

The Deep-Water Specialist. If the fish aren't looking at the surface, you need to go to them. The Trembler 70XS is a bibless minnow that sinks fast and vibrates loudly. It’s small, but it attracts fish from a distance with its internal rattles.

  • Target Species: Reef species like Coral Trout, or estuary predators like Mangrove Jack and Barramundi.

  • Why it’s a winner: It’s incredibly versatile. You can troll it behind the boat at 1-6 knots, jig it vertically off a pier, or cast it into deep holes in the creek.

5. 4” Madeye Paddleprawn

The Soft Plastic Finesse Sometimes, the fish are a bit shy and want something that looks and feels real. The Madeye Paddleprawn is made with Rubber Stretch Technology (RST), meaning it’s super stretchy and can survive multiple hits from toothy fish.

  • Target Species: Flathead, Snapper, Barramundi, and Sooty Grunter.

  • The Secret: The tail is buoyant, so when you let it sit on the bottom, the tail floats up and wiggles in the current just like a real prawn.