Jarvis Walker Pre Made Rigs -Review

I’m pretty sure tradesmen and other professionals can relate to this, with their own tools of the trade, too.

Pre Tied fishing rigs, to me, are a better solution for exactly the same reasons. What’s more, in many cases, they are better tied than I’m likely to tie myself.

Why Pre Tied Rigs Make Sense

• You can turn up to your fishing spot
• Choose a rig for the species you’re targetting
• Attach the rig to the mainline
• Add bait or even a lure
• You’re ready to fish

No need to fiddle with a knot for each part of the rig. (A bigger deal on paternoster style rigs!) No guessing on hook sizes.

No messing with leaders. It’s all there. One knot to attach the rig to your mainline.

Plus, you can use a snap swivel on your main line to change out rigs if you wish, before you leave home. That means zero knots when you’re out fishing!

There’s actually two kinds of product available on the market made by Jarvis Walker. The cheaper version comes without the foam block that holds the rig together. You can find it in stores like K-Mart.

The cheaper version doesn’t seem to be tied as well and seems to twist more in my experience. I’m talking about the slightly dearer version in this review. I’ve found it to be better value for money.

The price difference is around a dollar or so. In my opinion, it’s an extra dollar well spent. Especially if it means fewer line twists!

I Keep A Variety Of Rigs For Different Species On Hand

As a rule I keep a variety of Jarvis Walker Pre Fishing Tied rigs in my tackle box.

There are versions for each fish species. Snapper, flathead, bream, mullet, garfish, surf rigs etc.

Compared to rigs I tie myself I find the pre tied rigs* are much less likely to tangle and twist. Plus the little foam block they come on in the packet can be reused when you have finished using it.

Just wind the leader back onto the foam block. Snuggle the hooks in – and boom!

I love that. I mean, next time I need the rig its ready – no tangles – to attach to my line. That’s really cool!

Pimp Up Your Jarvis Walker Pre Tied Rigs

Of course more expensive rigs often come with a lot of sexy looking “extras.” Like flashing, skirts, glitter etc.

These increase their appeal to many fish species, like snapper and whiting.

So I usually add some of these myself. Certainly, some of the Jarvis Walker pre-tied rigs come with glow beads attached. But I often go a step further and add a few red and green feathers myself.

To do this I simply hold the skirt (real feathers or artificial) on the hooks while winding on some cotton. Lime green or red is great. Tie off the cotton with a small knot. Then I use a little bit of superglue or epoxy to create a seal over the cotton to hold it all in place.

Works and presents extremely well.

Where no beads are supplied I push them over the hooks and up onto the leader. Just above the hook eye. Best to do this before adding any skirts – of course!

Jarvis Walker also makes an advanced range called The Ultimate Edition Flasher Paternoster Rigs*.

I’ve not actually tried these and will try to review them in the coming months.

Basically these come with the skirting etc ready to go. They sell at around twice the price of the standard rigs being reviewed here. Competing with the dearer Black Magic and Mustad rigs.

Definitely Keep Some In Your Tackle Box!

I recommend keeping some of these on hand in your tackle box because I have found them invaluable. For the most part, I rarely tie saltwater rigs when using bait now. I just reach for one of these.

I also soak soft plastics on the hooks of these rigs. The Gulp Sandworms*, for example, works really well, as do the Gulp* Shrimp. Fish the lure and rig just like you would bait. Don’t forget to smear on some attractant*!

At under five bucks each they’re often less than half the price of some other more expensive brands.

I even use the saltwater rigs in freshwater at times. Where the hook size and sinker makes sense to do so.

There are other competing brands that I’ve tried at this price point. I’ve found some are better than others.

I’ve noticed lately that some of these brands have started improving their rigs to directly compete with these ones. Including the addition of the foam block etc. Some of the big box stores like BCF and Anaconda sell those.

I’ve tried several and still find I come back to these ones. The exception being the break-off rigs for gummies made by Sure Catch. Those are hard to beat and not available in the Jarvis Walker range. This particular rig is handy for larger native freshwater species like Murray Cod, too.

Though a Snapper or Whiting rig, from the Jarvis Walker range, reviewed here can be just as effective.

Review Conclusion & Product Rating

Ease Of Use
Cost Effective
Variety Of Rigs
Can Reuse Rigs

This is a product I use all the time. Because they're quick, easy and tangle-free.

While I do use other brands on occasion, like the Black Magic Pre Tied Rig range I find the Jarvis Walker Pre Tied Fishing Rigs to be a perfect, inexpensive solution.

I say inexpensive. It’s true tying rigs yourself is generally cheaper. However, as a programmer, I learned decades ago that reinventing the wheel often gives the lowest return on investment of my time.

4