Strategic Angler Proteus 130
The Proteus series is the latest offering by StrategicAngler® for 2021. The success of the clear bodied, UV enhanced Naia series led to the final development of the Proteus series to date, conceptualized many years before (The Proteus series received its final inspiration from the slow swimming Atlantic butterfish, a favorite staple of many pelagic species). The development of the Naia series in 2019 provided a key design element for PROTEUS. This new 5 inch hybrid lure features the characteristics of a “slow” stickbait and a sinking, wobbling jig. Twitches, “walk the dogs”, sweeps and a sinking flutter all make the Proteus irresistible. Rhythmic slow twitches will make the Proteus move with an alternating left and right cadence (walk). A quick sweep will create a sudden commotion that reverberates in the water attracting predators in the process. Retrieving the lure with the rod tip down will create a slow side to side wobble. As it descends in the water column, Proteus will have a very pronounced side to side flutter. This flutter replicates a wounded or dying baitfish extremely well. This plugs UV finish helps keep things durable and extra realistic. The Proteus sinks at an average rate of 1.5ft per second, but hook size may slightly alter the sink rate.
***Please note that each Strategic Angler Lure is hand painted, and delivered product may display slight variance from the photo***
| Hook Style | Hook Size |
| Treble | 2/0-5/0 |
| Single | 5/0-10/0 |
Tomo's Tackle recommends using Shout! 31 trebles and/or Shout! Kudako singles.
| Model | Buoyancy | Length | Weight |
| Proteus 130 | Sinking | 5 inches (130 mm) | 3.5 ounces (93-98 grams) |
About Strategic Angler-
Merv Rubiano is the man behind the creation of what we all know and love, Strategic Angler. Beginning with making bucktails on the weekends, Merv has always had a fascination with how to translate the movements of baitfish into a wooden or plastic lure. After a failed bluefin tuna mission on Cape Cod, Merv was left riddled with questions. Were the hooks too big? Was the lure too light? What could he have done differently? It was then that he began his journey towards making his renowned Strategic Angler lures. Merv described the process as frustrating and tedious. Imitating life is a challenge easier said than done. Finally, almost a year and a half after initially setting out on his lure making journey did Merv have a breakthrough. With the help of fellow fishermen and friends, Merv was able to receive valuable feedback. Then one day the prototypes began catching fish! This was the ultimate feedback for Merv and fueled his drive to create even more colors and actions for Strategic Angler. Merv views lure making as an art and welcomes anglers to send him requests for new patterns. If given a decent picture of the baitfish, he can probably paint it. What was once a weekend pastime became a full-time career and obsession. Now, Strategic Anglers are a must for serious anglers looking to flawlessly replicate baitfish.
