The Original Pakula Witchdoctor^® Teaser

The Pakula Witchdoctor is now the 'GO TO' solution for exciting all species of predatory Game Fish including all species of Marlin, Spearfish, Mahi Mahi and all species of Tuna in just about every Game Fishing destination on the planet.

At all trolling speeds, the Witchdoctor stays deep below the prop wash, sending out irresistible vibrations and flashing reflected shafts of light.

The Witchdoctor Teaser was Peter Pakula's first invention in around 1969, initially designed for use while trolling live and dead baits, yet after all these years the Pakula Witchdoctor is now accepted as the best fish exciter for all fluorescent blue and purple light in all directions, and unlike any other teaser, it never comes to the surface to interfere and tangle with trolling lines. Each Pakula Witchdoctor comes complete with a tow-line and storage bag.

Please see the video below for instructions on deploying and retrieving the Witchdoctor.

Witchdoctor Action

The Original Witchdoctor was designed to run baits off it's end, much like a down rigger that also imparted action to the bait. As this is very rarely practiced we have redesigned the Witchdoctor so that it resembles the original exciters action.

Anglers have been more than happy with the success of the original Witchdoctors when they were run without baits off its end, however the direction of most of the light flashes were forward of the teaser towards the boats transom.

The action now is tighter with the flashes pointed further back towards the trolled lures or baits.

This does mean that the arcing light show you used to see from the back of the boat will be lessened, but the arcing light will be more visible to the fish.

Witchdoctor Pack

The Witchdoctor with Tow Cord and Carry Bag

Using The Witchdoctor and surface teasers like the Digger together is a very effective method of raising fish. It is best to run the both off the same side of the boat on the opposite side of the boat to the closest lure (short corner). This will draw fish into the strike zone. It is also easier to clear the teasers when the action starts by pulling both teasers in together by grabbing both cords and pulling them in at the same time.

In areas where there are members of the Razor gang running the Witchdoctor further back than the the surface teaser will help prevent the surface teaser from getting shredded by the toothy critters.

Using the Witchdoctor - Instructions

The Pakula Witchdoctor is very easy to use, simply position it around 15 feet in front (closer to the transom) of your closest lure or bait, but run it on the other side i.e. if your closest lure is on the starboard side, run the Witchdoctor on the port side, and it will do the rest! It is important to remember that this teaser is very effective and will attract fish directly to it. It is therefore critical to ensure that a bait or lure should always be placed in close proximity to this teaser, at least within 4 meters. Because of refraction, i.e. angle of light changes when it hits the water, the Witchdoctor is quite difficult to position. We suggest you measure the distance of your closest lure in arm spans and then measure the Witchdoctor tow line the same way to ensure accurate placement.

Over the past few years, there have been a few tournament-winning boats that don't troll at least one Pakula Witchdoctor, many use two! The Witchdoctor can be run on any material, but we suggest easy-to-handle material such as 5mil or 1/4inch nylon or silver rope with a sturdy stainless clip on the end. 60 feet should be ample.

Caring for Witchdoctors made of wood (prior to October 2010)

The environment that a Witchdoctor is subjected to is extremely harsh. Unfortunately, the materials used are affected greatly by them, especially the mirrors. Do not worry if the mirrors start deteriorating, this is quite normal. You do not have to replace these until there is no reflection material left. To lessen this deterioration, you can run clear silicon along the edges where the mirrors meet the wood. The main function of the Witchdoctor is the vibration it puts out, not the flash. After each use of the Pakula Witchdoctor, it should be washed in fresh water and detergent and then, most importantly, allow it to dry thoroughly in the shade before storing it away.

Previous Witchdoctor Versions

The Original Production Witchdoctor Fluro Series 1983 to 1988. The image is of Witchdoctor's drying outside the original 'production' facility in a 12' x 12' unit storeroom in Rose Bay, New South Wales, Sydney Australia.

The Original Witchdoctor 'Black'
1975(aprox) - to 1983 not sold commercially.