Company: Nomad Design Tackle · Based: Queensland, Australia · First lures: 2015 · Category: Slow pitch jigs
Nomad Design is an Australian lure brand best known in the US for trolling and casting lures, but it also makes a compact family of metal jigs. Two of them are slow pitch jigs: the Buffalo, a center-balanced flat-fall jig, and the Gypsea, a teardrop jig with a wide flutter. Nomad’s Australian store files both under “Slow Pitch” and puts its other two jigs, the Ridgeback and Streaker, under “High Pitch.”
The Buffalo is the one Florida anglers are most likely to find. It comes pre-rigged with twin BKK assist hooks, and it’s sold at Bass Pro Shops, TackleDirect and Half Hitch as well as Nomad’s own US store. This review covers the range, weights, prices and where to buy.
Company overview
Nomad Design grew out of Nomad Sportfishing Adventures, a bluewater charter business in Hervey Bay, Queensland, that Nomad says was set up in 2000. Founder Capt. Damon Olsen, whom the company describes as a qualified engineer, launched the first Nomad lures in Australia in 2015 and moved into the US market in 2018, according to the brand’s own “Nomad Story.” Nomad’s slogan is “Crafted by Experience.”
Export Finance Australia, which backed Nomad with an export line of credit, says the company secured a distribution deal with Bass Pro. That’s why Nomad lures show up in big-box US stores, not just specialist jig shops. Nomad also sells slow pitch rods. See our Nomad Design Slow Pitch Rods review.
At a glance
| Brand | Nomad Design Tackle (Australia) |
| Slow pitch jigs | Buffalo (flat-fall) · Gypsea (teardrop) · Buffalo Jr. (micro, Australia) |
| High pitch jigs | Ridgeback · Streaker |
| Buffalo weights (US store) | 80, 120, 180, 230 and 320 g |
| Hooks | Pre-rigged with twin BKK 5X assist hooks |
| US price | Buffalo $14.99–$22.99 · Gypsea $13.99–$15.99 (nomadtackle.com, September 2026) |
| US availability | Good: Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, TackleDirect, Half Hitch, Discount Tackle, Amazon |
The Buffalo: Nomad’s flat-fall slow pitch jig
Images: Nomad Design
Nomad calls the Buffalo a “slow pitch (flat-fall) jig designed for a center-balanced fluttering fall that triggers strikes as it sinks.” Its product page says the jig “gets eaten on the fall increasing strike opportunities without extra effort.” Bass Pro describes the center-weighted design as making the jig “lay over and flutter continuously on the drop.” Nomad lists it for reef species, deep structure and pelagics.
| Weight | Ounces | Assist hooks | US price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 g | 3 oz | BKK 5X Assist 2/0 | $14.99 |
| 120 g | 4 oz | BKK 5X Assist 2/0 | $15.99 |
| 180 g | 6-1/4 oz | BKK 5X Assist 4/0 | $17.99 |
| 230 g | 8 oz | BKK 5X Assist 4/0 | $19.99 |
| 320 g | 11 oz | BKK 5X Assist 5/0 | $22.99 |
Weights, hooks and prices from Nomad’s US store (nomadtackle.com), September 2026. Nomad’s Australian store lists the Buffalo from 40 g to 230 g at AUD $15.99–$23.99, including 40 g and 60 g sizes not shown on the US store.
Features
- Center balance for a long, flat, fluttering fall
- Twin BKK 5X assist hooks, sized to the jig
- Glow paint on many colors, including Glow Out, Chartreuse Glow and Pink Glow Mackerel
- About ten colors per size, such as Blue Sardine, Yellow Racer, Mint and Black Pink Mackerel
Not published: Nomad doesn’t list jig lengths on the product pages we read.
Buffalo Jr.
Nomad’s Australian store also sells a micro version, the Buffalo Jr., in 5, 8, 12, 16 and 20 g (AUD $10.99–$12.99). It’s a light-tackle jig, not a deep water one, and we didn’t find it on Nomad’s US store.
The Gypsea: teardrop slow pitch jig
Images: Nomad Design
Nomad describes the Gypsea as a “classic teardrop profile” with a wide flutter and a thumping action on the drop. Bass Pro calls it “ideal for slow- to medium-speed saltwater jigging,” with a “back-slide action” and names snapper and grouper as targets. Like the Buffalo, it’s rigged with BKK assist hooks matched to the jig size.
| Weight | Ounces | US price | Australia price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 g | 1-1/2 oz | Not on US store | AUD $15.99 |
| 60 g | 2 oz | $13.99 | AUD $16.99 |
| 80 g | 3 oz | $14.99 | AUD $17.99 |
| 120 g | 4 oz | $15.99 | AUD $20.99 |
| 160 g | 5-1/2 oz | Not on US store | AUD $22.99 |
| 200 g | 7 oz | Not on US store | AUD $23.99 |
Prices from nomadtackle.com and nomadtackle.com.au, September 2026. Nomad’s jigging blog quotes a wider Gypsea range of 40–300 g and a Buffalo range of 80–320 g, but the stores only listed the sizes above.
Ridgeback and Streaker: the high pitch jigs
Nomad’s other two jigs are not slow pitch jigs by Nomad’s own labels. The Ridgeback is a knife-shaped jig with a keeled body (40–200 g in Australia; 40, 80 and 160 g on the US store at $10.99–$16.99). The Streaker sold at 60, 80 and 200 g on the US store ($13.99–$18.99). Nomad’s blog says the Ridgeback can work slow pitch too, but if you want a true flutter-and-glide jig, stick with the Buffalo or Gypsea.
Tungsten jigs
Nomad Design doesn’t make a tungsten jig. We checked the jig listings on both of Nomad’s stores. The Buffalo, Buffalo Jr., Gypsea, Ridgeback and Streaker are the only jigs, and none is listed as tungsten or “TG.” There is no tungsten Gypsea or tungsten Buffalo, and we found no announcement of one.
Nomad does use tungsten elsewhere. Its Australian store sells the Delta Minnow Tungsten soft plastic (AUD $19.99) and tungsten Adjusta-Ball refill weights (AUD $14.99–$16.99, nomadtackle.com.au, September 2026). Those are inshore casting products, not jigs for reef or deep drop work.
Tungsten or lead? With Nomad, it’s lead or nothing. The good news is that the lead jigs are cheap: the Buffalo runs $14.99–$22.99 rigged on Nomad’s US store. If you need a smaller profile to hold bottom in heavy current, you’ll have to look at another brand’s tungsten jigs, or go up a size in the Buffalo or Streaker.
Tungsten jig details checked against nomadtackle.com and nomadtackle.com.au on September 29, 2026.
Choosing a Nomad slow pitch jig
| Situation | Nomad jig |
|---|---|
| Slow drift, 100–250 ft, grouper and snapper | Buffalo 120–180 g |
| Deeper ledges or more current | Buffalo 230–320 g |
| Shallower reefs, lighter PE line | Gypsea 60–120 g or Buffalo 80 g |
| Faster, more aggressive jigging for amberjack and tuna | Ridgeback or Streaker (high pitch) |
These depth and weight pairings are our suggestions. Nomad doesn’t publish a depth chart.
Fishing the Buffalo in Florida
Nomad’s own advice for the Buffalo, quoted by Discount Tackle, is that it “works best with a long lift of the rod and then allowing it to flutter on the drop.” That suits Gulf and Atlantic reef fishing, where most bites on a flat-fall jig come as it falls.
- Keep line vertical. Flat-fall jigs lose their action when the line angle gets too steep. Go up a size when the drift speeds up.
- Use the glow colors deep. Below about 150 ft, glow finishes stay visible when natural light fades.
- Check the assists. The 2/0 hooks on the 80 g and 120 g jigs are light for big gag or amberjack. Swap to heavier assists if you size up targets.
- Rinse after every trip. Saltwater eats split rings and hook points quickly.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Sold pre-rigged with twin BKK 5X assist hooks
- Easy to find in the US, including Bass Pro Shops and Florida’s Half Hitch
- Fair prices: $14.99–$22.99 for the Buffalo on Nomad’s US store
- Lots of glow colors for deep water
- Clear slow pitch vs. high pitch labels in Nomad’s Australian store
Cons
- Heaviest US size is 320 g, light for very deep or fast-current drops
- No jig lengths published
- Weight ranges differ between Nomad’s blog, US store and Australian store
- Small range compared with Japanese slow pitch specialists
Nomad Design vs. other slow pitch jigs
| Brand | Example jig | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nomad Design | Buffalo, 80–320 g, pre-rigged | $14.99–$22.99 |
| Daiwa | Saltiga SK jig | $10.99–$21.99 |
| Major Craft | Jigpara | $8.99–$18.99 |
| Seafloor Control | Arc | $21.49–$50.49 |
| Ocean’s Legacy | Long Contact, rigged, 30–270 g | $9.99–$23.99 |
Where to buy Nomad Design slow pitch jigs
Manufacturer
- Nomad Tackle (US store) · Buffalo jigs · Nomad’s slow pitch jig guide
- Nomad Design (Australia) · nomadtackle.com.au
Florida
- Half Hitch Tackle (Destin, Panama City, Navarre) · 888-668-9810 · halfhitch.com: Buffalo from $11.99, limited stock
Other US retailers
- Bass Pro Shops · Buffalo · Gypsea
- TackleDirect · tackledirect.com: Buffalo, in stock
- Discount Tackle · discounttackle.com: Buffalo 230 g $17.99, 320 g $19.99
- Amazon and Melton Tackle also list the Buffalo
Verdict
The Buffalo is a sensible, well-priced flat-fall jig that comes ready to fish with twin BKK assists. It’s easy to buy in Florida and at Bass Pro Shops, and its 80–320 g range covers most Gulf and Atlantic reef drops. The Gypsea adds a teardrop option for lighter work. Nomad isn’t a slow pitch specialist, and it publishes less detail than Japanese makers, but for anglers who want a good jig off the shelf, the Buffalo is an easy pick.
Deep-Drop.com rating: Value 4.5/5 · Action 4/5 · Range 3/5 · Spec transparency 3/5 · US availability 4.5/5
FAQ
Is the Nomad Design Buffalo a slow pitch jig?
Yes. Nomad calls it a “slow pitch (flat-fall) jig” with a center-balanced fluttering fall.
What weights does the Buffalo come in?
Nomad’s US store lists 80, 120, 180, 230 and 320 g. The Australian store also lists 40 g and 60 g.
Does the Buffalo come with hooks?
Yes. It’s pre-rigged with twin BKK 5X assist hooks: 2/0 on the 80 g and 120 g, 4/0 on the 180 g and 230 g, and 5/0 on the 320 g.
Can I buy Nomad Design jigs in Florida?
Yes. Half Hitch Tackle in the Panhandle carries the Buffalo, and Bass Pro Shops sells Nomad jigs across the US.
Specifications and prices were checked against nomadtackle.com, nomadtackle.com.au, Export Finance Australia, Bass Pro Shops, TackleDirect, Half Hitch and Discount Tackle on September 28, 2026.