So I plan on throwing paddle tails this year for the fall after having some success burning them in grass over the summer. I personally used a weighted swimbait hook weedless but I was recommended by a friend to try out underspins.. do you guys have any luck on them? what would be a good size weighted hook with one to throw around some 3.8 keitechs with? Do underspins have any advantages to swimbait fishing? 

I like the Sworming Hornet/ LFT Live Magic Shad.  

 

I think the ones I use are Owner.  I like the screw lock so I can bury the hook vs the exposed hook type. 

As far as swimming a paddletail I tend to use a chatterbait in murky water or windy days, and underspin as the water clears, and a straight swim jig in clear water or if ripping it through grass.  But, all of them have worked in all those conditions.  LOL

 

 

How deep of water are you fishing them in? For shallower water, I'd go with an Owner Flashy swimmer that can be T-rigged and fished around shallow cover easier. For deeper water, I like a 3/8oz underspin with a 3.8 Fat Impact with a slow, steady retrieve.

Agree with all the above recommendations and the rule of thumb is if the bait is scattered go with a standard head and if there are big schools go with the underspin to set yourself apart from looking like the rest of the school. 

 

My favorite for 2.8-3.3's is the Coolbaits (1/0) and the 2/0 in 3/8 should be a great fit for the 3.8's you're throwing.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Coolbaits_Lure_Co_The_Down_Under_Underspin/descpage-CLCTDU.html

A 3.8" keitech on a weedless underspin is my bread and butter setup. I use both the Owner Flashy Swimmer and the Trokkar version. I get better hookup with the Trokkar but the underspin tangles around hook sometimes. The 3/0 hook in either fits a 3.8" paddletail perfectly. You can throw it around all kinds of cover without hanging up.

With the underspin you can expect occasional short strikes since the underspin hangs back behind the hook. Also, even though it's weedless, if you're slow-rolling on a chunk rock bottom (gravel is no problem), that willow blade can get wedged in the rock. To get it loose, sometimes you have to get the rod tip all the way down to the lure to back it out.

11 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

How deep of water are you fishing them in? For shallower water, I'd go with an Owner Flashy swimmer that can be T-rigged and fished around shallow cover easier. For deeper water, I like a 3/8oz underspin with a 3.8 Fat Impact with a slow, steady retrieve.

3 to 5 feet, no deeper than that. 

On 9/6/2020 at 1:48 PM, Dens228 said:

I think the ones I use are Owner.  I like the screw lock so I can bury the hook vs the exposed hook type. 

As far as swimming a paddletail I tend to use a chatterbait in murky water or windy days, and underspin as the water clears, and a straight swim jig in clear water or if ripping it through grass.  But, all of them have worked in all those conditions.  LOL

 

 

*Good suggestion here ... I will reach for the Owner under spin EWG hook in 3/0 size for using with 3.8" Keitechs first - however a Swarming Hornet in 3/16th oz. ~ 1/4 oz. would also serve you well .

My way of telling if I need it? Try a swimbait without it and if that's not working try a spinnerbait. If they hit the spinnerbait or the swimbait, you're good and no need to change. if they short strike the spinnerbait, try an underspin. 

I usually use an underspin on sunny days (regardless of water clarity). 

 

If cloudy-mostly cloudy, I usually don't fish an underspin. 

Owner colorado underspin is interesting on darker days, lower vis water, and in bluegill presentations. Little more thump, little less flash. Great for followups on areas with active fish that are biting a chatterbait - seems like there are often a few more I can coax out with it.