This year I decided to focus on using boottails more (fat impact style) ive had some success, but ive pretty much stopped throwing grubs. What situations do you throw a grub versus a boottail. I mainly fish rivers.

I use a grub as a trailer if i feel like the boottail is too much action. So i throw a grub more in colder seasons 

To me, they are similar enough that I use them interchangeably. A grub does seem more subtle though like @PaulVE64 mentioned. If a boottail isn't working for me, I'll usually switch to a grub and make a few casts just in case. Basically, I switch to the other for a bit when one isn't working.  Also keep in mind not all boottails have the same action either. Some boottails are more subtle than others. 

Probably just me but the grubs w/ that undulating ribbontail swim look always seem to outfish the conventional paddle or boot tail swim motion. Again probably just me...... 

18 hours ago, Bdnoble84 said:

This year I decided to focus on using boottails more (fat impact style) ive had some success, but ive pretty much stopped throwing grubs. What situations do you throw a grub versus a boottail. I mainly fish rivers.

 

 I killed 'em Friday on the Rage Tail Menace.

 

I'm not sure the fish care, but I've always liked the look of grubs better, so I tend to use those.

I normally use grubs on a Texas rig and fish them slowly on the bottom. I have caught fish using them like a swimbait but I have better luck fishing them on the bottom. I will use a boot tail if I want to swim something through the water.

2 hours ago, Log Catcher said:

I normally use grubs on a Texas rig and fish them slowly on the bottom. I have caught fish using them like a swimbait but I have better luck fishing them on the bottom. I will use a boot tail if I want swim something through the water.

That sounds kind of like how ive used both. I guess im kinda feeling like the boottail has more drawing power because it thumps. I definitely like them but as a trailer i think. Ive found largo shad really give swimjigs a nice secondary action pulsing the skirt.

On 10/9/2021 at 6:35 PM, Bdnoble84 said:

This year I decided to focus on using boottails more (fat impact style) ive had some success, but ive pretty much stopped throwing grubs. What situations do you throw a grub versus a boottail. I mainly fish rivers.

Both work extremely well, I have tend to notice the grub works better in clearer water, but it has to be small, then again you can just pick up a Hazendong in 2.8 or keitech fat swing/ez shiner.  Both catch fish Both can be fished swimming or dragging bottom, or even burned sub surface, I will say the grub comes through grass slightly better and my paddle tails catch grass on the tail because it's not as streamline, this can loose you bites.

Grubs far more often than boot tail. 

Grubs make more commotion in the water, but bet the swim sit looks more realistic. I personally would go for a swim sit. I have had a lot more success with them than grubs. 

Rage Tail Menace

 

I just have not been able to get bit on grubs for a while.  I look at them in the water and can hardly see them.  Not so for swim baits, and for me, swim baits have been much more effective.  I don't claim to understand it, just giving my impressions.  Caught a 7 inch perch last week on a 3.8 inch swim bait.  Filled his mouth so full I could hardly get the hook out.

When the water turns cold a boot tail swimbait works better for me than a curly tail grub. I specify curly tail grub because spade tail grubs like the Mann's Stingray grub were really hard to beat. In my waters it seems when the water temp is in the low to mid 50s both a curly tail grub and a boot tail swimbait work well so it is kind of a toss up as to which is better. As the water cools into the mid to upper 40s is when you start seeing a real difference. For me the boot tail gets more bites as you are now fishing it more like a tube.  The exception is the stingray grub, those grubs in the 3" size were not good when the water was in the 50 degree and higher range. When the water dropped into the 40s that bait tuned on like someone flipped a switch. 

On 10/10/2021 at 2:10 PM, Tatsu Dave said:

Probably just me but the grubs w/ that undulating ribbontail swim look always seem to outfish the conventional paddle or boot tail swim motion. Again probably just me...... 

 I agree and I think it's probably the grub.....not you! ?

Kick it up a notch:  Rage Menace

 

1 hour ago, roadwarrior said:

Kick it up a notch:  Rage Menace

 

I put the menace more in the craw category personally, do you swim them on a ball head like you would a single tail grub? I haven’t tried it but flipping/dragging a summer craw menace is something that will always get me a bite.

3 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Kick it up a notch:  Rage Menace

 

Hahahahhaahahah. Greatest GIF timing ever 

1 hour ago, BlakeMolone said:

I put the menace more in the craw category personally, do you swim them on a ball head like you would a single tail grub? I haven’t tried it but flipping/dragging a summer craw menace is something that will always get me a bite.

Me too man, the thing screams crawdad to me. And it works. 

On 11/16/2021 at 6:02 AM, smalljaw67 said:

When the water turns cold a boot tail swimbait works better for me than a curly tail grub. I specify curly tail grub because spade tail grubs like the Mann's Stingray grub were really hard to beat. In my waters it seems when the water temp is in the low to mid 50s both a curly tail grub and a boot tail swimbait work well so it is kind of a toss up as to which is better. As the water cools into the mid to upper 40s is when you start seeing a real difference. For me the boot tail gets more bites as you are now fishing it more like a tube.  The exception is the stingray grub, those grubs in the 3" size were not good when the water was in the 50 degree and higher range. When the water dropped into the 40s that bait tuned on like someone flipped a switch. 

that sting ray grub in cold water is a monster. alot of younger guys dont fish it.put it on a 3/32 ned head and gently swim it and let rest on bottom. magic.

Zoom fat Albert and Rage grubs are great in cold water and early spring. Fish em slow and speed em up as the weather warms. Spring i use light colors. They never quit caching them people quit throwing them. 

11 minutes ago, bowhunter63 said:

Zoom fat Albert and Rage grubs are great in cold water and early spring. Fish em slow and speed em up as the weather warms. Spring i use light colors. They never quit caching them people quit throwing them. 

That’s because they heard on the internet you have to use a ned rig 

I T-rig the Menace on a 3/16 bullet weight, unpegged.

Spinning tackle and Tatsu #6.

20 hours ago, padon said:

that sting ray grub in cold water is a monster. alot of younger guys dont fish it.put it on a 3/32 ned head and gently swim it and let rest on bottom. magic.

 

How similar are these to the Missile Ned Bomb?

pretty similar. a little thicker but the same concept. small with very slight action.

Started off using grubs either with plain leadhead or swim jig. Did very well with grubs. Made the switch to boot tails and also caught fish. Feel like I’ve done better number wise with grubs. I think boot tail is better for muddy water when you need that thump.