I'm looking for a 5in.-6in. solid, soft plastic swimbait. Specifically one with a tail that activates with the slightest movement of the bait.  The two that I've been using need a faster fall rate to activate the tail, unlike the hollow body ones.  I had found a place on TableRock that makes some, but they don't offer anything that size.  

Recommendations please. I love my hollow bodies, but they're pricey.

I’d check out the Keitech easy shiner, it has a very thin tail section and smaller boot than any 5 incher I’ve seen or used, no 6in though, jumps from 5 to 7”.

 

How big is the largo shad? Thing has some good thump. I need to fish It more. 

Cabela's swim minnow is great! The tail moves with the slightest movement, and catches a ton of bass. Great on a swim jig, belly weighted hook, spinnerbait, chatter bait, , and an underspin.

 

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-fisherman-series-go-to-swim-minnow

History on paddle tails swimbaits started in the 60’s

with Jim Smith Smity’s Kelp Critter Calico bass lure.

Smitty’s hand poured worms were the 1st in SoCal that started that business.

Worm King followed Smitty’s offering 4” anchovy that evolved into 12” and 16” trout paddle tails.

Big Hammer developed a oversized square paddle tail for stripe bass in the Delta and became popular for LMB, still in business.

Ken Huddleston invented the boot tail Huddleston Delux creating another class of swimbaits.

Bruce of Basstrix developed the hollow body paddle tails, still going strong today.

Today a solid body take a look at Big Hammer. 

Some originals; 3:16 Mission Fish, Eagle line through now Optima.

Tom

 

I'm sure they're others, but first to mind is an Easy Shiner.  Even in frigid water that tail will swim at the slowest of speeds, because of the super soft plastic.  The trade off is they aren't very durable.  Keitech makes so many colors you're bound to find one that matches the bait.

 

MBs Spark Shad will swim at a slow speed as well.

 

Beast Coast makes super soft swimbaits as well. 

Jackall rhythm wave and gambler EZ vibez would be the options I'd add to a spark shad, easy shiner, and Miyagi.

 

scott