I’ve looked all over several websites. And just can’t decide what is a decent paddle tail trailer in that 3-3.5 inch range. I have some crush city mayors in 3 inch I rigged up. But I’m not sure it’s enough hook exposed. So what’s your recommendation? Maybe some that aren’t $7 a bag for 5 either haha 

Charlie Brewer Slider 3" paddle tail grub. They make a 4" size also. Many good colors available. Cost is around 4.20 for a ten pack.

1 minute ago, Mobasser said:

Charlie Brewer Slider 3" paddle tail grub. They make a 4" size also. Many good colors available. Cost is around 4.20 for a ten pack.

Thanks so much!!! I’ll check those out 

you're going down the path I did a couple years ago with swim jigs.

 

I started with and then went heavily into Keitech SIFs.  On lighter swim jigs (3/8 and under) in grass and open water they give a really nice side to side roll of the whole bait plus have a good shimmy of the tail.  If I had to pick only one swim jig trailer it would probably be a 4.3 SIF.  But I don't have to pick.  The problem with Keitechs are cost and durability. They aren't cheap in the first place and depending on the swim jig keeper you might only get a fish or three out of them.  Repeatedly popping them through grass pulls at the trailer and after you've pulled it down off the keeper a couple times it's pretty torn up.  You pretty much have to glue them.  And around here that still doesn't help with the pickerel that like to just bite off the tails (and turn them into buzzbait trailers if you haven't glued them on).

 

So I use a lot of rage menace instead.  They have a good thump also but don't have the same body roll.  However you can rig them vertical or horizontal for different effects.  Vertical looks like a panfish in profile.  Horizontal still looke like a panfish while swimming but drop it to the bottom and hop it twice to be a crawfish.  It makes a swim jig a bit more versatile if you only want to have one jig tied on.  They come in a couple different sizes but the 3.5" and 4" are what I use mostly.  The magnum is BIG in case you're thinking about it.  I have some 1/2 oz swim jigs that require a magnum due to the hook design and that's a gizard shad sized immitation for the full package.

 

I use a bunch of rage tail products for other applications like rage bugs and craws.  When they get too torn up in the nose to be texas rigged I'll throw them on a jig and both work for swim jigs.  I wouldn't pick them over a menace if I was buying something, but because I use them for texas rigs and have a bunch in my box I have no problem throwing them on the back when I have one.  Surprisingly, I've never tried the rage swimmer.  Given how much I like the action on the keitechs and as much as I use rage products you'd think...

Mayor 2.5 or 3" 

 

I just now saw that's what you're using LOL 

 

If the hook is not exposed enough, perhaps you need to rig the bait differently.

I usually use Rage Swimmers as trailers for swim baits and spinnerbaits. 

I use the Keitech Swing Impact on the Keitech Super Round Jig. 

Zoom Shimmer Shad is goated. Comes in 3, 3.6, and 4.2 inch lengths. 

55 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

you're going down the path I did a couple years ago with swim jigs.

 

I started with and then went heavily into Keitech SIFs.  On lighter swim jigs (3/8 and under) in grass and open water they give a really nice side to side roll of the whole bait plus have a good shimmy of the tail.  If I had to pick only one swim jig trailer it would probably be a 4.3 SIF.  But I don't have to pick.  The problem with Keitechs are cost and durability. They aren't cheap in the first place and depending on the swim jig keeper you might only get a fish or three out of them.  Repeatedly popping them through grass pulls at the trailer and after you've pulled it down off the keeper a couple times it's pretty torn up.  You pretty much have to glue them.  And around here that still doesn't help with the pickerel that like to just bite off the tails (and turn them into buzzbait trailers if you haven't glued them on).

 

So I use a lot of rage menace instead.  They have a good thump also but don't have the same body roll.  However you can rig them vertical or horizontal for different effects.  Vertical looks like a panfish in profile.  Horizontal still looke like a panfish while swimming but drop it to the bottom and hop it twice to be a crawfish.  It makes a swim jig a bit more versatile if you only want to have one jig tied on.  They come in a couple different sizes but the 3.5" and 4" are what I use mostly.  The magnum is BIG in case you're thinking about it.  I have some 1/2 oz swim jigs that require a magnum due to the hook design and that's a gizard shad sized immitation for the full package.

 

I use a bunch of rage tail products for other applications like rage bugs and craws.  When they get too torn up in the nose to be texas rigged I'll throw them on a jig and both work for swim jigs.  I wouldn't pick them over a menace if I was buying something, but because I use them for texas rigs and have a bunch in my box I have no problem throwing them on the back when I have one.  Surprisingly, I've never tried the rage swimmer.  Given how much I like the action on the keitechs and as much as I use rage products you'd think...

Thank you so much for the detail. And I actually have some menace I could throw on there!!

52 minutes ago, Pat Brown said:

Mayor 2.5 or 3" 

 

I just now saw that's what you're using LOL 

 

If the hook is not exposed enough, perhaps you need to rig the bait differently.

lol! Honestly it’s probably

me and my mind. I’ve been rigging small swim baits on highways for years. I think it’s the weed guard and skirt throwing me off. It fits amazing otherwise. Ok have to give it a try! And the mayor is readily available in stores near me. 

D.O.A. or Basspro.  I have some I've had for 30+ years, I bought in CA when I lived there, that are still catching fish.  I'm of the school if you get it in front of them they'll bite.

If fishing for smallies I would check out the Bobby Garland Slab Hunt'r. It's a crappie lure coming in at 2.25", but I have not seen a bait with the action of this one. The tail moves at all speeds, I have Junebug Chartreuse and Live Minnow. I pair with a crappie magnet double cross jig head with the collar trimmed off. Swims perfect

i hesitate to even type this out..but ...gah..let me think about it.  

4 hours ago, Joedodge said:

Maybe some that aren’t $7 a bag for 5 either haha 

opps missed this last sentence.  

I have a couple of Vivif swim baits with double hooks on the bottom I've had forever.

32 minutes ago, Alex from GA said:

D.O.A. or Basspro.  I have some I've had for 30+ years, I bought in CA when I lived there, that are still catching fish.  I'm of the school if you get it in front of them they'll bite.

Omg  I fished doa paddle tails in Florida since I was a kid. How did I forget about them!

Rage Swimmers  and don’t overlook the Rage Menace rigged Vertical

2 minutes ago, bowhunter63 said:

Rage Swimmers  and don’t overlook the Rage Menace rigged Vertical

I actually have some of the menace I need to try vertical for sure 

The most success and the most durable (not elastech) on a swim jig has been the river2sea d-walker.  Silverside in 100mm with it cut just behind the eyes will probably stay with you till you lose the jig on a snag or something with teeth.  Has a great wag and body roll, makes the swim jig skirt dance.  You'll get 4 of them for $5.

 

scott

 

48 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

The most success and the most durable (not elastech) on a swim jig has been the river2sea d-walker.  Silverside in 100mm with it cut just behind the eyes will probably stay with you till you lose the jig on a snag or something with teeth.  Has a great wag and body roll, makes the swim jig skirt dance.  You'll get 4 of them for $5.

 

scott

 

Wish they made these in more colors. 

 

Allen 

Xzone Swammer is durable,  good on swim jig, many sizes.  Not too bulky.

41 minutes ago, Cdn Angler said:

Xzone Swammer is durable,  good on swim jig, many sizes.  Not too bulky.

That might be the ticket!!! Looking at the profile and colors vs the quantity for cost. I’m gonna order some of those! 

Sort of an under the radar option but

don't sleep on the Reaction Innovations Little Dipper 3.5" 

Love me some Dirty Sanchez ~

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Reaction_Innovations_Little_Dipper_35/descpage-RILD.html

A-Jay

 

 

 

Can’t beat a Yamamoto Zako offered in both paddle tail and forked tail styles.  New to the market and I’m going to give them a good workout next month on St Clair, is the new paddle tail Shad shape worm.  

On 4/17/2025 at 9:22 AM, TOXIC said:

Can’t beat a Yamamoto Zako offered in both paddle tail and forked tail styles.  New to the market and I’m going to give them a good workout next month on St Clair, is the new paddle tail Shad shape worm.  

I’ve actually been seeing them here locally! The action looks insane. I should give them a try. Let me know how the new bait works out for ya if ya remember. 

On 4/17/2025 at 7:22 AM, TOXIC said:

Can’t beat a Yamamoto Zako offered in both paddle tail and forked tail styles.  New to the market and I’m going to give them a good workout next month on St Clair, is the new paddle tail Shad shape worm.  

3.2 Shad Shape swimmer😀👍

51 minutes ago, WRB said:

3.2 Shad Shape swimmer😀👍

Looks like a great bait! Scared to try Yamamoto stuff lol I don’t wana get hooked on the expensive stuff haha.