I realize we can’t name brands here, although I’m not sure why but in this post it is necessary information. The leading manufacturer of bladed jigs only offers one size in their pin tail trailer, 4.5” which is perfect for their regular sized bladed jigs but too long for the mini.

 

I cut about 1/2-1” off and it fits perfectly, however the meaty upper portion seems slightly bulky for the finesse jig. Is this a potential concern as far as effecting the action or performance in any way? 

I doubt it would affect the action much but you could always go with a 3.5” spunk shad or a 4” stroll shad if you’re looking for a smaller pintail. 

1 hour ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

I doubt it would affect the action much but you could always go with a 3.5” spunk shad or a 4” stroll shad if you’re looking for a smaller pintail. 

Yeah I want elaztech lol, tired of changing baits the bait keeper shreds those

Spunk shads are weird sometimes. Occasionally I’ll only get a couple fish but lots of the time I’ll get 10+ fish before the trailer even starts to fall down or show any damage. Ive never kept track but I bet ive had nearly 30 or so fish on one trailer. A little super glue could help you out too. Not elaztech but still pretty good durability. 

If you only will consider a durable plastic you could try a 3.5” crush city mooch minnow or the 3.5” jerk shad that is made by the same brand as the bladed jig you are using. 

I don’t think there would be too much effect on the action, but the proportion does seem wrong. 
 

My favorite trailer on the 1/4 oz is just a 4” straight tail worm, but now I’m thinking of experimenting with something like a FFS minnow. 

22 hours ago, ElGuapo928 said:

I don’t think there would be too much effect on the action, but the proportion does seem wrong. 
 

My favorite trailer on the 1/4 oz is just a 4” straight tail worm, but now I’m thinking of experimenting with something like a FFS minnow. 

What proportion seems wrong, length or girth?

4 hours ago, ohioguy25 said:

What proportion seems wrong, length or girth?

Both seem a little excessive relative to the jig itself.
 

This could mean absolutely nothing, but to my line of thinking, it takes away from the reason for using the smaller jig in the first place. 

5 hours ago, ElGuapo928 said:

Both seem a little excessive relative to the jig itself.
 

This could mean absolutely nothing, but to my line of thinking, it takes away from the reason for using the smaller jig in the first place. 

Yeah idk I guess I could try the chattershad that’s a little slimmer

On 9/7/2025 at 6:30 PM, ohioguy25 said:

 

I realize we can’t name brands here, although I’m not sure why but in this post it is necessary information. The leading manufacturer of bladed jigs only offers one size in their pin tail trailer, 4.5” which is perfect for their regular sized bladed jigs but too long for the mini.

 

I cut about 1/2-1” off and it fits perfectly, however the meaty upper portion seems slightly bulky for the finesse jig. Is this a potential concern as far as effecting the action or performance in any way? 

 

I really feel like you overthink stuff like this. Go fish it, if it works it works. If not, trim it or use a different trailer. 

 

FWIW I don't think the obsession with soft plastic durability is going to gain you much. A properly rigged trailer should last for quite a number of fish before needing replacement except for an unlucky strike here and there. The keeper shouldn't be tearing up the plastic if it's rigged properly. I have Zakos that have been rigged up on Jackhammers for months and are still fine from the keeper.

8 minutes ago, Aaron_H said:

 

I really feel like you overthink stuff like this. Go fish it, if it works it works. If not, trim it or use a different trailer. 

 

FWIW I don't think the obsession with soft plastic durability is going to gain you much. A properly rigged trailer should last for quite a number of fish before needing replacement except for an unlucky strike here and there. The keeper shouldn't be tearing up the plastic if it's rigged properly. I have Zakos that have been rigged up on Jackhammers for months and are still fine from the keeper.

This makes me genuinely question how often you are throwing it. I’ve tried almost every trailer, from spunk shads to zakos to menace. Literally nothing lasts more than a few fish before being pulled off unless I glue it. Then it leaves the guts on the bait keeper.

1 minute ago, ohioguy25 said:

This makes me genuinely question how often you are throwing it. I’ve tried almost every trailer, from spunk shads to zakos to menace. Literally nothing lasts more than a few fish before being pulled off unless I glue it. Then it leaves the guts on the bait keeper.

 

Aside from this year, due to work reasons, I fish an average of 100+ days per year with my best year being 126 days. I throw a bladed jig almost every trip. Unless I'm unlucky (or around an abundance of tilapia as they bite the tails off my Zakos), a single trailer lasts me multiple outings and quite a few fish. They're also super inexpensive and quick to rerig if I lose one, and I will gladly pay it for a trailer that is going to give me the best chance at a trophy bass over a potentially less effective trailer that might be a little more durable.

I usually get 3-4 fish out of a Roboworm, but I hook them short of the keeper.

1 hour ago, Aaron_H said:

 

Aside from this year, due to work reasons, I fish an average of 100+ days per year with my best year being 126 days. I throw a bladed jig almost every trip. Unless I'm unlucky (or around an abundance of tilapia as they bite the tails off my Zakos), a single trailer lasts me multiple outings and quite a few fish. They're also super inexpensive and quick to rerig if I lose one, and I will gladly pay it for a trailer that is going to give me the best chance at a trophy bass over a potentially less effective trailer that might be a little more durable.

My question is, does the trailer really make that much of a difference in terms of strikes?

Cut the trailer off where. The hook is coming out a and hook nose hook the trailer to remove the plastic body on the hook shank.

Better action and hook up ratio.

Tom

3 hours ago, WRB-2.0 said:

Cut the trailer off where. The hook is coming out a and hook nose hook the trailer to remove the plastic body on the hook shank.

Better action and hook up ratio.

Tom

Huh? I just cut 3/4 of an inch off the top.

If you want to use Elaztech, use the Goat plastic that they make. 

1 hour ago, fishballer06 said:

If you want to use Elaztech, use the Goat plastic that they make. 

I use the goat on craw patterns, only using this pin tail for baitfish patterns.

16 hours ago, ohioguy25 said:

My question is, does the trailer really make that much of a difference in terms of strikes?

 

The trailer interacts with the blade and can affect the entire action of the presentation. Yes, the trailer makes a difference.

 

12 hours ago, ohioguy25 said:

Huh? I just cut 3/4 of an inch off the top.

 

 

Cut along the red line and nose hook the remainder like you would a drop shot.

Agree with the others its probably too big. I often like to trim the nose of my trailers flat to bulk up the skirt, but that's quite a bite more bulk than I'd want to throw. My favorite trailer for small chatterbaits is the drop minnow by GLF. Durability is ok, but the action is great. 

5 minutes ago, Aaron_H said:

 

The trailer interacts with the blade and can affect the entire action of the presentation. Yes, the trailer makes a difference.

 

 

 

Cut along the red line and nose hook the remainder like you would a drop shot.

That won’t stay on lol

1 minute ago, ohioguy25 said:

That won’t stay on lol

 

Well I guess you'll never know. Good luck.

2 hours ago, Aaron_H said:

 

Well I guess you'll never know. Good luck.

Are you saying simply have it dangling from the hook? I wasn’t trying to be sarcastic I really just don’t understand how that could possibly work.