What Size Paddletail Lure Should You Use For Winter Fishing?
- By: Wyatt Parcel
- on
What is the go-to size for paddletail lures in winter?
Should you be using a small paddletail or a larger paddletail?
You should always MATCH THE HATCH!!
Take a look here!
Paddletail Lures In Winter
The size of the paddletail you choose to use comes down to two factors.
Those factors are the species you are targeting as well as the types of areas you are fishing.
Typically, there are not many schools of large bait in the winter.
Most of the larger mullet have gone off to migrate and are absent from the flats.
Baitfish have not spawned yet and most of the baitfish from the previous year have migrated or are eaten by other fish.
The main baitfish that are present during the winter are small minnows, shads, and pinfish.
The Slam Shady 2.0 paddletail is the perfect imitation of these smaller profiled baitfish.
If you are working the flats in shallow water, the Slam Shady 2.0 is the go-to paddletail lure.
Other small crustacean profiles can be just as effective in these scenarios.
However, paddletails are far more versatile and can cover much more ground.
Targeting Larger Fish
The thought process of choosing which paddletail lure is best in winter is different for targeting larger fish, trout in particular.
There are big mullet around, however, they are few and far between.
Big mullet around you indicates there are big fish around.
Big fish need big meals.
The Slam Shady Bomber is the best imitation for those 7-8 inch mullet that are around.
Trout are more willing to strike the larger bait profile during the winter.
If you are targeting redfish, seatrout, or flounder during this time then the Slam Shady 2.0 paddletail fits the bill.
The goal is to mimic the diets of the fish you are targeting to trigger strikes.
Paddletail Lures In Winter [VIDEO]
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Conclusion
The Paddletail lure is undoubtedly one of, if not the, most versatile lures for inshore saltwater anglers.
Fishing during the winter can be tricky but if you aim to imitate the current diets of the fish you are targeting and aim to match the hatch, you should be able to hook into some nice fish this winter!
Remember to keep in mind the species you are targeting as well as the bait you see swimming in the water because this will determine which sized paddletail you choose!!
Do you have any more questions on paddletail lures in winter?
Let me know down in the comments!
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Click here to check out the Slam Shady Bomber Paddletail
And if you know someone who wants to learn more about paddletail lures in winter, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
P.S. – Want to make explosive, perfect, and masterful casts with your spinning rod, to reach the trophy fish that have no idea you are there… to cast like the pros, all while using less effort than ever before? Check out Casting Mastery.
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Great info but help this old northerner out. What do you consider winter. Winter in western Pennsylvania is mid November to Mid March. How about central Florida in the Sebastian area? And do you watch water temperature also. And a really stupid question but where do the larger bait fish go when spring waters start to warm up? Thanks. KJ
Last time out the Reds were pretty picky, didn’t like smaller stuff. I didn’t try pitching the bomber but should have tried it. There were large mullet jumping everywhere. Oh well, next trip.
Interesting! Definitley could have been worth giving the bomber a shot. It’s rare, but I have seen the reds dial in on the bigger mullet in the winter, but it could be from a lack of shrimp or small baitfish in that specific zone… worth trying next time!
Smaller profile definitely the way to go here @ Pine Island sound… 36-40″ snook hookups with 3″ and 2 1/2 ” paddle tails. Also small 1/8 oz gold spoons; and have been cutting flukes down to 3″ as well…
Difference in hookups is dramatic when fishing with mate who uses larger profile
Very solid observations! Glad to hear it’s been working for you too David!
Love that 2.0! Great tips Wyatt!
Yup! It’s a slayer! Thanks for watching Richard!
I’m learning a lot since joining the Insider Club. Hopefully the weather will cooperate so I can test my newfound knowledge.
That’s great to hear Neil! Hopefully when it gets a bit more manageable you can get out there and put those new skills to use!
Outstanding video thanks for sharing.
Thank you James!!
Great info here Wyatt! I had this very same result this past weekend when I was swapping out between all of our lures! To get a bite on the bomber profile, I had to find the mullet before that larger profile worked on some monster trout! 💪
Great work, Wyatt!
Yup! Match the hatch baby! Thanks so much Matt!