Before You Fish the 2.0 Paddletail, Watch This

Ever look at a tackle box FULL of lures… and still wonder what to throw?

Let’s make that decision a little easier.

The 2.0 paddletail is one of the few lures I trust all year long. Shallow water, deeper water, even those times when the bait suddenly looks too small for what you’re throwing.

And there’s a simple adjustment that makes this little lure even MORE versatile.

Watch the video below to see how I choose my rigs and adapt this lure to different situations, so you can carry less tackle and feel confident putting it to work on your next trip.

Featured Gear

• Lure: The 2.0 Paddletail – The 3.5-inch lure featured in the video, shown in Slam Shady.
• Rigging 1: Hoss Helix Hooks – My favorite shallow-water option. A 3/0 hook is the perfect size for this lure.
• Rigging 2: Hoss Weedless Round Eye Jigheads – My go-to for getting deeper while staying weedless, also with a 3/0 hook.

Match Your Rig to the Water You’re Fishing

One of the biggest advantages of the 2.0 is how many ways you can rig it.

For shallow water, I love the Hoss Helix weighted hook. When I need to get deeper, I reach for a Hoss Weedless Round Eye Jighead.

Those two options cover about 95% of my fishing with this lure.

They also let me fish tight to structure, where snook, trout, and flounder often hold, with fewer snags.

Traditional exposed-hook jigheads have their place, too. I’ll use them when there’s little to snag on, such as fishing an open beach or trolling above a reef without contacting the bottom.

Start with the depth and structure in front of you, then choose the rig that lets you fish it effectively.

Small Bait Everywhere? Try the “Nub”

Here’s one of my favorite things about this lure.

When the fish are feeding on tiny baitfish, you can cut or pull off the paddle tail to create what we call the “nub.”

Yep. Pull the tail OFF.

That gives you a smaller baitfish profile without digging around for another lure. You can still rig it on the weighted hooks and jigheads shown above.

It’s especially handy when small fry bait is abundant in spring.

The full 3.5-inch paddletail gives me a versatile starting point. The nub gives me another option when I need to downsize.

Know the Tradeoff Before You Tie One On

The 2.0 is easy to rig and has great action, but it isn’t indestructible.

Pufferfish and mangrove snapper can bite or pull the tail off. Strong fish can also tear the body around a traditional jighead as they shake their heads.

That’s another reason I prefer the weedless rigs shown in the video. In my experience, they help this material last longer.

And if you lose the tail but the body is still usable?

You’ve already got a nub ready to go.

For color, Slam Shady is my personal starting point. I’ve tested it across different water clarities, and it’s the one I reach for when I want to keep things simple.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to make lure selection complicated.

With the 2.0, a couple of rigging options and one simple adjustment give you plenty of ways to respond to what’s happening in front of you.

That means less second-guessing your tackle and more time fishing with confidence.

Have you tried the 2.0 with the tail removed, or do you always fish it as a paddletail? Let me know what’s worked for you in the comments!

Check Out the 2.0 Paddletail Here

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is the 2.0 paddletail?

The full lure measures 3.5 inches. Removing the paddle tail creates a smaller presentation for mimicking tiny baitfish.

What hook size do you recommend for the 2.0?

I prefer a 3/0 hook on both the Hoss Helix and Hoss Weedless Round Eye Jighead. A 4/0 Helix can work, but 3/0 is my ideal fit.

Can you fish the 2.0 in both shallow and deep water?

Yes. I use weighted hooks for shallow water and weedless jigheads when I need to get deeper. Match the rig and weight to the conditions you’re fishing.

Will the 2.0 still catch fish without its tail?

Yes. The tail-free “nub” presentation is useful when fish are feeding on smaller bait. If a fish bites the tail off, you may be able to keep using the remaining body.

Where can I learn how to rig the 2.0?

You can find detailed rigging lessons in the Slam Shady paddletail tutorial.