Go to paddle tails?

I see a lot of references to folks trolling 4"+ paddle tail shad with interest in pearl white, etc. Was wondering if anyone can give me some more specific brand/model recommendations as to what has worked for you. Thanks, Mark

[JAR]

You can't go wrong with Storm Shads. They come pre-rigged, just remember to take the plastic tube off the hook shank.

[kevinfry]

Bass assassin Sea Shad is by far my best producing soft plastic....even better than gulp. Come in 3 lengths... several pearl based patterns

[cryptotek]

I see a lot of references to folks trolling 4"+ paddle tail shad with interest in pearl white, etc. Was wondering if anyone can give me some more specific brand/model recommendations as to what has worked for you. Thanks, Mark

Berkley Ripple Shad.

[On the fly]

Zman 10x "Opening Night"

[perchy]

Been using the berkley havoc grass pigs as trailers on spinnerbaits. They have great action and are dirt cheap.

[jhoss]

+1 on the Berkeley ripple shad for rockfish. I've caught more species on them than any other bait: snakehead, bass, flounder, speckled trout, blues - you name it.

[J.A. Veil]

I use paddletails for most of the year. In the spring I have better luck with a 4.5" to 5" paddletail. Last year I used primarily the Bass Pro Saltwater Sally in pearl white, chartreuse, or electric chicken -- all caught. My most productive all round paddletail throughout the year for trolling and cast and retrieve is the 3" 12 Fathom Fat Sam mullet. These are not available locally, but can be ordered online from 12 Fathom lure company.

I often put a 4" -5" Storm Shad in my spread but have not caught much on that lure during the past two years. I continue to run one because it can attract large stripers. I even caught a big carp by trolling a Storm Shad on the Susquehanna flats several years ago.

The Z-man lures mentioned above are made of a plastic compound that is more resistant to bluefish biteoffs that most other brands. Once the blues show up in mid-summer, many switch over to those.

There are plenty of brands that will work fine. Find something you like at a price you can afford and try it out.

[Mark]

You will actually feel the thumping vibration of a good paddle tail through your line as your jig moves through the water.

My guess is that if I can feel it so can the fish.