Hello everyone,
recently i snagged a 50 count bag of 4" jerk shads off the doa site since they were on clearance. Its an assorted color bag (impulse buy)so they come in plenty of color options, however, now i have a ton of these little fellas.
I don’t have tons of experience with soft plastics, but i’ve really been wanting to do more artificial fishing. Any pointers on how to work these things? also, if you want to chime in on paddletails, please do.
I’ve read quite a few posts on other websites from some of the gulf states (texas, florida) but im not sure how their tips and techniques transfer to our fishery.
EDIT: I should add; the only plastics i have much experience with are the doa shrimp (hence the reason i was on the website), which i do enjoy fishing with. Live bait, no problem. Soft plastics? i avoid them more out of lack of confidence that i will have a productive day than anything else.
I fish almost exclusively with artificial. My kit usually consists of DOA, Bass Assassin, and Gulp. I think that the right artificial can be just as effective (or more so) as live bait. As to how to fish them: if you have 20 replies to this post, you will have 20 different answers. The biggest pointer that I could give you for any artificial is: Don’t Give Up!
If I am in a spot and don’t hook up right away I vary the presentation, i.e. slow drag on bottom, slow bottom drag with a twitch, fast retrieve, fast retrieve with a couple jerks. If that doesn’t work, I will change colors or move locations.
The jerk shad is one of my favorites. I usually rig them weedless just like I would for largemouth. I have done really well on the flounder on jerk baits this year bottom bumping, slow retrieve, around oysters.
After awhile, and through much trial and error, you will find out what flavor lure you want to try first at any given location. And you will also find lures that you will NEVER spend the money on again.
Good luck
Narcosis
Keep a slow presentation.
If you think you are slow enough, slow down.
Trout will hit an arty on the fall 99% of the time.
Manage the bow in your line so you can feel the bite.
Keep moving until you find the fish. When you find them, linger and probe around the area for more. That fish was there for a reason, and probably has buddies.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
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Personal Trout Slot Limit: 16"-20" Creel: 2
I’ve largely avoided artificials because I don’t feel confident fishing them, and when I do I’m never sure I’m doing it right. Would be great if Narcosis or someone could come out fishing one day to the river to teach me. Teaming with redfish over here.
Great, thanks Narcosis and Optiker for the replies. I’ll report back 
very slow retrieve and use the lightest braid and jighead possable.
2-8ft of 15lb leader.(j knot is easy and strong)
I use 10lb braid for plastics. prob to light for most, but that dental floss will cast a mile and ive landed 3ftbonnetheads with this setup.
x2 on the jerk shad, thats my go to bait when the tide is right!
2009 Pro-lite 18 Flats
115 Suzuki 4 stroke
If you don’t already …i highly recommend you learn how to tie a loop knot…makes a big difference!
'a stranger is just a friend i havent met yet’jt
I almost always use Zman paddlerZ and minnowZ. I love the durability, i fish them on gamagatsku (sp) unpainted ball jig heads, and the Zman jig headZ. And flutter hooks rigged weedless through grass and winter time. Pick the color of the baitfish youre attempting to imitate.
I like the Gulp pearl white and Zman houdini shrimp rigged under a float or jig head alot as well. Bass assassin makes some killer colors also.
DOA are great lures as well, freelined or a popping cork. Try the vudu and savage shrimp if you want something to throw freelined that’ll hold up. They have unbelievable action and a Kevlar strip that provides great durability. Trout tricks are good to throw too if you want to trigger a reaction bite.
Its really all about confidence and what you feel comfortable throwing. Some guys only fish Zman Houdini paddlerZ and some guys only fish green grubs.
Just test the waters, pun intended, until you find a lure and cadence that works for YOU.
14’ Skiff-“Redfish Reaper”