Spinning, waving, spinnerbaits, paddle shads (etc), paddles, whatever their shape and presentation, are accessories present on many pike lures.
With the perch and the trout, it is undoubtedly one of the predators which is the most sensitive to it, in any case to which we propose this type of artifice most often.
The success of the paddles lies in the fact that they offer intense vibrations but can also be varied in size, shape and number. In addition, the signal generated by the paddles will help the pike to better target its attack.
Indeed, there are 5 to 7 different sizes, 2 main natural colors (gold and silver) and 3 shapes more or less large (willow "willow leaf", colorado and indiana). Moreover, it is always possible to combine several of them.
Finally, the luminous flashes that they send back are not without reminding those emitted by a beautiful bleak or a roach. A very natural side which has the power to reinforce the confidence of the fisherman in his lure.
So if you can use hard lures with a paddle, the current trend is simply to use it as an accessory on a soft lure.
Here are three ways to do it.
The equipped lead head
The easiest way to add a paddle to your soft lure is to buy lead heads already equipped with a paddle. If this accessory is easy to use, it has the big drawback of not being suitable for all lures because of the size of its hook and for all configurations because of its invariable weight.
Removable paddles for Texas hooks
For fishing shallow and/or crowded areas, the Texas rig is ideal. However, it is not always easy to match a paddle to your lure with this rig. To remedy this, there are leaded Texas hooks with a paddle, but also paddles mounted on a plastic sheath that you insert on the hook.
Screw-in pallets
Today, to mount a paddle on a soft lure with a lead head, the most practical solution remains the screw-on paddle.
They are sold ready to use or you can also make them with salvaged paddles (from a broken spinnerbait for example), piano wire, a swivel and a broken ring.
This type of paddle has many advantages because with the same lure you can vary :
- The size of the palette
- Its shape
- Its location
- The number
- The color
The tendency is to place the paddle under the belly of the lure so that it does not interfere with the beating of the soft lure.
The paddle shad
In order to fish deep in traction, but also in linear with large paddles, it is possible to mount the paddle in place of the tail of your shad.
It also allows you to recycle your damaged lures.
All you have to do is cut the tail of your shad,
Then screw the pallet to its end.
Paddles take up very little space in a lure box and can sometimes bring in very big bucks¦ Think about slipping one or two in your bag!
