Interest
There are commercially available Texas hooks with an integrated paddle, but they are generally all leaded. By making your own rig, you can choose, for example, to use unleaded hooks for areas of dense vegetation and shallow water or when you want a very slow and gliding swim. Another advantage of this rig is that the paddle is closer to the lure than with the Texans with integrated paddle. I've noticed that sometimes fish are more attracted to the paddle than to the lure, and they'll tap on it. This setup allows the paddle to be closer to the tip of the hook, which makes for a more successful hooking.
1) The lure
Not all soft lures will accept the extra paddle. You need a lure that allows the use of a Texas hook on its first part, and that is wide and flat enough to accommodate the blade on its second part. Among the lures I use in this way, I can recommend the One Up Shad by Sawamura or the Fat Swing Impact by Keitech, among others.
2) The hook
The size of the hook should be chosen according to the size of the lure. It is necessary to use hooks with a wide shank so that the tip of the hook can be released when a fish attacks, especially with leaded models. Indeed, in the case of a leaded hook, the lead present on the shank reduces its travel and it does not come out as much as a Texas hook without lead. Concerning the hooks, the Trokar hooks from Eagle Craw, distributed in France by Florida Fishing, have an outstanding bite that lasts a long time. I highly recommend them for this rig.
To help you in your choice, here is the size of hook to use according to the length of the lure:
- Hook 1/0 = lure 3 inches
- Hook 3/0 = 4 inch lure
- Hook 5/0 = lure 5 inches
- Hook 6/0 = lure 6 inches
- Hook 8/0 = 7 inch lure
3) The palette
The size of the paddle must be proportionate to the lure. It must be fixed behind the hook, so that it does not obstruct the exit of this one. Finally, its end should not touch the tail of the soft lure, which would have the consequence of hindering the lure's swimming.
The paddle is a small accessory that is not always easy to find in the shelves, but which gives a real plus to a soft lure. I use this rig primarily for pike and black bass fishing, in areas from 50 cm to 2 meters deep.
