Best Trailer for a swim jig? 2025

dgkasper58 reply :

Title says it all. I am tired of tearing up keitechs on swim jigs and want something with a "big hammer" tail style. Anyone know who sells cheaper "Big hammer" tails?

Thanks

Mike L reply :

If you want a big "thumper" pick up a Big EZ

Mike

Largies4Life reply :

Are you specifically looking only for the paddle tail style trailers? I would vote for a rage craw if you have a lot of craws in your lake, I've had my best days on the lake using the rage craw as a trailer. One unique thing that a lot of people do know about, is twisting the rage craw so it sits perpendicular on the hook rather than rigging it up like a normal craw. This will give plenty of "thump" in the water, clear or stained.

Munkin reply :

I have been using Keitech knock offs with good results.

Allen

fishwizzard reply :

The Rage Tail version of the Kietechs are far far more durable and work great as swimjig trailers.

IgotWood reply :

^^^This^^^

They swim and catch just as well as Keitechs. They seem to hold up better and they cost half the price.

aceman387 reply :

I’ve seen some good reviews for the Bps speed shads. They have them on sale (20% off) in the current sale paper.

LoganT reply :

I use zoom swimming flukes and swimming fluke jr.

dgkasper58 reply :

On 1/11/2019 at 8:19 AM, fishwizzard said:

The Rage Tail version of the Kietechs are far far more durable and work great as swimjig trailers.

On 1/11/2019 at 8:22 AM, IgotWood said:

^^^This^^^

They swim and catch just as well as Keitechs. They seem to hold up better and they cost half the price.

Strike King Rage tails? or what other brand? Strike King is almost just as expensive.

Troy85 reply :

If I'm going minnow style trailer. I'll use either a Cocahoe or a Queen Cocahoe by H&H Lure. The plastic is very durable and a ten pack costs about $3.50.

fishballer06 reply :

Netbait Spanky's. Great size, price, and colors for using as a trailer.

gilkeybr reply :

Eco Pro Tungsten has a paddle style swimbait, the Swing Shad. Not as many options on length or color as the Keitechs, but in my experience they catch fish just as well at almost half the price.

Fishingmickey reply :

If your more focused on the economical. Big bites Cane thumper is a good one IMHO. Multiple sizes and good colors from 3.5-5"s.

bagofdonuts reply :

another vote for the gambler big ez and little ez.

i also have really good luck swimming a zoom super chunk. you have to impart the swimming action, but if i also want to flip it in a laydown or skip it under a dock it's much more versatile.

dgkasper58 reply :

I have used many of the suggestions and like them all. I really like the idea of turning the craw sideways and will definitely try that this spring.

The paddletail that I have been looking to replace had "Big Hammer" written on it and I was not sure if it was a big hammer mold or a legit big hammer swimbait as I have never purchased them- it came with a few swim jigs I bought at a fishing show. The boot was much bigger than most of my swim baits and caused a lot of disruption in the water column- I lost tails quicker but was a great producer. The amount of tails lost add up quickly and am looking for a generic bait with a big boot as I do not want to use money minnows for this application.

A-Jay reply :

On 1/12/2019 at 12:07 AM, dgkasper58 said:

I have used many of the suggestions and like them all. I really like the idea of turning the craw sideways and will definitely try that this spring.

The paddletail that I have been looking to replace had "Big Hammer" written on it and I was not sure if it was a big hammer mold or a legit big hammer swimbait as I have never purchased them- it came with a few swim jigs I bought at a fishing show. The boot was much bigger than most of my swim baits and caused a lot of disruption in the water column- I lost tails quicker but was a great producer. The amount of tails lost add up quickly and am looking for a generic bait with a big boot as I do not want to use money minnows for this application.

Here ya go ~

http://www.swimbait.com/home.htm

A-Jay

dgkasper58 reply :

On 1/12/2019 at 12:18 AM, A-Jay said:

Here ya go ~

http://www.swimbait.com/home.htm

A-Jay

Yea the 1$ + price point gets expensive for certain colors.

JollyJoe reply :

RI Skinny Dipper is great and holds up pretty well for multiple fish. I tend not to use Keitech's on the Swim Jig due to them tearing so easily like you mentioned.

A-Jay reply :

On 1/12/2019 at 12:23 AM, dgkasper58 said:

Yea the 1$ + price point gets expensive for certain colors.

I guess - you've got a TON of available & effective options that may cost less.

All depends on what you're looking for the bait to do & be.

I prefer my swimjig to be a natural looking & subtle running substitute presentation for a spinnerbait & a vibrating jig but have a little more bulk than say just plastic without the skirt.

So I go with stuff like this . . .

A-Jay

MrPeanut reply :

I really like the menace on swim jigs when I want something more subtle

The cheaper boot tails work well for me for swim jigs when I want the thump - typically I'm moving them fast enough to the point where the benefits of the soft Keitechs aren't really noticeable. They'll all kick on a heavy swim jig moving quickly through the water. IMO the Keitechs shine when your trying to still get that kick at super slow sleeps.

Also I can't stop staring at the selection in A-Jay's pic... anybody else stare at jig combos all winter and daydream? lol

bowhunter63 reply :

Rage Swimmers or there Menace.

RB 77 reply :

For a bladed swim jig and open water and with lighter colored baits, I like a "Fluke" style bait. For bottom bouncing and darker colors I like a "BBH" style bait, with very little deviation form this. For a regular old fashioned swimjig I like a 4" swimbait matching the skirt color.

Fishing_FF reply :

On 1/11/2019 at 4:24 AM, Mike L said:

If you want a big "thumper" pick up a Big EZ

This! ☝️

Full size for a nice big trailer and the head cut off for small trailer or for smaller jigs.

IgotWood reply :

On 1/11/2019 at 9:14 PM, dgkasper58 said:

Strike King Rage tails? or what other brand? Strike King is almost just as expensive.

My mistake. I just checked the packages I have. They are the BPS brand.

GReb reply :

Keitech may be pricey and soft but they also flat out catch fish. I have basically given up on alternatives. I normally throw swim jigs in pads and around heavy cover. When the jig falls off a pad that keitech seems to kick a lot quicker than other brands and to me, it matters. Most of my good bites come as soon as it enters the water. I guess you could compare the keitech tail to the jack hammer blade. That little bit quicker action seems to land more fish

roadwarrior reply :

Well, my favorite paddle tail is the Rage Swimmer, but for a swim jig trailer the Shellcracker rules.

http://www.strikeking.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=656:skltabs-hardbaits&Itemid=1055

:love-093:

dgkasper58 reply :

On 1/12/2019 at 3:29 AM, roadwarrior said:

Well, my favorite paddle tail is the Rage Swimmer, but for a swim jig trailer the Shellcracker rules.

http://www.strikeking.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=656:skltabs-hardbaits&Itemid=1055

Which way do you rig the shellcracker?

roadwarrior reply :

Upright through the belly and spine so it looks like a baitfish swimming. Put the hook

in the nose and through the body, outside not inside. Bring it up and through the body

so the hook is on top of the bait and weedless.

stratoliner92 reply :

I mostly use a Havoc Grass Pig and usually remove 1" off head. Sometimes the Rage Menace rigged on its side

8829

Best Trailer for a swim jig? 2025

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