If you like to catch BIG Striper in freshwater lakes and rivers, you have to have paddle tail swimbaits and swimbait jig heads!  The number one Striper Fishing Lures in the world is the Sassy Shad Swimbait.  If you are Striper Fishing any North Texas Striper Lake, you will find anglers and guides using a Silk Chartreuse Sassy Shad.

Striped Bass Paddle Tail Swimbaits

Mister Twister introduced the Sassy Shad in 1982 and since then the swimbait has exploded for all freshwater and saltwater species.  Most freshwater and saltwater striper anglers covet the Sassy Shad in several sizes and colors.  Most North Texas Striper Anglers will not hit the water without a hand full of 4 inch Silk Chartreuse Sassy Shad Swimbaits.  We will break down the best Striper Swimbaits, but first, let’s chat about our favorite colors!

1. Silk Chartreuse Sassy Shad
2. Chartreuse Glitter
3. Glow
4. White Ice
5. Threadfin or Arkansas Shinner

Striped Bass Paddle Tail Swimbaits Shape and Size

If you ever talk to a fly fisherman or watch a fly fishing show, you will hear them mention matching the hatch.  Gear Anglers also need to match the hatch to become better Striper Fisherman!  Freshwater Striper, Hybrid Striper, and White Bass eat shad! 

Striped Bass Swimbait Jig Heads at moestackleshop.com

The threadfin and gizzard shad make up 85% of the freshwater striper’s diet!  If there is a new shad fry hatch you should start with a 3-inch paddle tail swimbaits. 

Match the Hatch-Paddle Tail Swimbaits

You want to match the size of the baitfish striper are feeding on to improve your catch rate! The 4-inch White Ice Sassy Shad is a go-to paddle tail swimbait for all Lake Texoma Fishing Guides.

Threadfin Shad Lures

Threadfin shad can be matched most of the time with a 4-inch paddle tail swimbait.  80% of the time a 4-inch paddle tail swimbait will get the job done for freshwater striper!  At times a skinny profile paddle tail swimbait will outfish a wide profile bait!  If the shad are on the smaller side, move away from a Sassy Shad and throw a belly-less swimbait like a Queen Cocahoe Minnow. 

If you want to fish weedless a skinny profile swimbait will work very well.  The Sassy Shad does not rig weedless very well.  

The size and shape of swimbaits will help your striper catch rate

What is the most important part of your Striped Bass Swimbait Jig Head?  It’s the hook!  We have an old saying that dates back to 2010 if the hook is not black, put it back!  We like sharp out of the box black platinum hooks!  They are sharp, and they do not rust!  Throw out all of those cheap silver jig head hooks!  Most Black Platinum Fishing Hooks will have a wide gap to help make hooks stick in the jaw of Striped Bass! 

Jig Head Hook Size

The other factor on your swimbait jig head hook is the angle of the eye!  You will find a 90-degree and 60-degree bend hook for most jig heads.  The image below shows a 60-degree swimbait jig head with a black platinum hook and a corkscrew bait-keeper.  A 4-inch Silk Chartreuse Sassy Shad is in the middle, and at the bottom is a 90-degree swimbait jig head with a lead bait-keeper.  Most North Texas Striper Anglers will use the bottom jig head.

Jig Head Shape

The lead shape of your jig head will affect how your soft plastic swimbait moves in the water.  A small and streamlined lead head will give your paddle tail swimbait more movement and a natural fall.  Yes, the hook angle should be 60-degrees, but a huge round lead head will not give your swimbait natural movement!  So skinny and flat is better than big and round for swimbait jig heads.  The picture below has a red jig head with a 90-degree bend hook and a large oval head.  This jig head will swim a soft plastic bait, but the chartreuse head below it will give your lure much more action. 

Buy Quality Hooks

The chartreuse jig head is skinny and flat letter your paddle tail swimbait kick more action.  Please note the corkscrew bait-keepers on each Jig Head.  Striper Fishing Lures take a beating and it is not uncommon to catch 10 to 20 Hybrid Striper in 2-3 hours.  We like a corkscrew bait-keeper to hold the soft plastic swimbaits on the hook!  We find that a bait-keeper will make your soft plastic swimbaits last longer!

Striper Fishing Lure Jig Heads with corkscrew bait-keepers

Anglers do not fear the soft plastic bait keeper on your Striper Fishing Lure Jig Heads!  The corkscrew bait-keeper will not split your plastics, and it will make them last longer.  Here is a quick video on how to rig your Striper Fishing Lure Jig Heads.