Which soft-plastic is best for speckled trout?

[@vinesh969]

*Found this through a KZbin video **enjoyable.fishing** recommend does exactly what its meant to do. Very durable and no hang-ups at all surprisingly*

[@KevinBooker-ex5zs]

Replacement arrived!By the way, I did forget to mention that the original lure did have a decent strike however as most anglers will attest you can get a hit kzbin.infoUgkxCbNOWAGmn6nfbCbJDmasvBq7J38KZNw2 and fish will hang on and release lure. I used the replacement lure yesterday and ran thru a Shimano Waxwing, Kastmaster, Bobber (set to sink). I found the does run deep (I casting on the flats 3.5'). Make sure you adjust your rate of retrieve and rod tip angle (up) to prevent getting snagged on bottom. Used it a couple of times and action was very lifelike (looked like local bait fish for trevally), craftsmanship very good....however eyeball fell out. I asked for replacement and it is on it's way! It was very easy to change out treble to single inline hook.

[@bob58la]

Hey Todd , Next time you do pool test w/ plastics focus on the lures shadow during the jigging portion of the test. If you go back and look at where you can see the shadow of the lure .It provides a much better view of what the lure is actually doing.

[@emilioreed3667]

Wheres the down south lures? best soft plastic from texas

[@jeromegraham8709]

Diesel baits

[@logankolker1157]

Slayer inc

[@vicmeaux8199]

Great test. Maybe try the same baits under a popping cork.

[@colebradley6503]

Noble6 I a little late but u can also keep it in the right water column longer

[@290shawty]

I think it's time for another one of these soft plastic videos 💯💯💯💯

[@johnrickards1908]

Great vids man, love the pool tests. Being a pensioner I don't have a lot of spare cash so I'll take any cheapo soft plastics and attack the rear end with a small pair of curved nail scissors. You'd be amazed at how you can improve the action of a stiff lure with a little surgery. Keep up the good work. John from Spain.

[@gd3design63]

That is a great tip, thanks!

[@flatsfishing828]

My goto soft plastic paddletail is the Z-man Paddlerz in pearl white. I catch fish after fish on those tuff boogers. Pretty much indestructible (blowfish/puffer can bite them in half so I keep that bait moving faster then they can swim). I use them with or without a popping cork but mostly without. I've caught Sea Trout, Reds, Snook, Flounder, Shark, Spanish Macks, Tarpon, Skip Jacks, Grouper and Cobia (big blow-up with those bad boys) They come coated with Pro-Cure and I always dab a little on them from time to time. I think it helps make the fish bite harder or hit the second time if they miss, I can't prove it but hey I use it anyhow.😎 I always look forward to your vids, keep'em comining.👍

[@MarshManMasson]

Thanks for the great feedback! I don't think I've ever fished with Paddlerz, but will add them to my arsenal. I'm generally a fan of Z-Man products.

[@ChesaFreakBoyzFishingVideos]

I got a 29.5 trout with a 4.5 in paddlerz on the slow stroll. It can get you fish for sure but elaztech is becoming a hassle for me honestly.

[@MarshManMasson]

ChesaFreak Boys Fishing That’s a huge trout. What do you not like about the lure?

[@andywessels4719]

That does not make any sense..... Why would elaztech become a hassle (yes, you can not throw them in with other plastics in your tackle box, but you can leave them in their respective baggies)

[@bawdhed7]

I do like Zman PaddlerZ the baits are really indestructible. They last a very long time. Screw the hassle with it. Just get some super glue. Super glue it to the jig head and your good to go.

[@reellivin2020]

Cool Video. Nice Shots... liked the scoring. Just Subscribed

[@frankbreck5758]

Man you are getting a raw deal.their are over 8,000 views & they don’t take the time to hit the subscribe button.

[@SaltyJaxfishing]

Slayer INC paddletails have some of the best action.

[@speckledtruth4577]

Great video Todd incredibly valuable information. Having said that, consider removing price value from the overall score or rank that separately between brands. As you know, trout could care less about price. Keep em coming though...very similar to the sink rate and profile series were doing on Speckled Truth

[@nozrep]

just caught my “pb” trout of 19 inches on a clear body with black and silver glitter Egret Wedgetail in July 2022. I figured out that I have to tie them direct and not use my swivel snap that I usually use in order for their action to work right. So stoked! 19 incher pb I figure is a good start on my quest to a 30 inch “gator trout”

[@thebayoudiaries8389]

The Cocahoe is probably some of the best bang for your buck.

[@MrSymbolic7]

I know that this was a paddle tail only test , but I stop throwing them except on rare occasions , the reason was years ago Mirrolure came out with the Lil' John and all I do now is change colors or go to a lighter lead head or change retrieve speed and that does the trick , where I fish the guy's throwing paddle tails just start up and leave after our boat lands 50 plus trout 30 yards away while they catch 1-2 trout on very cold Day's we just dead stick it and keep in contact with the bait and hammer them !

[@barrywuthrich8530]

Down south is popular around Matagorda Tx where I fish. But I prefer the locally made Hogie Major Minnow. Hogie lure co., out of El Campo Tx, has been around for decades. I couldn't find my favorite color in Stanley's Matagorda, which sells a 6pk for $2.49, so I called up the owner and asked him if he still offered that color. He said yes and made me up a special order of 50 for under $20. I simply dropped by and picked them up at the shop in El Campo. Now that's service.

[@michaelwalker8501]

Love these pool tests. Also like seeing the movement underwater of my go to inshore lure... the Salt Water Assassin.

[@IslenoGutierrez]

michael walker I like the saltwater assassin and the matrix shad the best.

[@Covers70]

Nice to know the three plastics I keep in my box pretty much won the test Zman matrix shad and saltwater assassin have been my go to plastics for a while.

[@MarshManMasson]

All three are great

[@Covers70]

Thanks for the reply love your channel really appreciate all your tips and info. Tight Lines from the MS Gulf Coast.

[@jimbogasoline2042]

Great video Todd! The only reason I usually get the H&H compared to Matrix, is they seem to last longer and are cheaper.10 to 8 per pack. I noticed the Vortex doesn't last as long as the original because of the very thin midsection. I wonder if the Matrix Vortex would have had even more tail action.

[@MarshManMasson]

I was surprised how well the Cocahoe looked on the retrieve. The plastic seems to me to be really stiff, but it looked great underwater.

[@capefearcapt4679]

Great comparison video, thanks! Sea Assassin has been my go-to for several years now. I live and fish here on the North Carolina coast.

[@ETuss713]

I know this is old, but your pool tests have inspired me to do my own. I have come to see some plastics are very dependent on speed of retrieve and water temps. Something like a DSL supermodel or Kwigglers new paddle tail have great action in all temps and speeds where as some that do very well at higher retrspeeds turn into a plank at lower speeds.

[@Ready4Flightt]

I know this videos a year old, but I’ve recently came about the Zman Swimming trout trick while talking to another fisherman and man does it have action (imo)

[@johnhollis3419]

Thanks for the tip about Zman plastic lures interacting with other plastic lures.. (a dissolving mess)... Finally got an answer to what was going on with my tackle box containing plastic lures. Thanks !!!

[@MarshManMasson]

Z-Man baits do not play well with other soft-plastics.

[@josezendejas136]

Thank You for your GREAT VIDOES & HARD WORK. I know it's takes time, work, & money to make this. SO THANK YOU!!!

[@Dave-zy6de]

Thanks for the video it helps me decide what to buy for soft plastic baits.

[@kurtcer]

Glad I found you....A VERY important channel...

[@ronaultmtd]

I love the Zman Creole Croaker 4 inch minnow rigged on 1/4 oz. Deathgrip jighead...I use ProCure Menhaden on it- killer combo on specks and redfish..

[@chronosimbot]

I stopped using all other softbait after Z-man grubs. I got the pink grub with the curly tail last year and I still have the half the package left! I think I caight like 30+ salmons on a single softbait! This is thing is glorious! I only destroyed my first softbait by storing it with other softbait. It just melted like slime.

[@bellasworld7000]

I too agree on cork test with the same plastic baits but at the same time test corks . I use 4 horse men and for the South side of the lake it FREAKING works!!! There are a lot of knock offs though .

[@stevehudson777]

I don't know if anyone else posted this because I didn't read all the comments. I use both the SW Assassin paddle tail and curly tail. The curly tail is outstanding for jig action - even better than the paddle tail, which you gave a "10". Trout love to hit the curly tail on the fall. BTW, this is one of your best / most worthwhile videos.

[@jimbogasoline2042]

Steve Hudson they like to hit all jigging baits on the fall.

[@stevehudson777]

True. But, my experience is that the curly tail on the fall produces more hits than the paddle tail. For tight-lining, I prefer the paddle tail. But, for gigging, give me the curly tail.

[@jimbogasoline2042]

Steve Hudson I never use curly tails. Maybe I should give them a shot. What brand do you like, and do you use a jig hear or a weedless hook?

[@stevehudson777]

I use Saltwater Assassin with a 1/4 oz jighead or 3/8 oz jighead, depending on the depth I'm fishing, and strength of the tide.

[@redfishray2505]

Nice my man! Have you ever heard of Slayer Inc Lures? It would be nice for you to test that!!!

[@ChesaFreakBoyzFishingVideos]

RedfishRay I shoulda scrolled down. I say it’s a worthless trial unless you include them. Still keep em on the lowish lol. I love their customer service as a smaller company

[@dixondjallen6620]

The best

[@dixondjallen6620]

The best

[@dixondjallen6620]

And the first of the year they are coming out with an even larger bait

[@bawdhed7]

Yes Slayer Inc. has one of the best tail action in a swimbait.

[@bpvittor]

Wow. Great test Todd! Thank you. Honestly I wasn’t expecting the matrix shad to perform that well. They’ve always felt a little stiff to me, but that was impressive.

[@MarshManMasson]

Yeah, I agree. It really looked good underwater, both retrieved and jigged.

[@IslenoGutierrez]

Marsh Man Masson Todd what ounce jig and hook size were you using in the pool test?

[@PaPaBataM]

knowledge that is very useful for me ... success for you friend

[@sdjohn53]

Liked the pool test. I picked the 3 that will work for me here in south coast Georgia. I noticed that you direct tied your line to the Jighead. What if you used a loop knot, would there be a better action on the baits you tested? Keep up the great Vids!

[@heathmartin3706]

Thanks Marsh Man, another great video! If you do another please include the Shu-Shu paddle tail; I would love to see how it measures against the competition. I am really supersized so many similar shaped baits give different action. My biggest shock was the H&H, much more action than I anticipated. MM, I would like to see a video where you find a soft plastic with the most action regardless of shape and size. I know chasing redfish, I want the most action I can get out of my soft plastic. The Z-Craw (thanks to you) and the super speed craw (Zoom) really do well, and I know several tournament guys that use soft plastic frogs. What else is available that might be overlooked. Keep up the great work, I really enjoy the informative videos!

[@MarshManMasson]

I've never fished the Shu-Shu, but I know it's growing in popularity. I'll have to check it out.

[@nozrep]

oh yah love them h and h cocahoes. caught a bunch on the purple and chartreuse with blue glitter!

[@angelsantiago5953]

Thanks for the vid, just what I need to catch specks

[@mostlydilettante]

There are tons of comments about down south lures. But nobody mentions gambler flappin shads. I like down south out of a boat, but wading I prefer gamblers when targeting bigger fish.

[@stevekissee1545]

Great video! nice to see the action of all these baits.

[@EricFortuneJr.]

The saltwater assassin is my first choice. I like to use it in the marsh on the outgoing tide just before low tide. Last winter the D.O.A shrimp got a ton of bites for me.

[@FG-qh7qx]

I'd like to see the same soft plastics in 5 inch. My go to plastic right now is the Hogie's 5 inch super shad.

[@jeffreybabino8161]

Great video thanks for your time and help 🐟

[@tylerpowell6205]

Great video man. I've been big on egret wedge tails this year might switch it up after watching this. Oh I read your article on wading for big specks in lake calcasieu and it was great man! Keep up the great work love your videos brother!

[@MarshManMasson]

It's always cool to see lures underwater. I had some biases confirmed and some blown to bits. That's usually the case!

[@np979]

Loved the pool test and the rating. Keep it up bro

[@davidlentz3692]

Excellent video Todd. I've always fished live Cocahoe minnows so your video was very helpful for me.

[@BIGROB123]

I believe ill go with the z man and about the vid. I been waiting for a test like this forever. Thanks for effort and making it easy for choosing my soft plastic. Redfish magic minnow is also the same thing as the z man but I don't know about the price. That's the one I use. Godspeed.

[@MarshManMasson]

The Z-Man Minnowz definitely performed well. What hurt it in the overall score was the price. I've done very well with that bait, and really like it.

[@gabrielduarte3904]

very nice vid, but not complete without the DOA cal shad, one of the most popular baits around

[@yardleykennedy9689]

Great underwater clarity. Thanks!!!

[@MarshManMasson]

Thanks for watching!

[@kwhanselka]

Try Down South Lures from Texas. “Swims on the fall”.

[@bigflysmeatshed626]

Best tail action on the fall!

[@billpattillo9597]

If only they held up to the pin fish. The action is great, but durable they are not.

[@GM-le5ti]

Love Down South Lures.. I catch everything with them.

[@VintageGaming-no1fv]

From San Antonio and just found them today I am in shock lol !!!! thanks for the info man!

[@290shawty]

Chickenboy better

[@stephenlnoe]

I appreciate these video's marsh man, however, you should factor in how long the bait should last on the hook. For instance, the Zman bait is more expensive but it will outlast any of the other baits. Some of those baits come apart even if a pinfish nips at it which makes them not economical. Anyway, thanks for showing the action underwater of a variety of different swimming baits. It's useful.

[@davidpierson7016]

The gulp bass assassin shartruce or molt is my go to lures for speckled trout/ reds/ and flounder

[@bawdhed7]

Nice test there sir. Appreciate your time to show these baits. What, no DOA or Slayer Inc. baits to test out?

[@MegaTechno2000]

How about a Chartreuse red dot Sparkle Beetle VS paddle tails... to see what catches more fish.

[@brettdoyle467]

Love the pool test keep em coming!

[@MarshManMasson]

Will do. Thanks for watching and for the feedback.

[@markpartyboy]

Great video as always! Keep them coming! (Possibly a twitch bait pool test before fall?)

[@MrMatthieu85]

Funny how most people forgot about the once popular hybrid flurry minnow. IMO they have the best action on the fall and straight reeled. Not to mention the matrix colors are a straight copy.

[@kyphan9348]

Excellent video. Thank you !

[@ryankissee4333]

Nice piece. It’d be a short one, but I’d like to see a video showing lures tied with a loop knot versus lures with a palomar, clench, etc. I’m skeptical of the idea that loop knots produce more action, but I’d like to be proven wrong.

[@MarshManMasson]

I'm skeptical of the idea as well, in most circumstances. I'll give it a whirl at some point.

[@fishingwithanthony4203]

I’m on the west coast is fl and doa cal tail are really popular for trout and I use zoom fluke rigged weedless

[@buddyfuentes]

Great video! I loved it and wish you would do some others so we can compare them to what we buy.

[@MarshManMasson]

Thanks! We've got more pool videos planned.

[@Eyesofthasouth]

There’s something about the mirror lure in that it rigs super easy and centered each time

[@charlieB69]

They actually do "call the fish up" with the paddle tail vibration fish can feel and hear that.

[@gilbertrobles1374]

Great Video ma man. I just subscribed. Thanks

[@myadventureoutdoors]

Great test with awesome visuals.

[@MarshManMasson]

Glad you got something out of it. I know I did.

[@jacksongilmore6056]

Hey Masson, I use deadly Dudley and I always have one on one of my rods. I also live in Louisiana and fish the same places u do, and I recommend u use deadly Dudley avocado color. This is by far the best soft plastic I have ever used. But ur right about what u said. I thought maybe u could just give it a try and see what u think. My dad has caught 2 redfish over 40 inched with this bait. Btw, great vid! I might be changing it up myself and trying some of the baits u used in the vid. Also I just retrieve the bait and do not jig it, and when I use it it usually has a lot of tail action. Idk

[@MarshManMasson]

We all have our personal preferences. That's why there are so many different lure companies. If Deadly Dudleys work for you, I don't blame you for not changing. Stick with them!

[@stevenjauregui1059]

Can you do a under water test on soft plastic for bass or even lipples crankbaits. Thank you love these videos

[@richardthomas5077]

Interesting here in southeastern NC, Gulp seems to be the go to bait, thinking about picking up Assassins an hitting them with scent spray, thoughts

[@usamedicine]

Great video man, thanks!

[@jeffreybabino8161]

How do you select lure color in saltwater fishing thanks 🐟

[@tigersaint124]

Matrix and Wedgetail mullet are my 2 favorite

[@gabrielduarte3904]

i dont know how popular are shrimp tail soft plastics are up there, but it would be nice to see a comparison =)

[@misplacedangler]

Love the vids man! Is Saltwater assassin part of Bass assassin? Can't find anything separate....and what color is that one? Love that shimmer. 1 last question for OOS'er coming for a month. What size? I've heard 3" but some of those baits start at 4". Seems to me 4" would be better or bait companies would make a 3". Z-man is good stuff too! 1 bait does last forever!

[@texasmade4088]

What size of jig hook do you recommend

[@ryancook8836]

You gotta try the classic Mr. Twister sassy shad. I've got more fish on them than any other paddle tail.

[@123wetland]

I beg to differ Mr Masson, It's my opinion that the H&H Sparkle Beetle has produced more speckled trout across the Gulf Coast Region than any paddle tail plastic. Going back to 1959, the lowly sparkle beetle still produces fish regularly. It's not as sexy, but the fish don't care.

[@blakepurser4305]

I use the saltwater assassin seashad "chicken on a chain" colorway on a chartreuse redfish magic jighead for bass and smash them on it all the time so don't be afraid to bring these baits to the ponds and lakes

[@samhancock3585]

Love your videos. could you do us all a favor and show the action on some soft tail lures with different jig head sizes such as the 1/16 on up please. If you can.

[@MarshManMasson]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2a0fWqklp6erLM

[@ReelinTension]

Try some slayer inc baits they will not disappoint

[@rippinglips187]

Which one do you recommend best for trout

[@ivanalejandromarinenriquez4708]

What is the weight/size of the jig? Great vid!

[@redbirdsjunkie]

What ounce jig head were you using and what brand? Thank you in advance.

[@BigBearFishing]

Good tutorial and test man!

[@MarshManMasson]

Thanks! I know I learned a lot from it.

[@BigBearFishing]

@@MarshManMasson Always a good thing!

[@AUClay]

Salt Water Assassin is what we use. Just look out for pinfish! We don’t use bait casting reels with them, we use 3000/4000 Shimano Spheros or Stradic FB’s with Ande Back Country mono or Power Pro. Braided line just wants to get twisted too much for inshore fishing. Ande Back Country is way better around here

[@FattyMateo]

Should also tie loop knots for all these, it dramatically changes the tail's action

[@wreckanchor]

Where is the best place to go on the Gulf coast for big trout? I want to take a fishermans vacation. ty

[@gamerdelitor4344]

Todd, can you do a pool video on the pre rigged swim baits like the tsunami swim baits, H&H usual suspects. Etc. etc.

[@MarshManMasson]

I'll add that to the list. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@horseshoebuttkayakfishing3604]

Thanks, I was on my other account when I posted that I meant to post that from my "fishing" account hopefully, I will be able to put up some more videos on my main channel. This is Horseshoe Butt from BCKFC. Gamer Delitor is my other account.

[@iamatt]

We're those tied with a loop knot? My eyes aren't too good but it didn't look like it. Try it with a good loop knot like the canoeman.

[@wescordray948]

Another awesome video! What would you suggest for sight casting shallow water reds in the marsh?

[@MarshManMasson]

In my experience, the brand of lure doesn't matter as much as the color. I like something I can see, like white or chartreuse.

[@danrodbell3513]

I agree with that, as do the Matrix Shad people. I was chatting with them at the Louisiana Sportsmen show in the superdome a few weeks back and they were saying visibility is why they like the lemonhead shad and the white lightning craw. Customers want a choice of colors, but the ones that they can see work the best for sight fishing and dragging the bait right in front of a fish's mouth.

[@FusionzzYT]

Great video. Quick question, does it really make a difference by using jig heads compared to a normal J hook? If so does the color also make a difference?

[@MarshManMasson]

I can't imagine color makes a difference in action, but using a J-hook as opposed to a jighead certainly would. With no weight, any of these lures would have to be worked like Flukes rather than paddletails. I rig them that way sometimes when shallow-water redfishing, but most of my experience with them is with jigheads.

[@joeytaylor8767]

Marshman, watching you from remote Western Australia. Have you thought about fish testing the baits after a pool test? See which one works best for you. As for the Gulp, I have never fished Gulp paddletails. Just bought some 2 days ago. We'll see how they go. Next time I will get the Yum or the Zman.

[@MarshManMasson]

Thanks for commenting all the way from Down Under. What type of fish do you target down there?

[@joeytaylor8767]

@@MarshManMasson From the beach or rocks: Australian salmon (not a real salmon), King George Whiting (best eating local fish), herring (our favourite local.fish), pink snapper, flathead (also very good eating, but very ugly!) Out in a boat there are all kinds of snapper and grouper type fish a few minutes from the beach.

[@bobgill4069]

This was an excellent video overall and so are the rest of your underwater bait videos. Shows what you are getting before you pay the money. I have a ton of soft plastics I bought on sale and have always wondered if they will be worth it or not. Do you plan on doing more of these? There are many others you can try that would be helpful. I'm surprised you didn't you use any DOA CAL shads. Seems many baits are popular by region. I'm surprised at the H20 Xpress baits, they have excellent products overall and stand by them; I was expecting more from that bait. They also make a paddle tail which hopefully gives more action.

[@zlm2032]

Great video. 👍

[@bayouburner281]

Down South and Slayer Inc are all I use.

[@AUClay]

The only issue is the pinfish will nite the tail off in a few casts sometimes! That’s when we use fluke tailed jigs.

[@grizzlyoutdoors4612]

Hope i wasn't the only one to notice. But when jigging some baits make the hook twist around clockwise n some don't. Could this be a contributing factor to less hook up rating???

[@paulnunez9975]

Thx very helpful video

[@bobgill4069]

Again, good video overall but the way you rank the price category was confusing. Some got 0, some 4, others 7. I like putting price into the consideration but maybe give the 0 to the most expensive per bait and the others maybe a 1 or 2 to help spread out the numbers. Because you rated the Mirrolure highly but very low because of price.

[@MarshManMasson]

The lures were ranked in order, with the least expensive receiving a 10 and the most expensive earning a 0. Price is an extremely important factor for many anglers, so I will always include it in any rating. Thanks for the feedback!

[@MB-fk5ip]

Great Video but you left out Down South Lures

[@Trevlee74]

Kietech is king of the paddle tails.

[@briancole6550]

Can't believe nobody else has made that comment. I was about to when I saw yours.

[@erniski]

Can you do an episode that talks about color and which colors do you like to use in certain water conditions?

[@MarshManMasson]

I mention it in various videos when it applies. Color selection has more to do with feel and educated guessing than with anything scientific. As a general rule, though, you want to use darker baits (black/blue, purple/chartreuse, etc.) in muddy or stained water and lighter baits (clear sparkle, watermelon, etc.) in clear water.

[@kenkapusta47]

Marsh Man Masson z