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Change up your presentation with a paddletail worm

Tennessee pro John Murray says the action of a paddletail worm offers a change-up to bass that have grown accustomed to other styles. Photos by Seigo Saito

When they want to add some thump or a unique action to their worm fishing tactics, Bassmaster Elite Series pros switch to a worm style that junks the conventional trend.

Worms with paddle-shaped tails have never gained the popularity of curly- or ribbontail worms among the bass fishing masses, but some of the pros keep the lures in stock for special situations. “That style has been out forever, but it is just a change-up to the normal look of the curly tail or the straight tail,” Elite Series pro John Murray said. “It is just a different shape that displaces water and presents such a different look than a curled-tail worm or something like that.”

Murray favors throwing the Gene Larew 10.5-inch Big Daddy paddle tail to present a thumping movement to bass that have grown accustomed to the swimming action of ribbontail worms. “If you have a good paddle tail down there, when you pull it you can just feel it almost like a spinnerbait when it comes through the water,” he said.