When river fishing for stream smallmouth this time of year and in general, what color/pattern paddle tails do you find to be most effective?

[Ohioguy25]

Obviously this is going to vary by region, there are certainly Shad in my small river in southern Ohio but not in abundance in the stretches I fish.  Yet for some reason shad patterns have consistently produced for me, perhaps because they are more visible?

 

I have several chub/stone roller patterns ranging from dark brown with a gold belly to light brown with a translucent belly, I haven’t caught quite as many fish with them but now I’m wondering if perhaps this is because I haven’t had the courage to put down something that works so well! 
 

I have heard people say that darker patterned swimbaits are more effective this time of year, do you generally find this to be true or are Shad patterns more reliable for you?

[a1712]

Green Pumpkin Purple/Copper, Smoke Purple/Silver, Shiner. Brian.

[JacobB006]

3 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Obviously this is going to vary by region, there are certainly Shad in my small river in southern Ohio but not in abundance in the stretches I fish.  Yet for some reason stad patterns have consistently produced for me, perhaps because they are more visible?

 

I have several chub/stone roller patterns ranging from dark brown with a gold belly to light brown with a translucent belly, I haven’t caught quite as many fish with them but now I’m wondering if perhaps this is because I haven’t had the courage to put down something that works so well! 
 

I have heard people say that darker patterned swimbaits are more effective this time of year, do you generally find this to be true or are Shad patterns more reliable for you?

It's not as much of a specific color for me, but I have more confidence in a paddletail with countershading (darker back, lighter belly). I think it just looks more natural. With that said, I probably could catch the same exact number on a plain white paddletail as well. 

[Ohioguy25]

51 minutes ago, JacobB006 said:

It's not as much of a specific color for me, but I have more confidence in a paddletail with countershading (darker back, lighter belly). I think it just looks more natural. With that said, I probably could catch the same exact number on a plain white paddletail as well. 

Yeah, mostly in the action.

[Spankey]

I’ll be fishing a Trout stream a couple of counties over mid-week next week. A lot of Smallies in there. I won’t pass up fishing for them. Will throw Power Grubs or CB Slider Grubs. I suspect 3” Power Trout Worms could work also. 

[bowhunter63]

Shiner or Shad 

[Ohioguy25]

22 hours ago, Spankey said:

I’ll be fishing a Trout stream a couple of counties over mid-week next week. A lot of Smallies in there. I won’t pass up fishing for them. Will throw Power Grubs or CB Slider Grubs. I suspect 3” Power Trout Worms could work also. 

Definitely take a Ned rig and a paddle tail 

[Spankey]

58 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Definitely take a Ned rig and a paddle tail 

In my trout bag I have a version of a Trout Magnet that are Craws. They are very effective. The white one and a green and gray work well. Sort of like a NED. Sort of like a tiny jig. But I don’t fish they under a float like a traditional Trout Magnet. I’m going to primarily be trout fishing but when I get to where this one spillway is on the creek I’m expecting smallies to be there. Have been there in the past. Dang thing of it is sometimes those creek smallies wont hit anything but live bait (minnows). 

[roadwarrior]

Rage Tail Menace

Rage Tail Baby Craw

BPS Tender Tube #71