HOLLOW BELLIED PADDLETAILS
Initially causing a stir in the bass fishing fraternity in the USA, the first hollow bodied baits were brought to market by Basstrix and once their popularity was proven, most commercial large scale manufacturers climbed on board and started mass producing these baits. Constructed of soft plastic, they are also baitfish shaped with a hollow or slit mid-section and a boot or wedge shaped tail. They are designed to do pretty much the same as the moulded baits however have the added advantage of weedless rigging and as such are much more versatile. Available from 3 inches up to 6 or 7 inches and in many colour combinations it is again fairly easily to find a bait which will match the size of the baitfish in the body of water you are targeting.
Rigging
The hollow bellied baits are by the far the most versatile baits in terms of rigging and there are numerous ways to rig these baits including traditional methods which I will elaborate on later. The most common rigging method is one using one of the specially designed screwlock weighted hooks. Select an appropriate size for the bait you are using, screw the lock into the head of the bait (always make sure you screw it in dead centre to get the best swimming action) and bury the point of the hook in the body making sure that the belly weight on the hook is positioned in the centre else the bait will wobble when retrieved which is not the way you want the bait to swim. The weedless nature of the hook as well as the fat boy often has anglers complaining of low hook up ratios which is where a little modification comes in handy. Before burying the hook point in the plastic, thread a single treble hook over the point of the hook which will improve your hook ratio or alternatively attach a treble to a piece of braid with the other end attached to the eye of the hook (obviously more of an open water tactic).
Don’t be afraid to experiment with these baits as you will be surprised at what sometimes works. I have had success on fishing them with a jig-head ala shakey head style, a chatter bait hook, rigged traditional texas on a split shot or even Carolina rig and also removing the skirt on a spinnerbait and replacing it with a swimbait.
for active fish or burning it through the grass, the key to success on this bait is to treat it as a spinnerbait and I guarantee that you will get fish.
Tackle
Most hollow bodied swimbaits can be easily fished on a 6’6 or 7ft medium heavy baitcasting rod spooled with 15-17lb line (mono or flouro) due to their relatively small weight to size ratio. I personally use the exact rod, reel and line combination that I would use for general purpose spinnerbaiting when throwing hollow bellied baits.
Application
You can be as creative as you want and burn this bait just under the surface over rip rap and points or through the grass, or cast it out and let it sink to the bottom and slowly slow roll it next to a jetty or along a laydown. Personally, I throw these baits in any area I would normally throw a spinnerbait, combing the spawning flats looking
Bass Digest/February, 2014