Hogy Protail Thumper: The Big Fish Eel
Protail Swim Eels
The Hogy Protail Swim Eel is expertly crafted to imitate the fluid, sinuous motion of a live eel, making it irresistible to large predators like striped bass, tarpon, and tuna. With its saltwater-grade durability and Hogy’s “Fish Simple” approach, the Swim Eel provides reliable performance for both inshore and offshore fishing adventures. Built for anglers targeting trophy fish, the Swim Eel’s action and resilience set it apart as a top choice in challenging environments.
Built for trophy inshore and light tackle offshore species. Checkout Protail Swim Eel overview with Capt. Mike Hogan.
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"Very Soft. Very Strong. Catches Fish. Not Fishermen."
Where and When to Use:
Use the Hogy Protail Swim Eel in inshore, nearshore, and offshore environments. It excels in targeting large striped bass, bluefish, tarpon, and tuna in fast currents, deep waters, or rough conditions.
How to Use:
- Cast and Retrieve: Use a slow to medium retrieve to mimic an eel’s swimming action; occasional pauses add realism.
- Twitch and Jig: Add rod twitches during the retrieve to imitate an injured eel, drawing attention from predators.
- Drop and Lift: Vertical jigging technique for deeper waters,
allowing the lure to fall naturally and then lift with a sharp motion to
trigger strikes.
Why It Works: The Protail Swim Eel’s realistic action and robust construction make it highly effective in attracting large predatory fish. Its eel-like motion combined with UV-infused, durable plastic provides the visibility and resilience needed for trophy-class fishing in various conditions.
Powerful Construction: Made with premium plastic, the Hogy Protail Swim Eel outlasts other softbaits, providing durability and reliability across all fishing conditions.
Hogy Protail Thumper: The Big Fish Paddle
Thumper Swimbait Bodies
Expanded Size Options for Hogy Thumper Swimbaits: 6" Tails – Compatible with all Hogy Thumper Jig heads for consistent, realistic action across sizes.
Perfectly Paired Heavy Duty Rigging
Thumper Jig Heads
Thumper Jig Sizes:
- 1 oz – Great for shallow waters and light currents; excellent for inshore fishing.
- 1.5 oz – Suitable for moderate depths and currents, versatile for inshore or nearshore.
- 2 oz – Effective for deeper inshore waters and light offshore applications.
Deep Thumper Jig Sizes:
- 3 oz – Designed for strong currents and deeper offshore environments, targeting larger predators.
- 4oz: Ideal for heavy currents and canal conditions, excellent for large gamefish.
- 6oz: Built for deep offshore slow-pitch jigging, optimal for targeting big predators like tuna.
“A great swimbait for getting below bait schools to target the larger fish holding deep. These swimbaits excel at imitating bigger baits and triggering strikes from finicky tarpon, snook and jacks.” Capt. Chris Britton
FAQ
Quick answers for most commonly asked questions about the Protail Paddle and fishing applications.
What’s the best size Swim Eel for the Cape CodCanal?
For the Cape Cod Canal’s strong currents and depth, we
recommend the 3oz or 4oz Deep Swim Eel. This weight helps maintain control in powerful tidal flows, and the lure’s durable design withstands the Canal's rocky terrain and aggressive striper bites.
What’s the best size Swim Eel for surf fishingthe beach?
For surf fishing along sandy beaches, the 1.25oz or 1.5oz Swim Eel provides enough weight for effective casting while maintaining a natural, lifelike presentation. This weight is ideal for covering different depths in moderate surf without sinking too quickly or creating excessive drag.
What’s the best size Swim Eel for casting at tuna?
For casting to tuna, especially in open water, use the 2oz or 3oz Swim Eel. This weight allows for long, accurate casts, and the Swim Eel’s balanced design helps it stay in the target zone for tuna without descending too rapidly.
What’s the best size Swim Eel for jigging tuna? When should I use a paddle tail vs. an eel tail?
For vertical jigging tuna, opt for the 4oz to 6oz Deep Swim Eel to reach greater depths quickly. Use paddle tails when mimicking larger baitfish or to create more thumping action in the water, while eel tails are ideal for imitating slimmer profiles like sand eels or for achieving slower, fluttering presentations.
Do I need super glue or zip ties to keep thesoft bait secure on the Swim Eel Jig?
The Swim Eel Jig features an extra-long spring keeper molded
directly into the jig head, providing a strong hold on the soft bait. This secure design eliminates the need for additional zip ties or super glue. Your bait will stay firmly in place through every cast and retrieve!
TIPS & TECHNIQUE
PROTAIL THUMPER SWIMBAITS
Topwater & Jig Fishing for Giant Striped Bass | Block Island
How To: Vertical Jigging for Trophy Class Stripers with the Hogy Slappy Eel
Trolling for Striped Bass in Boston Harbor with Hogy Lures
Hogy® Jigging Eel Lures for Monster Boston Harbor Striped Bass
Roll Up Storage
Keep all your swimbaits carefully stored in one place with easy to rinse and store marine grade mesh storage bags.
- Easy-rinse marine grade mesh.
- Holds up to 12 Protail Paddles.
- Hassle free multi-pouch storage.
- Sturdy and durable locking wrap.
Swimbait Casting Rods
Built with a soft, yet sensitive blank, these rods resist accidental breakage due to high sticking but still offer high sensitivity to light bites on smaller presentations, plus they have plenty of backbone in the blank to apply added pressure for larger inshore species. Paired with an appropriately sized reel, these are a pleasure to fish for daily applications.
- Mod-Fast Action Black For Increased Sensitivity.
- Premium Grade Cork Grip
- Heavy Duty Locking Aluminum Reel Seat
- Premium Ceramic Guides
