Limited Edition: Tuna Deep Thumper Jig 6inch Swimbait

The HDUV Paddle Tail is our compact powerhouse softbait — built for high-impact vibration and fast rigging across inshore and offshore systems. On HD Barbarian Jig Heads, it’s a compact, drop-and-reel tuna bait that tracks straight and thumps hard; on Classic Barbarian Jig Heads, it becomes a striper, snook, or tarpon favorite in heavy current or low-visibility conditions.

Most Popular Use Case:

When large gamefish (inshore or offshore) are feeding deep or scattered through the water column, this lure solves the problem of covering depth efficiently while creating vibration and lift that call fish in from distance. The Hogy HD Paddle Thumper is tuned for drop-and-reel fishing, thumping hard on both the fall and the retrieve. It’s especially effective when working sonar marks or fishing through strong current, where a compact bait with a steady, audible kick makes it easy for predators to find and commit.

Performance:

This lure drops fast, tracks straight, and thumps with authority, producing a rhythmic pulse that triggers instinctive strikes from big gamefish in any condition. The paddle tail’s deep, rolling kick generates vibration and lift, maintaining a natural, stable track through the water column. It excels at drop-and-reel fishing, vertical jigging, and swing presentations, offering anglers a lure that stays true, sends a strong acoustic signal, and gets crushed in any depth.

Snug-Fit Tail Socket:

Precision-engineered to grip HDUV softbait tails perfectly inline. No glue, no screws—just a clean, mechanical lock that keeps the bait straight and secure, even under extreme drag. Rigging takes seconds: slide, seat, and fish.

Fastest Softbait System Ever Built:

The HD Jig Head system eliminates downtime. Swap between 8” Eel Tails and 6” Paddle Thumpers instantly to match depth, current, or forage. Perfectly balanced and always tracking true, it’s plug-and-play rigging for serious anglers.

HDUV ProTail Plastic:

Each tail is molded from our ultra-tough HDUV ProTail compound—soft enough for lifelike motion, yet resilient enough to withstand dozens of strikes from tuna, stripers, or jacks. The UV-reactive finish adds a natural shimmer that lights up underwater.

Perfect Alignment, Every Time:

The socket-to-tail interface was tuned for a flawless transition between head and body. That seamless connection means no wobble, no roll, and a perfectly natural swim through every phase of the retrieve.

Field-Tuned by Capt. Mike & Team Hogy:

Every element of this system—hook geometry, head balance, and plastic density—was dialed in through years of charter use and R&D. The result is a modular softbait platform that rigs faster, fishes cleaner, and lasts longer.

Body Profile / Forage Match

• Compact baitfish silhouette: Short, deep body matches pogies, herring, and butterfish—ideal for imitating high-calorie forage in mid-water or deep-current zones.

Hydrodynamic balance: Designed for seamless integration with HD Barbarian Jig Heads, ensuring lifelike posture and vibration transfer.

Swimming Action

• Powerful tail thump: Broad paddle produces a steady, audible vibration that triggers reflex strikes from fish tracking by sound and pressure waves.
• Dynamic response: Thumps hard at slow speeds and transitions to a tight, controlled kick at higher retrieve or drop rates.

Distance & Delivery

• Weighted for quick descent: Drops rapidly to working depth for efficient coverage of sonar marks and structure-hugging fish.
• Compact profile: Casts easily into wind and current, maintaining line contact for immediate control on the fall.

Build & Endurance

• Reinforced HDUV body: Ultra-tough soft plastic resists tearing from repeated strikes and sustained drag tension.
• Secure fit system: Snug collar interface locks firmly to HD Jig Heads, keeping the bait straight and stable under load.

Storage & Organization

• Clamshell mesh wallet system: Designed to prevent paddle deformation, keeping tails organized and ready for quick swaps on deck.

Conservation & Sustainability

• Single-hook configuration: Supports responsible catch-and-release practices while ensuring strong hookups.
• PET fully recyclable packaging: Built for repeated use and long-term durability, reducing waste and protecting your tackle investment.

Casting Applications for Bluefin Tuna

The Deep Thumper is ideal for when tuna are busting surface bait or feeding mid-column.

Retrieve #1: The “Swim & Pulse” Retrieve

• Cast past surface feeds or sonar marks.
• Begin with a medium-speed, steady retrieve to produce a consistent tail thump.
• Every few turns, add a double-twitch pulse of the rod tip to create a burst of flash and vibration.
• Mimics a wounded baitfish fleeing through the school — ideal when tuna are keying in on motion and profile.

Retrieve #2: The “Drop and Climb” Retrieve

• Cast and count down to your target depth.
• Lift the rod in a 2–3 foot sweep, then let the bait fall on controlled slack.
• The tail continues to pulse on the fall, imitating a fluttering, dying baitfish.
• Perfect for midwater tuna or fish feeding beneath surface commotion.

Vertical Jigging Applications for Bluefin Tuna

Retrieve #1: The “Slow Lift and Glide”

• Drop to depth and lift the rod slowly 3–4 feet.
• Follow the bait down with tension — the thumping tail activates as it glides and falls.
• Ideal for neutral or suspended fish just off the bottom or in deep water columns.

Retrieve #2: The “Power Pulse Jig”

• Drop directly into marks and work the bait with rapid, 1–2 foot pumps.
• Maintain contact — the lure’s tail produces continuous vibration during each lift.
• Best used when fish are aggressive or feeding in competition. Expect strikes on the fall or the pause.