Spatula

The Spatula is one of issei's signature soft plastics and has been part of the brand's lineup since its early years.

At first glance, it resembles a conventional straight worm, but its defining feature is the small asymmetrical paddle tail at the end of the body.

The tail is designed to move more water than its compact size suggests. During twitches and short jerks, it produces a propeller-like action, while a slow retrieve causes the tail to vibrate subtly as the lure swims.

Ribs along the body help grip the water, adding another layer of movement without requiring a large or aggressive tail.

The original bass-fishing series is available in 3, 4 and 5-inch sizes. The 3-inch version uses a dedicated body and tail design optimized for particularly delicate finesse presentations.

The Spatula represents a style of soft-plastic design closely associated with Japanese finesse fishing.

Rather than producing a large kicking action, its small paddle tail responds to subtle changes in rod movement and retrieve speed. This allows anglers to create enough vibration to attract bass while maintaining the slim and natural profile of a straight worm.

That balance is particularly useful on pressured fisheries, where bass may reject larger or more aggressive soft plastics.

The 3-inch version takes this concept even further and was specifically designed for highly delicate presentations such as Neko Rigs, Split Rigs and extremely small jigheads.

The Spatula has remained part of issei's lineup since the company's early years and is now recognized by issei as one of the brand's signature products.

The Spatula can be adapted to several finesse presentations depending on size and fishing conditions.

With a lightweight jighead around 1 gram, the lure can be slowly retrieved through the water while the small tail produces subtle vibration. Twitches and short jerks make the asymmetrical tail push more water and create a more noticeable propeller-like action.

The 3-inch model is particularly suited to finesse fishing. issei recommends it for Neko Rigs, Split Rigs and extremely small jigheads when targeting heavily pressured bass.

Larger 4 and 5-inch models provide a bigger profile while retaining the same basic combination of a ribbed straight-worm body and responsive paddle tail.

The key is not necessarily to create a strong swimming action. Small changes in retrieve speed and rod input are enough to make the tail change its behavior, allowing the angler to adjust the presentation to the mood of the fish.

• Heavily pressured bass
• Clear to lightly stained water
• Finesse fishing
• Neko Rig presentations
• Lightweight jigheads
• Slow swimming presentations
• Small baitfish and worm profiles
• When larger paddle-tail action is too aggressive
• Reservoirs and natural lakes
• Shore and boat fishing

The Spatula combines two familiar soft-plastic concepts—a straight finesse worm and a paddle tail—but does so in an unusually subtle way.

Instead of using a large paddle to generate a strong swimming kick, issei uses a very small asymmetrical tail that responds to light rod movements and slow retrieve speeds.

The ribbed body grips the water while the tail can shift between subtle vibration and a more active propeller-like movement depending on how the angler fishes it.

For US anglers familiar with finesse worms, the Spatula offers a distinctly Japanese interpretation of the category: a simple-looking worm designed around small differences in water movement, rod input, and presentation speed rather than maximum action.