Finesse Tubes

[Felix77]

Guys,

 

I'm new to Smallmouth fishing and read that finesse tubes like the Gitzit is one of the best baits for smallies.  I assume a tube jig but what are some ways to present the bait?

 

Thanks

[John Buzzell]

I use Mizmo 3.5 inch tubes with a tube jig inserted inside. I prefer the jigs with a 60 degree angle on the jig eyelet.

[gripnrip]

One thing I don't see much anymore is inserting the jig head in the tube.  From time to time I use that method if I can't get bit when I'm fishing a T-rig or weightless tube.

[Jig Man]

I fish tubes with the jig head insert, Trigged with sliding sinker and trigged with a bell sinker inside the tube.  Which I use depends on the cover in the water.

[smbrule!]

First of all I fish for smallies only on Lake of the Woods so that may influence my tube selection.

 

I'm a huge fan of tubes and typically use a 4" tube (not a finesse tube) with a jig head inserted inside the tube.  My finesse tube was the Canyon Plastics Garlands original Gitzit.

 

More recently at tube made by River Rock Custom Baits may become my favorite smallie tube as it is just a little larger than the Garland tube and it is super soft. It is large enough so that a Yamamoto lead weight can be inserted inside the tube. I do that when I want more snagless bait and either texpose the hook or let the hook float inside the tube. 

 

The tube on the top is a typical 4" tube, the one in the center is the R.R. tube and the bottom one is the Garland tube.

[buckeye12]

T-rigged with pegged sinker most of the time for me. Dont be afraid to try one on a drop shot.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

T-Rigged with one of these on an EWG worm hook...

 

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-XPS-Tube-Weight/product/44436/

 

Usually I will super glue a worm rattle inside. 

[Oregon Native]

Don't forget to dropshot the smaller tubes.....AWESOME!!!  Drycreek Outfitters out in Idaho makes an awesome little tube and in baby bass color too which is great in clear water.

Tight Lines

[tubeman]

I use the Fat and Tournament Series in 2.5" on 10lb. Green Power Pro Braid. The color depends on the water. I use tube weights from 1/16 to 1/4 oz and the lightest that I can get away with in that weight range.  Thanks Oregon Native for the outfitter name, I'm going to buy some from them.

[jm37817]

Hey tubeman, never used braid for tubes. Always afraid of spooking fish. Do you use a leader? I've always used 6-10# mono but never liked the stretch you get .

[jkarol24]

Hey tubeman, never used braid for tubes. Always afraid of spooking fish. Do you use a leader? I've always used 6-10# mono but never liked the stretch you get .

I prefer 15-20 lb powerpro with a 4-6 ft leader of 8-12 lb fluoro 

[tubeman]

Hey tubeman, never used braid for tubes. Always afraid of spooking fish. Do you use a leader? I've always used 6-10# mono but never liked the stretch you get .

Hey,

I have success without using a leader. The river I mostly fish is of darker water, that may attribute some. I have some flourocarbon leaders made-up, but hardly ever use them.

[smalljaw67]

My normal size tube for smallies is a 3.5" and that is because I like using them with the insert jighead. I will drop to a 3" when it gets tough and  I even started making jig heads to fish a 2.5" and a 2.25" tube. I get my tubes which I believe to be the best tube I ever used from a small company called River Rock baits, they have a standard tube and a pro series that is super soft, so soft you could fish them on a snoopy rod and not feel the bite for 20 seconds and the fish won't spit it in fact it is the only tube I used in 35 years that you have to be careful as the fish will swallow it.

[jm37817]

I usualy use 3 1/2"-4" BPS tubes. If I downsize, I use Strike King Bitsy tubes. As far as colors go, I use dark colors to match craws and gobys when I'm dragging the bottom or bouncing but if I need to swim it I like smoke colors or pearl/white to match shad. I also use rattles if the water is stained or muddy and apply fish attractant inside the tube. Rigging is based on cover, I prefer a open hook inside the tube but will texas rig if fishing heavy cover.

[jm37817]

Another trick is using a 1/4-1/2 oz. castmaster spoon , attatch a swivel to it and rig a tube over it. This is deadly in clear water when you need to imitate small baitfish. I use clear colors to still give off a little flash from the spoon.

[Dave Hull]

If you buy the Gitzit "Pocket Pack Kit" (Cabela's currently has them in 2 1/2" & 3 1/2" sizes) they come with their own jig heads which are uniquely shaped to spiral downward on the fall which sets them apart from the standard tube jighead. In fact that is what really made them famous if you will. These are great for schoolers busting baitfish. I first used them at Dale Hollow back in the mid? 1980's.

[Felix77]

Last time I was at Cableas I noticed there were 2 types of Gitzit.  Tournament vs regular.  Is there really a difference?

[Gavin]

Fish em on a stupid rig...3-4" tubes in the summer, 2.5"-3" in the cold months.

[tubeman]

Last time I was at Cableas I noticed there were 2 types of Gitzit.  Tournament vs regular.  Is there really a difference?

There is a difference. The tournament series are slightly narrower and are injected with salts. I have both and prefer the Tournament Series in late summer. The fat gitzits are good, all around tubes and I fish them heavily in the spring using white and chartreuse, About the later part of May, I use the brown craw and motor oil/multi-sparkle. 

Gitzit also makes an excellent spider jig and I find the brown crawl/chartreuse tail deadly anytime. They come with a 1/4 ounce head, but I usually change them to 1/16 -1/8 ounce, whichever is the lightest that I can get buy with. Go to http://www.gitzit.com and check them out.

I also use some Canyon Plastics Tubes and will be trying some from http://www.drycreekoutfitters.com/default.asp. 

[SudburyBasser]

One thing I don't see much anymore is inserting the jig head in the tube.  From time to time I use that method if I can't get bit when I'm fishing a T-rig or weightless tube.

 

I always thought that inserting the jig head into a tube was the default for fishing that plastic.