Tubes!!! For Smallies

[fishguy613]

Soft plastic tubes..

Who here uses them?

What kind and size do you use?

How do you prefer to rig them?

Do you add scent?

Spinning or casting rod? What line?

Im loving these lately just trying to gather some info and try some new setups and techniques

thanks!

[moguy1973]

Who here uses them?  I do
What kind and size do you use?  Usually 4" Bass pro tubes,  but there are a of different brands that work well
How do you prefer to rig them?  With an imbedded lead head tube hook with it rigged weedless, also texas rigged with a pegged weight.
Do you add scent?  Usually, no, but my buddy soaks his in scent
Spinning or casting rod? What line?  Either, and usually 8-12lb copolymer line.

[ww2farmer]

I do, but not as much as I used to. I have found other things that work better for me. But a tube is something that I always have ready to go just in case my ways are not working. I keep it simple. 3.5" green pumpkin tube, with a 3/8 oz tube head.

[Felix77]

Who here uses them? - I do
What kind and size do you use? - Gitzit 2.5 - 3.5 in
How do you prefer to rig them? Gitzit tube 1/8 - 3/8oz
Do you add scent? Yes
Spinning or casting rod? What line?  Spinning rod.  8lb FC.

[Dwight Hottle]

Haven't used a tube for smallies in the last 6 years.

[fishguy613]

thanks for the replies

been using the SK smoke with red / black flakes, and another brand green pumpkin both with good results, been using them with my spinning rod though

[fishguy613]

have been simply rigging them with a tube jig head and exposed hook, dont seem to get as many chews with it weedless

[J Francho]

As the Great Lakes slime took over, tubes fell to the wayside up here.  The drop shot solved the slimy bait issue.  They are making a comeback as anglers are fishing deeper and deeper, beyond the "slime belt." 

[OkobojiEagle]

have been simply rigging them with a tube jig head and exposed hook, dont seem to get as many chews with it weedless

 

 

I'm going to suggest you do, but don't realize it.  Smallies will hook themselves on an exposed hook bait often... seldom when the bait is T-rigged.  A tube leaves very little room in the hook gap.  I know, I'm a heretic!

 

 

oe

[J Francho]

If you are going to rig them on a weedless hook, I HIGHLY recommend Rig'n Hook by Owner:

 

[S_Miketa6]

Who here uses them? - Me
What kind and size do you use? Mainly 3.5" 
How do you prefer to rig them? Texas Style/Tube Hook
Do you add scent? No
Spinning or casting rod? What line? Spinning, 10-12lb Berkley Nanofil

[Hi Salenity]

As the Great Lakes slime took over, tubes fell to the wayside up here.  The drop shot solved the slimy bait issue.  They are making a comeback as anglers are fishing deeper and deeper, beyond the "slime belt."

my apologies to fishguy for derailing his train and taking his thread off topic but, what is the "slime belt", how deep does it go and is it in the water or just a coating on the rocks...

[OkobojiEagle]

filamentious algae grows over everything on the bottom, often to +20' depths... clings to your baits like fresh snot.

 

oe

[Hi Salenity]

Does it choke out other vegetation?

[EvanT123]

Tubes have been my go to this year

Original 3.5 fat gizit green craw

1/4 egg sinker pushed to the top of the tube head

1/0 gamakatsu offset worm hook. Tex posed the bend on the hook come just where the tenticles and allows the tube to be texposed reducing snags and increasing hook up

10lb braid 12 yo zuri leader for the sharp rocks

Medium fast spinning

[BuckMaxx]

Yes it is my go to bait if I can't git em on anything else. Bitsy tube in Watermelon with 1/4 oz buried head. 8 lb mono light to med light spinning rod. One trick I do in a real tough bite is stuff a 1/4 of an alkaseltzer in em,

[Oregon Native]

Drycreek 3 1/2 in tube in baby bass my favorite. Spin rod, Ten pd powerpro (yellow) with fluro leader. Size depends on water fishing. I like a weight inside tube with EWG hook.

Tight LInes

[roadwarrior]

I'm REALLY looking forward to fishing the MegaStrike Mega Tube this fall.

[tytay89]

As long as your tube has a nice spiral motion on the fall it's doesn't matter the color weight or sent ... It's all about the spiral!

[bobh64]

A tube bait brought me to the B.A.S.S regionals 20 yrs ago and it's still catching them for me. Black, brown or green pumpkin. 1/16-1/2 oz weighted hook depending on the wind. On a cloudy day you can't beat this for water over 20 ft deep for the smallmouths.

[Stingray23]

Soft plastic tubes..

Who here uses them? ME!

What kind and size do you use? I prefer 3.5" tubes in natural colors like green pumpkin, watermelon, black, pearl white, and any other combo of these.

How do you prefer to rig them? I usually fish them with an exposed hook on a jig head.

Do you add scent? NO

Spinning or casting rod? What line? Spinning and 8-10lb fluoro

Im loving these lately just trying to gather some info and try some new setups and techniques

thanks!

[NorcalBassin]

I use them as my ultra finesse technique when the bite is tough. Favorite is Dry Creek's Drop Shot tube (2.75") and 2.5" Gitzits on 1/8 or 1/16 oz jig heads with an exposed hook and 4# Tatsu. It's a blast when they're hammering these. 

[NathanW]

I used to a lot, don't anymore. I love them still for largemouth pitching docks and cover.

 

I don't fish them for SM simply because I have gotten bored with them (stupid I know). I remind myself all the time off the water I need keep them in my rotation.

 

Alton Jones and Chris Lane just killed it fishing tubes on Lake Huron (During Lake St. Clair event) doing basically the same thing I use to do all the time on the Coumbia. Using medium heavy casting gear, heavy line, just drifting with the current while keeping the bait on the bottom. Its a pain in the butt, and isnt very flashy, but honestly can be the best way to catch quality smallmouth. My PB smallmouth (6.25lbs, I know this is no biggy for all you great lakes guys) was on a Dry Creek Tube 3 years ago. Thanks for another reminder I shouldnt ignore this bait.

[KyakR]

I use them a lot! Maine has many glacially formed lakes with rocky bottoms, some very deep. I usually use them shallow in spring and fall, spinning gear,2.5" to 3.5"  on a Gitzit flattened lead head, 1/16-1/8 oz, exposed hook, 8lb fluerocarbon line.  I get hung up quite a bit, but it's worth it! For summer and deeper water I up the size and weight, but I use them less . They work ok then C-rigged on a GK skip-gap hook (Texsposed so the hook comes out near the tentacles) with a little MS soaked styrofoam inside. 

 

Yes it is my go to bait if I can't git em on anything else. Bitsy tube in Watermelon with 1/4 oz buried head. 8 lb mono light to med light spinning rod. One trick I do in a real tough bite is stuff a 1/4 of an alkaseltzer in em,

Alkaseltzer?! Gotta try that!