Outdoor Zack Posted November 4, 2015 Posted November 4, 2015 A few weeks ago, I purchased a cheap ($5) bulk-pack of tube baits at the local Wal-Mart, hoping to use them for the upcoming Fall crappie season. I've been using them pretty frequently and have been having good luck with them. But, I noticed that they are rather delicate and soft. They tear easily and the tails on them rarely last 2 or 3 fish. Tubes work well, but the ones I have just aren't holding up. What tubes do you use? What are some good, durable tubes for crappie, panfish, and bass? Thanks. Quote
Smokinal Posted November 4, 2015 Posted November 4, 2015 I don't throw tubes much and have never really paid attention to tube quality but I will say, as in most soft plastics, it's the softness that creates an enticing quality to a bait. The balance between softness/fish catchability vs durability is a never ending battle in bait making I'm sure. Example; I have some Shadelicious swimbaits that are very durable but have never caught me a fish and I see the action in the water next to the boat and they don't move very well; they were also very inexpensive. I also have some Keitechs that I run out of on every trip just busting lip after lip. They are very expensive and don't last very long but guess which one I fish now? 2 Quote
EvanT123 Posted November 4, 2015 Posted November 4, 2015 Buy the cheapest tubes you can. If you aren't throwing them to lose them go home. 4 Quote
Super User MIbassyaker Posted November 4, 2015 Super User Posted November 4, 2015 Buy the cheapest tubes you can. If you aren't throwing them to lose them go home. That's what I think, too -- I'm chucking them into laydowns, bouncing them between rocks...even rigged weedless, you're going to lose a bunch. And if you're attracting fish, they'll get pulled on, mangled, ripped in half no matter what you do....a tube by definition is not a durable bait because it's hollow, with a thin skin, not designed to stand up to abuse compared to other plastics. Some tubes are better quality than others, for sure, but I don't really think quality is necessary in this kind of bait. 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted November 4, 2015 Super User Posted November 4, 2015 To each his own ~ I like ProVider Tackle 's Performance Tubes. Great clear water colors, very durable and most importantly they get bit . . . A-Jay http://www.providertackle.com/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=66_69 2 Quote
blckshirt98 Posted November 4, 2015 Posted November 4, 2015 I don't really fish tubes but bouncing a tube off the bottom is a favorite technique of one of the guys at the local tackle shop. He swears by the Dry Creek tubes. 1 Quote
Super User MickD Posted November 4, 2015 Super User Posted November 4, 2015 Mizmo tubes are very good. Skinney, shiney ones don't work well for me. "Hand poured" usually do. If buying in a store, look for duller finishes, sort of scrubby, chubby, tubes. I'm talking surface finish re the shine. Not the flakes. 1 Quote
Super User Choporoz Posted November 4, 2015 Super User Posted November 4, 2015 I've been throwing Power Team tubes and they are VERY durable. Bonus: my car smells like hog tonic! 2 Quote
Hogsticker Posted November 5, 2015 Posted November 5, 2015 Dry Creek has a tube for every occasion, and they are awesome sauce. Check them out. 3 Quote
PourMyOwn Posted November 5, 2015 Posted November 5, 2015 Dry Creek has a tube for every occasion, and they are awesome sauce. Check them out. Thank you, sir! I've been looking for a narrower/thinner 3.5-4" tube ever since Luck E Strike discontinued the G4 Gamblers. Quote
Outdoor Zack Posted November 5, 2015 Author Posted November 5, 2015 Anybody ever try Gitzits? I read a few articles that recommended them... Quote
PourMyOwn Posted November 5, 2015 Posted November 5, 2015 Anybody ever try Gitzits? I read a few articles that recommended them...They were the original tube bait that started it all. I still have a few here and there, they're good, I just got away from them. 1 Quote
Cmiller Posted November 7, 2015 Posted November 7, 2015 I use either the zoom tubes, or the gander mountain brand, whichever is on sale. The both seem to hold up quite well and are available in a wide variety of colors. 1 Quote
papajoe222 Posted November 8, 2015 Posted November 8, 2015 I prefer softer tubes with internal jigs, but there is really nothing to back up that preference. I get more bites on TenderTubes and hand poured ones because I throw them more. If I'm Texas rigging, I'll go with something with a more solid head and thicker walls. Quote
Super User NorcalBassin Posted November 8, 2015 Super User Posted November 8, 2015 Anybody ever try Gitzits? I read a few articles that recommended them... The Gitzit Chub Tube (3") in brown craw has brought hundreds of fish to my boat... it's right up there with a grub for putting fish in the boat when I have someone with me that just wants to catch as many fish as they can. My personal favorite is the Dry Creek Drop Shot Tube (2.75"), but since you mentioned crappie fishing I'll also mention Canyon Plastics sells "mini-Gitzits" with a thin profile (2.5") that we do well with throwing into the creeks flowing into the lake where pretty much all the predator fish congregate. 1 Quote
Outdoor Zack Posted November 8, 2015 Author Posted November 8, 2015 The Gitzit Chub Tube (3") in brown craw has brought hundreds of fish to my boat... it's right up there with a grub for putting fish in the boat when I have someone with me that just wants to catch as many fish as they can. My personal favorite is the Dry Creek Drop Shot Tube (2.75"), but since you mentioned crappie fishing I'll also mention Canyon Plastics sells "mini-Gitzits" with a thin profile (2.5") that we do well with throwing into the creeks flowing into the lake where pretty much all the predator fish congregate. Do those tubes seem to hold up very well? Quote
Super User NorcalBassin Posted November 8, 2015 Super User Posted November 8, 2015 I have some fish hammer it in just the right/wrong way for a one and done (rare), but I've also caught 10+ on the same tube minus a couple tentacles. I prefer to fish small tubes with an open hook (traditional jig head), so the worst part for me is retying the rig. However, if that's the issue it means I'm catching fish and if I get too lazy and they're aggressive enough I can go with a Texas rig and peg a small weight. 1 Quote
Super User Montanaro Posted November 8, 2015 Super User Posted November 8, 2015 Ive been using poor boy baits tubes. Soft and salty. Went to replace one with a zoom one and took it off immediately. I had difficulty sliding it up the shank of my ewg so I knew Id have difficulty getting solid hooksets. 1 Quote
Outdoor Zack Posted November 9, 2015 Author Posted November 9, 2015 I have some fish hammer it in just the right/wrong way for a one and done (rare), but I've also caught 10+ on the same tube minus a couple tentacles. I prefer to fish small tubes with an open hook (traditional jig head), so the worst part for me is retying the rig. However, if that's the issue it means I'm catching fish and if I get too lazy and they're aggressive enough I can go with a Texas rig and peg a small weight. When I fish tubes for crappie, I like to use a very, very small snap swivel so I can change colors and lures quicker. The fish don't seem to care. Maybe try it? Quote
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