Lake Michigan Tube Jigs

[WI_Angler1989]

Alright guys, any of you experiences Smallmouth guys have any advice on tube colors?

I'm stocking up for an early spring trip to Sturgeon Bay and need some input so all the bases are covered. What color tubes work best there? Whatcolors are good to have with at least?

I know exactly what works where I live but it'd suck to get there, on a big fishing trip and be unprepared!

[Cgrinder]

On my side, I like Green Pumpkin with a little copper or gold on it.

[drew4779]

Pumpkin, watermelon, roadkill...pretty much any greens or oranges.

[A-Jay]

Check out PROvider Tackle ~ I've been a huge fan of these baits for a long time.

 

 http://www.providertackle.com/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=66_69

 

 Though all his gear is high quality, Art Ferguson III makes some especially killer baits right there in St Clair Shores, MI

 

Both the 3.5 " & 4" tubes are solid producers.

 

As for colors, the BBQ Melon, Roadkill, St Clair Tease, Great Lake Melon, & Natural Goby have all been gobbled up eagerly by North Woods Smallies.

 

A-Jay

[WI_Angler1989]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I'm looking pretty set color wise it seems, maybe a little stock up to be safe.

[WI_Angler1989]

Check out PROvider Tackle ~ I've been a huge fan of these baits for a long time.

http://www.providertackle.com/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=66_69

Though all his gear is high quality, Art Ferguson makes some especially killer baits right there in St Clair Shores, MI

Both the 3.5 " & 4" tubes are solid producers.

As for colors, the BBQ Melon, Roadkill, St Clair Tease, Great Lake Melon, & Natural Goby have all been gobbled up eagerly by North Woods Smallies.

A-Jay

Do you have any experience with Cabin Creek tubes? They work flawlessly here. How do the PROvidersame compare?I've also heard good things boutique river rock tubes

[WIGuide]

The last time I was over there fishing was TOUGH, but green pumpkin seemed to be what they went for when they did want to eat. A lot of people were using 2 1/2" Howie Tubes. Howie's tackle either makes them or has them made for them and they're available right in Sturgeon Bay or you can get them online http://www.howiestackle.com/category/HT.html . If the fish are on, I'm sure they'll crush a bigger tube, but those seemed to catch some when others wouldn't. If you want to venture off the green pumpkin color, just remember it's clear water over there so stick to the more natural colors for the most part. 

[A-Jay]

Do you have any experience with Cabin Creek tubes? They work flawlessly here. How do the PROvidersame compare?I've also heard good things boutique river rock tubes

 

I've not used any of the Cabin Creek products so I am unable to make a comparison.

 

 What I can tell you is that the PROvider tubes are durable and have a built in scent that smallies love.

 

My favorite aspect of the baits are that they are made by a Professional angler who lives & fishes on the Big Lakes.   The colors he offers work very well in these clear water conditions.

 

A-Jay

[WI_Angler1989]

I've not used any of the Cabin Creek products so I am unable to make a comparison.

What I can tell you is that the PROvider tubes are durable and have a built in scent that smallies love.

My favorite aspect of the baits are that they are made by a Professional angler who lives & fishes on the Big Lakes. The colors he offers work very well in these clear water conditions.

A-Jay

They sound great. I really like the pro angler living living right at the big water and he uses them on too. It's a huge vote of confidence for me.

I may have to pick up a few packs in the 3.5 since that's about the size I use here. Smaller works best but it's all about the day.

I've had great success with 2.5 inch tubes here. They're a bit fatter than normal so the profile still has some girth, but I've been wanting a 3.5 inch tube for when the water is warm.

[WI_Angler1989]

The last time I was over there fishing was TOUGH, but green pumpkin seemed to be what they went for when they did want to eat. A lot of people were using 2 1/2" Howie Tubes. Howie's tackle either makes them or has them made for them and they're available right in Sturgeon Bay or you can get them online http://www.howiestackle.com/category/HT.html . If the fish are on, I'm sure they'll crush a bigger tube, but those seemed to catch some when others wouldn't. If you want to venture off the green pumpkin color, just remember it's clear water over there so stick to the more natural colors for the most part.

I won't be going for more than at the point, but my 2.5 inch tubes are a huge confidence bait so that's perfect. Thanks for the heads up, as natural as possible and play with options.

[slonezp]

White cranks, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, swimjigs, and goby colored tubes.

[WI_Angler1989]

White cranks, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, swimjigs, and goby colored tubes.

Goby colors seem to be the route to take. Thanks!

[slonezp]

I have taken trips to Door County for 40 years and my folks own a summer home there. Don't get all caught up on only using tube jigs.

[WI_Angler1989]

I have taken trips to Door County for 40 years and my folks own a summer home there. Don't get all caught up on only using tube jigs.

Don't worry, I'm not planning on fishing only tubes. They happen to be a huge confidence bait for me in general, so it's a bonus that they're effective up there.

I had a great day fishing jerkbait last time i was up there. What would you recommend to me?? If anyone can help me you can, 40 years up there, lucky! I'm guessing we'll be there in mid may.

[slonezp]

These were caught this past May http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/156730-weekend-in-sturgeon-bay/

 

White is a good go to color. Gold and black would be my second choice. As far as cranks, use squarebills and if they are in 6 foot or less, and I've always done well with Countdown Rapalas in deeper water. I would use jigs and swimjigs in Sawyer Harbor, fish will be in pre spawn/spawn. The bigger fish will not be in Sawyer Harbor, but there should be good numbers. The bigger fish in the above post were caught in and around Sand Bay, and the largemouth were caught in the ship canal. If the wind is not killing you, your best bet is to look for boulders and shallow flats near deep drop offs. If you go a little later in the month, the area known as the "Flats" will be good. I fish further north as well. Fish Creek, Ephraim, and Sister Bay. Ephraim will be the best chance outside of Sturgeon. If you do go to Ephraim, Be very conscious of the navigational buoy's. It's very easy to destroy your boat if you are not paying attention.  

[WI_Angler1989]

That's a whole lot of info! Haha idk where to start. We fished rowley bay when we had our guided trip and had good success. Theres also a good flat south of there on the eastern shore ive heard about.

Where is the "flats" area at?

There's so many places it's hard to know what to go to!

[slonezp]

That's a whole lot of info! Haha idk where to start. We fished rowley bay when we had our guided trip and had good success. Theres also a good flat south of there on the eastern shore ive heard about.

Where is the "flats" area at?

There's so many places it's hard to know what to go to!

Concentrate your efforts in the blue areas and immediately adjacent to the blue areas

[WI_Angler1989]

Thanks for the help! I'm beyond excited to get out there.

Do you have any experience in Rowley Bay?

[slonezp]

Haven't been there in years. We used to fish the mouth of the Mink River along with some of the shoreline

[WI_Angler1989]

Haven't been there in years. We used to fish the mouth of the Mink River along with some of the shoreline

2 years ago a friend and I went on a guided trip there and caught a lot of fish and a few 5# giants. That's where my buddy wants to go this spring but I'm trying to find a closer place (like Sturgeon Bay spots you showed)

[WI_Angler1989]

21 hours ago, slonezp said:

That's a whole lot of info! Haha idk where to start. We fished rowley bay when we had our guided trip and had good success. Theres also a good flat south of there on the eastern shore ive heard about.
Where is the "flats" area at?

There's so many places it's hard to know what to go to!

Concentrate your efforts in the blue areas and immediately adjacent to the blue areas

 

Could you resend the image of Sturgeon bay? Ithanks isn't showing anymore since they updated the website for some reason. Maybe try a direct message?

[slonezp]

The image is off navionics web app. Google Navionics web app and whatever lakes are covered on their chips are available for free on your PC

[WI_Angler1989]

Thanks, I appreciate the heads up. That sounds like it's really helpful. Is it only on PC? I just have a tablet and smartphone.