Tube Jig Head

[WI_Angler1989]

What tube jigs do all you smallmouth guys use? I've used some cheap ones I got online, and i love confidence baits draggin heads, but i want some traditional jigs for Sturgeon Bay. 

[dropshottah]

I like and recommand tube jig with a 60⁰ eye for dragging tubes,  its spiral less

[WI_Angler1989]

Have any favorite brands?

[A-Jay]

PROvider Tackle tubes & Tube Jig heads are top notch.

This head is quite versatile for working around grass/rock/gravel/current and is a great for swimming a tube. The 1/8-1/4 oz sizes also come with collars to hold a grub or worm.

The head is designed with precision to fit towards the front of the tube to give you better control of the bait. It is designed with offset weight toward the bottom of the head for great swimming action. This causes less line tangles in your reels.

Finally, the Performance Series tube heads have 2/0 Owner hooks on 1/8-1/4oz. and 3/0 Owner hooks on 3/8-3/4oz.. These hooks are STRONG. With a "hooked" barb, you'll find better hook ups. Lower profile hooks are used for the benefit of cutting through grass better and less hang ups on rocks.

http://www.providertackle.com/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=66_65

A-Jay

 

[Jrob78]

I'm not a smallie fisherman but I like the Bite Me heads.

EDIT:  Looks like they may have gone out of business.

[WI_Angler1989]

47 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

PROvider Tackle tubes & Tube Jig heads are top notch.

This head is quite versatile for working around grass/rock/gravel/current and is a great for swimming a tube. The 1/8-1/4 oz sizes also come with collars to hold a grub or worm.

The head is designed with precision to fit towards the front of the tube to give you better control of the bait. It is designed with offset weight toward the bottom of the head for great swimming action. This causes less line tangles in your reels.

Finally, the Performance Series tube heads have 2/0 Owner hooks on 1/8-1/4oz. and 3/0 Owner hooks on 3/8-3/4oz.. These hooks are STRONG. With a "hooked" barb, you'll find better hook ups. Lower profile hooks are used for the benefit of cutting through grass better and less hang ups on rocks.

http://www.providertackle.com/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=66_65

A-Jay

 

Thanks, A-jay, I've seen your comments on the actual tubes and have been wanting some. Imy glad their jigs are good too! One stop shop. 

[WI_Angler1989]

A-Jay, what PROvider tubes do you prefer? I only have experience with smaller tubes (2.5 cabin creeks). They work well in my home waters. You're up on Lake Michigan right? 

[A-Jay]

10 hours ago, WI_Angler1989 said:

A-Jay, what PROvider tubes do you prefer? I only have experience with smaller tubes (2.5 cabin creeks). They work well in my home waters. You're up on Lake Michigan right? 

I'm not right on the big lake but I am in northern lower Michigan.

Both the 3.5" Bite Size & the 4" tubes produce for me. I have not fished the Slim Tubes.

I fish very clear water most of the time and the most effective colors for me have been BBQ Melon, Roadkill, St Clair Tease, Green Pumpkin Brown, Green Pumpkin Fizz & Orange Flaked Smoke.

As for tube jig head weight / size I go by this ~

The 1/8 oz. tube head is designed to fish around grass, swim and just work in shallow water conditions.   Uses this one in shallow current waters and around spawning fish in open water conditions.

This 3/16 oz. tube head is the perfect "in between" weight that is great for a slow fall or bed fishing. It's very versatile for working around grass/rock/gravel/current and is a great size for swimming a tube. The 1/8-1/4 oz sizes also come with collars to hold a grub or worm.

The 1/4 oz. tube head is a big FAVORITE for a lot of shallower Great Lakes fishing.  It's the most versatile size for working around grass/rock/gravel/current and is a great size for swimming a tube.

The 3/8 oz. tube head is a favorite to most current fisherman and Great Lake "draggers". This is a very well balanced head that will get you over most cover and keep you feeling it along the way.

This 1/2 ozer will get you feeling the bottom quick.  Use it in moderate rock, gravel and when you are wanting to go vertical and fish deep. Great for current situations where there's not a great deal of cover.

5/8 oz. is a size that is made for power fishing! A tube head that will give you long casts and a great feel.

3/4 oz. tube head? Are you kidding? You BET! Ever fish deep clear water like the Great Lakes? This will get you out there, keep you on the bottom and you'll know it!

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

[WI_Angler1989]

That's an awesome guide! Thank, man! I appreciate it a lot.

[Turkey sandwich]

Good information on here.  

 

I fish tubes a lot for river smallmouth and the biggest gripe I have about most brands is that the hooks are ridiculously undersized.  My favorite brand thus far has been VMC.  They have great, large enough hooks that I can set with a spinning set up and 8lb line or on a casting set up with braid and 12-17lb copolymer (or whatever we want to call Hybrid) and not worry about losing fish or bending hooks.  

 

And as for weight, I'm typically an advocate of "lighter is better", or at least the lightest I can get away with.   I fish mostly shallow rivers like the Susquehanna, and 1/8oz-1/4oz weights are the standard.  Sometimes, I'll go to 3/16th if the current is super fast and deep, but otherwise it's asking for trouble.  On the flipside, if I were fishing deep, clear lakes with aggressive fish, I'd probably keep 1/2oz jigs in the box, too. 

[EvanT123]

Ajays post with the weights and descriptions should be pinned somewhere. That's great concise information. 

 

For 3.5 inch tubes I like a 3/0 hook. A great tip I learned on here was if the hook is making the tube bunch up was to cut a slit in the tube to make it sit correctly. This tip has allowed me to fish a variety of jigs in a tube. 

thats 10 bridge pillings there

Fishing the front and back of the pillings I could lose 20 jigs in a trip. I try and find them around 25 cents a pop or less. 

 

 

 

[WI_Angler1989]

On 12/28/2015 at 1:44 AM, EvanT123 said:

Ajays post with the weights and descriptions should be pinned somewhere. That's great concise information. 

 

For 3.5 inch tubes I like a 3/0 hook. A great tip I learned on here was if the hook is making the tube bunch up was to cut a slit in the tube to make it sit correctly. This tip has allowed me to fish a variety of jigs in a tube. 

thats 10 bridge pillings there

Fishing the front and back of the pillings I could lose 20 jigs in a trip. I try and find them around 25 cents a pop or less. 

 

 

 

Those bridge pilings are gorgeous! I bet you get some good fish outta there.

I'm the same way with weight, the least I can use to maintain bottom contact is best. Im a big fan of confidence baits draggin heads from up in your neck of the woods.