smallmouth tube fishing

[MuskyTooth35]

Greetings anglers!  Just wanted to post this thread because I need help lol.  What are some good rods for throwing 1/8 oz tubes for smallies in rivers?  And a good reel to match?  Any replies help, thanks!

[bowhunter63]

I use a 6ft 6 or 7 ft medium rod with 8 lb flouro.My Reel is a lews high speed spin size 300.Sometimes i go up to 10 lb depending what stretch of river im on.Rods are Abu Vengeance really good Rods for the money.

[Burtonxj]

I use a 6'6" Medium Fast spinning rod with 8lb flouro on a 2500 reel.

[WI_Angler1989]

I use my 6' 10" mlxf St Croix Legend Tournament Bass spinning rod for fishing tubes. Up until now I've used Pfleuger President spinning reels in the 2500 size and haven't ever had an issue with them. Next season I'll have an upgraded reel, still don't know what onelse to get haha. 

I like the XF action tip because it helps with a solid hookset when fishing tubes and reacting to the bites. 

As for line, I use 15# power pro braid and a 10# sunline super sniper fluoro leader. I plan on trying another braid this next year out of curiosity.

[Airman4754]

I use a 6'6" Medium/Fast Berkley from Wal-Mart and 8lb Flouro with some cheap baitcaster. I think it's a Silvermax. I think the whole setup cost around $80.

There are only three lakes that I fish with smallies so it doesn't get much use. 

[papajoe222]

I just built a rod specifically for 1/8 & 3/16oz. tube fishing. It's a 7ft. Med power, fast action. For river fishing, I'd recommend a rod that's a little shorter, but the same power and tip.  Check out walleye rods at your local shop, there are quite a few built on those specs at moderate prices.

Look for something with a rating that has 1/8oz. at the low end. Between the tube and the jig head, you don't want a rod that maxes out at 1/4oz. plus there will be times when you'll need to go heavier because of a stronger current.

[Crestliner2008]

Welcome Aboard! You never mentioned what your budget allowance is for this? Some good suggestions thus far however.

[rawjuice]

Anywhere from 6'6" to 7'2" MF or MXF, 10-15lb fluoro, spin or cast! I've fished tubes in multiple setups in that range and all worked very well. Good luck!

[anthonyfip]

8 hours ago, WI_Angler1989 said:

I use my 6' 10" mlxf St Croix Legend Tournament Bass spinning rod for fishing tubes. Up until now I've used Pfleuger President spinning reels in the 2500 size and haven't ever had an issue with them. Next season I'll have an upgraded reel, still don't know what onelse to get haha. 

I like the XF action tip because it helps with a solid hookset when fishing tubes and reacting to the bites. 

As for line, I use 15# power pro braid and a 10# sunline super sniper fluoro leader. I plan on trying another braid this next year out of curiosity.

I love the President! I move mine back and forth between two rods depending on what I'm fishing for... Have one on a 6-6 medium and often move it over to a 7-6 medium light.  One of these days I'll get another, but this system works for now!

[MuskyTooth35]

price range is under 250 for both rod and reel @Crestliner2008

[WI_Angler1989]

3 hours ago, anthonyfip said:

I love the President! I move mine back and forth between two rods depending on what I'm fishing for... Have one on a 6-6 medium and often move it over to a 7-6 medium light.  One of these days I'll get another, but this system works for now!

They're great reels. Pretty bomb proof in my experience haha. I've got 3. 1 I bought was my first reel, 1 more the next season and I got 1 for free when I returned my combo rod to get repaired it came back with a new reel on it!

3 hours ago, MuskyTooth35 said:

price range is under 250 for both rod and reel @Crestliner2008

You could get a St Croix Avid for $190 and a Pfleuger President for $50. I have that setup and love it. The reel is all I have and is amazing value and quality. As for the rod, you can't go wrong with a St Croix. My Avids are super sensitive which is a must for bottom contact lures like tubes. 

[MuskyTooth35]

@WI_Angler1989 i think i've narrowed my rod selection down to the st croix premier, st. croix mojo bass, and the avid.  Not sure what to get out of the 3, i've heard that the mojo bass rods are kinda cheap so its between the premier or the avid, not sure.

[WI_Angler1989]

If you can get either, I'd get the Avid it's the first level of their higher end rods and has always served me well. Like any rod, you get what you pay for, more $=better components, more technologies used, etc. Their site is worth checking out if you're interested.

I've heard plenty of good stuff about the Mojo and premier rods but they're gonna use less quality components and the blank materials are not as sensitive. Also I've heard of a number of people having breakage issues, not everyone, but enough to worry me. St Croix has excellent warranty services but it adds up if it happens more than a couple times.

I got an Avid after a ton of research..... .........then got another because I liked it so much. I've never had one break or show signs of breaking and they're going into their 5th and 6th seasons. 

For your 250$ price limit you can't go wrong with it. Keep researching and try to get your hands on one in a store. Whichever you get in sure you won't regret it, St Croix rods are awesome!

[MuskyTooth35]

8 minutes ago, WI_Angler1989 said:

If you can get either, I'd get the Avid it's the first level of their higher end rods and has always served me well. Like any rod, you get what you pay for, more $=better components, more technologies used, etc. Their site is worth checking out if you're interested.

I've heard plenty of good stuff about the Mojo and premier rods but they're gonna use less quality components and the blank materials are not as sensitive. Also I've heard of a number of people having breakage issues, not everyone, but enough to worry me. St Croix has excellent warranty services but it adds up if it happens more than a couple times.

I got an Avid after a ton of research..... .........then got another because I liked it so much. I've never had one break or show signs of breaking and they're going into their 5th and 6th seasons. 

For your 250$ price limit you can't go wrong with it. Keep researching and try to get your hands on one in a store. Whichever you get in sure you won't regret it, St Croix rods are awesome!

Im pretty sure you have me convinced!  Im gonna pick up the avid but should I get a 7ft MF or 7ft MLF?  And also do you prefer a 1 piece or 2 piece rod??

[WI_Angler1989]

2 minutes ago, MuskyTooth35 said:

Im pretty sure you have me convinced!  Im gonna pick up the avid but should I get a 7ft MF or 7ft MLF?  And also do you prefer a 1 piece or 2 piece rod??

You won't be disappointed! I prefer 1 piece rods. The 2 pc ones lose a little sensitivity and the joint can have issues over time with fitting well. Ive never had issues transporting my long rods so the main selling point of a 2pc doesn't affect me. 

I'd say the 7 MF will work great for your application. I usended my 66mf sometimes for tubes if I don't have my Legend Tournament and it performs flawlessly.

[MuskyTooth35]

10 minutes ago, WI_Angler1989 said:

You won't be disappointed! I prefer 1 piece rods. The 2 pc ones lose a little sensitivity and the joint can have issues over time with fitting well. Ive never had issues transporting my long rods so the main selling point of a 2pc doesn't affect me. 

I'd say the 7 MF will work great for your application. I usended my 66mf sometimes for tubes if I don't have my Legend Tournament and it performs flawlessly.

you have been so helpful bro i appreciate it!  last question lol, what are some good jig head brands and tube brands???

[WI_Angler1989]

13 minutes ago, MuskyTooth35 said:

you have been so helpful bro i appreciate it!  last question lol, what are some good jig head brands and tube brands???

Haha no problem, that's the fun of this site! I've gotten my fair share of help too, it's nice giving it back.

As for jigs and tubes, PROvider is very highly reccomended here. They make great tubes and jig heads as well. The tubes are reaaaally scented and smallies love them. They reek haha. I'll be trying them for the first time in spring too.

I've used Cabin Creek Baits tubes for years with awesome results. These arr my favs. They're super soft and have great action. They aren't the most durable because of that, but it's a win lose since the fish here love it. I've used  the salty critter jr size the most. For some reason a 2.5"-3" tube works best for me (central wi)

Dry creek makes another good tube I used a bit before winter that's worth checking out. Howie's tubes are super popular up in door county for smallmouth too.

There's a company called tourney jigs I use when i want an insert style weight, but mostly I use a Confidence Baits Draggin Head. I fish rocky snaggy rivers and the Draggin Head is weedless and doesn't hang up much at all. They're not the cheapest sadly but I tried them and got hooked haha.

Hope this helps ya!

 

[zdunham]

I use the Kistler Magnesium 2 7'0" M Spinning rod for most tube applications. I might consider the same model in ML for 1/8 oz.

As for reels, I just trust Lews. Lol. It is that simple for me.