Advice/critique of some tube rigs

[fishwizzard]

I have recently decided to get into tube fishing.  I wade/hike a lot of small rivers and wanted a larger profile bait then the Ned Rig I usually fish there.  I also wanted a way to rig the tubes weedless and if possible to make it so that I can replace a tube without retying the head.  I decided to test two brands of jigs, Secret Lures and PowerTeam.  The Secret Lures tubes match up perfectly with their Stupid Tub heads, so I will fish them like that.  

However, the PowerTeam tubes a a bit small for the Stupid Jigs:

Rooting through my jig collection, I came up with the following ideas.  I would love any feedback on them.  I will give them all a test in the coming weeks, but would like any insight I can get.

First I used a Confidence Baits Draggin Head, the full sized 1/8oz version:

They are well made and well regarded, but fairly pricy and I will feel the sting of each lost one.  I feel they might gather weeds and the like due to being more exposed then some of my other options. I also am not sure how they will fair in super clear, still water.  

Next up I have a VMC 1/16oz Rugby fig:

The hook just catches the end of the tube but is solidly in there.  I like these jigs alot and they are my goto for most 3-4" swimbaits and small worms.  I have a good stock of these from some sale and they are decently priced in any case.  My concern with them is how they will affect the action of the tube due to the weight being out front.  I also worry that the hook being so far back will hurt the action. 

Next is a 1/16" Arkie head:

These are from Walmart and are very very cheap.  I like how the hook still leaves plenty of tube to wiggle, but my concerns about the action are the same as the VMC head.  Also they will snag more, but their low price makes that sting much less.  

Lastly, I have a 1/16thoz jig from Oldhams:

A more traditional type, the hook is long enough that it does not pierce the tube at all, but the head is well jammed into the body and I have little worry that it will move.  However, this style will require retying whenever a tube is damaged.  These jigs are also very cheap so I will be more inclined to toss them into risky places.  

My last option is to rig them weightless, but a 3/0 hook seems too long, and I don't have any 2/0 on hand to test.  but I suspect they will do fine.  

 

So, there we are.  Like I said, any feedback or suggestions are welcome, especially any recommendations for other jigs/hooks that I have overlooked.

 

 

[dropshottah]

I would trust the oldhams set up the most. You could just keep a few already rigged up in case. But honestly you did a good job on all your montages, I would fish any of them.

[WI_Angler1989]

I've ised Texas rigged, tube jigs and Draggin heads. I like Texas rigged least of all just because it's a pain with the tubes I use (cabin creek) that are super soft. Tube jigs are awesome in open water with rock and gravel but horrible in snaggy rivers.

The Draggin Heads are my all time favorite. They are pricey, but I rarely lose any if that's your worry. I fish out of a canoe and manage to free the occasional snag. Also they don't snag per say, the line wedges in rocks more often then not.

As for the clear water worries, don't bother. I live in Central WI and the murkiest waters are merely stained green, but still clear. I've never had any issues. Most times the jig is hidden below the tube and on the bottom. The way they stand up helps to draw attention to the bait I think.

[eyedabassman]

Also try fishing the tube on a Jika rig or Biffle head and slow roll it ! KILLER

[fishwizzard]

2 hours ago, WI_Angler1989 said:

The Draggin Heads are my all time favorite. They are pricey, but I rarely lose any if that's your worry. I fish out of a canoe and manage to free the occasional snag. Also they don't snag per say, the line wedges in rocks more often then not.

Yeah, I do plan to use them more when I can paddle or wade over to retrieve them.  I like the 3/8oz ones for worms, so I might as well order some more of the 1/8s to play with.  

2 hours ago, eyedabassman said:

Also try fishing the tube on a Jika rig or Biffle head and slow roll it ! KILLER

It does look good:

These heads are from Eiron Breaker, at 1/4oz.  They are well made and under $2 per.  They are too long for the Food Chain tubes, but the Secret Lures ones fit perfectly.  

[blckshirt98]

I recently read about that "Mendota Rig" and it looks like something that would work well with tubes - 

http://www.slopfrogbaits.com/buymendotarighere/

[zell_pop1]

This with your favorite tube hook when stupid jig won't work.

[EvanT123]

I think all your rigs look good. I don't know about where you fish but for me weeds in the river aren't really that much of a problem until late summer. I t rigged tubes with a bell weight inside and a 1/0 offseft worm hook but lost just as many as with a regular tube jig. I almost exclusively use tube jigs and losing them is just part of the game. I usually buy in bulk 100+ at a time and that comes out to about 22-25 cents per jig with a nice mustad black nickle hook. Just something to think about if losing jigs and cost is an issue. 

[fishwizzard]

I tried some internal weights but all the bell sinkers I had were too large for the smaller tubes I want to use.  I need to find some smaller sinkers i guess.

I went out yesterday for a few hours to try some of the rigs out.  The Draggin head and the Rugby heads both had great action, the Draggin giving a more spiraled fall and the Rugby being better for a bottom hop retrieve.  The Draggin head did snag a bit more but I never lost a jig, just had the tube stripped off once.  

The Arkie didnt do well at all, very little action and pretty prone to snag.  I think it is out of the running.  

The Stupid jig and tube preformed very well, with good action and no snagging.  I really wish they fit the Powerteam tubes.  

Once home I came up with one more idea to try:

It's a Moaner swimbait hook.  They are cheaper than the Draggin heads and I already use them for small swimbaits.  They can also be rigged internally if I pop the twist lock off.  Looks like the testing will continue. 

[Hanover_Yakker]

For the smaller FCTs, I use a keel weighted hook I have custom made for me when the weedless approach is needed.  For areas where weedless is not needed, I use the PTL FCT Jig heads that fit inside the tube.

For the larger FCTs, I use a standard texas rig with a 5/0 hook and a sinker and a bobber stop - this is my flipping setup into heavy cover.

 

[scaleface]

I like to T rig them and use parasite clips to keep the tube in place .

[Cgolf]

I pretty much use only slider heads, but do have some of those rugby heads to try. Have never tried the internal heads with tubes. The head out front has caught so many fish for me in all conditions that for me any other rig isn't needed. I do have a tube rigged up stupid to try this year, but expect to be back to what has crushed it for me.