Tubes

[Rhardy]

When fishing tubes what is the key to minimizing hangups and loss of the tubes? I am specifically referencing using a standard tube head. 

 

I understand that losing tubes is part of the game, I’m just trying to reduce the number of hangups that I’m getting. One thing that I have found is casting upstream and letting the tube work it’s way back downstream seems to result in quite a few hangups. Casting across stream and downstream not as much. 
 

Maybe I am just working to too slow and letting the current carry me under rocks, who knows. Any pointers will be implemented and appreciated. Thanks. 
 

Rex

[Jigfishn10]

You can always Texas Rig your tube. 
 

@Glenn just recently posted a vid on “stupid” rigging a tube. That maybe something to check out.

 

Finally, I guess, reduce weight if you think you’re hanging up too much. You want to hit bottom occasionally, you don’t want to dredge a new channel.

 

Hope that helps

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, Jigfishn10 said:

You can always Texas Rig your tube. 
 

@Glenn just recently posted a vid on “stupid” rigging a tube. That maybe something to check out.

 

Finally, I guess, reduce weight if you think you’re hanging up too much. You want to hit bottom occasionally, you don’t want to dredge a new channel.

 

Hope that helps

Agreed ~ 

Sounds like you might need to get "stupid".

A-Jay

 

[gim]

1 hour ago, Jigfishn10 said:

You can always Texas Rig your tube. 

 

I use a bullet weight and a skip gap hook when I need to do this.  The gamagatsu skip gap hook works well for this.  I will fish a tube in weeds for largies and primarily use a tube jig for brown bass, but if the exposed hook keeps getting hung up, the method for largemouth will also work for smallmouth environments too.

[Glenn]

Yes, you can always Texas rig it too:

 

 

[Bdnoble84]

Smaller hooks could help. Sometimes we overhook.

[Rhardy]

Thanks for all the suggestions and I will watch the videos. Really want to focus more on the tubes, just don’t want to spend all my time tying on new tubes. 
 

Rex

[MGF]

Are you catching fish? I ask because in addition to the suggestions already made you might experiment with weight and/or how you're working the tube. This time of year in the river I'm often "cracking" or even "stroking" the tube so it's off the bottom quite a bit...you gotta love it they have a name for everything these days.

 

Earlier in the spring when the water is colder and I'm dragging or just letting it roll with the current I tend to t-rig.

[Rhardy]

13 hours ago, MGF said:

Are you catching fish? I ask because in addition to the suggestions already made you might experiment with weight and/or how you're working the tube. This time of year in the river I'm often "cracking" or even "stroking" the tube so it's off the bottom quite a bit...you gotta love it they have a name for everything these days.

 

Earlier in the spring when the water is colder and I'm dragging or just letting it roll with the current I tend to t-rig.

Fortunately I am catching some but I feel I could do better. I have heard of stroking a tube but don’t know much about it. I will check It out. 

 

[padon]

so your fishing in a river correct? cast quartering upstream, retrieve down and across. also too much weight will cause alot of hang ups. you want enough weight for the tube to tick bottom as it drifts downstream and you pick up slack but not so much that it crashes to the bottom like an anchor.

[Jig Man]

Have you tried heads with weedguard?
 

The lakes around here are very rocky.  I was buying my tubes by the 100 count as I was losing so many.  I decided to modify my tube jig head mold to accommodate a weedguard.  I now use 90# surflon coated leader as my weedguard molded into the head.  I don’t lose a fraction of the tubes that I used to.

[Mr. Aquarium]

I only use tubes in the sandy or rocky clear ponds for smallies and largemouth. When and where I fish tubes is very particular. 

[scaleface]

You are getting wedged in rocks . Maybe try using a fat tube and a jig head that is smaller than the tube . The jig head wont wedge as easily and the tube will collapse and pull free .  I havent tried it but it seems like it would work . I do that with fat grubs and small jig heads in riprap and it works .

[PaulVE64]

In a river with rock bottom you will get most snags casting upstream

 

I get my best results quartering from  just upriver to downstream . I think the smallies get a bit more time to see my bait that way.

[Jaderose]

Here you go.  I make up a bunch when the water is hard and I got them all season.  Easy, cheap and fun to make.  Or just buy Owner Phantom Tube hooks to get you going immediately.

 

DIY Phantom Tube Hook How to - YouTube

 

or, as the others are saying...Get Stupid with it.

[Rhardy]

1 hour ago, Jaderose said:

Here you go.  I make up a bunch when the water is hard and I got them all season.  Easy, cheap and fun to make.  Or just buy Owner Phantom Tube hooks to get you going immediately.

 

DIY Phantom Tube Hook How to - YouTube

 

or, as the others are saying...Get Stupid with it.

That is pretty slick. I would have to assume it would be a lot cheaper than buying the Phantom Tube hooks, going to price it out now. 
 

 

Thanks again for all the suggestions. Hopefully will be able to put some of them to use within the next week..

 

[papajoe222]

Two things you can do to reduce your hang ups. First is to go with a lighter weight jig. The tube will tumble a little when the current pushes it rather than sit on the bottom only to be pushed under or between rocks.  The other is to work it faster when casting directly up current.  Basically for the same reason as going lighter. I would still recommend going lighter.  If you need more weight for casting reasons, go with a beefier tube. You'll have the advantage of more weight, but a slower fall than going with a heavier jig.

[Raul]

my man, there is this thing called the "stupid rig" .... just saying.

[Bankbeater]

I texas rig my tubes.  I still pick up vegetation but it's easier to pull it through.