Favorite hook for t-rigging tubes

[Mbirdsley]

I struggle with this every time I try to t-rig a tube.  I really would prefer to use a tube jig however, that isn’t possible fishing the titabawassee or Saginaw rivers.  I would be leaving a ton jigs in the river.
 

 The bigger 4.0 zoom tubes I don’t have as much of an issue. I just use a 4/0 Or 3/0 offset worm hook. Still not ideal but, it works.  Using the strike king 3.5 pro tube I’m struggling.  3/0 is a little to big.  I feel like if I use a 1/0 or 2/0 offset hook. the hook won’t be strong enough for what I’m doing   Which, is basically power fishing a t-rigged tube behind a 1/2 tungsten weight. Like this is not what I’d consider a finnesse approach. as I’m using my carbon light 6ft9 bait caster combo with 30 lbs power pro to a 20 lbs flouro coated leader.

Is there a better tube hook for the 3.5 inch class tubes the way I am fishing them? 

[islandbass]

What is giving you cause to think those hooks would fail? Are you setting your drag to maximum to possibly be concerned they might fail? If so, then consider setting the drag properly and accordingly. 
 

Just curious. With that said, you posed a very good question and the only thing I’d recommend is to go ahead and try those hooks you thought of trying. You might be pleasantly surprised one way or the other. If they work, you add to your Arsenal. If they fail, you will now know they weren’t right for your application. Personally I prefer straight shank hooks but I think given the shape of a tube, I really consider trying an EWG. 

[Deleted account]

4 hours ago, Mbirdsley said:

I struggle with this every time I try to t-rig a tube.  I really would prefer to use a tube jig however, that isn’t possible fishing the titabawassee or Saginaw rivers.  I would be leaving a ton jigs in the river.
 

 The bigger 4.0 zoom tubes I don’t have as much of an issue. I just use a 4/0 Or 3/0 offset worm hook. Still not ideal but, it works.  Using the strike king 3.5 pro tube I’m struggling.  3/0 is a little to big.  I feel like if I use a 1/0 or 2/0 offset hook. the hook won’t be strong enough for what I’m doing   Which, is basically power fishing a t-rigged tube behind a 1/2 tungsten weight. Like this is not what I’d consider a finnesse approach. as I’m using my carbon light 6ft9 bait caster combo with 30 lbs power pro to a 20 lbs flouro coated leader.

Is there a better tube hook for the 3.5 inch class tubes the way I am fishing them? 

I like to stick a piece of Senko knockoff in the tube and use a straight worm hook with a pegged worm weight.

[BassinCNY]

I use Gamakatsu 3/0 ewg's with either tender or power tubes. I use the standard wire hooks but you could up size to superlines. 

[JHTR20]

My all time favorite t rig tube hook was the Shaw Grigsby HP hook.  The Trokar tube hook is as close to the HP but not quite as good,  the clip that the HP had just kept the tube from sliding down the hook better.  The Trokar in a 2/0 or 3/0 would work for your set up.  They are pretty stout.

[FryDog62]

I fish rivers for smallmouth a lot. I tried T-rigging tubes the traditional way but they just nose-dive to the bottom. You not only can get stuck, but more importantly lose the lazy, spiral motion of tubes that trigger bass to bite. 

 

I solved this problem when I switched to the Owner Phantom Tube jig hook. Not only is the plastic texas rigged against snagging - but the tube is mid-weighted instead of just at the nose - so you get the proper fall and swimming action of a tube. The jigs are lights out with 3.5 inch tubes. I use mostly 1/8 oz. size. They also work great along thick weedlines for largemouth too. 

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/search-tackle.html?start=0&count=30&searchtext=owner+phantom

 

[roadwarrior]

That's the answer!

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/search-tackle.html?start=0&count=30&searchtext=owner+phantom

[RDB]

5 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

I solved this problem when I switch to the Owner Phantom Tube jig hook.

I don’t tube fish a lot but that’s what I use most of the time as well.  I sometimes use the other in the pic.  Several companies make them but I don’t remember the brand of this one.

 

 

 

[FrnkNsteen]

I used to like 3/0 EWG weightless if fishing REALLY shallow or with a Lindy EZ Tube weight if a little deeper.

 

Nobody is making the EZ Tube weights anymore though, so looking for a new option. May have to get some of these Owner setups and try.

 

EZ Tube Weights were the way to go though. XPS bought out Lindy from what I can see, then stopped making them. Been thinking of making up a die to pour lead and make my own, but haven't gotten to it.

[Mbirdsley]

8 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

I fish rivers for smallmouth a lot. I tried T-rigging tubes the traditional way but they just nose-dive to the bottom. You not only can get stuck, but more importantly lose the lazy, spiral motion of tubes that trigger bass to bite. 

 

I solved this problem when I switched to the Owner Phantom Tube jig hook. Not only is the plastic texas rigged against snagging - but the tube is mid-weighted instead of just at the nose - so you get the proper fall and swimming action of a tube. The jigs are lights out with 3.5 inch tubes. I use mostly 1/8 oz. size. They also work great along thick weedlines for largemouth too. 

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/search-tackle.html?start=0&count=30&searchtext=owner+phantom

 

That would work but, I need 1/2 oz weight to deel with current depth up to 14 ft feet.  Water clarity is only about a 1-2 ft. 
 

I may just try the ewg’s. Or see if I can find some heavier weighted internal weighted ones. 

[Columbia Craw]

This is what I use for you application.

[heavyduty]

Sled heads from Northbranch Tackle. You can find them on facebook.

 

[Mbirdsley]

I started rummaging around my fishing cabinet.  Found some Mustad KVD 3/0 EWG’s that I bought probably 4 years ago on clearance from Walmart. Seems like they will work better.  I only have one pack so I’ll buy different hooks to experiment with. 

[Mbirdsley]

Back to the drawing board.  The 3/0 ewg hooks I had were a failure.  So I had bought the owner twist locks a couple years ago and just had the lying around.  They are also 3/0. I like the way the hook ticks up in there better 

 

big issue with ewg’s is that they just destroyed the nose of the tube. The twist lock doesn’t seem to do that 

[Bluebasser86]

Maybe I missed it but have you ever tried any stupid tube heads? Makes the tube last way longer and doesn't snag up nearly as bad as a regular tube head. 

[GRiver]

6 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Maybe I missed it but have you ever tried any stupid tube heads? Makes the tube last way longer and doesn't snag up nearly as bad as a regular tube head. 

I was just gonna suggest stupid tubes. I got some of those around Xmas, I really like how weedless they are. I bought some of their tubes too, they also have hollow body craws that rig they same way.

BPS sells one called a goof-e  head I think.

[JHTR20]

On 6/27/2022 at 10:49 PM, Mbirdsley said:

I started rummaging around my fishing cabinet.  Found some Mustad KVD 3/0 EWG’s that I bought probably 4 years ago on clearance from Walmart. Seems like they will work better.  I only have one pack so I’ll buy different hooks to experiment with. 

If you use those the tube will slide down the hook.  I lost money fish using those.  You can tie a bait keeper using a strand of jig brush guard or shrink tubing. That will keep the bait from sliding down the hook.

[Mbirdsley]

2 hours ago, JHTR20 said:

If you use those the tube will slide down the hook.  I lost money fish using those.  You can tie a bait keeper using a strand of jig brush guard or shrink tubing. That will keep the bait from sliding down the hook.

That’s pretty much what happened.  The bends near the eye destroys the nose of the tube. Allowing the tube to slip down 

On 6/30/2022 at 11:38 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

Maybe I missed it but have you ever tried any stupid tube heads? Makes the tube last way longer and doesn't snag up nearly as bad as a regular tube head. 

I will look into stupid rigging