How do I determine the correct tube jig head (weight and hook size)?

[SpokaneDude]

Helloo all... I'm getting ready for the season to open, and have decided to try fishing tube baits!  So, I bought an assortment of 4 1/2" hollow tube baits (Strike King Coffee Tubes); 

Now, how do I match tube jig hooks to those baits? 
I purchased a package of Strike King 3/8 oz Tube Jig Heads, (unknown size hook), and a package of TroKar (Eagle Claw) Tube Jigs, 3/16oz,  3/0 size hook.

Was I safe buying them?  What determines which Jig Head to use on the Strike King baits I purchased?

As always, I am looking for your comments and opinions (I caught my first Bass last season)

SpokaneDude (Spokane, WA)

 

 

[Jar11591]

If the hook leaves a decent gap between the point and the tube, its big enough.  If you don't have enough of a gap it can interfere with hooksets. A 3/0 should be fine for most tubes, and should be perfect for a 4.5". The correct weight is determined by how deep you're fishing and how fast you want your fall rate. Generally with tubes you want to be able to maintain bottom contact. "Dragging" a tube is a popular technique and requires constant bottom contact. I like to use the lightest weight I can still maintain bottom contact with because a light tube with a tube jig head will spiral as it sinks, and may help draw bites that way. And if you're new to fishing tubes be prepared to get snagged. Kind of like a Ned rig, it just comes with the territory. 

[SpokaneDude]

Jar11591:  let me ask you another question not related to weight or hook:  I have read that braided line (in my case Sufix 832, 15lb Low Vis Green).. will not sink with the light jig rig... so, do I use a long leader (15') or is what I read not absolutely correct, maybe depending on the particular brand of braid?
SD

UPDATE: leader would be FC

 

[Jar11591]

I can't speak from experience because I always throw tubes on 6lb hybrid line, but 15lb braid has a very thin diameter and braid generally seems to be neutrally buoyant so I wouldn't think it would affect the fall too much. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will better answer your question. 

[SpokaneDude]

I think I found the answer to the braided line question:

From Google search:  
 Suffix 832 does not sink. Suffix is just more neutrally buoyant because of the strand of GoreTex in it.

 

Bummer... I need a decent length FC leader... oh well, better to know that now, than when I'm on the bank fishing!  

[Deleted account]

So we are saying that lead won't cause line that floats or suspends and is attached to it by a knot to sink? Happy 1st!

[throttleplate]

16 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

So we are saying that lead won't cause line that floats or suspends and is attached to it by a knot to sink? Happy 1st!

 

[MickD]

Braided line cannot keep any weight jig from sinking.  It's very close to neutrally buoyant.  I fish a lot of smallies in clear water with 15 pound braid and 15 pound FC leaders about 5 feet long and have seen no indication of fish being line shy.  I could be missing some fish, but don't think many.  If you want to go longer, fine, but I think 15 feet is excessive.  I would keep the knot out of the reel which would give a leader length of about 8 feet.

 

The weight of the jig tube is usually dependent on water depth and/or the aggressiveness of the retrieve.  I generally find subtle , slow sinking, weights work the best and we get quite a few hits on the fall.  The deeper the water the heavier the jig.  For depths less than about 8 feet I use 1/8 or 3/16, for deeper fishing 1/4.  I don't fish deeper than about 15.  If I did I would be using 3/8 more often.  

[Columbia Craw]

The tube just are 1/4 with 3/0 hooks. Length is a bit different.  The tubes 4.5 and 3.5 and match up well with these jigs.  Braid to leader is the way to go. Good casting, no stretch and transmit bites on a tight line.  Flouro leader about 9 feet allow the knot to be on the spool when you land the fish.  It sounds like you’re good to go. 

[SpokaneDude]

Thank you everybody...,, SD

[heavyduty]

Fishing rivers, weight is determined by the current for me. I want to control what the tube does, not the current. If the tube is tumbling downstream out of my control, I need to go heavier, but just enough so I make it move, but not so heavy that it becomes an anchor. The fall is not that important to me. If the weight is right, you can feel everything that tube comes in contact with and you'll get a feel for just what that is; wood, rock, sand, mud, grass. More often than not, the bite is suttle, the smallie just picks it up or just a little tap. You'll learn that feel but only if you can stay in contact with the tube with just enough weight. Most of the time, 1/4oz for me, less current I can get away with 1/8oz, especially with the 2.5" tube.

[Dogface]

On 4/1/2023 at 2:50 PM, SpokaneDude said:

I think I found the answer to the braided line question:

From Google search:  
 Suffix 832 does not sink. Suffix is just more neutrally buoyant because of the strand of GoreTex in it.

 

Bummer... I need a decent length FC leader... oh well, better to know that now, than when I'm on the bank fishing!  

 

A weighted tube will sink if tied directly to the braid. I usually use a leader but I suspect if you tied your tube directly to braid it might sink a little slower which would be a better presentation.  I think maybe I'll try that. 

[Jig Man]

I don’t know what you are fishing.  I make my own tube heads.  I use 1/8 oz for depths to 15’, 1/4 for up to 30’ and 3/8 when I want to go really deep.  All of mine have a 4/0 hook.

[OkobojiEagle]

My bit of advice fishing small tube baits... pinch down the hook barb.  After many years fishing lightly weighted plastics, the tube bait is the ONLY bait I've had swallowed deeply before I could recognize the bite and set the hook.

oe

[Munkin]

3/16oz on a 3/0 is what I use most on 3.5" tubes around here. For the smaller 2.5" tubes I drop down to 1/0 or 2/0 hook depending on the brand. Since I never fish them deeper than 20FOW I have no need for anything above 1/4oz.

 

Allen

[Munkin]

On 4/1/2023 at 3:46 PM, Columbia Craw said:

The tube just are 1/4 with 3/0 hooks. Length is a bit different.  The tubes 4.5 and 3.5 and match up well with these jigs.  Braid to leader is the way to go. Good casting, no stretch and transmit bites on a tight line.  Flouro leader about 9 feet allow the knot to be on the spool when you land the fish.  It sounds like you’re good to go. 

 

Coming back to this, who makes that brown tube on top?

 

Allen

[Glenn]

 

[Jig Man]

Allen that color looks to me like motor oil with some pumpkin seed added.  

[TnRiver46]

This is the only one I use. Mostly 1/8 but sometimes 1/16

[roadwarrior]

Very similar to the BPS Tender Tube #72.