What sized jig head do I need to stupid rig these tubes? I can’t seem to figure this out.

[Ohioguy25]

I have several packs of the
Strike King Coffee Fat Tubes and bought

These tube jig heads but as you can see they are either not wide enough or long enough to come out through the other side to properly get the “Tex pose” skin hook.  Is this the wrong hook altogether or do I just need a different size, what specifically do I need? I tried BPS “goof Tube” heads and they were way too big, unless I was doing something horribly wrong lol. Thanks!

  

[Team9nine]

If your link is correct, you’re going to have issues because the tube is only 2.75” long, and only half of that is ‘body.’ You’re probably going to have a hard time trying to match a hook to that body by just randomly guessing on an internet purchase. Try searching to see if you can find someone who has already done the trial and error testing and found a specific match for that specific tube. 
 

Also, line the jighead up next to the bait to see the best alignment before trying to thread the hook. The eye should be coming out more toward the nose of the tube, and the hook coming out further down the body to get the right angle to span the body and texpose on the other side. A couple of yours look close, but most seem to be at too sharp of an angle, probably because you’re trying to fit that hook length onto such a short body.

[Glenn]

I explain it in this video:

 

 

[Jmurphy87]

I have been trying to find a hook for these to rig weed less in the river. The way I rig them is basically a Texas rig, free floating 3/16 bullet weight and a 2/0 tro kar tournament tube hook. I want to try a 1/0 but I can’t find them locally. 
 

I fish the Kalamazoo river a lot and just run the rig out of simplicity. I still get the spiral fall on slack line and don’t get hung up more than normal, lol.

 

the best tube jig that I have found for them is the strike king bitsy tube crakin jig it’s the right length for the small tubes. Although I have not seen any locally that I would think would work for stupid rigging it. I know that this information doesn’t really help you on your search but I wanted you to know that you were not alone with trying to find a jig head or hooks that fit these tubes.

[Ohioguy25]

5 hours ago, Team9nine said:

If your link is correct, you’re going to have issues because the tube is only 2.75” long, and only half of that is ‘body.’ You’re probably going to have a hard time trying to match a hook to that body by just randomly guessing on an internet purchase. Try searching to see if you can find someone who has already done the trial and error testing and found a specific match for that specific tube. 
 

Also, line the jighead up next to the bait to see the best alignment before trying to thread the hook. The eye should be coming out more toward the nose of the tube, and the hook coming out further down the body to get the right angle to span the body and texpose on the other side. A couple of yours look close, but most seem to be at too sharp of an angle, probably because you’re trying to fit that hook length onto such a short body.

Is there a better option for river fishing, possibly a slightly longer tube? What is the minimum tube size I can use that would allow me to stupid rig?

[detroit1]

I am in the market for 1/0 and 2/0 , 1/16 and 1/8 oz. stupid heads myself. Allen? 

[Team9nine]

2 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Is there a better option for river fishing, possibly a slightly longer tube? What is the minimum tube size I can use that would allow me to stupid rig?

The standard Stupid Tube is 3.7” You could try upsizing and see how your fish react. You might also try taking one of the tubes into a sporting goods store near you and seeing how similar available jigheads might fit that short of a tube.  You might also try an HP hook or similar and TR it, or possibly just an exposed hook jighead insert if snags aren’t a huge issue.

[FryDog62]

Another good option are Owner Phantom hooks. Similar to a Stupid tube except the Phantom rig is more center-weighted so you get a slower sink and spiral action.  Best on 3 to 3.5 inch tube size, 2.5's probably won't fit. 

 

[FryDog62]

You asked me about top lures for river smallmouth - and this is def a top 3 especially if there is cover or you need a more lazy/action spiral. 

[Ohioguy25]

On 9/20/2023 at 10:45 PM, FryDog62 said:

You asked me about top lures for river smallmouth - and this is def a top 3 especially if there is cover or you need a more lazy/action spiral. 

Absolutely, coming to realize for quality it is even more effective than Ned.

[WRB]

Unless you are fishing in aquatic grass/weeds you don”t need to stupid rig a tube. Standard 60 degree eye tube jig simply lubricated with attractant and slide up inside the hollow tube until the jig head is at the nose end. Press the bump the jig eye make and push it theu the soft plastic. Tie on the jig and ready to fish.

The tube will spiral same as a stupid rig tube except not weed less.

Length of the tube vs length of the jig hook determines the jig style, weight depends on how fast in current you/want the tube to sink. 

TW has a good video on rigging Stupid Tubes and suggest jigs to use.

Tom

[Jmurphy87]

@Ohioguy25 here is a couple of pictures of what I have found to work, the tubes are x-zone x tube 2.75. The bodies are a little bit smaller than the strike king one. The jig head is a nedlock z ewg size 1 hook, in the picture I used 1/5 oz but I would go smaller on the weight it’s a very tight fit inside the tube. I hope this helps you .

[Zodiack]

I use the Lost Creek brand of tube jig heads for stup rigging. They have great shape and should work in any tube. 1/8 seems to be the perfect size and wt.

[papajoe222]

I really can't answer to the size as I choose mine based on its weight.  I will, however, point out that you're attempting to push the jig's head too far up into the tube to facilitate rigging it weedless. The best advice I can give you is to pick a jig and lay it along side the tube you intend to use it with if you were rigging it conventionally (hook exposed). If the hook point extends past the body and into the appendages, it won't work for Stupid rigging.