Tube jig heads

[phisher_d]

Which jig head style would you choose and why (for dragging on Erie mainly, but also for general smallie fishing), assuming that they all had quality hooks.

Does it make much of a difference in hook ups, snag resistance, picking up zebra mussels...?

1.

2.

3.

Other suggestions are of course welcome.

Thanks in advance

[Jig Man]

The top one because that is the kind of hook that fits in my mold.

Why don't you get some of each and find out which you like.  I tried several and settled on one type then bought a mold.

[jhworley]

I use the top one, with a wire weed guard.  I haven't explored the 60 degree jig heads for tubes yet. (like #3).  They work well with

shakey style approaches, but as for a tube...  THe top one will be a solid bet for you

[bassnleo]

I've used all 3 on Erie.

I make heads like #1 and mostly use that style.

My secondary choice is #2 because the EWG hook works a little better on larger or thicker tubes (if I'm using that style of tube).

Don't like #3. Not sure why, just haven't seen a difference or benefit to that style of head.

All 3 will hang up about the same. As with all bottom dragging Erie presentations, ALWAYS check your line. Those Zebra's tear everything up. As far as hook ups, I really haven't noticed a difference between #1 and #2.  Oh, and NO weedguard!

[roadwarrior]

Inserted jig heads create a twirling action when the tube sinks.

Sometimes this is the key for catching actively feeding smallmouth.

However, if you are fishing on the bottom, especially dragging

bottom, an inserted tube weight and an offset worm hook rigged

weedless is way better!

8-)

[Joel W]

My 1st choice would be #2, simply because it's more weedless.

[bassnleo]

None of them are weedless .

[HPBB]

sorry roadwarrior, but on Erie a jig head works best, other places the insterted weight might be better, but for dragging on Erie a jig head is #1

and bassnleo is right none are weedless, and on Erie there are no weeds, anyway

I have used all 3, like 1 and 2. #2 I like better. also  make sure the hooks are not lite wire, make sure they are a heavy hook. I have lost to many fish on erie with lite wire hooks. The straighten them out. since I switched to a heavier hook, I rearly loose a fish.

I like these hooks the best. Infact I don't use any other jig heads anymore. These are GMAX hooks #1 for me. http://www.ohioprolure.com/

[phisher_d]

Thanks for the tips guys. I have been using #1 but I will try out #2 as well this year.

Now if only the dang ice would melt

[BaitBall]

Hi,

I am not a GIANT tube fan but I do use them every so often. Have you guys ever used the G4 sytem.  It is a tube with an inserted weight and a clip which holds the tube from sliding down. It was a shaw grisby system that came out years ago. I can pull that tube through anything and it is the only tube I throw simply becuae it is entirely weedless.  You can dead bait this tube easier than one with an exposed hook.  None of the tube hooks that you show prove weedless to me.  So, if you need weedless I am not sure any of them would be good.

http://books.google.com/books?id=ra8ht7pPZGgC&pg=RA2-PA12&lpg=RA2-PA12&dq=luck+e+strike+g4+tube+hook&source=web&ots=WwwUTuIHpD&sig=cVFXPZ1xm-1T1F68bAaVLIlrRww&hl=en

Here is a link that shows my favorite tube bait.  You can drag this bait through ANYTHING.  I got very attached to this bait because when we discovered the tube bait years ago, I needed a tube that would easily glide through muck and lilly pads without dislocating the tube down the hook shank.  My brother and I only use this tube now.    

If you don't need weedless, I like #1

[MNGeorge]

I rarely fish lakes for Smallmouth, but for the upper Mississippi I agree with Roadwarrior.  We rig our tubes with internal rattling weights.  Lindy sells them and so does Bass Pro Shop.  These are much easier to rig up than the example given by Baitball and are very snag resistant and weedless too.  The only drawback to this rig I've found is that it doesn't work well with thick headed tubes.

[bassnleo]

baitball:

G4 system? Never heard it called that, I'm thinking that G4 refers to the name of the tube BUT, yes that rig is in my aresnal. I mainly use it that way with the HP hook for skipping baits under docks and around wood cover. In a weed situation I much prefer to texas rig. IMHO, in the internal weight style, a weight of much more than 3/16 becomes too big inside the tube thus hindering the hooks ability to penetrate. Now, for small weights like 1/16 or 1/8 it's great. I use 3/0 and 4/0 HP hooks anytime I'm using an internal weight.

MNGeorge, I have used the Lindy weights also, I just don't like the way they rig, that weight does not allow the hook to move at all and the weights are so long...It has been my experience that using the rattle weights lessens the distance between the hook point and weight and makes it hard to get a solid hook into a fish.

I make my own internal tube weights out of drop shot weights .

Like HPBB mentioned, weeds are not an issue with alot of smallie water here. For the most part it's all rock and sand.

[MNGeorge]

baitball:

MNGeorge, I have used the Lindy weights also, I just don't like the way they rig, that weight does not allow the hook to move at all and the weights are so long...It has been my experience that using the rattle weights lessens the distance between the hook point and weight and makes it hard to get a solid hook into a fish.

I've never experienced the hookup problems, but we never exceed 1/8 oz. weight.  We rarely fish water over 6' deep.

[Josey Wales]

#3 only with a rattle.

[bassnleo]

baitball:

MNGeorge, I have used the Lindy weights also, I just don't like the way they rig, that weight does not allow the hook to move at all and the weights are so long...It has been my experience that using the rattle weights lessens the distance between the hook point and weight and makes it hard to get a solid hook into a fish.

I've never experienced the hookup problems, but we never exceed 1/8 oz. weight. We rarely fish water over 6' deep.

Thanks 8-)

[CRSMALLJAW15]

Personally I have been using #3 for dragging tubes around rip rap they are a heck of alot easier to free from hangups imho

[Boett43]

I saw an ad for using a weedless tube jig head..how would you insert that?

[thetr20one]

To me dragging tubes at Erie means losing tubes at Erie. That said I used the Ohio Pro Lure with the 90 degree Eagle Claw hooks. There are many tricks to use at Erie but, I only use the Gamakatsu jigheads while casting tubes. Seeing how I live close to and fish in many of the same tourneys with the owner of the company I may be biased but, he makes quality tackle for sure. Reason for using the Claws are they are very sharp and rather cheap. If I blunt the hook I can replace the entire jig n tube in seconds and I haven't noticed ANY difference in hook-ups while dragging. The fatter Gamakatsu hooks have a poorer hook up percentage if your hookset is not good also in my opinion. I really only use Pro Max jigheads and have little use for any other manufacturer. (I am not sponsored by him) Like I said he is local and I support a local over a national company here! I fish Erie at least 20 times a season for like the past 9 years and  have my own system for draggin that really works well for me. Sorry these were the only tackle tips I can divulge or it wont be MY OWN SYSTEM anymore! Maybe my ex partner will let my tricks out who knows? lol !!!

[Madhouse27]

I like number one usually in a 1/8 oz size with a 3/0 hook.  

[bassnleo]

I saw an ad for using a weedless tube jig head..how would you insert that?

You have to start the hook point where you want the eye to be on the tube. Run the hook point in and thread the hook all the way through the tube, this will cause the head / weedguard to end up where you started the tube through.

[bassnleo]

To me dragging tubes at Erie means losing tubes at Erie. That said I used the Ohio Pro Lure with the 90 degree Eagle Claw hooks. There are many tricks to use at Erie but, I only use the Gamakatsu jigheads while casting tubes. Seeing how I live close to and fish in many of the same tourneys with the owner of the company I may be biased but, he makes quality tackle for sure. Reason for using the Claws are they are very sharp and rather cheap. If I blunt the hook I can replace the entire jig n tube in seconds and I haven't noticed ANY difference in hook-ups while dragging. The fatter Gamakatsu hooks have a poorer hook up percentage if your hookset is not good also in my opinion. I really only use Pro Max jigheads and have little use for any other manufacturer. (I am not sponsored by him) Like I said he is local and I support a local over a national company here! I fish Erie at least 20 times a season for like the past 9 years and have my own system for draggin that really works well for me. Sorry these were the only tackle tips I can divulge or it wont be MY OWN SYSTEM anymore! Maybe my ex partner will let my tricks out who knows? lol !!!

I used Eagle Claw hooks for years when I poured my heads. They aren't too bad but I found that the hooks flexed a little too much for my liking, they just don't seem to be as strong as the Gammies or Mustads. The points do dull a little quicker than Gammies or Mustads, just have to keep an eye on the points, they sometimes roll over too.

I'm pretty much using all Mustad hooks to pour now.

I've come to one conclusion on this thread, use whatever you like and have confidence in!

[alarcher]

I agree with baitball, this is the same set up that I've evolved to over the years. Weedless and all around simple to use.