4" tubes too big for smallies

[SPAZ]

I'm getting ready to order some Mizmo tubes and was wondering if 4" tubes are too big for smallies.

[roadwarrior]

Not neccessarily, but I prefer 3 1/2"

http://www.mizmo.com/smalljawscatalog.html

8-)

[procraft68]

I wouldn't think so. I was using bigger tubes and Fat Ikeas Saturday (june 20) on Detroit River. We ripped them up

[Trevor in Burke]

absolutely not, i was tearing up the smallies this weekend on the shenandoah, 4" brown

[Crestliner2008]

Heck NO! I've caught smallies on 7" Senkos.

[basser89]

All I use are 4" tubes (BPS Magnum flippin tubes and Mizmo Boy tubes) for smallies. Matter a fact, I've had smallies hit some of the top water baits I use for musky (the largest being a Bucher Top Raider).

[thetr20one]

I really only use smaller tubes if they are not biting at all. Occasionally they will prefer them but if a larger tube is moving at the same pace you would think they would take the larger offering.

[huskybass]

My preferred length is 3.25 to 3.5", but 4" tubes will catch plenty of smallmouth, as will 2.5".  

[dresnor]

I have caught 2 pound smallmouth on 6 inch trout swimbaits up here in Maine.....a 4 inch tube should get bit.

Jeremy

[Jig Man]

4" tubes are the only size I use and catch several smallmouth each year on them.

[SuskyDude]

I use 4 inchers all year long. Have been thinkin about bumping it up to 5 inchers come the fall.

Four inch tubes are well within range for smallmouth

[CRFisher]

Just started fishing tubes this weekend, haven't gotten any bass yet but caught a 5 inch crappie on a 3.5 inch tube.  I almost just took the tube off and left the hook in to use the crappie as bait.  I have to think a small mouth will have no problem with a 4 inch.  I've had half pounders hit a 5.5 inch husky jerk so a 4 inch tube shouldn't be a problem.  

[SissySticks]

Not to buck popular wisdom but I find I get LOTS more bites on a 2.75 inch tube, even over a 3.5 inch.  For me, more bites ultimately also means larger fish eventually, although I'm quite certain someone one here will disagree with me.  That said, this is coming from the guy who's #1 confidence bait is a 3" senko bitten in half to make 1.5" and fished on a 1/32 oz. jighead and a L action g-blanks spinning rod.  To say I'm a finesse fisherman would be like saying Shaq is a pretty big guy.

[WatermlnSuperfluke]

I'm getting ready to order some Mizmo tubes and was wondering if 4" tubes are too big for smallies.

I don't think so, I think at times it is better to use a smaller one.. but I have caught numerous 6-8 inch smallies on zoom trick worms (6 3/4 inch) and four inch tubes.

I am a big fan of green pumpkin tubes for smallies. They work real well.

[warny]

Heck NO! I've caught smallies on 7" Senkos.

Same here. 8-)

[jhworley]

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  They are perfect!!!  Buy the 4" variety, as some of the aforementioned folks spoke of.  The body size is perfect in MOST 4" tubes.  If you need to, you can trim 1/4" of the skirt to make it a lil more realistic.  3.5" (in my opinion) have too small of a cavity for the insert, jig heads I like to fish.  You can trim a lil off w/ a 4" but you can't add 1/2" with a 3.5"

Good luck

[SPAZ]

How about for skipping under docks? Still 4" or 3.5?

[fretfishman]

when i've noticed that a smallie won't hit a 4" tube it was more to do with girth than length. if you notice that just step your tube down for that reason or try a slimmer profile bait. length has very little to do with it for smallies in my experience. granted, I don't catch smallies very often on a 10" powerworm, but I have done it.

as for skipping under docks I wouldn't worry too much about the size unless the bass tell you otherwise. I generally pick a bait with an excellent falling presentation and run with it. you're dropping it right onto them, in most cases, so if the fall is sexy they won't turn it down.

[fish jones]

4 inch tubes work just fine for the smallies, but you should always have smaller ones in your arsenal.

[Tokyo Tony]

That said, this is coming from the guy who's #1 confidence bait is a 3" senko bitten in half to make 1.5" and fished on a 1/32 oz. jighead and a L action g-blanks spinning rod.

We're talking about smallies, not bluegills  

I believe if a big smallmouth saw your little contraption drifting by, there's a very good chance she'd ignore it, even if you did get it close enough to her face for her to see it.

[Hung up Paul]

Here's my buddy Tom with a big senko hanging out of this smallie's mouth...

[bpm2000]

I've caught several 3lb and under smallies on a 6" huddleston trout swimbait this year, and this is on the JIG HOOK, not a stinger.  A 4" tube is NOTHING for a smallie to eat up.

[Ranger520]

Bpm 2000 is right I'm from Michigan and we throw 4-5" tubes all year on St.Clair and Erie

[wisturkeyhunter]

I think a smallie is more likely to eat a bigger bait than the largemouth of equal weight.  Alot of big smallies caught by guys throwing giant musky bait up here in the upper midwest. 5 inch senkos are awesome for smallies.

[MALTESE FALCON]

If the smallies will hit the 5" Strike King "King Shad", They will have no problem hitting a four inch tube.

Falcon