Tubes!!

[Avid Angler FL]

Well, I've been bass fishin for almost four years and have never used bass tubes. I've used crappie tubes and whatnot but not a genuine bass tube. I have three bags of Zoom Small Tubes (around 3 inches; definately bass tubes, just scaled down) one bag in Watermelonseed, the other two in Grasshopper. Also I have all the soft-plastics hooks and weights I'll need, and a small pack of 1/8 oz internal weighted jig-heads. If anyone has any tips or techniques please let me know! ANYTHING involving tubes!

Also, the rod I'd use these with is a 7 foot, medium action spinning outfit spooled up with 10lb test Stren mono.

[clayton86]

Cast it out and work it like a jig that's how I fish them.

[Avid Angler FL]

What areas do you look for to cast? Like on the edge of a weedbed or right next to cover?

[roadwarrior]

Here you go:

[clayton86]

I fish rivers with them so upstream from the biggest rocks I can find and bounce it over or around the rock and hold on tight smallies like to smash em

[Avid Angler FL]

Thanks for the info! But a lot of that info was from 2006. Just wanted to see what everyone else's experiences have been recently with them. Have you ever fished the Zoom Small Tube?

[Avid Angler FL]

I fish rivers with them so upstream from the biggest rocks I can find and bounce it over or around the rock and hold on tight smallies like to smash em

I'm fishing for Largemouth in a small lake though. Any ideas of fishing grass or weeds?

[clayton86]

Well depends how u rig them they maynot be to weedless or snagless in brush. I bought some of them yamamoto tube weights and rig it with a gammy ewg hook its completly weedless and snagproof. Or u could rig them with a bullet weight just like a worm. Riged one of them ways id have no problem throwing it in the thick stuff.

[B-Dozer]

I use tubes a lot. Most places I fish have a lot of weeds, so I use Oldham's weedless screw-lock jig heads. They come in different weights and come through the weeds better than anything else I've tried. RW's link is full of good info, don't worry about fishing them too slow. Green Pumpkin has been a good all around starting point. In my area the crayfish will turn orange in the warmer water. Little experimenting will find what's best in your area. Or you could just ask locals or a good baitshop. Def. in for some good fishin'.

[WanderLust]

I fished tubes alot last year but the Fat IKA has almost completely replaced them. Add a nail weight or screw in bullet weight and it's a super versatile bait.

Weedless tube jig is the best rigging technique I've found.

[Bass Junkie]

Texas rigged, with a bullet weight. The tube is very versitale, and a lot of people seem to underestimate it. You can skip it, twitch it, drag it, hop it, stroke it, and SWIM IT. The 3 1/2 inch versions work well for me, even for Smalies. And one thing that I have found is the tube baits with the skirts that flare from the solid body instead of hanging straight back have much better action, plus they put out more vibes, always a good thing.

[Glenn]

Here ya go!

http://www.bassresource.com/fish/tube-baits.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/tubes_bass.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/tubes.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/tube_jigs.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/gitzits_bass.html

Regarding the dates of the post - a tube is a tube is a tube. The tactics don't become obsolete because the calendar year flips. Don't limit yourself because the date of a post is "old".

[Lake Forest Bassin]

I watched a video on YouTube awhile back and the host said to cut a foam earplug in half and soak it in scent then push it up in the tube.I fish the BPS tournament 4" magnum flippin tube's all the time for largies.I just cast it out let it sit for awhile then just jig it back to me.Read the stuff Glenn posted it will help you alot!

[rowyourboat]

tubes i use: gander mtn tubes, coffee tubes, yum vibra king.

i really really really like them around rocks and bluffs in clear / stained water. i stick to natural colors. occasionally i'll throw a shad looking color.

i just hop it, drag it, pop it... you cant go wrong. just go slow.

also a dap of megastrike!

This is what i do with tubes, and it is easily a top 5 producer for me...

also, if water is EXTREMELY clear, i use venom stubby tubes 2.5" in smoke pepper - it is a KILLER

[Avid Angler FL]

Thanks Glenn and everyone! Great info!

[jignfule]

I fished tubes alot last year but the Fat IKA has almost completely replaced them. Add a nail weight or screw in bullet weight and it's a super versatile bait.

Weedless tube jig is the best rigging technique I've found.

X2 I fish fat ikas very different than tubes but I find myself reaching for fat ika 99% of the time over tubes, lately.

[Avid Angler FL]

More specifically though, has anyone ever used Zoom Small Tubes? They seem to be great. Great texture, perfect size for a bit of a more "finesse" approach, and they seem to be quite effective.