Any Ideas On Texas Rigging A Weighted Tube

[Clint C.]

I've done it a lot but still haven't found a great method for it.

The method I'm talking about is when you put a casting sinker in the tube swivel side up, then try to get the hook through the eye of the swivel inside the tube.

I can never seem to get the hook through the eye quickly. Any tips?

[Siebert Outdoors]

When I fish a Texas rigged tube I just rig it the same as a worm or creature bait. I always use a widegap hook with a tube also.

 

 

[Fishes in trees]

You're talking about putting the weight inside the tube? That just takes practice and the willingness to sacrifice a few (or maybe more than a few) tubes until you get proficient at it.

Thin walled tubes are easier than thick wall tubes. Several different companies make tube weight inserts (with & without rattles) which are easier to use than the bass casting sinkers. If you're going to use the casting sinkers, putting a 45 to 60 or so degree bend in the eyelet makes it a little easier to hit with the point of the hook. et some slobber on them and they are easier to insert into the tube.

Finding a hook you like for this can be a challenge. I most often use the Owner Big Mouth Tube hook in 3/0 or 4/0, but I'm not totally happy with that hook and I occasionally try different brands and shapes, all with mixed results.

Looking through the different manufacturers websites via the links, I've seen that Yamamoto and Chompers both carry an insert weight that is more flattened and has a bigger eye that would probably be easier to hit with the hook point but as yet I haven't found any dealer near me that carries that particular item and I haven't been motivated enough to buy some direct.

[Clint C.]

Yeah, the reason I like inserting the weight is because it keeps the nice spiral fall of the tube.

I like the 1/0 wide gap hooks for it. Great idea on bending the eyelet! I've destroyed quite a few tubes trying to perfect a method.

I'll have to try out the tube weight inserts. I imagine it would keep the same spiral fall as the casting weights.

These look pretty interesting http://www.lindyfishingtackle.com/productdetail.aspx?id=eztubeweight

Thanks for your input guys =0)

[smalljaw67]

There is a product called EZ Tube, it is a weight that goes inside the tube and then you texas rig but the hook goes through the weight. It is easy to use and works great, they even have one with a brass rattle attached and come in various weights. There is limitations to it, the biggest one I encounter are tubes that have a large solid portion on the head, these make for a bad angle but can still work but you need to use a larger hook.

[noway]

Eagle Claw Shaw Grigsby HP Hook

Eagle Claw HP Quickclip Weights

[aavery2]

Check out a hook by owner called the Phantom Hook, it makes what you are trying to do a breeze.

[Brian Needham]

am I the only one that just pegs a weight above the tube, just like a normal T-rig?

[Aluma-Bass]

am I the only one that just pegs a weight above the tube, just like a normal T-rig?

basically what i do when flippin n pitchn

[Clint C.]

I'm going to have to try out a few of the different options mentioned. Thanks everyone. =0)

[Mumpy]

I made some Jika Rigs the other night with Trokar hooks for some Creature Bait flipping and I noticed I can to the exact same thing as that Phantom rig with my home made Jika Rigs. Could be an option for you.

[kLuo]

I made some Jika Rigs the other night with Trokar hooks for some Creature Bait flipping and I noticed I can to the exact same thing as that Phantom rig with my home made Jika Rigs. Could be an option for you.

VERY interesting observation. This saves an extra rod for tying another application.

[J Francho]

I use weighted tube jigs or nothing at all. Anything inserted inside the tube has given me fits with the hookup ratio.

[Clint C.]

J Francho, have you found any good weedless options for weight tube jigs?

[J Francho]

No, I don't use tubes weedless. There jigs with wire weed guards that I've seen others use.

[ww2farmer]

I use weighted tube jigs or nothing at all. Anything inserted inside the tube has given me fits with the hookup ratio.

Same ..............except I will also T-rig them with a tungsten weight pegged to the nose, and use a big EWG hook. That, and tube jig heads give me sure hook ups.

[catchnm]

I've been making up Jika Rigs for a couple weeks now. Just doing a few at a time while I'm sitting at my desk after work and such, even started a thread here on the rig. Never even thought of using a casting sinker for a tube insert application. Like everyone else I've ALWAYS had a hard time getting the hook point into the eyelet of the inserted casting weight. I have found that if you don't hit it that the hook if inserted and rigged "tex-posed" will hold the weight inside the tube ok and you will still get a spiral fall. So it got me to thinking......how about inserting round split shot in varying sizes and rig the tube the same way. Just use those that are large enough to hold slightly against the inside tube wall, not the itty bitty ones. So I have some now but haven't gotten to try them out yet, I figure they will work and even may cause a slightly different spiral on each cast. I also purchased some cheap lead egg weights in the 1/4 and 1/8 oz. sizes to try the same technique with. I have figured out that this won't work unless the EWG hook is inserted completely throught the tube and then pulled back aginst the tube and skin hooked....i.e, texposed, just like in the Phantom Hook instructions in this thread. Any of you tube guys think this will work?

EDIT: I have some Gammy EWG Superline 2/0 that I'm going to rig Jika style with some of the casting weights I have and try them out inside a 3 1/2" Coffee Tube. I'll see about maybe posting some pics when I finish. I've got about five different sizes of the weights to play with.

[J Francho]

Same ..............except I will also T-rig them with a tungsten weight pegged to the nose, and use a big EWG hook. That, and tube jig heads give me sure hook ups.

I never think to do this - always have another bait in mind, whether it's a ribbon tail, beaver, or craw. I'll have to try to remember this one, because I've seen it work first hand, especially on Oneida, once the weeds come strong.

[catchnm]

EDIT: I have some Gammy EWG Superline 2/0 that I'm going to rig Jika style with some of the casting weights I have and try them out inside a 3 1/2" Coffee Tube. I'll see about maybe posting some pics when I finish. I've got about five different sizes of the weights to play with.

Didn't work out very well. Tried a couple of variations.....just no luck with a regular EWG hook. I think a swimbait or jig hook would work better for this.

[Mumpy]

I've been making up Jika Rigs for a couple weeks now. Just doing a few at a time while I'm sitting at my desk after work and such, even started a thread here on the rig. Never even thought of using a casting sinker for a tube insert application. Like everyone else I've ALWAYS had a hard time getting the hook point into the eyelet of the inserted casting weight. I have found that if you don't hit it that the hook if inserted and rigged "tex-posed" will hold the weight inside the tube ok and you will still get a spiral fall. So it got me to thinking......how about inserting round split shot in varying sizes and rig the tube the same way. Just use those that are large enough to hold slightly against the inside tube wall, not the itty bitty ones. So I have some now but haven't gotten to try them out yet, I figure they will work and even may cause a slightly different spiral on each cast. I also purchased some cheap lead egg weights in the 1/4 and 1/8 oz. sizes to try the same technique with. I have figured out that this won't work unless the EWG hook is inserted completely throught the tube and then pulled back aginst the tube and skin hooked....i.e, texposed, just like in the Phantom Hook instructions in this thread. Any of you tube guys think this will work?

EDIT: I have some Gammy EWG Superline 2/0 that I'm going to rig Jika style with some of the casting weights I have and try them out inside a 3 1/2" Coffee Tube. I'll see about maybe posting some pics when I finish. I've got about five different sizes of the weights to play with.

Yes it will work, I've already done it. I made Jika Rigs for my Creature baits and then for my Tubes I make a small insert in the top of the tube and insert my Egg Sinker into the head and then TR the hook weedless.

[BC]

I grew up fishing the Susquehanna river for smallies, and here's what we used to do (I admit, I don't fish tubes often now). Take a texas rig weight/worm weight, insert into the tube, pushing up to the head. Take a small piece of old rubber worm, insert that into the tube behind the weight. Now tex rig with an offset or other hook of choice, making sure the point goes into (or through if you're texposing) the tube just behind or through the piece of old worm. Works great, and incredibly snag-proof.

[smbrule]

When fishing 4-5" tubes I almost always use a weight inside the tube to get a more pronounced circular fall. Texpose the tube with a 4/0 wide gap hook.

Prefer to use Gary Yamamoto tube weights because they cost about $1.50 for a package of 8-10 depending on size--1/8, 3/16, and 1/4 oz.

[J Francho]

I got a chance to play with the Owner Jig Rig while repping at a local sportsman's show, and this looks like a VERY good option for tubes.