Tubes for Smallies

[flippinbaits]

What is your favorite way to rig them. Carolina, texas, split shot, jig head??

I grew up on largemouth but am doing more smallies now. I've heard that tubes are killer, but what is the most effective way to rig them, and esecially what size hooks are you using??

thanks

flipp

[Dan360]

I'm not sure if this is the best way, but its the way I do it. I like to use a 7ft light-medium spinning rod with 6 or 8 lb test depending on the structure (even 10# if there is lots of abbrasives). I'll texas rig a 4 to 5 inch tube (I tend to like the thinner bodies) with a 1/16 to 3/16 oz weight that I peg with a piece of toothpick. Depending on the length of the tube body, I've used hooks as small as #1. I mostly use 1/0 or 2/0. I prefer the Gamakatsu wide-gap worm hook. I'll push the hook all the way through the skin and tuck the tip, rather than try to drive the hook through (these hooks are great for that because of the way the point is situated).

[bassin]

Texas rigged with a 2/0 Wide Gap hook. Most of the time un pegged. 6.6 Med. Rod with 6-10lb line.
Any color tube as long it's GP,Black or smoke with or without a flake. Some days they want a little flash some days plain. Just don't over work them.

[Wreckless]

Tubes are one of my favorites for Smallies. As mentioned a nice spinning rod (I like 8 - 10# line) and "crawdad" colored tubes.

Texas rigged as mentioned around cover, but......

My favorite way to rig them is a jig head inside the tube. 1/8 oz in shallow water to 3/8 in water to 25' and beyond. I've used them for Walleye with a 1 1/2 oz jig head. The lead head inside the tube seems to bounce off the rocks most of the time. You'll lose a few, but that exposed hook makes them deadly!

[motocross5646]

i agree with wreckless, just slide a 1/8 jig head up the tube. that has been my best early spring time bait

[raptorschild]

I was watching TV, and a tip from Kevin Van Dam was that you want the tubes with a certain tail design that allow the "tenticles" to go crazy, and not be stiff.

I wish I could remember what he said.....something along the lines that some tubes tenticles are molded, and some are cut, and the ones that are molded I think have more/better action.

[Rauly]

I like using them on a 1/16 or 1/8 oz. jig head. Deadly!!! Smoke or watermelon red flake

[Jrr]

I like the owner phantom tube hook 1/8 oz in 3/0, also the owner twist lock in 2/0 when I'm Carolina rigging or the Arkie U-Heads in 1/4 oz with a foam earplug dipped in shad oil inserted in the tube. At this time of year I use the Arkie setup exclusively.

[Hunt'nFish]

A 1/0 or 2/0 Gami EWG with an internal rattle weight.
Or, sometimes I'll carolina rig them using a slip sinker and splitshot and just drag them.
Hunt'nFish

[Senko86]

If its open water nothing beats a insert jighead you hook up more fish than texas or carolina rigging plus I like the action better on the drop. I like the Dry Creek brand tubes mud craw or watermelon blackfleck

[Bassinator]

Outlaw tubes.. 1/8 ounce jig head.. deadly

[boblag]

A tube jig head works good if it's not too snaggy. Otherwise, I split shot them using an EWG hook rigged weedless.This seems to work a little better with the hook bent open slightly. As for hook size, I like it if the hook comes out near (or just below) the bottom of the "tube" part (that is, just above or in the tentacles).

[bank basser]

if i can get away with it i'll rig them on a jig head every time the hookup is always good and i think you feel the bait the best. you do need to have options when it comes to weight that is just enough to keep good btm contact, any more and you will hang up too much.

[Webwader]

My favorite way is with a tube jig head but sometimes either Texas rigged or dropshotted can be more effective. I occasionally Carolina rig them too.