Tube baits have been around for a long time and have been putting quality bass in the livewell for anglers all over the country. Here are five ways to fish a tube that you may not be utilizing.

1. Swim It

I have been fishing in areas where the baitfish spawn was so heavy you could almost catch them with your hands. If you are fishing where the shad spawn heavy in grass beds you may want to try this method of fishing a tube. I like to use a 1/4oz. weight to get good action from my tube when I retrieve it erratically through the grass. This imitates a baitfish that has been injured or is dying. Bass cannot stand the side to side darting action the tube has when worked through the tops of the grass beds. I like using colors that resemble the shads natural colors and matching the size is very important also. Try rigging this tube tactic on a 5/0 hook and fluorocarbon line with a 7′ medium heavy rod and Pinnacle Pro 10 reel.

2. Yo-Yo It

When bass are suspended in in or around grass you can turn your tube into a jigging bait. Try using a 1/4oz. to 1/8oz. jighead with the hook exposed. Cast it to the grass and let it sink down until you feel resistance then pop the bait free and let it fall on slack line. The bass will generally hit on the fall. If the grass you are fishing is really thick, then try a standard Texas rig with the hook rigged weedless. If you see bass suspended under baitfish schools try and use this tube trick to entice them to strike.

3. Shed Some Weight

The next time fishing pressure is high and the fluke and senko bite is nonexistent try a weightless tube around shallow cover. The action of the weightless tube will create a Zara Spook type action just below the surface and can fire up pressured fish. Try to use bigger tubes for this tactic such as a Denny Brauer flippin’ tube. Let the bait slow fall into grass pockets and weed edges, give it a few pops with your rod to give it a dying look. Gear for using this tube trick is a good stout baitcasting rod and a Pinnacle Pro Select reel. Line choice is up to you, light braid will work or a good 12lb to 14lb monofilament. If you need to add weight go with a tungsten screw in so the weight stays stationary with the head of the bait giving it increased action.

4. Change Weights

If your flipping a tube and not getting the bites you should be, try switching weights before changing to a different bait style. Tube baits have different action with different weights. Often a fast moving fall with a tube can be deadly on heavy grass bass. This you may have to experiment with during the day to really drive home what size weight you need to fish. Let the bass tell you what they want. Try different size weights before giving up on the tactic.

5. Tune It

Have you ever noticed how a flipping tube can create alot of line twist? Well, this can be fixed by simply tuning your tube the way you would a crankbait or spinnerbait. You need your tube to run true in the water. Before making a cast you need to run the tube along side the boat to make sure it is running properly without twist. Keep the knot directly in the middle of your hook to help prevent this and also make sure your tube is rigged straight. This should give it the best action. Another thing that can make your tube wobble is not having the hook aligned straight with the tube.

I hope this has given you a better look at tube fishing. There are so many baits that have multiple uses. You just need to get out there and experiment. It may pay off for you later!

Keywords:  Tube Baits  |  Pinnacle reels 

Popularity: 6% [?]

Share This

This entry was posted on Friday, October 26th, 2007 at 1:32 pm and is filed under Fishing Techniques. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.