Tube basics - I wanna go tubing!
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wandy... check out the tube article written by earthworm to start.
Texas Tube Madness by Earthworm77
Texas Tube Madness by Earthworm77
Tubes can be a broad topic, but I mostly use them for Smallies with an open hook. There are tons of ways to rig them, but for the "Erie Drag" technique, it is quite simple. All you really need is 1 color (watermelon) and 1 size, 3 1/2". Internal tube heads between 1/4 oz and 1/2 oz are the general rule. Really just enough to maintain constant contact with the bottom depending on water depth and wind. You can totaly get overwhelmed with the color and size game, but try to keep it simple. Get confidence in a few specific sizes and colors and focus on location and detecting the strikes.
Rob J has a great Erie Drag article somewhere on his web page, check it out!
Happy Tube'n
Seth V
Rob J has a great Erie Drag article somewhere on his web page, check it out!
Happy Tube'n
Seth V
I like it this way
Wandy, take out your Kistler pitching rod , your brand new Castaic, and spool up with 15 lb line. Get those BPS Magnum Flipping Tubes in green pumpkin. Then some 3/0 Gammy EWG and 5/16th tungsten sinkers. Rig the tube texas style , unpegged.
You have in your hands an excellent all around bait that will catch smallies and largies from shallow to about 15 ft.
Pitch it out, cast it, let the tube do its spiral fall and if fish are active, you'll get hit on the fall or as soon as it hits bottom. If nothing happens, shake the bait a couple of times, hop it and retrieve back. You can swim it too like a crankbait. I fish it relatively fast.
Unlike a jig, a hit on the t-rigged tube is obvious, a tick or a tug, same as a worm bite. Set the hook hard!
Hope this helps....
Joe
Wandy, take out your Kistler pitching rod , your brand new Castaic, and spool up with 15 lb line. Get those BPS Magnum Flipping Tubes in green pumpkin. Then some 3/0 Gammy EWG and 5/16th tungsten sinkers. Rig the tube texas style , unpegged.
You have in your hands an excellent all around bait that will catch smallies and largies from shallow to about 15 ft.
Pitch it out, cast it, let the tube do its spiral fall and if fish are active, you'll get hit on the fall or as soon as it hits bottom. If nothing happens, shake the bait a couple of times, hop it and retrieve back. You can swim it too like a crankbait. I fish it relatively fast.
Unlike a jig, a hit on the t-rigged tube is obvious, a tick or a tug, same as a worm bite. Set the hook hard!
Hope this helps....
Joe
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Wandy, if you are looking for some good tubes, I have a line of my own scented tubes in 3 different sizes. I can also help you pick out which colors should work best for your waters.
Wandy
As Earthy has said, there are many way to fish tubes and many colors to use as well. In addition to Earthworms I also use BPS tender tubes. Unlike Joe P, who is an excellent tube fisherman, I use a 6' med action spinning rod & reel loaded with 8lb yozuri hybrid line. Hook up with Joe & Me (we fish together a fair amount) in the spring and we'll get you out on one of our boats and show you two good techniques for tubing.
LP
As Earthy has said, there are many way to fish tubes and many colors to use as well. In addition to Earthworms I also use BPS tender tubes. Unlike Joe P, who is an excellent tube fisherman, I use a 6' med action spinning rod & reel loaded with 8lb yozuri hybrid line. Hook up with Joe & Me (we fish together a fair amount) in the spring and we'll get you out on one of our boats and show you two good techniques for tubing.
LP
Venom flipping tubes for me!!
I use my 7' 6" flipping stick.....15-25lb Trilene big game line and I flip the 5" tube just like a jig/creature bait/worm...whatever. I don't peg my sinker (3/8 oz. usually) unless it's real heavy cover then I may actually use a Jobee hook. Good luck...Mark
I use my 7' 6" flipping stick.....15-25lb Trilene big game line and I flip the 5" tube just like a jig/creature bait/worm...whatever. I don't peg my sinker (3/8 oz. usually) unless it's real heavy cover then I may actually use a Jobee hook. Good luck...Mark
Earthworm and anyone else
Thanks for the responses. The waters I fish the most frequently are the Cross River res and come spring I am putting a boat on the kensico res.
What are say 4 colors to start and 3 sizes? What hooks/weighted hooks/weights should I use? Should I use rattles and scents?
Spinning or baitcasting or doesn't much matter? Line weight and type?
Optimal conditions and time of year or again, doesn't much matter?
Many thanks!
Thanks for the responses. The waters I fish the most frequently are the Cross River res and come spring I am putting a boat on the kensico res.
What are say 4 colors to start and 3 sizes? What hooks/weighted hooks/weights should I use? Should I use rattles and scents?
Spinning or baitcasting or doesn't much matter? Line weight and type?
Optimal conditions and time of year or again, doesn't much matter?
Many thanks!
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3,747 Posts
You can't go wrong with these colors: Green Pumpkin, Blk/Red flk, Pearl, Tequila or some kind of purple.
I would get an assortment of 1/16oz, 1/8oz and 1/4oz heads. Some 2/0 hooks to Texas rig and go with 2/75", 4" tubes.
I use spinning gear. 8lb Yo Zuri Hybrid 6-6 med action rod. Scented tubes are a must.
I would get an assortment of 1/16oz, 1/8oz and 1/4oz heads. Some 2/0 hooks to Texas rig and go with 2/75", 4" tubes.
I use spinning gear. 8lb Yo Zuri Hybrid 6-6 med action rod. Scented tubes are a must.
Earthworm
Thanks for the quick reply Mr. Earthworm!
Do you offer a beginner tube package? If not I would be happy to buy from you whatever you tell me. How can you beat that! Almost like getting a blank check from someone and having them say put whatever you want. Seriously. I will purchase just about whatever you suggest if you could be specific or put it together for me and if you offer it through your company. I always prefer buying local grown corn so to speak.
Thanks for the quick reply Mr. Earthworm!
Do you offer a beginner tube package? If not I would be happy to buy from you whatever you tell me. How can you beat that! Almost like getting a blank check from someone and having them say put whatever you want. Seriously. I will purchase just about whatever you suggest if you could be specific or put it together for me and if you offer it through your company. I always prefer buying local grown corn so to speak.
Would happily share a boat (and expenses) anytime.
The Hat,
At the time I only have one fishing buddy and he does not always have the same desire as i do to go bass fishing. (he would rather go trouting). I will gladly take anyone up on an offer to go fishing. Besides the Cross River and the one day at Whaley (and Central Park NY) I have not bass fished any other water since taking fishing up again. Thanks for the offers in addition to the suggestions.
Always thankful.
The Hat,
At the time I only have one fishing buddy and he does not always have the same desire as i do to go bass fishing. (he would rather go trouting). I will gladly take anyone up on an offer to go fishing. Besides the Cross River and the one day at Whaley (and Central Park NY) I have not bass fished any other water since taking fishing up again. Thanks for the offers in addition to the suggestions.
Always thankful.
forgot
Forgot. Took one trip with my two non-angling brothers to Lake Powell this past year for a day of bassin' in mid summer. Hot is not the word for it. Furnace. Did not like it when the boat stopped moving. Been there a number of times before but never fished it and never in mid summer. Dumber learned his lesson.
Forgot. Took one trip with my two non-angling brothers to Lake Powell this past year for a day of bassin' in mid summer. Hot is not the word for it. Furnace. Did not like it when the boat stopped moving. Been there a number of times before but never fished it and never in mid summer. Dumber learned his lesson.
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3,747 Posts
Wandy, I do have a tube kit. I think it is on my site. How about this..........I'll put something together for you and I'll take you out next spring for first hand tube lessons on one of my favorite bodies of water.......nobody has received that invite yet! Let me know, just email or pm me and I'll put something together.
Couple other things
Wandy
1. Don't underestimate an internal tube jig, both w/ single strand weedguard and exposed (without).
I prefer without! - but you'll loose a few more.
2. I usually throw w/ Tectan line and good quality hooks on the tube jigs (Gamakatsu, Mustard, Owner), but when I start loosing them, I'll switch to thin wire hooks and PowerPro line. I do throw them t-rigged, but feel the hookup ratio is not as high as exposed jigs.
3. Tubes are fish killers. Pay attention to the line. I stated fishing them on PowerPro to feel the fish inhale the tube and be able to get a hookset where I could release the fish. Now I'm confident to fish them w/ the Tectan mono I like so much.
4. Buy a debarb tool, this tool saves the life of a few bass/year, but when I first started fishing tubes, many many more bass were saved. Costs you a hook, but a cheap price for a release in my book.
Tight lines and good luck. Excellent bait. Read my earlier posts on tube scents and rattles. Some excellent tactics proferred.
Wandy
1. Don't underestimate an internal tube jig, both w/ single strand weedguard and exposed (without).
I prefer without! - but you'll loose a few more.
2. I usually throw w/ Tectan line and good quality hooks on the tube jigs (Gamakatsu, Mustard, Owner), but when I start loosing them, I'll switch to thin wire hooks and PowerPro line. I do throw them t-rigged, but feel the hookup ratio is not as high as exposed jigs.
3. Tubes are fish killers. Pay attention to the line. I stated fishing them on PowerPro to feel the fish inhale the tube and be able to get a hookset where I could release the fish. Now I'm confident to fish them w/ the Tectan mono I like so much.
4. Buy a debarb tool, this tool saves the life of a few bass/year, but when I first started fishing tubes, many many more bass were saved. Costs you a hook, but a cheap price for a release in my book.
Tight lines and good luck. Excellent bait. Read my earlier posts on tube scents and rattles. Some excellent tactics proferred.
Big package arrived
I got my christmas gift from me to me from Micro Munch today. WOW! Thanks Craig!
I'll pm you as I have some specific questions.
Anyone that does not have a tube selection already together should have Micro Munch put together a kit for you.
I got my christmas gift from me to me from Micro Munch today. WOW! Thanks Craig!
I'll pm you as I have some specific questions.
Anyone that does not have a tube selection already together should have Micro Munch put together a kit for you.
When to choose?
I just received my package from micro munch and I can't wait to get out on the water in 3 months. While i wait I have some prefishing questions.
What conditions or time of year dictate choosing different size tubes?
What colors to start with or do I let Mr. Bass tell me?
Any other tips, tricks or suggestions are welcomed. I have some time to kill.
Happy Holidays!!!
I just received my package from micro munch and I can't wait to get out on the water in 3 months. While i wait I have some prefishing questions.
What conditions or time of year dictate choosing different size tubes?
What colors to start with or do I let Mr. Bass tell me?
Any other tips, tricks or suggestions are welcomed. I have some time to kill.
Happy Holidays!!!
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3,747 Posts
Wow!!!! That was fast! I put it out on Tuesday.
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