Tubes...tricks And Tips

[Flysmallie]

What do you suggest in the way of a bobber? So some work better than others?

Well remember I'm doing this with a flyrod.

The jigs (flies) that I am using hardly weigh anything. Most of the time I just use a larger strike indicator. Sometimes I'll use a foam popper.

Here's a link that has good recommendations for setting it up on spinning tackle. They are talking about lake fishing but it explains it well.

Float n Fly 101

[Dutch]

[Al Agnew]

I do the matching the color to the color of the bottom thing in winter-clear water. But if the water has just a little color, black seems to work very well. I don't have a favorite brand, just buy whichever ones that have the colors I'm looking for.

[smallmouthjoe]

Thanks for the picture and link. I'm going to try it this weekend if I can come up with some time to fish. Thanks guys.

[ozark trout fisher]

Thanks for the picture and link. I'm going to try it this weekend if I can come up with some time to fish. Thanks guys.

I don't know if you all know, but the jig and float is also a classic trout technique.

Might have to try it for winter smallies too. I've caught some winter bass on 5" plastic worms Texas Rigged. I prefer Green Pumpkin or Black, but that's just me. Zoom Curly Tails are my favorite. During the winter, I usually fish the more spring-fed streams. Actually one of my favorite winter smallie areas is the White Ribbon Trout area on Little Piney Creek. I can toss spinners to the trout for awhile, and then switch to smallie fishing. A lot of fun if you ask me.

[eric1978]

Okay just a nudge back in the right direction. Anyone got any tips on tubes?

[ozark trout fisher]

Okay just a nudge back in the right direction. Anyone got any tips on tubes?

Sorry for getting off topic there. I am not a big tube fisherman, but I have had some luck on 3 1/2 inchers, on a jig hook. Brown and Green have been the best colors for me, I'm a fan of Zoom salt impregnated tubes. I just crawl it along the bottom, giving it a little twitch here and there.

[dereck_evans]

Those are some good tips. We fish tourneys year round on current river and winter fishing can be very slow, but also very rewarding. As far as tube color your best bet is to match the crayfish, the smallmouth's primary food source. One reason I believe a natural presentation is vital in the winter is water clarity. If you think your favorite stream or river is clear in the summer it is nothing compared to the gin colored water of the winter. Even now the cool nights we are having are beginning to clear the streams and rivers. With better water clarity comes more easily spooked fish, so stay as far away as you can cast. Where you might get away with a lo-vis green 10# in the spring and summer, it would be better to throw a lo-vis green 8 or 6# in winter. One thing a lot of guys don't know about (and I shouldn't give away the secret) is a crankbait for smallies in the winter. Any slight rise from rain will slightly dirty the river and the fish will go nuts over the right color 200 or 300 series bandit or wiggle wart. As far as black river in southeast missouri goes, the winter is by far the best time to fish. I will put my five biggest smallmouth or Kentucky's I catch in Black River in the dead of winter against any a guy could catch in the spring or summer from the same waters. The fish may be slow, but they are still feeding. Slow down your presentation and you will find that you've been sitting in front of the fire wasting your winter weekends away when you should have been catching the best bass of the year. It seems the keeper to dink ratio is a lot better in the winter as well. Don't forget about the walleye and chain pickerel. They love to feed all winter and the cold water makes them more tasty! (throw back them smallies so they can grow bigger though)

[ozark trout fisher]

Those are some good tips. We fish tourneys year round on current river and winter fishing can be very slow, but also very rewarding. As far as tube color your best bet is to match the crayfish, the smallmouth's primary food source. One reason I believe a natural presentation is vital in the winter is water clarity. If you think your favorite stream or river is clear in the summer it is nothing compared to the gin colored water of the winter. Even now the cool nights we are having are beginning to clear the streams and rivers. With better water clarity comes more easily spooked fish, so stay as far away as you can cast. Where you might get away with a lo-vis green 10# in the spring and summer, it would be better to throw a lo-vis green 8 or 6# in winter. One thing a lot of guys don't know about (and I shouldn't give away the secret) is a crankbait for smallies in the winter. Any slight rise from rain will slightly dirty the river and the fish will go nuts over the right color 200 or 300 series bandit or wiggle wart. As far as black river in southeast missouri goes, the winter is by far the best time to fish. I will put my five biggest smallmouth or Kentucky's I catch in Black River in the dead of winter against any a guy could catch in the spring or summer from the same waters. The fish may be slow, but they are still feeding. Slow down your presentation and you will find that you've been sitting in front of the fire wasting your winter weekends away when you should have been catching the best bass of the year. It seems the keeper to dink ratio is a lot better in the winter as well. Don't forget about the walleye and chain pickerel. They love to feed all winter and the cold water makes them more tasty! (throw back them smallies so they can grow bigger though)

You're right. Winter equals less numbers, but much bigger fish.