Tube baits

[Dutch]

16 hours ago, Quillback said:

Something I have been playing around with a bit are internal tube weights, like these from Phenix.  You insert the weight into the head of the tubes, run the point of the hook through the hole in the weight, then Texas rig it.  I have fished tubes quite a bit with a worm weight, Texas rigging it - it will certainly catch fish but that external weight will get a lot of snags in typical TR cover of rock and wood.

Internal weights are a lot less snaggy.  If one weight is too light, you can put two of them together and insert them into the tube.  It's a little bit fiddly to get the two holes to line up, but doable.  It's one of those things you want to rig up before you get out on the lake.

Here's a link to the weights, GYCB also makes them.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Phenix_Tubebait_Gliders_10pk/descpage-PTG.html

Have you tried a regular bell sinker on the inside?  They can be pretty effective.

[Quillback]

Haven't tried a bell sinker, but I will look into it.  

[Rockhopper]

4 hours ago, Dutch said:

What size are you looking for?  What size hook?  What kind of weed guard?  I've done a lot of experimenting with tubes and rigging over the years.  I might be able to help.

Dutch, curious as to what setups have you come up with to rig smaller teaser tubes weedless, 2.5-2.75" tubes? I've experimented with draggin style hooks, used Dave's ned heads, used wacky hooks to rig them as "stupid" heads, used different internal weights on 1/0 EWG hooks. 1/0 is the largest hook that will still get a bite in the body of the tube when rigged in texas style to be weedless. Eakins made up some standard tube style jigs (1/0) with wire weedguards that I will try this year.  All of these work for me, just wondering what else you may know of.

Thanks, Rockhopper

[Dutch]

Sorry Rockhopper, I don't use small tubes.  When I want a small bait I go to the Ned rig.

[snagged in outlet 3]

26 minutes ago, Rockhopper said:

Dutch, curious as to what setups have you come up with to rig smaller teaser tubes weedless, 2.5-2.75" tubes? I've experimented with draggin style hooks, used Dave's ned heads, used wacky hooks to rig them as "stupid" heads, used different internal weights on 1/0 EWG hooks. 1/0 is the largest hook that will still get a bite in the body of the tube when rigged in texas style to be weedless. Eakins made up some standard tube style jigs (1/0) with wire weedguards that I will try this year.  All of these work for me, just wondering what else you may know of.

Thanks, Rockhopper

Z man has a small finesse TRD tube now.

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Z man has a small finesse TRD tube now.

A tube in itself is "finesse" by most standards.  Has Finesse been redefined?

Before ya know it everyone will be flickin' midge pupae at reservoir bass.

 

[huntest]

Great product from an OAF sponsor

[snagged in outlet 3]

2 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

Before ya know it everyone will be flickin' midge pupae at reservoir bass.

I think these are ED BD

[jdmidwest]

I just Carolina Rig them when in woody structure.  Works good for me.

Bass Pro Tender Tubes are softer and are pretty easy to bite thru but still stay weedless, snag free with a Carolina Rig.  I rig a short Flourocarbon setup with a lead 1/4 oz bell sinker and a # 4  Gamakatsu hook.  I miss a few but i get snagged less.  Otherwise, I use a 1/4" lead head tube jig hook.

Fishing rivers from the boat, we usually can work back up stream and release the snagged hook either way.  Deeper lakes require a breakoff.

[fishinwrench]

Strike King Coffee Tubes are my choice.  I could care less about the scent, it's the tapered tail that seals the deal.  

I either shove a 1/8- 3/16 worm weight up into the nose and rig them Texas style.   Or on a tube jig head.    Either way they skip like a dream and usually get bit on the initial fall.