TUBE BAITS WILL CATCH FISH ALL YEAR..

 

                 Many anglers are beginning to use what is referred to as “tube baits” and these dynamite little lures can and will put fish in the boat ALL YEAR LONG. Many bluegill, crappie and perch anglers started using tubes years ago but it has only been during the past few years the bass angler has added tube baits to their arsenal and they are enjoying fish catching success.

 

             I can recall using tubes that were just a few inches in length for ice fishing many years ago and when the ice melted, my partner and I continued using these lures on small lead head jigs and we caught fish when other anglers were not catching anything.

 

             A tube bait is hollow and made of soft plastic and resembles a bullet with a rounded head on one end and at the opposite end, there are numerous shredded fingers or tentacles that “flutter” and give life-like action to the lure as it is moved. Most tubes vary in length depending on what species of fish the angler is pursuing. Pan fish anglers would use the smaller lures while bass anglers will opt for the larger 4”-5” lures.

 

             Tubes can be effectively used in the early spring for both pan fish and bass fishing. Many anglers will use the tubes rigged with a weighted head jig and use them as a bottom contact lure and work them very slowly, possibly moving them a few inches at a time. You must remember the fish’s metabolism is governed by water temperature. The colder the eater temperature, the slower a fish will react.

 

             Tube baits are very effective during the Spawn. I have caught numbers of crappie, bluegill and bass during this time of year. I can recall many instances where I visually saw the fish guarding a nest and after repeated presentations, I finally enticed the fish to “strike” the lure. I might mention I had used other lures but the fish neglected the presentation. I switched to a tube and “BAM!!!,” the fight was on.

 

             As the weather warms up, the tube bait can STILL be used effectively. I still prefer to use them as “bottom contact” baits but I have caught fish hopping them erratically along the bottom and even “swimming” them with a slow, steady retrieve.

 

             Many anglers prefer to rig tube baits with an exposed hook and that does catch numbers of fish but it also makes the possibility of getting “hung up” on other obstacles much easier. Many times, I prefer to fish them Texas Rigged with the hook buried in the lure itself. This allows the lure to be fished in grass, weeds, lily pads, and other forms of structure easier and with less opportunity of being “hung up.”

 

             Colors options are really personal preferences. Sure, in muddy, stained water I prefer to use a chartreuse or bright color but I have had good results with my “confidence” colors as well. Junebug, brown/orange, watermelon, etc. Once again, presentation is the important factor here. I might add that simply adding a spot of red is good also. I use a red magic marker and add red to the tail or a red spot on the side of the tube and this has helped me catch fish also.

 

             Over the years, I would estimate I have had better success using a tube jig fished S-L-O-W-L-Y either in close proximity of piers or on the weedy, grassy breaks where the depth changes for shallow to deep. I have also had tremendous success fishing tubes on isolated grass spots.

 

             Whether you are fishing with spinning or baitcasting equipment, there is a tube bait perfect for you. Even if you prefer to use the “Flipping Technique,” all you need to do is use a larger tube bait with heavier sinker and you are “good to go.”

 

             A few of my “superstitious” habits is I will select some tubes I will be using and I place them in a plastic sandwich bag. I apply a few drops of Kickn’Bass Garlic formula on the tubes and immediately re-seal the bag. (Make sure the seal is good.) When I re-open the bag to use the tubes, it smells like a pizza and the fish are HUNGRY!!!

 

             Try using tube baits and see if it helps you. Just remember you have to “KEEP THEM WET” for them to catch fish for you.