Addressing the Canny Investor

We all know how effective tubes fished on internal weighted heads can be. The fact is that if you only use them this way, you are seriously hampering the true potential of this bait and its versatility. I’ve discovered, many years ago that fishing a tube in weed choked waters was a great way to catch fish. The problem I encountered was the open hook continuously and unmercifully getting snagged all day long. To combat this, I simply tried to rig the tube on a Texas rig. Ultimately I settled on a brass and glass type rig that has always scored well for me. This rig mixes sexy tubes, scent and sound to form a complete package of bass grabbing attention.

Equipment: 6-6 medium fast action spinning rod. The best rods for this method are high modulus models with a solid backbone. I use a Kistler Helium LTA 6-6 He66MS. This rod provides me with light overall weight and a soft tip but also the brute gorilla strength to yank larger bass towards the boat. Not finesse fishing you say? Well consider that I normally use 8lb line and occasionally drop that down to lighter 6lb Yo Zuri Hybrid. Even in the thickest cover, I’ve gotten by with the lighter lines. You could utilize a 20lb super line like Sea King’s 20/6 or 14/4. These will help slice through vegetation with ease. I prefer a fairly fast ratio reel. For tubing, I go with Shimano, no surprise, Sustain 2500 FD. This reel is as dependable as they come.

Terminal Tackle: My tube rig works best with brass Weenie Weights. I like 1/16 or 1/8 Top Brass Tackle Weenie Weights painted black. The weenie weight is simply a shorter, wider sliding bullet weight that is made of brass. This produces much better sound amplification and is environmentally friendly. For hooks, I use either Sugoi 3/0, 3/0 Owner Rig n hook or a 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG. What sets this method apart from standard Texas rigs is that I use a fire polished faceted glass bead. This accomplishes two things. First the bead reflects light and flashes. I truly believe that this is one of the best attributes of the rig. Secondly, the bead and the weenie weight slap back and forth, thus sometimes attracting fish to its location. The fire polished, faceted glass beads are super hard and will not cut your line.

The Tube: The ONLY tube I use is a Wicked Tube by Micro Munch Tackle. This bait is a thick walled hand dipped tube that holds the hook nicely. The double thick wall gives the tube durability and is necessary in the thick cover to prevent tearing. Fish do not hold on to the bait, they eat it. This tube is dipped in a salt impregnated plastic mix and then Kick N Bass scent is added to the plastic before the tubes are molded. This produces a tube that is noticeably stinky.

This tube rigged on a Sugoi 3/0 hook has figured for me in almost every tournament I’ve fished. If you have been paying attention so far, you will notice that this rig employs sight, scent, taste, and sound to tantalize Mr. Bass. If you’ve ever fished with the Wicked Tube you surely have noticed the oil slick the bait produces in the water. Its odor will have every cat in the neighborhood clawing to get in your dry storage box to get at them. I prefer the standard 4″ tube but occasionally I will upgrade to the larger El Gordo style tube. This is a quad dipped tube that is extremely durable and adds insane bulk. It is truly different and I think that is why it works well for me, not too many other anglers throw it regularly. Its size alone may intimidate some. I’ve noticed it catches bigger fish as well.

Colors: I prefer the following colors; Green Pumpkin, Black Grape, Water Melon Magic, June Bug, Smoke Purple Flake, Road Kill Camo, and Black Red Flake. I match the glass bead to the bait. Black, Brown, Purple, or Green beads will match all the previously mentioned colors.

Rigging: This rig can be set up just like the traditional Texas rig. Slide the Weenie Weight up the line followed by the glass bead. It isn’t necessary to peg the weight or the bead. Next tie the hook on with a Palomar knot for strength. Bury the hook point about a 1/4 inch dead center in the head of the tube. Pull the hook through the side of the bait until the hook eye enters the tube head. Next pop the hook back into the side and pull the point through, penetrating through the opposite side of the tube (back out again). The tube should be straight. The point of the hook should be exposed and tight to the fleshy side of the tube. The exposed point allows for easier penetration on the hook set. The hook doesn’t have to penetrate the extra plastic in the tube, thus sticks into the fishes’ mouth with minimal effort.

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“With this rig I usually notice one of two things: either I feel the bass chewing on the tube, similar to a plastic worm pick up, or I don’t feel the bait at all which means a bass has picked it up and is usually moving off with it.”

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The Presentation

This tube is very effective in 8ft of water or less. Its light weight won’t allow it to be fished effectively beyond that depth. Because it is weedless, it can be fished just about anywhere and if you add a heavier weight, you can surely probe the depths with it. I prefer docks, boathouses, any overhead cover, inlet points, and flats. Of course the rig will work anywhere provided shallow cover can be found. The rig works when skipped under or through cover. This is what sets the rig apart from conventional tube rigs. The tube itself is weightless. When cast the Weenie weight falls away from the bait and slowly drifts to the bottom. The tube flutters to the bottom even slower. Its slow fall is a crucial trait to its success. Standard tube rigs that are internally weighted spiral to the bottom.

They are directly weighted and fall throughout the strike zone faster then the Texas rig. As the weight of the Texas tube rig slides forward, it slowly pulls the bait along. This is the reason I don’t use bait casting gear. Flipping and pitching are not accurate presentations for this rig. I aim to skip my bait past the target so it slowly falls through cover. After I cast to a piece of cover, I try to maintain a tight line because very often the bait is struck just as it enters the water. If I don’t feel a strike, then I may jiggle the rod tip to get the bead and weight to make some noise. I then let the tube fall on controlled slack line and cover the lower column of the water I’m working.

I don’t fish this bait in open water as I would prefer internally rigged tubes for that. I target specific visible cover and try to pick it apart as best as I can despite the “falling away from cover” action the bait has. Getting the bait to skip is the real art of an accurate presentation with this rig. Sometimes I will try to crash bait through cover so it actually passes by my target. This is because a forceful cast won’t allow the weight to create drag on the cast and keeps the bait on target. The bait will pass through the cover and remain in the strike zone longer. You might also be able to feather a skip cast to put the bait right on the target. The 1/16 oz weight won’t pull the bait as much as a heavier size.

Get the brass weight and glass working to produce some sound. I move the rod tip ever so slightly, perhaps only an inch or two at a time. You do not want to over exaggerate your movements. The slight movements are key because you do not want to physically move the bait while you are attempting to make it sound off.

The Bite: Many tube bites simply feel like a mushy wet rag on the end of the line sensation. With this rig I usually notice one of two things: either I feel the bass chewing on the tube, similar to a plastic worm pick up, or I don’t feel the bait at all which means a bass has picked it up and is usually moving off with it. This happens because the tube is weightless and the bass doesn’t feel resistance in the form of an unnatural internal weight. Normally the line will just start moving off. Polarized sunglasses are a must for this technique. It is important with this and most other jig techniques to “weigh the line”. What this means is to learn what the bait feels like in the water. Usually any lighter or heavier sensation is a strike. When I detect a strike I really like to crank the hook home. Even though I tend to use light line and set my drag tight, I rarely break off on a fish. Normally if I hang a monster, I will disengage the anti-reverse and back reel. I use a sweeping set as this allows me to move more line than the standard over the shoulder jig jerk. I’m not exaggerating when I say that fish don’t spit the tube out. They just don’t. They really do eat it.

Seasons

The Texas rig tube excels during the early spring and through early fall. I simply prefer to fish other baits at different times of the year. It is an excellent big fish attractor because it has a thick profile and doesn’t give off many, if any, negative cues. Rigged with a glass bead, it appeals to all bass senses’ and like I stated earlier, “These tubes get eaten”. The combination of salt and scent are hard for any bass to reject.

Gear Breakdown: Texas Tube Fishing Insanity

Rod: Kislter Helium LTA 6-6 M He66MS

Reel: Shimano Sustain FD 2500

Line: Yo Zuri Hybrid 8lb

Hook: Sugoi or Gamakatsu 2/0 or 3/0 EWG

Tube: Micro Munch Tackle Wicked Tube 4″

Terminal: Top Brass Tackle Brass weight and fire polished faceted Glass bead

Alternatives

The Texas rig tube is a very consistent producer. If by chance bass want a different look, there are several alternatives. I’m a big fan of finesse techniques from the West coast. My sleeper tube rig is the same rig, but with the bead pegged 18 inches above the hook. The sinker is still free to slide and a striking fish won’t feel extra weight. This rig can be crept along the bottom similar to a Carolina rig. This is a noisier presentation as the bead and weight are always in contact.

We all know that tubes are very versatile. I have used these tubes to work bass on inside/outside weed lines with amazing consistency the last few seasons. This is one of those great baits that nobody should be without. It can be especially important to guys who do not prefer to throw a jig.

copyright 2005 Micro Munch Tackle
No part of this article may be reproduced without the written permission and consent of the author

Craig DeFronzo has written over 300 articles that are bass fishing related within the past decade for several of the top bass fishing web sites and periodicals. He is the author of over 12 books and eBooks on bass fishing and is the creator of Micro Munch Tackle. He started a small bait company based on the belief that unique custom tackle would be more appealing to bass that are continuously bombarded by the same commercial baits every day. Custom baits and lighter tackle have helped him achieve success in competition. For more information on custom handmade baits and more articles and ebooks visit http://micromunchtackle.com/

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I also like to call this list ten things my Dad taught me about fishing. Fishing has always been an important part of my life. My Dad used to take me fishing all the time, in fact, “take a kid fishing” was a rule he lived by. He showed me how to fish, the best bait to use while fishing, and methods to catch more fish. Sure this list isn’t everything you need to know about fishing but using these basic techniques will insure you to have a “good day fishing.”

1. Always set the hook properly. Make sure your fish is hooked before you start reeling.

2. Keep steady pressure on the fish. Don’t give the fish a chance to spit out the lure or bait. Keep your line taut with no slack and keep the rod tip out of the water. You need to keep reeling to make sure the pressure is steady and the line is straight out to the fish.

3. Make sure your line is not wrapped around the tip of the rod. If it becomes twisted around the rod you will not be able to control your reeling and it may break the line.

4. The jig is one of most effective fish catching lures to use. Jigs are good for fishing from the shoreline to deep water. They can be used on farm ponds, lakes, rivers and reservoirs. They catch everything from bluegills, crappies and perch to walleyes, smallmouth bass and northern pike. My Dad’s favorite was using a feathered jig tipped with a mealworm. We caught all kind of fish with that in all kinds of water.

5. Make sure to use your drag and that it is working properly. Using the drag will help you maintain control over the fish.

6. Cast your bait near structure whenever you can. If you can, bring along a contour map of the body of water you’re fishing. Fish like to hang around logs, rocks and docks whether the structure is under the water or sticking out of the water. Casting next to a weed bed should produce fish also.

7. Try to use live bait that is matched to what the fish usually feed on. If you present the fish with what they’re looking for you are much more likely to catch fish.

8. Take care of your fishing equipment. Keep your hooks sharp and ready to hook the big one. Change your line frequently to prevent breakage. Keep your reel oiled so that it turns easily.

9. Start fishing on the bottom and work your way to the surface. Once you catch a fish, try to keep your bait at that depth and just move around until you find where they are hiding. Keep moving until you start catching fish. Keep repeating the procedure. Bluegill, perch, crappie, white bass and black bass are all schooling fish. This means that there are more than one fish swimming around. Once you find them, you will usually catch a bunch.

10. Always keep your bait moving. Jig it, pop it, reel it. Whatever it takes to make it look alive. Fish love live bait.

Hope these tips offer you as many good fishing days as I have had.

Article by Patricia Kopp. Please visit our site for more fishing tips and fishing resources. You can also read more fishing articles.

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Alaska is becoming a vacation destination thanks to its unique landscape and location combined with an abundance of activities the entire family can enjoy. Salt water fishing has become a popular tourist attraction as the cold, deep oceans that border Alaska offer some of the finest fishing opportunities in the world.

Charter fishing boats have become big business in this once isolated part of the world and many people are leaving their concerns at home and taking a week or more off to take advantage of some of the most unique fishing opportunities available. Complete packages are now available for purchase through travel agents and online booking sites that let you customize a unique ocean adventure to test your skills casting a line in the waters around Alaska.

Many packages include a relaxing, entertaining cruise to the region where you will then spend several days trying to reel in the next big one. The entire family can enjoy the relaxing getaway as dad enjoys the ocean waters with other fisherman mom and children can explore a wonderful array of shopping, cultural and educational opportunities on the mainland. At night everyone can reconvene about the cruise ship or back at a local hotel to enjoy family time and entertainment that can extend well into the night.

This year extend your horizons and discover a part of America that few will ever get to see. Where else will you ever get to experience six months of continuous daylight? Packages to the northernmost state are comparable with traditional vacation getaways and can provide an experience that you will never forget.

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