Tubes the best for smallies? 2025

justfishin reply :

There are all kinds of baits for smallies and some of my favorites are 5" grubs, hair jigs, flukes, spinnerbaits and spooks but, after all these years I have to say at least around here, bottom bouncing or dragging a tube is just hard to beat day in and day out, what about you guys? Have a good year all !!!

Tin reply :

Small drop-shot baits year-round, big old Smithwicks in 65* or less, and 2.5" fat tubes.

Dan: reply :

I have caught plenty of smallmouth but I can honestly say that I have NEVER caught one on a tube. I think that is mostly due to the fact that I have very little confidence in them and never use them.

My favorites are soft plastic jerkbaits and shakey head worms

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
...but I can honestly say that I have NEVER caught one on a tube. I think that is mostly due to the fact that I have very little confidence in them and never use them.

Duh!

SLO_ROLL reply :

Is the tube just a Goby thing cause I dont get that either? No Gobies here in Ok.

stratosjoe reply :

luv em myself I use texas rigged almost exclusively never pegged usually 1/8 oz worm weight witha 3/0-4/0 wide gap on 3 1/2 to 5" tube like road kill camo alot but use Black neon most of the time for largejaws..

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
Is the tube just a Goby thing cause I dont get that either? No Gobies here in Ok.

The original is the Gitzit (get's it done!). The lure was invented in

Arkansas, long before gobies invaded the Great Lakes. The Gitzit

was designed as a "do nothing" lure: cast out, light up a smoke and

drink a beer!

8-)

MNGeorge reply :

We used to use them mostly in the Spring, but this year we have good success with them all year. In fact, the tube rod is usually the first one I pick up now. Got introduced to the "Fat Tube" this year also. This is an excellent bait for several reasons. One, even on an open hook, the big blunt nose of the fat tube seems to get hung up far less than a regular tube. Second, the "takes" on the fat tube have almost always been very easy to detect. Third, it reduces the dink bites. Roadkill, black neon, green pumpkin and watermelon/red have all been successful colors. Case and Venom are two makers I have found. There are probably some others out there also.

Jig Man reply :

Tubes are the best sm baits I have ever used. I only use 4 colors (melon/pepper, pumpkin seed, smoke, and black neon). If they won't hit one of those colors they can go hungry.

I use the 4" flippin' size. I have some smaller ones but rarely put one on.

TournyFish001 reply :

tubes are great- I use them with a 3/16,1/4 or 3/8oz dart head. All tube colors are great as long as they are green pumpkin- I usually fish 3.5 to 4"ers. drag slow 6 to 12" pause continue back to you if they have not all ready nailed it on the fall.

Dan: reply :

Quote

Quote
...but I can honestly say that I have NEVER caught one on a tube. I think that is mostly due to the fact that I have very little confidence in them and never use them.

Duh!

Don't worry, I've stocked up on a variety of brands and colors and I will be fishing them diligently next season.

IDbasser reply :

I have not caught many bass on tubes. I have really good success with drop shotting finesse worms, and weightless trick sticks. I started doing well with a T-rigged *.

Flywatersmallie reply :

They are OK by me. Thats it. I catch fish on them sometimes but there are far more productive baits for smallies around here.... I fish river fish most of the time, maybe that makes a difference? I am fishing to great lakes fish too. On my waters at least, grubs, small Senkos, hair jigs all work better. Cant find Venom tubes around here any more, they were the best. The Gander Mountain store brand arent bad, Chompers are good as well.

bassnleo reply :

Other baits occasionally catch smallies.

Tubes always catch smallies.

From local rivers and streams to Lake Erie, can't ever go wrong with a tube.

Matt 825 reply :

I dont get all that many smallies on tubes anymore. I really only use them in the spring during prespawn and then again if I am fishing Beds which I try not to. The Drop Shot has replaced the tube for me in the summer.

roadwarrior reply :

#1 tubes

#2 grubs

#3 hair jigs

#4 Silver Buddy

Sometimes topwater and jerkbaits.

I will fish a Ledgebuster, too.

Any other thoughts on a big river?

8-)

justfishin reply :

Quote
I have caught plenty of smallmouth but I can honestly say that I have NEVER caught one on a tube. I think that is mostly due to the fact that I have very little confidence in them and never use them.
My favorites are soft plastic jerkbaits and shakey head worms

Huh?!!! I have fished for smallies on the river for over 35 years and was a guide for river smallies on two rivers. You really need to give them a try. I really like Venom Tubes, in 3.5 and 4. Don't get color crazy, as I am,lol. I think dark hues and light hues are the real ticket. I still have the ones that I swear by though. Green/Pumkin Red Flake, Dark Melleon/Purple Flake, Smoke/Purple Flake and Green Pumkin/gold and copper flake in which are made for me by a friend. If I could only use two colors the first two would be it. Its what I use 99% of the time. Good luck.

justfishin reply :

RW, in just the last year, when possible, I have really caught them in deeper water, as well as, slow water, on the drop shot rig I was telling you about. #8 test with a 1/0 WG hook about 8-10" above my sinker tied with a double palomar knot in which keeps the hook horiz. I just use a 1/8-1/4oz bullet sinker that is pegged. If the sinker gets snagged in the rocks I can just pull it loose. I use eithere a 4" Green Pumpkin Zoom Finese worm or a Smoke/Blue Flake. I have caught some real nice smallies doing this on the channel drops in 15-30' of water. I was never a fan of the dropshot but, it works it seems when they don't want something else as my beloved tubes. How did you do Sat?

justfishin reply :

I am right with you Bassnleo. I could not agree more. Rivers, Erie, Oneida, Thousand Islands, they work.

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
How did you do Sat?

Eight smallmouth, 100+ pounds of drum!

My partner caught a 5, I couldn't break 3

without an 8 oz weight.

Poor water release = poor fishing.

justfishin reply :

A five and some threes is nothing to sneeze at my friend. Yes, its all about flow rates here, as well. Thank goodness for the NOAA Weather Service and its river conditions. Its saves me a lot of time and gas. For us this time of year its fast, cold muddy and rising water. For you guys on the Susquehanna, if its 5.5' in Harrisburg PA., its my favorite time. Have a good bird day RW. Have a beer for me.----Never mind, I am going to have a few myself, ummmm beer!!!!

Siebert Outdoors reply :

4" tubes are my favorite. Green pumpkin is my #1 color with its varients.

roadwarrior reply :

Misunderstanding...My partner boated a 5, mine were all dinks.

My best "couldn't break 3 without an 8 oz weight", something less than 2 1/2 lbs.

8-)

J Francho reply :

I spent a lot of time this summer dragging a tube and a DS rig in Lake O. There were days when the DS produced more, but more often than not, the tube got bit. Its like my Texas rig worm for the open water.

SkeeterZX225 reply :

Had fished tubes in the past years, with some good results. Really started fishing them this year and have caught a bunch of fish off them. My local lake gets hammered with jig fishing, and I think a tube is a much tighter,subtle presentation to those same fish. I've done really well with Cabin Creek tubes in any color as long as its green pumpkin ;D

bassnleo reply :

One thing I have noticed, if there is alot or current OR alot of wind, dragging a tube to seems to produce more bites.

On calmer days a drop shot seems to do a little better.

One exception though, I have had great days with no wind on tubes. Different presentation was the key. Instead of dragging it I rip it off the bottom and let it flutter back down then repeat. I've had Lake Erie smallies about rip the rod out of my hands

bassnleo reply :

Quote
#1 tubes
#2 grubs

#3 hair jigs

#4 Silver Buddy

Sometimes topwater and jerkbaits.

I will fish a Ledgebuster, too.

Any other thoughts on a big river?

8-)

Tried a football jig? I experimented a little this year with one and had really good results fishing deep.

bilgerat reply :

For the guys who can't find Venom tubes - K Mart of all places has them. Saw them today.

MNBassguy reply :

I wouldnt say that tubes are best but I'd never head for the lake without them!

TournyFish001 reply :

* DS

* Tube

are my best producers for smallmouth- they work all year round. There can be better options but I always have one of each on the rod deck.

fishizzle reply :

I plan on tubing more next year on lake S--I just discovered them in Sept. (silly me)

until now its been jerks, senkos, ds and cranks

I am also hoping to get a big swimbait for Christmas because I don't own a baitmonkey.

justfishin reply :

Yes Bassnleo. I do a similar thing. On calm water I throw, let it hit bottom and let it alone for a minute or two and then use my, hop, hop, settle mode, the whole way back to the boat. Not big hops but, just some 6" or so hops. Works great.

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