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There are dozens of
manufacturers in the tube business but I have settled on these
two brands because of color innovation and the extensive salt
application within and throughout the plastic. Many tubes have
salt sprinkled on the exterior of the plastic but that salt is
dispersed on the first cast.
Mizmo takes this artificial
bait to a new level by adding powdered fish byproducts to the
menu. Both baits are tough enough to catch multiple fish without
replacing a tube. We all know that a tube is simply a crawfish
imposter and that crawfish are the hands-down favorite food of
black bass. Let’s feed them what they want!
The plastic tube in my go-to bait for both smallmouth and largemouth
bass and most of the muskellunge we catch come from our tube presentations.
They are manufactured in sizes between one inch long and six inches.
The colors available are extensive. I’ll use them on both
spinning and casting tackle but my most successful tactic is delivered
with medium to medium-heavy, graphite spinning rods (Gator Rods)
with high speed reels (Shimano, US Reel or Pflueger--no less than
5/1) and eight-pound test, green, monofilament (Excel by Bass
Pro Shops.) These lures work very well on heavier line and casting
gear also—but the subtle; finesse action that lighter line
allows is a big factor.
My basic presentation entails a fairly long cast. I close the
bail of the reel with my hand and allow the lure to reach the
bottom. I’ll take up any slack line, then, with the rod,
move the tube no more than four inches and pause for two seconds
before moving it again. The “strike” in unmistakable
and I will immediately drop the tip of the rod so that the fish
doesn’t feel me.
I’ll point the rod at the fish, wind line until I actually
feel the fish throb or swim, then my hook-set will be with conviction.
Variations for this presentation could include: shake the line
to make the tube wiggle on the bottom, or add a short “swim”
to the retrieve, just in case the fish are in a chase-mood. I
have developed a few “tricks” to my arsenal that I’ll
share with you.
Drop Shoting has become
quite popular. A drop shot rig includes a lead weight at the very
end of the line with a small hook (circle, Octopus or wide gap,
1 or 1/0) about 8-15 inches above the weight. The angler will
apply a small, thin flexible plastic to the hook. The presentation
is to allow the weight to stay on the bottom, but the offering
suspended, while you shake the line to offer enticement. Trick:
use a four-inch tube with ¼ ounce weight instead of just
a dead piece of lead. Why not offer two snacks?
Tag Team Tubes have
become a very good option for my clients and I. We tie a four-inch
tube weighted with ¼ ounce tube jig to the line with a
Palomar knot. Take a 12-15 inch piece of monofilament and tie
one end to the bend of the tube jig, and then add a smaller, lightly
weighted tube to the other end. That offers two snacks of differing
size (and color for that matter.) You will be surprised at how
many “double” hookups that this technique gets.
Modify your Carolina
rigged plastics by using a tube with ¼ to ½ ounce
jig head in lieu of a lead sinker.
I have settled on
the 2.5 inch (Teaser), 3.5 inch (Small Jaws) and 4 inch (Big Boy)
sizes. You can Texas rig the tube, insert a lead head jig in the
tube or use a Mizmo “Insider” which is a weedless rig
that works very well in heavier cover.
My basic color choices
include Green Pumpkin; Penrod Purple; Irish Coffee; smoke/purple
flake; red crawfish and Vida Blue. Campground Specials feature
my signature colors and you can purchase them by contacting Johnny
Cunningham at 717-877-2704. Johnny also makes the jigheads we
recommend (RAB Jig Heads.) You can also purchase the products
I recommend from Susquehanna Tackle Company (717-278-5223) and
Brooks Marine (717-263-6963.)
Be sure to monitor
our website www.penrodsguides.com
for our weekly fishing reports which will begin in Mid-March.
You are invited to book a trip with our service and learn firsthand
the tricks and techniques that we employ. My email is :kenpenrod@comcast.net.
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