Hello all,
I was wondering what kind of Jig heads you guys prefer when fishing tubes?
I have really only used the Bite me Jig heads ......in the Big dude style 3/8-1/2 mostly for dragging on erie.
I noticed you can get the bite me jig heads with the eye in a few different styles anyone have some info on what the difference may be and what is best suited for dragging?
It seems you can get the eye in a 90degree fashion or with the eye in a 60 degree fashion and with the eye actually running in a straight line with the head or flipped 90.
Thanks for any info
Forgot.
I really have only used Poor Boy tubes 4" are there any other tubes out there worth taking a look at for erie?
If your using "Bite Me's", it will be hard to beat their quality. I like the a 90 degree bend the best myself but both work fine. If you have the time and money you may want to make your own. I use Do-its tube mold and 3/0 Owner light wire 90 degree bend hook. I also like Matsou's 1/0 Oshangy style hook. Even though it is a 1/0, it is about the same size as the Gamakatsus on the Bite Me's. It is very similar to the Gamakatsu sprout hook that come on the Bite Me's but it is not hardend. They are a good hook that doesn't cost alot, but for tournaments, I stay with the homemade with Owners 3/0's and the store bought Bite Me's.
As far as tubes, I've tried a few different ones but like Mizmo's big boys the best for thickness and size consistency. Some brands very alot from pack to pack but I know what I'm going to get with the Mizmo's. As far as what the fish like, the bass eat them all (brands that is). If they can't tell the difference between a real minnow and a tube, they won't be able to tell the difference between brand A and brand X. Just my opinion.
I like Wayne Carpenter's tubes. Great colors, catch lots of Smallies.
Check out Dropshot Denny's for tubes. Great tubes and colors.
Over the last couple of years I have been using the quite a few different brand tube jigs. I like mine with rattles because it helps the fish find the bait better. Sometimes though a tube jig without a rattle can work. I have seen fish sometimes bite better when using rattles and sometimes better without rattles. As far as tubes are concerned, I like several different brands. I am more partial to colors rather than brand names although some colors are exclusive to the manufacturer. With that being said, I have lots of colors by lots of manufacturers. I think is more the presentation in a color de jour rather than the manufacturer who made the tube.
BD ;D
Hookerz tube jigs, super sharp. Also Hookerz fan tail tubes in smallie slayer (green pumpkin head with smoke tail) and their perch color. Lunch Money tackle makes some great colors too. Light melon pepper is really good on St. Clair.
erie ....... man I seem to catch alot of Drum with tubes on Erie. If you PM me, I have a great friend who hand makes all my tube hooks, #4 and #5 hooks, red or black, gamagatsu, 1/8 oz up to 3/8 oz. Rattles or no rattles is personal preference, I dont see a difference in this ultra clear Erie and Clair water. Smallish are sight hunting from 30 ft away sometimes.
Go to KD Outdoor and get his purple smoke, as well as the green with black pepper 4 and 5 " tubes for overcast days. Use smaller 1/4 oz 90 degree hooks with the 5" tubes, drag on rock, zebra patches, and 3/8 oz 90 degree hooks with the 4" tubes, snap over the weeds.
Cant help you on how to avoid the drum, I Drop shot and seem to get more smallish and less drum than with tubes on erie.
me personnally prefer tube heads with a 60 degree flat eye. with and with out rattles use them both. as far as tubes go the widowmaker tube from drop shot dennys is all i own.......smoke gold and purple on erie is a great color along with dirty girl and smallie smasher soft and tough. longer skirt and a finer cut for more action than your standard tubes. 4 inch double dipped...