Tube Baits in Saltwater texas saltwater fishing, texas fishing, wadefishing, wading, bay fishing, speckled trout, redfish, snook, tarpon, texas redfish, texas speckled trout When it comes to outdoor recreation, `tubing' is a distinctly Texas activity. However, not all Texas tubin' involves inner tubes, clear cold Hill Country rivers and Shiner Bock. In fact, this article has nothing to do with Lone Star State summer river recreation. But, it does deal with another popular summer past time - inshore light-tackle angling. It often seems as if Texas flats fishermen are on a never-ending search for the next hot bait. However, far too often, once a lure gets `hot,' it quickly becomes used so often practically every fish in the bay is familiar with it. That's why the most consistently successful flats anglers usually don't follow the masses and use the trendy baits. Instead, they choose their baits based on fish attracting characteristics - whether they are well-known or not. And, often times, the next `secret bait' can be found on nearby fresh water lakes. Such is the case with the venerable tube lure. Tubes have been commonplace on fresh water lakes since the introduction of the Gitzit in the early '80s. Over the ensuing years, practically every species of fresh water gamefish - largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and more - has been taken on tubes. However, despite their success in fresh water, tubes have found it tough to gain a foothold in salt water. Considering the amount of success tubes have had on fresh water gamefish, it is somewhat surprising they haven't been used more in salt water. However, considering how effective tubes are for taking shallow water specks and reds, it is downright mind-boggling they haven't gained more of a following in the brine. SOFT & SILENT Like most soft-plastic baits, tube lures can be productive under a variety of different conditions. However, it is in clear water and with finicky fish when tubes really prove their worth. Unlike other types of soft-plastic lures, tubes have a hollow body cavity. The hollow body combined with the flexible `tentacles' hanging off the rear of the tube allow it to land on the water's surface much quieter than similar sized lures. And, as experienced sight-casters know, the softer a bait lands, the closer it can be cast to a targeted fish. This is a huge advantage when faced with spooky fish in ultra-skinny water. EASY ACTION Besides cushioning the impact upon hitting the water's surface, the tube lure's tentacles provide another major benefit - fish-attracting action. Of course, every artificial lure has some inherent action. But, the thin tentacle strips dangling from a tube provide a subtle action that requires little effort on behalf of the fishermen. In fact, the tentacles are so sensitive that even the mildest current will cause them to flutter. This is particularly useful when the situation dictates allowing the bait to lie on the bottom as a fish approaches. The subtle waving of the tentacles is enough to get the attention of nearby fish, yet not so overt as to scare off skittish specks and reds. When fish are acting more aggressive, it is easy to impart even more action with a standard `twitch-and-stop' retrieve. This type of retrieve will caught the skirt to `billow' in and out. When the rod tip with twitched, the tube lurches forward and the skirt lays straight. Once the rod, and thus the lure's, movement is stopped, the skirt pushes forward, causing it to flare out. This pulsating action is often enough to cause even finicky fish to strike. The use of color accented tube lures, such as the YUM Wounded Tube, only reinforces this subtle pulsating action. The red-tipped tentacles of these tubes only add to the fish-attracting characteristics of the bait. Interestingly enough, though these tentacles would seem to attract the attention of unwanted nuisances, such as piggy perch, that typically isn't the case. Anglers can also use a steady retrieve punctuated with rod tip twitches. The constant forward motion of the tube will cause the tentacles to remain streamlined behind the bait's body. However, when the rod is twitched during a steady retrieve, the tube lure appears to `hinge' at the point where the main body and tentacles meet. This type of action cannot be achieved with other types of soft-plastics. Therefore, most fish have rarely seen a lure move through the water in this manner. Perhaps it is the lack of familiarity, but whatever the reason, aggressive fish can rarely resist taking a swipe at a tube retrieved in this manner. VERSATILE One of the best features of tube lures is their versatility. It's hard to find a lure of any type that provides as many rigging options as a tube lure. Standard jig heads The first inclination of most salt water anglers is to rig a tube on a standard jig head, just as they would with any other soft-plastic. This type of rig works well when fishing with a steady retrieve or when sight-casting over clean bottom. The open hook of the standard jig head, however, does have some drawbacks when fishing along the bottom in grassy areas. Weedless jig heads Rigging tubes on weedless jig heads such as the Stanley Frog Hook, is perhaps the most versatile on all rigging techniques. Since the weight of the weedless jig head is located under the bait instead of in front of it, it causes the tube to `stand up' on hard bottom. The weedless head also gives the tube a unique action when worked higher in the water column. However, by far the biggest advantage to the weedless jig head is the fact the lure can be dragged through grass beds into sandy potholes without fouling. Weedless and weightless When fishing ultra-shallow water, anglers can also rig a tube on a weedless worm hook with no weight. This allows the bait to land with a minimal amount of disturbance and fall excruciatingly slow. However, due to their hollow body design, tubes are very light and can be difficult to cast without added weight. When rigging a tube weedless and weightless, anglers are best served to use a medium light spinning rig. Texas style Tubes can also be rigged Texas style, with a weedless hook and bullet weight. This rig accomplishes about the same thing as a weedless jig head. However, the Texas rig allows anglers to vary the size of weight used with the bait. It also allows the fish to move off with the bait without feeling the resistance of the weight. This is an obvious advantage with spooky fish. But, on the downside, the Texas rig is pretty much limited to bottom fishing applications, as it does not allow the bait to swim naturally higher in the water column Carolina style Yet another way to rig a tube to be weedless, the Carolina rig involves the use of an egg sinker, followed by a barrel swivel, 12- to 18-inch length of leader, and a weedless worm hook. The advantage of this rig is that the bait swims at some distance behind the weight, allowing it to `lift' off the bottom. Often, especially over sand bottom, the weight kicks up a fish-attracting `puff' of sand as well. Another trick anglers can employ with a Carolina-rigged tube is to place a small piece of foam or cork inside the body cavity of the tube. This will cause the tube to float above the bottom, making it easier for fish to find, especially over grass covered bottom. Stuffing body cavity Another trick anglers can employ with tubes is to stuff the body cavity with some sort of scent. One of the basic ways to due this is to use a piece of sponge soaked in a fish attractant. Strips of Fish Bites also work well. Anglers can even use the `real thing,' and stuff chunks of shrimp or baitfish into the cavity. Regardless of what is used to stuff the body cavity, this technique can only be used when the tube is being rigged weedless, as the rear insertion of the weedless hook is necessary to hold the `stuffing' in place. PLUGGIN' WITH A TUBE Fans of slow sinking plugs can also employ tubes. Rigged weightless, tubes sink extremely slow. But a more viable option for pluggers is the Chattertube, which is a 4-inch soft-plastic tube fitted with a hard plastic rattling chamber and a treble hook. This lure, which is manufactured by the Houston-based Texas Rattlin' Rig, is extremely effective in shallow to mid-depth potholes and around structure. Regardless of what type of tube is chosen or how it's rigged, the fact is tube lures are deadly effective on Texas flats. And, given the fact so few anglers throw them, the next tube lure a Texas redfish sees may be its first. texas saltwater fishing, texas fishing, wadefishing, wading, bay fishing, speckled trout, redfish, snook, tarpon, texas redfish, texas speckled trout