I call the tips in this article "advanced" but there's really nothing advanced about them. The following are just some observations I have made over the years which I feel will help you tube and worm trolling.
From dragging buckets to rubber core sinkers, fishing multiple lines and ​trolling tubes with spinning reels - this post ought to be fun! Let me know what you think by commenting at the bottom of this post.
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5 More Tube & Worm Trolling Tips
This past week while trolling tubes I got to thinking about 5 "advanced" tips to share with you today in this post. I'm just going to cut to the chase and list them here:
1) Maximize Your Odds
A simple way to increase your catch while trolling is to maximize your odds by incorporating the setup shown in the video below.
Using the above setup, I can easily test out different depths, tube colors and tube lengths. Once I figure out what the fish want I will switch all setups to the same depth, tube color and tube length.
2) Pay Attention To Your Most Productive Tubes
More often than not on any given trip, one particular tube will out fish all the others. I am not sure exactly why, but countless times I have watched 1 specific tube catch all the fish.
So far this season the below photographed tubes have by far been the most productive. ​
However, I have many of the above mentioned tubes on my boat. Yet out of all those tubes, there are just a handful that produce best.
So even if you match the color and the length perfectly, there is the "wiggle factor" to pay attention to. It's got to have something to do with the way the tube twists and turns through the water.
My recommendation would be to experiment trolling several of the above photographed tubes​. Pay attention to the 1 or 2 tubes that produce best over time and do everything in your power to mimic the "wiggle" of those special tubes.
3) Get More Solid Hook Sets
I might of already alluded to this in prior articles, but I feel it can pay to mention again. Nobody likes losing big fish after hooking them. Consider incorporating the below tips to help improve your hook sets.
- Pay attention to how you hook the seaworm
After a lot of experimenting I have decided that I receive more solid hook sets when I try to thread as much of the worm as possible onto the hook. Very small seaworms seem to work just as well as large ones.
- Use the type of hook photographed below
I've always made my own tubes and after experimenting with different hooks, I have settled upon the specific hook shown below.
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- Set the drag tight enough to embed the hook into the jaw of the bass, but not so tight you risk breaking the line
I know I mentioned this before but definitely make sure your drag is set tight enough to solidly embed the hook into the jaw of the bass when the bite occurs, but not so tight that you risk breaking the line.
I have seen quite a few folks trolling who actually leave just the clicker on. Then when they get a hit they run over to the rod, engage the reel and try to set the hook. Usually they are too late and the fish swims free.
When trolling the tube, the forward motion of the boat effectively sets the hook for you. There is no need to set the hook like you are fishing for largemouth bass, granted your drag is set tight enough at the moment of the bite.​
4) Fool Finicky Fish
During the summer bass can become very finicky and difficult to catch. However with the tube you can sometimes make slight adjustments to catch those super finicky fish.
Instead of tossing the technique out the window and trying something completely different, I prefer to make slight alterations in my tubing technique until I discover what the fish want.
If you 100% confidence in the tubes you are trolling, but you still cannot fool a fish into biting, then consider trying the tips below:​
5) Make Your Own Deadly Tubes
I am wracking my brain trying to think up any more tips that I haven't already shared in Part #1 and Part #2 of this series. I think I have shared just about everything!
That last bit of information I would like to give you are instructions for how to make your own "deadly" tubes. I have experimented with store bought tubes and I continue to go back to these simple tubes which I make at home.
​MFCC members can click the orange button below for a PDF which outlines how I like to make my tubes. Tight lines!
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PDF with instructions on how to make your own “deadly” tubes
What do you think? Let me know by commenting below.
Good info. I need to adjust my tube and worm tactics. I have been in a funk.
Yes I really enjoyed the detail I’m this series.
Awesome to hear, thanks Alain and I hope you are catching ’em up!
Great information! Taking a ‘simple’ technique and really breaking it down, to be able to refine your approach. Nice work.
Looks like making tubes may be a winter item for me when I’m dreaming of stripers!
Absolutely! I’ll also be spinning up some new tubes over the winter.
Glad you enjoyed the series.