How to Master the Tube Jig – A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re new to fishing and want to take it up a notch, the tube jig is one of the most popular go-to pieces of equipment.

It’s a crafty little lure that is designed with a hollow body and has an array of colors and sizes to choose from. The tube jig is easy to use and perfect for catching bass.

Let’s get down to business and find out how it works.

Step 1: Choose Your Gear

Start with your gear. You will need a medium-heavy rod, an 8-17lb line test, and an appropriate size reel for the rod you have chosen.

Once you have your gear ready, tie on the tube jig you would like to use.

Most anglers prefer fluorocarbon or monofilament lines because they are less visible in water than other lines—making them ideal choices for this type of fishing.

Step 2: Selecting Your Location

Next, select your location carefully.

When using a tube jig, you want to make sure that you cast into areas where there is plenty of cover such as weeds, logs, rocks, or other structures that can provide hiding places for fish.

This ensures that when they strike your lure, they will be able to hide quickly and effectively before coming back in for another bite.

Step 3: Casting & Retrieving Techniques

Once you have identified your location, it’s time to cast.

Cast your tube jig towards the cover ensuring that it lands close enough so that when it settles back down onto the bottom it comes into contact with the cover

 Then begin retrieving slowly so that it bumps along the bottom as if searching for food. Make sure not to reel too quickly; this could cause your lure to fly up out of the water and miss any potential bites from lurking fish below.

If nothing happens after a few casts, then switch up your retrieval speed or technique until something does happen—you never know what kind of action might trigger them into striking.

Step 4: Experiment with Different Techniques

While slowly retrieving the tube jig along the bottom is a good technique to start with, you can also experiment with different methods to see what works best in a particular location or for a specific type of fish. Some options to try include:

• Varying the speed of your retrieval: Try speeding up or slowing down the rate at which you reel in your line to see how it affects the action of the tube jig.
• Using a hop-and-drop technique: Instead of steadily reeling in your line, try lifting the rod tip up and letting the tube jig drop back down to the bottom before retrieving it again. This can mimic the movement of a small baitfish and attract the attention of larger predatory fish.
• Twitching the rod tip: As you retrieve the tube jig, try quickly flicking the rod tip up and down to give the lure an irregular, lifelike action. This can be especially effective when fishing in clear water or targeting finicky fish.

Step 5: Pay Attention to Your Line

When fishing with a tube jig, it's important to pay attention to your line at all times. If you feel a sudden weight or resistance on the line, it could be a fish biting your lure.

Set the hook by quickly pulling back on the rod and reeling in any slack line. If you feel a series of bumps or taps on your line, this could be a fish following your lure but not committing to biting it.

In this case, try changing up your retrieval technique or switching to a different lure to see if you can entice the fish to bite.

Step 6: Use Different Sizes and Colors

One of the great things about tube jigs is the wide range of sizes and colors available.

You can choose a jig that's specifically designed for the type of fish you're targeting, or you can experiment with different combinations to see what works best.

Some anglers believe that certain colors and patterns are more effective at attracting fish, while others rely on the size and weight of the jig to get the job done.

By trying out different options, you can figure out what works best for your particular fishing situation.

Step 7: Practice and Persistence

Fishing with a tube jig can be a lot of fun, but it also requires patience and persistence. Don't be discouraged if you don't get a bite right away, or if you don't catch anything on your first few tries.

Keep experimenting with different techniques and locations, and pay attention to what's happening on your line.

With practice and persistence, you'll eventually figure out what works best for you and start catching more fish with your tube jig.

Conclusion

Using a tube jig can be loads of fun—especially if you land yourself some big catches! With just a few simple steps outlined above, any angler can become an expert in no time at all.

Have fun out there on the water exploring different locations and techniques until you find what works best for you.