rod for dragging tubes?

[apz245]

Never fished this way but want to try for smallmouth..I keep reading different things though.. and its very confusing..some people recommend stiff rods and some recommend light.. what do you guys find works best?

also would you use a different rod for texas rigged tubes then for tube jigs?

 

[AnglerAnonymous]

how deep are you fishing, how much line do you have out, and what size jigs are you dragging?

 

[apz245]

Like I said I never fished this way before, but I've been reading that for smallmouth generally people use jig heads ranging from 1/8-3/4 ounce, so I was gonna try each size and see how they work at various depths, for smallmouth I fish between 10-40 " in summer.

 

[AnglerAnonymous]

the more line you have out and the heavier jig, the longer and stiffer rod you want

 

[BackwoodsBassr]

AA is correct, longer and stiffer rod the heavier and deeper you go. You need to be able to leverage a good hookset, and you'll have to sacrifice some sensitivity.Extra fast action tip so that you can feel it as soon as possible after the fish takes the bait.

If you're using a texas rigged tube deep you'll probably want an extra heavy rod...setting the hook through the bait and mouth at that depth is going to require one of those famous PGA tour backswings remy hates so much haha.

 

[apz245]

thanks guys.. I have a 7'0 spinning rod thats med/heavy and I'm thinking it'll do the trick, a real bass rod is on my list of things to buy but that list is long and unfulfilled lol

 

[AnglerAnonymous]

That will do the trick just fine, slow and steady you'll build up your arsenal

 

[topwaterjoe]

thanks guys.. I have a 7'0 spinning rod thats med/heavy and I'm thinking it'll do the trick, a real bass rod is on my list of things to buy but that list is long and unfulfilled lol

you forgot to put the 's' at the end of rods.

actually that 7'0 mh rod will serve you well for many things bass. i assume it probably has a fast tip like most rods that length. If you fish deep, braid can help with the hook set, but otherwise, just fish with the tip down and torque it over your shoulder.

 

[BackwoodsBassr]

I don't drag tubes too often so take this with caution: I've used my buddys MH casting rod for dragging tubes. Worked well at about 10 to 12 fow(so well that I'm taking it off his hands). My personal experience tho is that if you're fishing deeper than 20 fow you will want a heavier rod...especially if you're using heavier jigs or rigging texas.

I own some pretty light setups for bass and they work great just not as effective for vertical presentations, heavy jigs, or big plastics t-rigged imo. Might wanna just begin by using your rod to drag the tubes at 10-12 fow with a bit of an exposed hook, see how you like the technique, and then invest in a heavier rod if you want to open up deeper water options.

On the other hand maybe you'll have a lot of success deep with the MH and be like wtf was BWB talkin about...

 

[apz245]

got ya basser.. just one follow up question.. how will i know if the rod im using is too light? will i have not enough feeling in deep water? trouble setting hooks? just so i know what to look for

and fishhawk.. it never ends.. lol. and you're right about the tip

thanks again guys

 

[BackwoodsBassr]

My experience was that you'll know its too light if you feel tugs and can't set the hook in time or if you bring them up to the surface and they shake the hook out easily on a consistent basis. You might also find it hard to feel the bottom when using the heavier jigs you need to keep your tube down those extra feet.

 

[apz245]

My experience was that you'll know its too light if you feel tugs and can't set the hook in time or if you bring them up to the surface and they shake the hook out easily on a consistent basis. You might also find it hard to feel the bottom when using the heavier jigs you need to keep your tube down those extra feet.

got ya.. and I'll let you know how it goes, i've heard lots of good things about this technique for smallies

 

[BackwoodsBassr]

Can't wait to hear about it man!

I stocked up on some smokey white tubes with blue flecks to imitate a molting craw. Smallies absolutely love the molting craw because their shell hasn't fully formed so they do down nice and easy haha. I'll probably drag them relatively shallow in the spring with a 3/8 or 1/2 oz jig and see how it goes. Later in the summer I'm probably going to go for a brown pumpkin colour deeper down. So pumped...

 

[topwaterjoe]

tubes are smallie magnets!