I've fished with a tube in the past in central florida, flipping into beds in thick grass, and pulling out monster largemouth using watermelon seed tubes with rattles, Texas rigged. but now, I'm in middle tennessee fishing in a clear dam lake.  I asked the question in another topic, for suggestions for fishing in clear water, and someone suggested using a tube.  I also read in the carolina rigging topic that someone else suggested C-rigging the tube.  So my question is:

1.) What does the tube look like to fish?  Is is supposed to look like a worm, or what?  2.) When fishing in clear water, should I T-rig, C-rig, or what?  3.) Do you always put rattles in the tube, are there other things to put in the tube (someone suggested styrofoam for more bouyancy, and alka-celtzer to attract fish), are there times when you shouldn't put anything in the tube? 4.)  Is the tube considered a "finesse bait," if so, why?  I know when I was using it in Florida, there was NO finesse involved, AT ALL!  5.) Finally, do you have any other tips/hints on maximizing success with a tube?  What conditions do YOU prefer to try the tube, and why?  Thanks in advance guys!

A tube can act like a shad or a crawdad, and the action leads the bass to believe it is what it is. The styrofoam trick is awesome for imitating a dying baitfish on a c-rig. T-rigged, and dragged on the bottom, tubes look more like crawdads. I don't know what lake you are on, but I would say that smaller tubes would probably do better there that the tubes you used in Fl. Also, think lightweight. Use a small weight, as opposed to the sinkers you used in Fl. I would go with 1/8 to 1/4 for the t-rig, and less than 3/4 oz for the c-rig.

A tube can act like a shad or a crawdad, and the action leads the bass to believe it is what it is. The styrofoam trick is awesome for imitating a dying baitfish on a c-rig. T-rigged, and dragged on the bottom, tubes look more like crawdads. I don't know what lake you are on, but I would say that smaller tubes would probably do better there that the tubes you used in Fl. Also, think lightweight. Use a small weight, as opposed to the sinkers you used in Fl. I would go with 1/8 to 1/4 for the t-rig, and less than 3/4 oz for the c-rig.

Thanks for your advice. I've got some "bleeding tubes" they are white with red spots, but they are kinda big. Do you think that would work well with the styrofoam, c-rigged? should I add a rattle as well? what about bass assassin pheromone spray? Why do you say I should use small tubes, and small sinkers? just curious? thanks again.  

By the way, I've been fishing primarily on Tims Ford Lake in Winchester, TN.  

:-? OK so I'll sound like a dummy,but fishing has changed a lot,in some ways, since I was young. I'm trying to get back into it to fill some time in retirement. So what the question is, "what's a tube"? Is it like a hollow lure that you put chum in or something?

When I use a tube, which is very often, I never use styro, alka seltzer, or peg the weight.  I always t-rig with a 1/8 or 1/16 bullet, or I use no weight at all (but I'm fishing about 8-12 ft. of water).  When I fish a tube, I like to let the bait sink after a cast, settle, then I'll give it a 6-10 lift and let it settle again.  Once the bait is "Relaxed", I'll twitch it along the bottom for a few inches, but never more than 12.  The idea is to make the tube look like a craw finding food.  I'll repeat this process until I catch a fish or get too close to me to get good action.  Hope this helps...

P.S.- This is a tube Loose Lip:

you should look into the mizmo tube, it's the best i've used it has a pointed weight the dangles on the shank that you shove through the tube into the middle of it, it's awesome... it also has salt imbedded in the lure to give a crunch when the fish bite it for for enticement... it's my favorite rig and I'll never use a tube differently besides with a split shot up on the line about 6-10 inches without the weighted hook instead just a 3/0 4/0 or 5/0 (depending on size of tube) hook in the tube= awesome action... check these links out and invest...

http://www.mizmo.com/rigginginsider.html

http://www.softbaits.com/lures.cfm?d=Weedless%20Tube%20Jighead&m=Mizmo

here's the hook i was talking about

loose lip here's some tubes, they're typically about 3-4 inches and replicate shad and most often crawfish, perfect four jigging in rocks and logs and stumps and pitching in thick cover or cat tails

Thanks I thought that was what a tube was. Sort of looks like a large crappie jig. ;D

Answers to your questions:

#1 Crawdad

#2 Both, T-rig or C-rig

#3 I never use rattles

#4 Finesse/ Yes/ Slow movement like a crawdad

#5 Deep structure. If the water is <12' deep, I prefer weightless Fat Ika or 6" Senko.

Most important suggestion:

Fish slow and let the bait sit on the bottom for EXTENDED periods of time. Initially I led the tube sit for about a minute. I then move it 6-12" with a slow, horizontal sweep and then let it fall back on slack line. If the bass are very active, hopping the bait 3-4' off the bottom can be effective, but always allow the lure to fall on slack line.

How do you rig a tube with styrofoam?  I am confused.

How do you rig a tube with styrofoam? I am confused.

up inside the tube, you can also stick a foam ear plug in there and adjust the position to direct which end floats, you can also make it fall a certain way when weight ie: head first, skirt first, or paralell to the bottom

Here's a 'different' Tube.

I T-rig and then pitch them next to stumps, etc., much like I would a jig-n-pig.

Dan

I too live and fish in Middle TN. If you can let me know what lakes you fish I can help with bait selections.

Clear, deep, rocky highland and midland reservoirs take a different approach than cover filled lowland lakes.

Generally speaking, fish jigs, tubes, lizards, worms, grubs, flukes etc. on normal weather days, as the fish tend to be deeper on these lakes.

Tubes are one of my go-to baits on Priest for sure. I use two different styles / rigging types.

1. 3" finnesse tube on a 1/8 to 1/4 oz BPS tube head on spinning tackle (mid to down lake areas when fishing clearer water and shallow flats).

2. 4" flippin tube with 3/16 to 1/2 oz bullet weight on Baitcasting equip (For upriver areas with more cover or for dragging on deep structure at night or in Summer).

If you're fishing Center Hill, Old Hickory, Tims Ford, etc. the go-to baits would change a bit.

A texas rigged tube falls fairly straight, and when fished on the bottom, is a good craw imitation. A tube rigged with a jighead inside will spiral on the fall, imitating a dying baitfish. I use a texas rigging for the hook, with Owner riggin hooks, but I put the weight inside the tube instead of on the line in front of the tube. I get the spiral on the drop, and still have a bait that will not get hung up, like the jighead will. It's the best of both worlds. The only problem is that the weight will end up at the back of the tube unless you put something else inside it the keep the weight in place. I've been using pieces of nylon rope. They will hold the weight in place, add a bit of bouyancy so the spiral is better,  and will soak up and help retain the scent I add. This is my go to rig for tough times. I cast, let it drop, and let it soak for a while. Inch it or hop it on the bottom. Sometimes one works, sometimes the other. Every third or fourth hop, I'll crank it up 3 to 4 feet or so, and let it drop back. Sometimes they want it on the bottom, sometimes the spiralling drop is the trigger.

I keep the color game simple. Natural, baitfish looking colors for clearer water, and dark colors for dirtier water.

Cheers,

GK

Hey Hibachi, I also fish very clear lakes, I always try to hide the weight with a tube jig . You can expose the hook and get better hook sets. Always try to use natural colors, watermelon, green pumpkin with a gold or silver flake. Good small mouth bait but large mouth will hit them also. Try to snap your rod when fishing it make it very erratic. hope this helps

Shad Cranker, I'm mostly fishing Tims Ford right now.  I've only recently begun fishing up here about two months ago when I bought my boat.  Before now I've fished in rivers in South Alabama and Lakes in the Orlando, FL area.  It's nice to see another Mid TN person here.  I look forward to hearing more from you.  And also thanks to everyone else.  Keep the ideas coming.

if i possibly can i like to fish a tube with a jighead.  there are exceptions but the only time i really like to t rig a tube is when pitching heavy cover.  the death spiral of a tube with a jig head is just too inticing imo.   the way i usually fish them is to make a long sweep of the rod tip and then let the tube fall on a slack line.  long slow sweep and then try to make the bait fall straight down, not gradually arcing down.