So I was supposed to go up to St Clair this weekend but couldn't get out of work. While at work I've been roaming the isles wondering what the best "bang for your buck" tubes are? Last time I was at St Clair, we went through tube after tube, I don't really want to spend that much on those if I loose them so frequently. 

Zoom? I always liked their tubes but I think the BPS tubes are very popular because of the different types, color selection, and price...Not sure which are most durable, maybe the Z-man Tubes which I have never tried but they look great.

I get my tubes from E-bay 50 at a time. Inexpensive with lots of color and size options. 

Big Bite, outside of someone selling in bulk, is a reasonable as you'll find.  

Cost of bag of tubes divided by number per pack. Equals cost per tube. Look for lowest number. 

The answer to your problem isn't to by inexpensive tubes, it's to keep them pesky smallies from tearing up the tubes in the first place.  Next time try using baitcasting gear. You'll possibly backlash on every third cast or so and that'll cut down your losses by 30%.

I love the SK Coffee Tubes and Zoom Tubes the best. For a smaller tube, the Gitzit is good. Some tubes are sold in bulk packs of 20+ if you feel like you need a bunch.

If you're going through tube after tube, that's a good thing.  That means you're slaying them.  In my experience, there isn't a St. Clair smallie that can resist one.  BPS is probably your best bang for your buck.  Although, I prefer venom and ISG, but not necessarily due to durability...just a confidence thing.  

I like different tubes with different sizes and profiles, but generally keep coming back to Strike King's Coffee Tubes.  They're not that expensive, even when I go through a pack a day.  How are you rigging them that you're going through so many?  Part of the beauty of a tube is that if one side gets shredded up, you just turn it 90 degrees and rig it up again. 

Just a tube jig head. I use braid with a FC leader. We'd drag 'em in current and they'd get snagged.

 

I like the Zoom tubes also.  I usually t-rig them with the smallest weight I have and fish them in the milfoil. 

I've had good luck with a V&M Smallie Tube. For largemouth I like the Netbait BK tube.

Last summer I was using some Swing Oil J tubes and getting over 10 fish a tube, but they are a small website and I don't know of any stores that carry them.

Other then that I used some Yum tubes I picked up on vacation last year and they held up real nice, I think you can sometimes even find random colors in the wally world Yum discount boxes.

Poor Boy tubes are my favorite.  

Second poor boys tubes 

Poor Boys for me as well.

Don't over look Mizmo tubes. They are excellent and sturdy.  Lots of sizes and colors.  Been using them for 10 years now.  Rig with a 3/0 EWG hook and 3/16 tungsten slip sinker.  No, I don't sell them just enjoy fishing with them.

On 10/3/2016 at 9:44 AM, Bluebasser86 said:

I've had good luck with a V&M Smallie Tube. For largemouth I like the Netbait BK tube.

I've been putting the beatdown on LM's with NBBK "Lou's Special" color

I saw the Poor Boys at F&S earlier, 20 pack for like 8 bucks, that aint bad.