I was hoping to get some recommendations for 3.5" tubes?  I was just wondering what everyone else fishes for tube baits?

Smallmouth:  BPS Tender Tube #71

 

Largemouth:  Megastrike Tube Craw

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Megastrike_Mega_Tube_Craw_8pk/descpage-MEGATUB.html

Dry Creek Outfitters

I use power tubes or tender tubes because I usually texas rig them and they're thin and soft so the hook up ratio is better.  If I can get away with an exposed hook I go with a ned rig usually.

river rock baits.all i use.

Often overlooked with all of today's plastic offerings, tubes just flat out catch fish.

There are plenty of tubes out there as just about every soft plastic manufacturer offers them.  Hand pours are popular and I'll admit I use them the most.  The important thing when choosing a tube, IMO, is how it will be rigged. I prefer soft/ thin walled tubes when using insert jig heads, especially when Stupid rigging and thicker tubes when Texas, or Carolina rigging them.  

Right bite baits, river rock, mizmo, and poor boys are all solid choices. 

Assuming you’re fishing them with a tube jig, so exposed hook, the strike king pro coffee tubes are really hard to beat. 
 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_Coffee_Tube_35_Pro-Model_8pk/descpage-SKCTP.html

I equally use XZone X-Tubes. They have some interesting color patterns and they are a little larger than the coffee tubes. My favorite color is Killer Perch ?
 

https://www.xzonelures.com/shop/3-75-x-tube-5462?category=129#attr=6748

 

Some of my favorites;

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Big_Bite_Baits_Salt_Tube_35/descpage-BBBTUBE.html

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_Coffee_Tube_35_Pro-Model_8pk/descpage-SKCTP.html

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VM_Smallie_Tube_8pk/descpage-VMSMALL.html

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Xzone_Lures_X-Tubes/descpage-XZTUB.html

22 hours ago, evilcatfish said:

Right bite baits, river rock, mizmo, and poor boys are all solid choices. 

I keep forgetting to go back to poor boys.  Their tubes and erie darters produced for me many times over the years.

 

scott

21 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

Assuming you’re fishing them with a tube jig, so exposed hook, the strike king pro coffee tubes are really hard to beat. 

 

   I started using tubes this year, and those were the ones I chose. I tried T-rigging them, and had no luck. But now I use the 1/8 oz. tube jigs, and the combination works great.       jj

I have been using the X-Tube by XZone lures in both 2.75" and 3.75" this year on Owner Darter jig heads, 1/16 and 1/8oz respectively.

 

I will note that the Strike King Tour Grade jig heads are pretty nice, especially with larger tubes where you can fully embed the jig head inside the tube as well.

I use River Rock tubes exclusively!! Most tubes are good and will work with some being better than others. I use River Rock tubes because I fish waters that get a lot of pressure and most anglers are throwing tubes. River Rock tubes are the softest hand dipped tubes I have ever found.  Because of this you won't get much more than 3-5 fish per tube but you'll get bites that you don't ordinarily get. I really like the stuff they make but the tubes, you'll be hard pressed to find a better one.

I use a smaller 2.5 inch version for brown bass and the larger 3.5 or bigger versions for largies.  For durability, the Berkley Power Tube is hard to beat.  Zman makes a really small tube out of their elaztech that you can rig with a mushroom head.  If its really weedy, I use a gamagatsu skip gap hook with a bullet weight.

 

Berkley has also just introduced a Maxscent Tube.  Its pretty much sold out everywhere now but I intend to try it next season.

12 hours ago, Boomstick said:

I will note that the Strike King Tour Grade jig heads are pretty nice,

 

   I like those heads, too. But just one time, I snagged up while using 15 lb. InvizX. I wrapped the line and pulled, figuring the line would snap. Instead, the hook snapped off! It appeared to be glass-like break, as from brittleness, rather than straightening out. I didn't expect that. So now I'll be on the watch for more hooks snapping. Could have been a one-time thing, though.        jj

Canyon Lures Original Bobby Garland Gitzit.

Tom

Strike king coffee tubes 

Bass Pro Shops Double dipped tube.  Don't tell anyone, but the salt on BPS tube is quite good.?

On 10/13/2021 at 11:41 AM, jimmyjoe said:

 

   I like those heads, too. But just one time, I snagged up while using 15 lb. InvizX. I wrapped the line and pulled, figuring the line would snap. Instead, the hook snapped off! It appeared to be glass-like break, as from brittleness, rather than straightening out. I didn't expect that. So now I'll be on the watch for more hooks snapping. Could have been a one-time thing, though.        jj

 

I haven't really snagged mine or even thrown them on 15# line. I've pretty much used 12# flurocarbon and fished them in more open water alongside drop offs primarily. I caught a few decent fish without issues at least, but I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't the greatest hook, I just like the head and presentation.

On 10/13/2021 at 10:41 AM, jimmyjoe said:

 

   I like those heads, too. But just one time, I snagged up while using 15 lb. InvizX. I wrapped the line and pulled, figuring the line would snap. Instead, the hook snapped off! It appeared to be glass-like break, as from brittleness, rather than straightening out. I didn't expect that. So now I'll be on the watch for more hooks snapping. Could have been a one-time thing, though.        jj

@Bluebasser86 makes tube heads, and stupid tube heads for a lot cheaper than you'll find them in store.  

I must say, they are pretty dang good!

Perfect diameter for a quality hookset and they won't break if you try and get them out of rocks.  Also are super sharp.

I buy the 4" Big Bite tubes in bulk. I go through a pile of 'em in early spring and late fall. I've had some incredible days fishing a stupid tube on shallow rock during the cold water periods. Low 40's through mid 50's is ideal. Green Punkin.

 That's all I need.

On 10/13/2021 at 11:28 PM, HaydenS said:

Bass Pro Shops Double dipped tube.  Don't tell anyone, but the salt on BPS tube is quite good.?

When tying those on and I get the salt on my fingers, they seem very salty.