What hooks and what size do I need, and how do I do it? I am finding tubes to be even more effective than Neds in most cases, which makes sense given that it closely resembles smallmouth’s primary forage. Only issue is I’m constantly hanging up from the exposed hook.
 

Also, are Strike King Coffee Fat Tubes generally considered the best for rivers and creeks? I have been using the Watermelon Candy Green Pumpkin. Thanks!

See this: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/stupid-tube-fishing.html

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Chompers_Tube_Weights_10pk/descpage-CTU.html

 

Rig with 3/0 EWG Offset Worm hooks

I use a Gamakatsu Skip Gap hook pegged with a bullet weight.

 

The Phantom Owner tube hook also works pretty well, as it has the weight already attached to the hook.

@Ohioguy25 I like stupid tubes by secret lures. 

 

https://www.secretlures.com/  

they editorial videos how to rig it. 
Bass pro has a goof-E jig head to for tubes too. 

29 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

See this: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/stupid-tube-fishing.html

 

 

I'm a huge fan of stupid-tubing, and have been using a stupid tube as a 1-2 punch with a ned rig as cover dictates. I have been using tubes and heads from blue rock custom tackle. They had a display at a sports show I was at and I really liked their products.

 

I've also used the zman tubes on occasion for a more neddy action.

 

-Jared

^^ I like this! ^^

 

I've also rigged them on a small screwlock belly weighted hook.

 

Used to use a Lindy internal tube weight and a 2/0 or 3/0 EWG hook, but the stopped making them.

13 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Which tube is that?

19 minutes ago, KCFinesse said:

 

I'm a huge fan of stupid-tubing, and have been using a stupid tube as a 1-2 punch with a ned rig as cover dictates. I have been using tubes and heads from blue rock custom tackle. They had a display at a sports show I was at and I really liked their products.

 

I've also used the zman tubes on occasion for a more neddy action.

 

-Jared

I currently have this. Can I use the stupid tube rig with them to finish them out or do I need a different hook? 
 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B082LZ4MFC?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Strike king bitsy tube 

I always Texas rig my tubes.  Too much grass for an exposed hook.  I fish them like a jig.

20 minutes ago, Bankbeater said:

I always Texas rig my tubes.  Too much grass for an exposed hook.  I fish them like a jig.

I stuff an old worm piece (Senko, etc) into the tube then Texas rig with an EWG.

Hey @Ohioguy25 

have you watched the videos on the secret lure, if your hooks are big enough you can use those jig heads you have. 

4 hours ago, gimruis said:

The Phantom Owner tube hook also works pretty well, as it has the weight already attached to the hook.

This is what I use with the BPS Tender Tube

https://sfttackle.com/sfttackle-big-hook-weedless-tube-jig-head-14129.html

I use these. The weed guard does not negatively impact hook up ratio in my opinion. The 3/0 hook pairs well with 2.75" to 3.5" tubes; Mizmo, River Rock, Strike King Coffee, etc. 

I'll fish a tube EVERY time I fish for smallmouth.

I use these.  All the lead is inside the tube and its completely weedless. 

I don't like T-rigging a tube as it kills that action that makes tubes such a great bait.  I use a 2/0 or 3/0 Gammy EWG hook and a bass casting sinker pushed into the nose of the tube. I run the hook point into the tube, through the eye of the sinker and out. I finish it up running the hook through the body and skin hooking it on the top of the tube. 

No need for any thing that you don't already carry, except the weights and they're inexpensive.

3 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

I don't like T-rigging a tube as it kills that action that makes tubes such a great bait.  I use a 2/0 or 3/0 Gammy EWG hook and a bass casting sinker pushed into the nose of the tube. I run the hook point into the tube, through the eye of the sinker and out. I finish it up running the hook through the body and skin hooking it on the top of the tube. 

No need for any thing that you don't already carry, except the weights and they're inexpensive.

Can you send me a picture of the finished result, and is it still weedless? Are you saying stupid tube is Texas rigging?

4 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

I use these.  All the lead is inside the tube and its completely weedless. 

How do you rig this, and what is the hook called? Just an EWG ball jig?

I make my own internal weights buy using lead bullet weights and 15 lb test mono. Run the ends of a small piece of the mono through the point end hole and pull until a small loop is left. Pinch the weight with pliers and trim the loose ends.  Very inexpensive and very efficient. Use an EWG hook and you’re good to go.  Cast, pitch or skip away.

3 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

8 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

I use these.  All the lead is inside the tube and its completely weedless. 

Expand  

How do you rig this, and what is the hook called? Just an EWG ball jig?

X2 and where do you get them

3 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

I make my own internal weights buy using lead bullet weights and 15 lb test mono. Run the ends of a small piece of the mono through the point end hole and pull until a small loop is left. Pinch the weight with pliers and trim the loose ends.  Very inexpensive and very efficient. Use an EWG hook and you’re good to go.  Cast, pitch or skip away.

I love it.  How hard is it to find the loop with the hook?

I love the stupid tube jigs.  There's videos on YouTube how to rig the tube on them.  Takes a little practice/might ruin a few tubes, but once you get it, you'll never do it another way.

 

You get the tube death spiral and the weedless presentation.

 

My son caught a 3 lber his first cast ever with a stupid tube jig and they have kept me skunk free on tough days.

Ok, here's how you do it!

 

 

18 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Can you send me a picture of the finished result, and is it still weedless? Are you saying stupid tube is Texas rigging?

How do you rig this, and what is the hook called? Just an EWG ball jig?

Its an Owner finesse ballhead.  Its not a super heavy hook, but I personally like that, it make it easy to set a hook no matter how thick the tube is.  Only caveat being you have to use tubes that dont have a solid head.  

To rig it, I go in backwards. You come in the back of the tube with the hook and poke the point through where the offset would come out.  To find that, you size up the hook next to the tube before rigging and make a mental note of the where the offset is.  

Once you have come up through the back the tube and have gotten the point through the spot you marked earlier, you then thread the rest of the hook and leadhead through the back the tube.  Sometimes its beneficial to lubricate the lead head so that the eye or clevis doesn't tear the tube if its a tight fit.  

If its done correctly the eye should be trying to poke out of the top of the tube.  All you have to do is take a sharp blade and cut a tiny slit right down the center of the eye.  If you cut to one side or the other it will make the hook **** eyed.  The balance and angle of the eye on the Owner head, accentuates the spiraling and gliding action of the tube when rigged perfectly straight.  

The only drawback is the Owners can be a little difficult to find in larger hook sizes.  BKK has a good ballhead EWG thats available overseas with larger sizes and they're bringing it to the US market very soon.  

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Ultrahead_Finesse_Ball_Head_/descpage-OFBH.html

Tube colour for my river is simple - it should match the river bottom and sometimes a hotspot of orange or chartruese