I think I found a mold that will work for me 2.5-3” tubes for smallies.  1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 (other sizes too).  60° size 1/0 or 2/0 hooks. 
 

What do you think? 
 

That'll work!

 

Why do you need so heavy of a tubehead?

 

Allen

6 hours ago, Munkin said:

Why do you need so heavy of a tubehead?

 

Allen

 

It is a northern smallmouth thing for deep, clear lakes.  Especially ones with gobies but I do not (yet) fish the lakes with gobies.   I am going to try it on a secondary point which reaches 30’ deep that I usually fish a drop shot on. 

I'm not a fan.  One of the key characteristics of tube baits is that they collapse when the fish bites them, thus feeling more natural.  This contraption looks like a rock with a rubber over it. 

I mean, seriously, when they bite it, it's a solid object now.  Kinda defeats the purpose.

I’ve been using a Do It tube jig mold for a long time.  It works great for me.

https://store.do-itmolds.com/Tube-Skirt-JigbrSz-18-14-38brHk-570-or-575brCollar-None_p_1043.html

Going after this style: https://www.greatlakesfinesse.com/mini-pro-tube-jig-head

 

Northland, Bite me, 2k jigs have similar styles.  
 

It might be a swing and a miss on my part. 

12 hours ago, Jig Man said:

I’ve been using a Do It tube jig mold for a long time.  It works great for me.

https://store.do-itmolds.com/Tube-Skirt-JigbrSz-18-14-38brHk-570-or-575brCollar-None_p_1043.html

Hmm.  That is the one I do not have.  I have the more tear drop shaped mold.  Also a 3rd coast one that is for 90 or 60 degree hooks, but it does not fit the smaller hook size.  It does allow for a stupid tube hook though as well.  

My solution- #2 30 degree. 
also can do a 60deg 1/0 aberdeen.

wormnose hook

Is that the worm nose jig mold without putting in the screw keeper? 

On 4/3/2025 at 7:57 PM, dv616 said:

I think I found a mold that will work for me 2.5-3” tubes for smallies.  1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 (other sizes too).  60° size 1/0 or 2/0 hooks. 
 

What do you think? 
 

Is this a mold that you designed and machined yourself ?

@dv616 I think it's gonna do exactly what you want.  I've been using ball heads in my glf juvy craws.  I need to try their style still.  My memory is that they are slightly flatter on the bottom to prevent roll when dragging.

 

scott

12 hours ago, Mbirdsley said:

Is this a mold that you designed and machined yourself ?

It is a banana jig from 3rd Coast CNC (on eBay). 

A tube jig should spiral as it falls.

Tom

I think it should still spiral on the way down.  if it doesn't spiral on the fall it should spiral by just moving the hook eye farther back in the tube.  How it is rigged right now may be a little far forward but, you will not know that until you fish it.  The eye placement could be alright. 

I listened to two different podcasts this week on Smallmouth tubes, specifically on “cracking a tube” for smallmouths.  One said  the weight needs to be forward since it is a bottom technique that shakes the tube on slack lone and you want it to rest nose down.”  The other said you want the weight further back so the bait sinks horizontally.  I guess there is a place for both.  60 vs 90 degree hook eye was up in the air.