Fishing is a spectrum, and just as tiny baits and delicate tactics hold a solid position at one end, the opposite end sees the profound relevance of big and bold. Tubes are no exception, and large, fringy monsters twice the size — or more — of standard models can prove highly productive in the right scenarios.
The concept comes to us from the West Coast saltwater scene, where offshore anglers have been dragging whopper tubes like the 7-inch Giant Tora Tube on 2- to 8-ounce jigheads for cod, pollock and halibut for decades. Modern fishing retailers now also market this big bait to bass anglers. Others include the 6-inch Reaction Strike Hollow Tube Jr., 6- and 8-inch Basstrix Trix Tube, 6-inch Gitzit Super Tube and Mizmo’s 5½-inch Grandes Tubes and the 7-inch Ish Tube designed by Bassmaster Elite Series pro Ish Monroe.
Bed fishing is one of the top uses for jumbo tubes, if for no other reason than the instant barometer of fish disposition it affords. Toss one of these Texas-rigged beasts toward a bedding bass, and the fish will either spook or stand its ground. Those that stay are clearly in a fightin’ mood, and that big wiggling intruder will flip their kill switch in no time.
Flipping and pitching work for bedding, or any time fish are holding in or under vegetation, as does a swimming presentation. Go with a lighter bullet weight, just enough for manageable casting, and bring that big tube across the weeds with an upward or lateral twitching retrieve to impart the undulating motion that gets that big body swishing and those tentacles kicking.
When you reach a gap in the vegetation, or when you reach the edge of a grass line or lily pad stand, kill the bait and let it fall to the bottom. Any fish that was tracking the bait won’t be able to resist that head-standing, skirt-shaking motion.
A big tube will also attract attention on the bottom with a lead head or a Carolina rig presentation. It’s something bass don’t often see, and such oddities can be just what you need to push them over the edge.
With big tubes, be aware of the higher propensity for short bites where the bass grabs the tentacles without ever getting a hook in its mouth. You’ll know it when a bass means business, but give the timid ones a few seconds to come tight before reeling down on them.
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