Monster Striper Tips - New Weighted Tubes

NEW: WEIGHTED PERFECT TUBES

As we creep into the mid-summer striper bite, Tube and Worm Trolling will become increasingly productive for boat and kayak anglers searching for scattered bass in deep water. We've added an upgraded dual-weighted frame to our popular Perfect Tube lineup. All colors are now available in the 3.5oz 19inch and 5oz 24inch frames. These dual-weighted frames are evenly balanced for a horizontal drop and are ideal for fishing deepwater and fast current, or for shallow water anglers opting to troll with a braided line instead of wire or lead core outfits.

TIPS FROM THE PROS 

HS: What are the benefits of using a Perfect Tube with additional weight on the frame?

NC: I like to use weighted tubes in a variety of different situations. I prefer weighted tubes in shallow water, i.e. less than 12 feet because it allows me to fish mono or braid instead of a lead line or wire. The weight of the tube gets it down 5-8 feet and allows me to present the bait in the strike zone, and the mono or braid gives me a more direct connection to the fish when I hook up. Using wire or lead line in shallow water can be problematic in shallow water because you tend to get hung up more on the bottom. I also use the weighted tubes in deep water with the lead core because it allows me to get my bait down deeper without letting out more line. The more line you have out the bigger belly in the line can be, and this can present the fish with more opportunities to shake the hook. 

HS: I've been told you choose to tip your tubes with Fish Bites, what are the advantages?

NC: I like to use Fishbites on my tubes a lot because of the convenience factor. I can put a few packs on the boat at the beginning of the season and have them with me at all times. Seaworms can be a hassle at times. They don’t last very long and sometimes you just can’t make it to the tackle shop the get a fresh dozen. Having a bag of Fishbites means that at any time I can pull the perfect tubes out, and I’m ready to go.

HS: What's your preferred Tube Trolling Outfit?

NC: My preferred trolling setup for the tubes are a 6 1/2-7’ medium action 20-40# rod and an Avet JX6.0 lever drag reel with 36# lead core line. The medium action rod has the right flex to allow the tube to make it’s nice to slow roll, and still has enough backbone to turn a big fish. I like the Avet because it has a nice high gear ratio which allows me to get my tube in and back out quickly if I see it tap bottom and pick up some weed, or a scup or seabass eats the worm or fish bites off. I like the lead core because it allows me to get down to fish deeper in the water column without having the drawbacks of using wire line. This setup allows me to catch fish using the perfect tubes in a variety of different situations, whether it be 12' or 40’ of water.

HS: What's your signal during the season that it's time to start fishing Tube and Worm?

KG: The fish in Cape Cod Bay school up into large grouper to follow bait schools into bays and rip lines in the spring. Once the water temp reaches 62-64 degrees, the fish break up and become hard to locate. This is when they spread out in 40-60 feet of water. The best technique to catch them during the day from these depths is the tube and worm.

HS: What are your considerations when choosing tube color?

KG: If the water is stained, I'll use Black or Redwine colored tubes. When fishing clearer water, like Cape Cod Bay, Bubblegum and Dayglow Orange seem to be the most effective.

HS: Tell us about your Tubing Gear.

KG: My T&W setup consists of an 8' conventional swim bait rod with a parabolic action. I'll pair it with the Avet MXL 6:1. That setup will hold 300yds of 50lb braid below my 100yd top shot of lead core. Top it off with 15' - 25' of 3olb fluorocarbon in open water, or bump to 50lb fluorocarbon when fishing around rocks.

HS: Over the past few years, it’s become apparent you never tip your tubes with Sea Worms. What’s your take on fishing “un-tipped” tubes successfully?

AC: I realize up north in your area a lot of guys tip their tubes with a sea worm. I’m sure it works for them. Here in Montauk, we have a lot of bluefish, and sea bass and I know they do as well. fish we are not targeting may bite the sea worm off or get hooked. I felt it took away from the action of the tube all by itself. It also wasted time on bites we did not want. On a 1/2 day 5 hr trip it’s wasting time. I fish them without any sea worm or any other attractant and find it works well for me.

HS: How have the Weighted Perfect Tubes made your job easier and effective?

AC: The new weighted tubes are easier to get out when trolling wire line. Which is what we do in Montauk. The heavier frame weight is a big help when fishing in deep water with strong tides. The extra weight makes offers enough tension on the wire to deploy it from the spool. They are also perfect if you want to fish shallow water areas with braid or mono if that's what you like to do.

HS: What are a few quick tips on choosing trolling direction and speed?

AC: The most important skill is to get speed and direction working for you. I don't want a fast speed with the tube swimming like a helicopter blade. Slow is the way to go! The Perfect Tube has a natural wobble action built in. Most days, you can fish them up tide as long as it not a raging tide. Cross tide or down tide are usually more productive and the speed of the current will dictate the wobble of the tube as you adjust your speed. You must adjust your speed to get a good action. Before you fully deploy the tube, drop it back behind your boat have your mate let out about 15 feet of line and dip the rod tip onto the water. Look at your speed and check the action of the tube, you want a natural swimming action with an enticing wiggle. The bass will not bite the entire tide, sometimes the beginning, other times the end of the tide. You have to work at it and believe in what your doing, it’s easy to give up and switch modes.