Recommend a tube / jig combo please

Looking for recommendations on a 4-5″ white tube and jig-head combo. Target will be lake trout. What’s worked for you?

Nothing has every really worked for me but I know Berkeley has a big tube jig the guys use on superior alot. We picked some up at Marine General up there. We just used a plain jighead with a keeper on it.

Here’s an example – I think Yum makes something close, too.

https://www.fishusa.com/product/Berkley-PowerBait-Power-Tubes?utm_source=google_ps&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_ps&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0oKiiZSt4gIVjLrACh2P2gltEAQYAyABEgLaDPD_BwE

I make my 4″ tubes with both chartreuse and flame orange tentacles in addition to solid white for Superior Lakers. They like all three.

If I were buying tubes I’s get the Berkley Power Tubes in 4.5″ and use the chartreuse or orange plastic bait dip to dye the tentacles on a few.

Here’s an insert I make for the tubes with a treble hook….way better hooking ratio than with a standard jig or tube jig head and the tube “follows the line, not a head. The ones shown here are 1/2 ounce. You can create these by simply snipping the clevis on a cheap spinner’s blade….size 5 spinner.

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Thanks guys.

I will look at the Berkley power tubes. Worst case scenario we will buy these at Marine General on the way up north and let their staff recommend a jig. My issue is trying to envision the “fit” on a plastic and jig combo that I’ve never seen or touched.

I did find the Power Tubes and also Northland Mimic Minnow Tuff Tubes in a pre-rigged version, but the largest (4.5″) only comes with a 3/8oz jig which seems on the light side. I was thinking I’d want to be in the 1/2 to 1 oz range?

I should have tagged @jamesholst because I read that this has been his #1 bait fishing lake trout in the BWCA. Ideas James?

@t52s – that’s some pretty work! I will look into that for future reference, but for now I’m looking to buy something off the shelf.

Tangler …..check some local bait shops fro 8″ suckers, or go catch a few. Fillet the meat off the sides leaving the bones in the meat, lay the fillets flat and freeze them. When you get to Marine General look for the big [1 1/2 to 3 ounce] bucktail jigs with stingers in them. Hang a piece of a fillet on the jig hook and have at it. Pearl white, glow white, white/blue, white/chartreuse are all great colors and that oily sucker meat is a magnet for the trout.

The musky shop carries tubes in 5”, 6”, and 7” unrigged and has bigger ones pre rigged. I like the treble hook insert Tom makes. I will have to make some of those.
https://www.muskyshop.com/jigs-spoons/canyon-plastics-5-and-6-gitzit-tubes/
https://www.muskyshop.com/jigs-spoons/canyon-plastics-7-giant-tora-gitzit-tubes/

Tom, have you ever thought about using heat shrink tubing to hold your treble hook in place?

I haven’t tried it yet. I have a ton of these brass bodies in the 1/2 size so I just whip up what I need before each trip. Unless I get bit off I don’t lose too many of these rigs. I’ve had some pretty stout trebles straightened too though. Lake Trout are one super strong animal on a hook and line.

Tom Sawvell wrote:

Tangler …..check some local bait shops fro 8″ suckers, or go catch a few. Fillet the meat off the sides leaving the bones in the meat, lay the fillets flat and freeze them. When you get to Marine General look for the big [1 1/2 to 3 ounce] bucktail jigs with stingers in them. Hang a piece of a fillet on the jig hook and have at it. Pearl white, glow white, white/blue, white/chartreuse are all great colors and that oily sucker meat is a magnet for the trout.

Love it, thanks for the tips! I actually just picked up a handful of Northland’s Bionic Bucktail jigs that sound exactly like what you describe. I got them in 1 oz and 2 oz.

Rodwork wrote:

The musky shop carries tubes in 5”, 6”, and 7” unrigged and has bigger ones pre rigged. I like the treble hook insert Tom makes. I will have to make some of those.
https://www.muskyshop.com/jigs-spoons/canyon-plastics-5-and-6-gitzit-tubes/
https://www.muskyshop.com/jigs-spoons/canyon-plastics-7-giant-tora-gitzit-tubes/

These look promising as well. I like that the same company makes the tube and the jig which makes me confident in fit. Thanks!

Here’s another option for you tangler….

This beast is a full 6″ in length. Lots of thump when jigged. Great for deeper water, but probably want white or pearl.

I ended up buying directly from Canyon Plastics. They offer pre-rigged 5″ Gitzit tubes, with weights from 1/2 oz all the way up to 3 oz, at $5 for a 3-pack.

Thanks again @rodwork for turning me on to these!

tangler wrote:

I ended up buying directly from Canyon Plastics. They offer pre-rigged 5″ Gitzit tubes, with weights from 1/2 oz all the way up to 3 oz, at $5 for a 3-pack.

Thanks for sharing that. I guess I will have to contact them.