I've been using a tube and worm the last couple of times out, the worm seems to be coming of very easy. I dont think im hooking it right allthough it doesn't seem like rocket science.Do you use the hole worm or part of it I have been using the whole thing.I've been hooking it right behind the head then sliding it up as far as I can get it and leaving the rest to dangle but it still seems to comes of to easy.Then do you leave the drag loose and set the hook hard or tighting up the drag and let the momentom set the hook for you, any help would be greatly apreiciated.Do you think the tube and worm works as good as eels and under what conditons would you use either I would think eels would be better all the time, except maybe in the sand.Again any help would be greatly apreiciated.

There's almost a collar around the head of the worm, I hook only that part..I only go in the worm maybe 1/4 of an inch then back out...never comes off....also, the less worm on the hook, the better the action...IMO As far as the drag goes...never too tight, but not too loose either...the momentum from the boat should set the hook..

Troll or cast this eel tube . You don't need a worm to catch stripers with it ,although you can add a worm or scent.

Everyone probably has an opinion here is mine. Hook the worm 1/4 to a 1/2 of an inch from the end thru one side and out the other. I like the largest worm i can get. I set my drag pretty tight and leave in rod holder. I loosen up the drag as the fish gets to the boat as the fight sometimes doesn't start till it sees the boat. IMO I think T&W is probably pretty close to eels for fooling large bass. We are talking boat fishing right? Takes lots of practice but very successful way once you get the hang of it. Many variables as far as tubes , colors, action of tube, leadcore, wire. Well worth the investment in time if you are looking for large bass. You have to like trolling though. Some find it boring but I luv it. My favorite way to fish.

I'm fishing from a kayak i usually use eels but in this area im fishing in it is a sandy bottom very littlle structure so i thought i would try some of my different tubes not to mention the priceof eels.



Everyone probably has an opinion here is mine. Hook the worm 1/4 to a 1/2 of an inch from the end thru one side and out the other. I like the largest worm i can get. I set my drag pretty tight and leave in rod holder. I loosen up the drag as the fish gets to the boat as the fight sometimes doesn't start till it sees the boat. IMO I think T&W is probably pretty close to eels for fooling large bass. We are talking boat fishing right? Takes lots of practice but very successful way once you get the hang of it. Many variables as far as tubes , colors, action of tube, leadcore, wire. Well worth the investment in time if you are looking for large bass. You have to like trolling though. Some find it boring but I luv it. My favorite way to fish.

Thanks for the input more is very welcome.

This is great stuff. Being old in the surf but a newbie in the boat world I have found T & W a great way to fish when there are no live pogies to be had.
I too have had problems keeping the worms on the hook. At first I thought the hook on the tube was too big but that was stupid. You can't land a 40# Bass on a 1/0 hook...not trolling anyway. So I tried to get the biggest worms possible. They still fell off so I went to Berkley Power Worms and Worm scent spray. Works pretty good! Probably not as good as the real thing but I can't keep the worm on the hook so it will have to do.

two ways that i've heard of, the first is how i do it.

make the worm bite the tip of the hook.. if you get it by the "collar" then it should stay on.. you may lose the tail end when the rats are just nipping it.

the other way is start behind the head and out through the mouth. you are still hooked around the "collar" this way as well. this makes the worm look more natural i guess but like i said i do it the other way an it works just fine.

joe, that's an awsome looking lure. might have to pick one up and see how she does. i'd be a little worried around here getting snagged on rocks though... whats that thing cost?

I use 7/0 hooks in my tubes. I find them to be plenty big enough to land even the largest fish and they are easier to get thru the worm without ruining it. I always keep the power worms on board in case I run out of the real thing, but I do prefer real ones. I also use sand eels on the end too and have friends who use mackerel strips, especially if the bass have been looking at tubes with worms for days on end. Sometimes a little change is all it takes to make them eat.

Thanks for all of the feedback. I'm gonna try the collar thing

Thanks once again for all the great input, I will try all the different ways and let you know.

Thanks for all of the feedback. I'm gonna try the collar thing

Yup.
used to start ~1/2 behind the head, and out though the mouth...
and what COLOR tube PIEMMA? :wiggle:

Using rod riggers with tube & worm helps also.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0036766017748a&navCount=0&podId=0036766&parentId=&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=&indexId=&cmCat=netcon&cm_ven=netcon&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=rod%20riggers&cm_ite=netcon&hasJS=true

I make my own tubes and use a a Gamakatsu 6/0 baitholder hook for my setup. They have a very sharp point which makes it much easier to get the hook into the ugly buggers mouth. I stick the hook point into the mouth and thread enough worm on the hook so about
1 1/2 inch of worm can be slid up the shank onto the baitholder barbs of the hook, this method also makes the worm dangle straight behind the tube in a natural manner. I have also heard of a charter captain who uses eel tails with his tubes, much more long lasting and they say they work. I like to use a whole worm but have caught large with just remnants. It is the most effective method for catching bass from a yak IMO. good luck

http://www.gamakatsu.com/catalog/gif/baitholder.gif

Using rod riggers with tube & worm helps also.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0036766017748a&navCount=0&podId=0036766&parentId=&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=&indexId=&cmCat=netcon&cm_ven=netcon&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=rod%20riggers&cm_ite=netcon&hasJS=true

and bunker spoons too.

and bunker spoons too.

don't bring your spoons into a tube conversation. :tooth:


i have a question. how long do you guys wait before you change out a worm. after they are all stretched out, still a little squirm in em but just don't look as tasty as a new fresh one is when I change em. wonder if that's too early?

Yup.
used to start ~1/2 behind the head, and out though the mouth...
and what COLOR tube PIEMMA? :wiggle:

The one color your dad taught me about.....AMBER. Absolute killer!!!!

If the color is out of them, sort of washed out looking , I change them. I'd say you are right on. You want some scent on them to trigger them to hit as that is what they are there for. I also have used some of that seaworm scent stuff too.

hows the scent work...? i havent had much luck with different artificial scents

Haven't noticed a difference and after using it once or twice I'd say it washes off pretty fast so I'd probably say it would probably work better on something less slippery.

I've been using a tube and worm the last couple of times out, the worm seems to be coming of very easy. I dont think im hooking it right allthough it doesn't seem like rocket science.Do you use the hole worm or part of it I have been using the whole thing.I've been hooking it right behind the head then sliding it up as far as I can get it and leaving the rest to dangle but it still seems to of to easy.Then do you leave the drag loose and set the hook hard or tighting up the drag and let the momentom set the hook for you, any help would be greatly apreiciated.Do you think the tube and worm works as good as eels and under what conditons would you use either I would think eels would be better all the time, except maybe in the sand.Again any help would be greatly apreiciated.

Buy more worms. And ask the fish. They are the only ones that really know. Three schoolies in less than an hour last week. One was off an 8" inch worm. The next one was off 3". Fresh was the trick. Every time I re-baited I hooked up. Tube & worm; no weight.
Wait for them (the worms)to try to bite then stick the hook between the jaws/pinchers. Push it through the length of the hook shank. Then turn it. Stripers aren't trout. Close works.
Eels for the surf. I don't know if I would want to troll with them.