A timeless technique for targeting both smallmouth and largemouth bass, the Tube has been used by anglers since the 1970s to tempt fish into taking a ride over their boat's rails. There are a variety of ways to rig a tube, from weightless, to Texas or Tokyo Rigged, and several different methods in between. In this How-To, we will go over setting up a ‘Stupid Tube Rig.’ The Stupid Tube allows you to more effectively fish a Tube around cover such as docks, grass lines, wood, or under boats where the biggest bass tend to lurk.

To get started, you simply need your favorite 3- to 4.5-inch Tube bait and a weighted EWG Tube Jig with a 60-degree line tie.

Begin the process by securing your tube in one hand and the jig in the other. To reduce friction and the risk of tearing your soft plastic, moisten the head of the Jig before proceeding. Insert the hook point into the base of the Tube, and thread the body down the shank of the jig until the hook is approximately 1/4- to 1/2-inch from the head of the tube.

Once your hook point reaches near the head of the bait, pierce the body of the Tube and pull the jig through until you reach the molded weight of the jighead.

From here we will rotate the jig 180-degrees so the hook eye and hook point are both oriented toward the top of the tube.

Next, locate the line tie either visually by identifying the bulge under the plastic or by feeling it through the body of the Tube. Once you have located the eye, simply press your fingers on both sides of the eye in order to push it through the body and expose your jig’s line tie.

Some anglers prefer to pierce the tube ahead of time with small snips or a blade to help prevent excess damage to the soft plastic.

Lastly, we are going to ‘texpose’ the hook by inserting it through both walls of the body and burying the point back into the top wall. This will enable you to navigate and probe those highly vegetated areas of your favorite fishery with snagless efficiency.

You are now ready to hit the water with the vegetation-conquering Stupid Tube set up that combines the fish-drawing power of the Tube bait with the weedlessness of a Texposed presentation.

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