Tube Jigging for Trout and Salmon Fishing Technique

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Tube Jigging for Trout and Salmon

Using tube jigs when fishing for Trout and Salmon is a deadly technique that can be easy to master. This popular fishing technique requires a minimum of equipment. Most fishermen use a spinning rod or noodle rod with a length of 8ft, 9ft, or even 10 ft. The 10 foot noodle rod is the most popular. The ten foot length of the noodle rod allows the fishermen to cast long distances with light presentations, allows the most line pickup on a hook set, and gives the fishermen more leverage against the fish during the fight. Attached to the spinning rod is usually a standard sized spinning reel that must have a good drag and hold about 250-300 yards of 8-12 pound test line. Most fishermen a few years ago, switched from using monofilament line to one of the super braided lines like Berkley Fireline or Power Pro. The size of line varies from 6-10 pound test Berkley Fireline with 8 pound test being the most popular. The non-stretch properties and thin diameters allow longer casts and gives great hook setting ability at long distances. Remember that because there is virtually no line stretch with Fireline to set your reels drag lighter than normal, to allow the fish to run.

Rigging the tube jig setup is tube jigging for salmon and trout setupsimple. A bobber stop is added to the main fishing line, followed by a small bead, followed by a weighted slip bobber. Below the bobber tied directly to the main fishing line is a SPRO Power swivel. A short length (2-3 feet) of Fluorocarbon leader is usually tied directly to the SPRO Power Swivel. Most fishermen use Gamma Fluorocarbon leader material in the 4 to 6 pound size since it is virtually invisible under water. If the fish breaks the line during the fight, the break will usually occur in the leader section and you will not loose your float. The final item is the tube jig with a 1/16 to 1/32 ounce jig head. Over the jig head is a 1 to 2 inch tube body. Berkley Power bait micro tubes or a regular plastic tube body can be used. If a regular plastic tube is used most fishermen will tip the hook with either a small piece of power bait or a wax worm. If not tipped with something that gives scent and flavor the trout and salmon sometimes will hit and spit the tube from their mouth before the fishermen can react. Using Power Bait or a wax worm will usually cause the fish to hold the tube in its mouth for a critical second or two, allowing a hook set. The preferred colors for the tube bodies: White, Pearl, Lime Green, Chartreuse, Smoke, Pink or Orange. White is the most popular and usually out fishes all of the other colors.

The technique used for fshing the tube jig setup is easy.

The depth of the tube jig below the bobber or float might need to be adjusted depending on the area you are fishing and the depth of water. Most normally start with the tube jig set 3-4 feet below the surface of the water. Remember the eyes of a trout or salmon look up, not down. In some areas when the trout and salmon are deeper the tube jig can be set to 5-10 ft below the bobber. A Split shot can be added above the SPRO power swivel to help sink the jig faster, but do not add too many as the flutter action of the jig is important. First cast the bobber and tube jig to an area in front of where you are fishing. When the bobber first hits the water wait and watch the bobber. You will see the line move thru the slip bobber and the bobber will twitch slightly when the full weight of the tube jig is hanging vertically. If there is any movement of the float after the tube jig sinks to its position, immediately set the hook. Wait for 5 to 10 seconds. Point your rod tip directly at the bobber and reel up any slack line. When you have a tight line to the float, slightly twitch the tip of your fishing rod. This will cause the bobber to move toward you. The tube jig will lift during this motion and then drop back to a vertical position. The drop might take several seconds, depending how deep the tube jig is set. Again reel up any slack line. Wait for a few seconds and perform the same motion again, and again. If at any time there is abnormal movement in the bobber, quickly lift your rod tip to 90 degrees vertical to set the hook. When fishing near a fishermen using the technique with 10 foot noodle rods, a swishing sound thru the air can be heard followed by someone proudly saying "Fish ON!!!".
The Tube Jigging for Trout and Salmon technique can be used in all open water seasons. It is as effective in spring as well as fall for both salmon and trout. The only time that it is not recommended is immediately after a fish stocking has occurred in an area. The young under size limit fish (smolts) will easily caught and can be easily injured by just handling them. Let them grow.

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