Join professional angler Cole Breeden as he discusses the techniques and strategies for catching post-spawn smallmouth bass using a tube. Although many baits can be productive during this phase of the season, dragging a tube can be an excellent way to put fish in the boat when the bite gets tough. Breeden focuses on areas with a mix of rock, sand, and grass—ideal spawning grounds for smallmouth bass. He provides an in-depth analysis on why these habitats are hotspots for smallmouth during the post-spawn period.
FEATURED PRODUCT (retail links)
- TUBE – Berkley Powerbait MaxScent Tube: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at FishUSA | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- JIGHEAD – Berkley Fusion19 Tube Jig: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- ROD – Fenwick World Class 7′ 1″ Medium: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- REEL – Abu Garcia Revo SX SP Spinning Reel: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- LINE (Braid) – Berkley X9 Braid, 10-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- LINE (Fluorocarbon) – Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon, 8-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at FishUSA | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
KEY STRATEGIES AND TACKLE USED
Breeden discusses the importance of making precise casts to increase your chances of success. Understanding the behavior of post-spawn smallmouth is key to this. He emphasizes targeting specific underwater features like chunky rocks and subtle drops, which are often overlooked but crucial for locating transitioning smallmouth. The choice of tackle is also crucial; Breeden uses a 3.5-inch tube on a light jig head to navigate through larger rocks and avoid snagging on zebra mussels. He explains the versatility of a tube, especially in conditions where smallmouth are less aggressive, and how its design helps mimic natural prey like gobies. He also covers the advantages of using a tube over other baits like the Ned rig, highlighting how the tube’s soft head allows for better maneuverability around obstacles.
TUBE FISHING EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
For optimal performance, Breeden relies on a 7’1″ medium extra-fast action spinning rod. This offers the perfect balance of backbone for strong hook sets and a flexible tip for fighting fish effectively. He details how the rod’s characteristics are crucial when dealing with the acrobatic nature of smallmouth bass.
ELECTRONICS & CLOTHING
- FISH FINDER – Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 126sv Chartplotter/Fish Finder Combo: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- LIVE SONAR – Garmin LiveScope Plus LVS34 – Livescope + LVS34 System: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- JACKET – Aftco Barricade Jacket: Buy at Aftco
