Two college anglers from the Drury Bass Fishing Team take a different approach to bass fishing by targeting Missouri strip pits from float tubes. These U-shaped tubes make it feel like fishing from a recliner, while providing stealth and access to water that’s tough to reach from the bank.
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Bass Fishing Tactics From Float Tubes
The Drury anglers rotate between small Texas rigs, blue worms, and baits that imitate bluegill. Chartreuse and blue hues help match the natural forage that bass key on in these waters. Using flippers for mobility, they can cast at tight angles, work baits slowly, and cover water efficiently. Even modest bass put up a fight when hooked from a float tube, pulling anglers across the pit in exciting hand-to-hand battles.
History of the Strip Pits
Once active coal mines, these pits were later reclaimed and stocked with fish across Missouri. Today, they offer excellent bass fishing opportunities. With steep banks and limited pressure, the fish grow aggressive and healthy. Fishing from a float tube gives anglers the advantage of slipping quietly along grass edges where bass feed heavily.
Strategy and Gear Choices
The anglers prefer a 7-foot medium-heavy rod with 15-pound fluorocarbon, a setup that balances power with versatility. From light Texas rigs to swimbaits, this rig handles nearly everything the pits demand. Because steep banks make bank fishing inefficient, float tubes open new possibilities while keeping gear minimal and portable.
