Learning how to rig a weedless tube bait is essential for serious anglers. Tube baits are a classic and incredibly effective lure for both largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Their natural fall, subtle spiraling action, and baitfish-like profile make them a staple in any angler’s arsenal. However, traditional tube bait rigging methods can be prone to snags in heavy cover. That’s where a weedless tube rig comes into play. This technique allows you to present your bait deep into weeds, around brush piles, and through rocky terrain—without getting hung up.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to rig a weedless tube bait step-by-step, using a rigging method that keeps the hook concealed inside the bait for maximum effectiveness in cover. Whether you’re flipping into thick grass for largemouth or dragging across boulders for smallmouth, this weedless approach will put more fish in your boat.
Step 1: Tube Bait Fishing Gear Needed
To properly rig a weedless tube, you’ll need the following:
- Tube bait (3.5 to 4 inches is ideal for bass)
- 90-degree jighead or internal tube jighead (1/8 to 3/8 oz, depending on depth and cover)
- Wide gap hook or extra-wide gap (EWG) hook, ideally 3/0 or 4/0
- Soft plastic lubricant (optional, but helps with insertion)
- Scissors or small snips
Pro Tip: Use a tube bait, such as those offered by Red Angle Fishing Products—they have the right consistency for rigging and are built for durability.
Step 2: Insert The Tube Bait Jighead Backwards
This is where the weedless tube rig sets itself apart. Instead of threading the jighead through the open end like traditional rigging, you’ll insert the jighead backward through the hollow body of the tube bait.
- Flip your tube upside down, exposing the hollow cavity.
- Insert the hook point into the hollow rear (tentacle end) of the tube.
- Carefully work the jighead through the body and push it toward the nose of the tube, turning it as needed to help it glide.
- Once the head is snugly at the front of the bait, poke the eye of the hook out through the nose of the tube. Use scissors if needed to make a small slit for the eyelet.
This reverse insertion keeps the hook hidden inside the bait, giving it a streamlined, weedless profile.
Step 3: Set The Tube Bait Hook Position
Now that the jighead is seated and the eyelet is exposed:
- Tie your fishing line to the hook eye using a strong knot like a Palomar or improved clinch.
- With the hook shaft now inside the bait, mark the spot where the bend of the hook sits naturally.
- Carefully pierce the hook point through the side of the tube and out the opposite side where you marked it.
- Skin-hook the tip of the hook back slightly into the plastic to make it completely weedless.
This step is critical—your hook should sit flush and lightly buried to avoid snagging, but still be able to pop free on the hookset.
Step 4: Test The Weedless Tube Bait’s Action
Drop the tube bait into water or a clear container and watch it fall. The weedless tube should spiral naturally and resemble a vulnerable baitfish or crawfish, depending on color and action.
If the bait looks stiff or off-balance:
- Adjust the hook position slightly
- Trim the tube’s tentacles if necessary
- Consider a lighter jighead for more subtle movement
Step 5: Fish The Weedless Tube Bait
The real magic of the weedless tube setup is where you can fish it.
- For largemouth bass: Pitch it into thick hydrilla, lily pads, and under docks.
- For smallmouth bass: Drag or hop it across rocky ledges, gravel flats, and current seams.
- Use a medium-heavy rod with a sensitive tip to detect subtle bites, and be ready for explosive strikes.
Click here to watch a video on how to rig a weedless tube bait!
Final Thoughts on How to Rig a Weedless Tube Bait
Learning how to rig a weedless tube bait opens up a whole new world of fishing possibilities. It allows anglers to confidently throw tube baits into heavy cover where bass often hide. The reverse jighead rig creates a compact, snag-resistant profile while preserving the natural spiraling action that both largemouth and smallmouth bass can’t resist.
Whether you’re targeting pressured bass in weedy lakes or clear rocky rivers, the weedless tube is an essential technique. Mastering how to rig a weedless tube bait gives you a serious edge—and the confidence to fish where others won’t.
