Summer · Updated October 19, 2026
Best Tube Jigs for Smallmouth Bass
If you fish for one bait type for smallmouth, make it a tube. A 3.5 to 4-inch tube on a 1/4 to 3/8 oz internal jighead is the most consistent bronzeback bait in Great Lakes rivers and on Lake Erie reefs. Tubes mimic gobies — the dominant baitfish across the Great Lakes since the 1990s. Drag, hop, and dead-stick them along the bottom. Green pumpkin and brown are non-negotiable colors. These are the tubes that catch smallmouth.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability may change.
Our Top Pick
Top Picks at a Glance
Buyer's Guide
Color: match the goby
Green pumpkin, brown, and watermelon-red flake are the three workhorse colors. They imitate the round goby, the dominant Great Lakes baitfish. Carry chartreuse for stained water.
Internal vs external head
Internal heads (insert into the tube body) give a more natural fall and goby-like profile. External heads cast farther and snag less. Most smallmouth pros run internal.
Weight and depth
1/8 oz for shallow water (under 8 ft). 1/4 oz for 10–15 ft. 3/8 oz for 20+ ft or strong current. Match the head to depth and current — too light, the tube floats; too heavy, it dies on bottom.
More Top Summer
Aramish GloCast Mini - Instant UV Charger for Lures Ice Fish...
Arkie Lures TIH-116-10 Mini Tube Insert Head- 1/16 oz- 10 Pa...
50 Crappie JIG Tubes Yellow/White
Berkley
Berkley PowerBait Atomic Tubes Fishing Soft Bait
Fish Hook Remover Tool, 4 Pack Fishing Hook Quick Removal De...
Berkley
Berkley PowerBait Power Tube Fishing Soft Bait
Northland Fishing Tackle Level-Head Predator Tube Jig, Assor...
xfishman
XFISHMAN-Tube-Jig-Heads-for-Bass-Fishing-Tube-Bait-Hooks 1/1...
xfishman
XFISHMAN-Tube-Jig-Heads-for-Bass-Fishing-Tube-Bait-Hooks 1/1...
6" Gitzit Super Tubes
Northland Fishing Tackle Level-Head Predator Tube Jig, Assor...
Northland Fishing Tackle Level-Head Predator Tube Jig, Assor...
Eupheng Tube Baits for Bass Fishing, Soft Plastic Bait Worm...
250pcs/500pcs Single Copper Barrel Crimp Sleeves Kit, 5 Size...
Dovesun
Dovesun Crappie Lures with Jig Heads Kit, Soft Plastic Grubs...
Berkley
Berkley PowerBait Power Tube Fishing Soft Bait
Berkley
Berkley PowerBait Pre-Rigged Atomic Tubes Fishing Soft Bait
xfishman
XFISHMAN-Tube-Jig-Heads-for-Bass-Fishing-Tube-Bait-Hooks 1/1...
Reaction Tackle Tube Jig Heads for Bass Fishing - Tube Bait...
Tube-Baits-for-Bass-Fishing-Lures-Soft-Plastic-Bait-Worm-Tub...
