Entry 301-4

Tips From the Tube and Jig Man - Denny Brauer

Part 4: Tube or Jig – Which One?

Question: Denny, how do you decide whether to fish a jig or a tube?

Brauer: This is a very-good question and is something that confuses a lot of people. If the water’s cold, and I’m fishing during the pre-spawn, I’ll fish the jig virtually 100 percent of the time. When we get into the spawning season, I’ll start seriously looking at other baits like tubes and creature baits such as the Space Monkey and the Rage Craw. I seem to catch more bass using the tubes and creature baits before and after the spawn.

Now, this isn’t true on all lakes. If a lake has a lot of color to it (stained water), then these lakes can be very-good jig lakes. If the lakes are clear, I prefer to fish deep structure with jigs. If the fish are shallow in those clear lakes, I’ll catch more fish on the tube. Water temperature also plays a major role in whether or not I decide to fish a tube or a jig. If the water temperature is below 60 degrees, I prefer to fish a jig. If the water temperature is 60 degrees or above, I like to fish a tube bait.

I let water conditions and water temperature make the choice for me between jigs and tubes. My first choice is always the Strike King Premier Elite Pro Model jig in the 1/2- to 3/4-ounce sizes. That jig has always helped me earn a payday at the tournaments and has helped me catch bass all over the country.

Next: Where to Fish What

Contents:

• Part 1: What Jig, What Trailer, When and Why?
• Part 2: 2: Bet on the Football - Jig, That Is
• Part 3: The Flip-N-Tube is the Only Tube
• Part 4: Tube or Jig - Which One?
• Part 5: Where to Fish What