How to Fish a Tube Jig for Lake Trout

A tube bait, such as a jig, is an artificial lure that has been hollowed out with a closed end on the top and an open area near the hook covered by thin cut strips, or tentacles. When cast into the water attached to a bobber or float, these tentacles sway in the water in a manner that attracts fish such as lake trout. Add a small minnow or cut bait to the hook of the tube jig and you can be well on your way to catching your limit of lake trout.

Things You'll Need

  • Fishing rod and reel
  • Monofilament or braided fishing line
  • Bobber stops
  • Beads
  • Slip bobbers
  • Leader lines
  • Tube jig
  • Bait
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use an 8- to 10-foot noodle rod equipped with a spinning reel and between 8- to 12-foot pound test monofilament or braided fishing line.

    • 2

      Attach a weighted slip bobber equipped with a swivel to the end of the fishing line, which should have a bobber stop and a small bead attached on the end. Connect a small leader line (around 2 to 3 feet in length) to the swivel, then attach a tube jig (any color will work, but many fisherman swear to the effectiveness of a white tube jog) onto the end of the leader line.

    • 3

      Attach a small live minnow hooked through the back (so that it remains alive) to the jig's hook; you can also add small pieces of cut bait as well.

    • 4

      Cast your line about 3 to 4 feet below the water's surface, either from a boat that is drifting or along the shoreline, depending on the depth of the water -- bodies of water deeper than 20 feet should have the cast up to 10 feet below the waterline.

    • 5

      Reel in any slack to the line and watch the bobber. Set the hook if you see any movement in the bobber after the jig has set into position. Let the fish run for a minute or so, then slowly begin to reel it in, keeping it from running under the boat or near any structure near the shoreline.