On The
Prowl With Prowler Tubes
Written
By: Shay Doming
Introduction
Like
most fishermen we all have favorite techniques that we use at
different times of the year. In the following article I'm going to
discuss several different ways or techniques that I use fishing one
of the best soft plastic baits that I have ever had tied on, the
Prowler Tube. I like these particular baits because it 
makes
a great natural representation of bait fish/crawfish that live
in our Tennessee lakes and river systems. The action of the Prowler
Tube is irresistible to bass causing them to react sometimes
instantly. The Prowler Tube comes in a variety of sizes from the
Finesse Tube to the Pro Super Tube and all in a multitude of colors.
There
are several different ways that I rig the Prowler Tube including
Texas rigging, Carolina rigging, jig head rigging and my personal
favorite, finessing. I know that there are many ways of
rigging and tricks on using a Prowler Tube but I want to share
some of the ways I use them every trip.
Equipment
First, the
equipment that you use to fish a tube can make or break you in
having a good or bad day on the
water. It would be great if every fish hammered your bait every
time, but we all know that's not the way it works. Many time the
bite is very subtle and to have the opportunity to increase your
hook ups you need a ultra sensitive rod. The All Pro APX series
rods is my personal choice because it has unbelievable sensitivity
and strength. For Texas rigging I use a 7 foot Med Heavy All Pro
APX with 10-12 lb line and a 6:2:1 ratio bait casting reel. When
Carolina Rigging I use a 7 All Pro APX heavy action rod with braided
line down to my leader and the same 6:2:1 ratio reel. For jig heads
and drop shot applications I use a 7 foot All Pro APX medium and
medium heavy action Tennessee handle rod and a spinning reel filled
with 6 and 8 lb test line. I like the longer rod and light line
because it give you the ability to make long casts and you also
increase your sensitivity.
Rigging
Methods
When rigging for a Texas rig I use a bullet weight
ranging from 1/8 to 1/4 ounce depending the conditions that
I am faced with. However if I use a 1/8oz 
bullet
weight I always use spinning tackle. My hook selection is easy.
On smaller Prowler Tubes I use a wide gap 1/0 or 2/0 hook. For
larger Prowler Tubes I use a 3/0-4/0 or 5/0 wide gap hook. When
Carolina rigging I use a 1/2 ounce egg weight and one brass ticker
and 2 red #8 or #10 glass beads connected to a brass swivel and
a 14 pound test leader. Most of the time I find my self using a
3/0 and 5/0 wide gap hook depending on the size of the Prowler
Tube that I am using. When rigging the tube for both a Carolina
and Texas rig in simply insert the hook through the head about
1/4 inch and come back out of the tube. I then pull the hook down
so that the eye of the hook is covered and then bury the hook into
the back and bring it through to the other side leaving the hook
barely recessed in the plastic.
To
add buoyancy to your tube you can insert a piece of foam in the
head of the tube, this will allow the tube to float off the bottom.
There are times that this technique is deadly. When using a jig
head I like the 1/8 ounce size for most applications. There are
times that I use a Prowler Tube rattle by wetting it first then
inserting it into the tube first and then I insert my jig head
pushing it in as far as possible. There are times that a
erratic jerk and retrieve method works extremely well. I like to
use this method as deep as 10 to 12 feet. I also use it by simply
hopping it in and around rock and gravel bottoms and off ledges
and flats. I have caught large numbers of Smallmouth on the Cumberland
River and Percy Priest using this methods. I also like to use a
Prowler Tube when sight fishing. When bass are on or near their
beds they can't stand for a Prowler Tube to be in the middle quivering
and twitching. It may take several casts but many time it will
create a violent aggressive strike.
Helpful
Color/Scent Hints
I
really like Prowler Tubes in Smoke/Red Flake, Smoke/Blue or Purple
Flake, Black/Red,
Blue/Black/ Bubble Gum, Cotton Candy, Green Pumpkin, Pumpkin Seed
and White. Of course color selection is dependent on water clarity.
Although the Prowler Tube work extremely well without the addition
of scent I have found that by dipping them in JJ'S Magic increases
your hook up's. The reason for this is the bass tend to hold onto
the bait. This becomes increasingly important if the bite is light.
I hope that this will help you when you take your next trip to
the lake.
Prowler
is one of the fastest growing plastics companies in the United
States, and this didn't just happen by accident....It's
because these high quality baits are made by fishermen for fishermen.
The endless hours on the water testing and improving the action "feel" is
obvious with every pack you open. I will be happy to answer
any additional questions that you might have simply by going to
our site www.tennesseebassguides.com and
clicking on the "FISHING REPORT TAB"
Remember
Lip'm and Let'm go. Tennessee Bass Guides.com
Shay Doming
Guide
www.tennesseebassguides.com
