TUBES/TICKLERZ/HULA STICKZ
TUBES
Tubes are a great bait for large Wrasse. I wouldn't say they are one of my favourite baits as I catch more fish on other lures but they do seem to fool the larger Wrasse much like Craws. Great fished on a Jika Rig where they can be almost scooted along the bottom. If you add pauses into your retrieve it will cause the skirt to pulse, thus provoking a strike. Other rigs will work but this is how I like to fish them.
AGM 3.5" Tubes: These appear to be the easiest to source and I particularly like the Green Pumpkin Candy. They are cheap, tough and come in a variety of colours.
Big Bite 4" Craw Tube: Half Craw, half tube. These are a big fish bait. I have had a few decent fish on these. They do catch smaller fish but they are one of those baits that at least for me have winkled out some good fish. Yet again like a lot of lures I source them from AGM Discount fishing online here: https://www.agmdiscountfishing.co.uk/product/big-bite-4-craw-tube-green-pumpkin-texas-red-8pcs/
Zoom 3.5" small Tubes These work a treat but are very difficult to source now. If you can get them I particularly like the Junebug colour. They have caught me loads of Wrasse and are a nice, bite sized bait. Refine your end tackle for these as they are a thinner profile than the AGM Tube but the same techniques work.
With any tube style bait you can stuff scents into the middle, thus providing more attraction.
TICLKERZ/HULA STICKZ
I am pretty much just going to recommend Z-Man baits here. They are basically a Senko body with tentacles on the end. They are great baits rigged on a Texas or Cheb rig where they can be bounced or dragged along the bottom. I particularly like using them on Chebs as the extra movement you get with the hook allows the buoyant bait to stand up easily, tentacles waving in the fishes face. You can also achieve this with a Texas rig by attaching your hook to the leader via a Rapala Knot. This presents your hook within a fixed loop thereby allowing it to move independently of the weight. I find hooks from Gurza and Crazy Fish specifically designed for Cheb fishing to be best. I love fishing these in the Winter as you are able to rattle them in place with longer pauses giving the lethargic Winter fish more time to react.
Why not make your own out of Senkos you already have. Simply chop to size and then cut several tentacles in one end. This is a trick I have used on more than one occasion. I particularly like doing this in the winter months as any extra subtle movement you can get into your baits can help. You might even consider adding a rattle, but stick to plastic ones as I would imagine glass rattles could really harm a fish.
Zman TRD Ticklerz 2.75". They may be small but Wrasse love them. You will catch small and large Wrasse with them. I particularly like the Bubble Gut, Junebug, Coppertreuse and The Deal colours but I am sure others will work.
Zman Hula Stickz 4". If the Ticklerz are a bit small for you get some Hula Stickz. Colour wise go for the same as the Ticklerz but also try the Mud Minnow, Blue Craw and Green Pumpkin. I love Hula Stickz and so do the Wrasse.
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