When it comes to targeting striped bass in shallow coastal waters, few techniques are as effective — or as overlooked — as tube and worm fishing. Originally popularized in New England, this method combines an enticing slow-trolled lure with the irresistible scent of a live or artificial seaworm. For kayak anglers, tube and worm fishing is a match made in heaven. The stealth, maneuverability, and slow trolling speeds of a kayak align perfectly with the method’s requirements, making it a go-to tactic for catching big stripers in inshore waters.
Why Tube and Worm Works
The “tube” is a flexible, often brightly colored surgical hose rigged with a single hook at the rear, sometimes with internal wire or weighting to help it track properly. At slow speeds, the tube rotates through the water, creating an undulating, hypnotic motion that mimics eels, sandworms, or sea lampreys — all favorite forage for striped bass. The addition of a seaworm (or an artificial like Berkley Gulp! Sandworms) on the hook adds scent and a natural taste that seals the deal.
Unlike fast-moving lures, the tube’s action is subtle, making it especially effective in warmer months when stripers become more selective and less aggressive in shallow bays, estuaries, and tidal rivers.
Kayak Advantage: Precision and Stealth
Trolling tubes from a motorized boat can be effective, but it’s easy to troll too fast, reducing strikes. A kayak naturally trolls at the perfect pace — typically 1.5 to 2 mph — when paddling or pedaling casually. Furthermore, the quiet approach of a kayak allows anglers to work shallow flats, rocky shorelines, and narrow channels where motorboats would spook fish.
Kayaks also provide better maneuverability, allowing you to make tight turns, figure-eights, or zig-zag patterns that change the tube’s action, often triggering reaction strikes from following fish.
Gear and Setup
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Rod & Reel: A medium to medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting setup works best, with a reel spooled with 30-40 lb braid for sensitivity and abrasion resistance. A 3-5 ft fluorocarbon leader of 30 lb test is recommended to prevent bite-offs.
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Tube Rigs: Standard tube lengths range from 12 to 24 inches. Colors like red, black, and bubblegum pink are staples. Inline weights (2-4 oz egg sinkers) or weighted tubes help keep the lure down in current.
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Worms: Fresh sandworms or bloodworms are preferred, but soft plastics like Gulp! Sandworms are a close second and much easier to manage on the water.
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Trolling Aids: If using a pedal-drive kayak, simply maintain a slow, steady pace. Paddle kayakers can use a rod holder angled 45 degrees back and to the side, allowing hands-free trolling while paddling.
Technique: Simple, But Effective
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Deploy the Tube about 50-75 feet behind the kayak. Letting out more line often results in better action.
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Troll Slowly. You should be moving just fast enough for the tube to spin lazily, not whip through the water.
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Vary Your Route. Work along drop-offs, sandbars, and boulder fields, making wide S-turns or figure-eights to add erratic movement to the tube.
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Feel for Strikes. Often, stripers will “mouth” the wormed tube before committing. You'll feel a steady pressure or subtle tap. Resist the urge to swing immediately — instead, maintain tension and let the fish load up on the rod, then set the hook firmly.
Best Conditions for Tube and Worm Fishing
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Tide Movement: Fish the outgoing tide along flats, creek mouths, and estuary channels.
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Water Depth: 4 to 15 feet is ideal. The tube shines where other trolling methods (like umbrellas or deep divers) can’t operate effectively.
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Water Clarity: Slightly stained water is perfect, though bright tubes can still pull fish in clear conditions.
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Season: Late spring through early fall, when stripers are actively feeding in shallow waters.
Tube and worm fishing from a kayak is a tried-and-true method that consistently produces stripers, even on days when other lures fail. Its simplicity, combined with the kayak’s stealth, creates an unbeatable combination for inshore success. If you’re looking to add a reliable new tactic to your striped bass arsenal, rig up a tube, thread on a seaworm, and start trolling — you might just find it becomes your favorite way to fish.