The RedRum Tube Cracker Jigs are not your typical "jigs"

Impressions: When most anglers think of jigs, the traditional football head or swim jig usually comes to mind. Tube jigs are often associated with cold-water fishing, especially for smallmouth bass or in saltwater applications. However, when it comes to largemouth bass fishing in warm water, tube jigs aren't typically the first choice. So, when I started hearing talk about a jig that was "crushing it" at Clear Lake, I was surprised to find that the buzz was all about RedRum's Tube Cracker.

The Tube Cracker is a handmade rattling tube jig that comes pre-rigged within a hand poured plastic tube
 

At first glance, the Tube Cracker looks deceptively simple - like a shiny piece of tubing with an angled tail cut. It lacks the eyes or tentacles you might expect from a traditional crawfish or creature-style jig, and it more closely resembles a baitfish than anything else. However, the finishes and what is inside these jigs where things start to get interesting. RedRum offers a wide variety of patterns, some solid, others translucent or featuring layered colors, which add a level of sophistication to the otherwise simple design.

These jigs are available in a wide range of patterns and sizes

Not only are the tube jigs poured in-house, but RedRum also crafts the jigheads specifically for the Tube Cracker. These unique heads are oval-shaped, featuring a top-mounted line tie, high-quality Owner hooks, and a rattle chamber molded into the base of the jig. The rattle, or "crack," gives the bait its name and serves as an additional strike trigger that fish can both hear and feel. The jigheads are available for purchase separately, and the Tube Cracker jigs come in packs of two or three, with weight options ranging from 1/8 oz to 1 oz. Each is equipped with a high quality wide-gap Owner Deep Throat hook.

The tail of the jig looks simple and is simply an angled cut in the tube

Real World Tests: RedRum baits are handcrafted by Pieter Jones in San Diego, California. Before testing the jigs on my home waters of the California Delta and surrounding lakes, I reached out to Pieter for some insights on how he personally likes to fish them. He emphasized their flexibility across a variety of species and recommended experimenting throughout the water column.

I wasn't sure how these jigs would look in the water

Over the past six months, I put that advice to the test, using both the larger Heavy Duty Tube Crackers and the smaller versions, which weigh as little as 1/8 ounce. For the heavier Tube Crackers, which can weigh up to 2 ounces, I fished them on a variety of pitching and swimbait rods from Trika, Megabass, and Fenwick. For the lighter Tube Crackers, I primarily relied on spinning and BFS setups from Megabass and Phenix, which gave me the sensitivity and control needed for more precise presentations.

The Tube Cracker performed immediately, and I was surprised how effective the bait was when fished horizontally and even popped back to the boat on a brisk retrieve

Operation: It's always exciting when you catch a fish on the very first cast with a new bait, and that’s exactly what happened when I tied on the 1/4 oz. Tube Cracker. That initial success was quickly followed by a few more catches while targeting fish in the middle of the water column with a steady retrieve. Initially, I expected to fish this tube like most traditional tube baits and contact jigs, but I quickly discovered that the Tube Cracker is incredibly effective when fished like a swim jig.

The Tube Cracker is irresistible to stripers of all sizes

When retrieved, the Tube Cracker displays an intriguing motion that goes beyond a simple straight-line return. There's a subtle side-to-side movement, and when you vary the retrieve or add a slight rod pop, the bait really comes to life. Even the seemingly simple tail section quivers in the water, creating an unpredictable action that’s both captivating and effective. It was at this point that the light bulb went off for me - I finally understood the appeal of the Tube Cracker.

This bait can be fished on the bottom similar to a jigging spoon or ripped back like a soft bodied jerkbait

When fished this way, its erratic darting motion mimics the behavior of a fleeing baitfish, flashing through the water and drawing attention. I began noticing not just bass but also panfish chasing the bait, likely viewing it as wounded prey or an easy meal. As I've seen with other successful baits, subtle movements that may seem insignificant to anglers can closely replicate the natural behavior of forage, triggering instinctual strikes.

The mid sized baits 1/4oz. and up can easily be fished with traditional setups and casts far, and sinks quickly

The Tube Cracker proved to be far more versatile than I initially expected. Thanks to its head-forward weighting, it darts quickly into the strike zone, making it an excellent option as a scope bait. I was able to drop it right on top of fish and trigger reaction bites by drawing them out of their cover.

Fish seem to eat it deep and strike it similarly to small paddletails. I think part of the allure of this bait is how lifelike it darts in the water and that it looks like a non-threatening easy kill

Its easy bait placement also makes the Tube Cracker effective for targeting fish holding tight to the bottom. I found it easy to get the bait down quickly and fish it like a traditional jig, hopping it along to imitate a feeding baitfish - often resulting in curious bass eagerly inhaling it. This same approach worked equally well for stripers cruising the flats of the Delta.

There are a wide range of sizes to pick from ranging from mini-tube crackers for trout and panfish to Heavy Duty Tube Crackers for inshore applications