First Impressions of Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube
The Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube, a 3-inch soft plastic bait, immediately piqued my interest as someone who prefers to customize their lures. The Lunkerhunt brand has a reputation for creating innovative and affordable fishing products. This unsalted tube promises a slower fall rate, a characteristic I often seek when fishing pressured waters.
I was looking for a tube bait that I could saturate with my own preferred scents and attractants. Many commercially available tubes are heavily salted, which can sometimes deter finicky fish or limit scent absorption. The Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube appeared to offer the perfect solution.
Upon receiving the pack, the first thing I noticed was the clean, classic tube design. The plastic felt supple and durable, promising a good action in the water. Compared to other tubes I’ve used – brands like Strike King and Yum – the Lunkerhunt version felt noticeably softer. This made me hopeful for enhanced sensitivity and better hooksets. While I appreciate the salt content in other tube baits, the freedom to add my own scent to the Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube made it stand out. I was excited to hit the water and put them to the test.
Real-World Testing: Putting Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube to the Test
First Use Experience
I first tested the Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube at a local, heavily fished lake known for its clear water and educated bass. I rigged the tube on a 1/8 oz jighead and focused on areas with submerged timber and weed lines. The tube’s action was immediately noticeable; it glided enticingly on the fall, fluttering subtly even with minimal rod movement.
The clear water allowed me to observe how bass reacted to the lure. Several fish followed the tube closely, and I witnessed a few hesitant strikes, indicating they were inspecting the offering carefully. After applying a generous amount of crawfish-scented attractant, the strikes became more aggressive and confident. This confirmed my suspicion that the unsalted nature allowed for better scent dispersal.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of consistent use, the Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube has held up surprisingly well. Despite numerous encounters with submerged cover, the plastic has proven durable and resistant to tearing. I’ve fished it in various conditions – from sunny, calm days to windy, overcast afternoons – and the tube consistently performed as expected.
Maintaining the Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube is simple; a quick rinse with water after use is all it takes to remove any debris. Compared to some other soft plastics that become sticky or brittle over time, these have retained their suppleness. In my experience, these outperform many other tubes in clear water situations, especially when scent is a critical factor.
Breaking Down the Features of Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube
Specifications
The Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube boasts a 3-inch length, a profile that’s proven effective for a variety of fish species, particularly bass and panfish. Each pack contains 8 tubes, providing ample supply for multiple fishing trips. Designed specifically for freshwater use, the Lunkerhunt tube is an ideal choice for lakes, rivers, and ponds.
The absence of salt is a key feature, allowing anglers to customize the scent profile to suit specific conditions and preferences. These specifications contribute to the Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube’s versatility and its ability to perform well in a wide range of fishing scenarios.
Performance & Functionality
The Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube excels at enticing strikes from pressured fish due to its subtle action and customizable scent profile. Its slower fall rate allows for increased hang time in the strike zone, giving fish ample opportunity to commit. While it might not be the best choice for heavily stained or murky water where vibration is key, it shines in clear water scenarios.
The primary strength lies in its adaptability; anglers can tailor the scent to match the prevailing forage or water conditions. A minor weakness is the lack of inherent vibration, requiring the angler to impart action through rod movements. Overall, it meets my expectations for a customizable, finesse-style tube bait.
Design & Ergonomics
The Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube’s design is simple yet effective, featuring a classic tube shape with a hollow body for easy rigging. The plastic is soft and pliable, yet durable enough to withstand multiple fish catches. Its lightweight construction contributes to its realistic action in the water.
The tube is easy to rig on a variety of hooks and jigheads. There’s virtually no learning curve involved.
Durability & Maintenance
The Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube is surprisingly durable for a soft plastic bait. It can withstand repeated casts and retrieves, and it holds up well to the abuse of fishing around cover. Minimal maintenance is required; simply rinsing the tubes with water after use is sufficient to keep them in good condition.
With proper care, each tube should last for multiple fishing trips. This offers excellent value for the price.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube doesn’t come with any accessories. Its main selling point is its ability to be customized with scents and attractants. It’s compatible with a wide range of jigheads, Texas rigs, and Carolina rigs.
Anglers can also experiment with adding rattles or other inserts to further enhance its attraction. The open design readily accepts after-market scent additives and customization.
Pros and Cons of Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube
Pros
- Unsalted design allows for complete scent customization.
- Slower fall rate is ideal for pressured fish and clear water.
- Durable plastic holds up well to repeated use.
- Versatile rigging options (jighead, Texas rig, Carolina rig).
- Affordable price point.
Cons
- Lacks inherent vibration for murky water conditions.
- Requires angler-imparted action to maximize effectiveness.
Who Should Buy Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube?
The Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube is perfect for anglers who:
- Fish in clear water conditions.
- Prefer to customize their lures with specific scents.
- Target pressured fish that are wary of heavily salted baits.
- Appreciate a slower presentation and subtle action.
Anglers who primarily fish in muddy or stained water, and rely heavily on vibration to attract fish, might want to consider other lure options. A must-have accessory is a high-quality scent attractant to complement the unsalted design.
Conclusion on Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube
The Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube is a well-designed and versatile soft plastic bait that offers anglers a high degree of customization. Its unsalted design, durable construction, and affordable price make it an excellent value. The ability to tailor the scent profile to specific fishing conditions gives anglers a distinct advantage.
The price of $3.775.99 is more than justified. I would highly recommend the Lunkerhunt Unsalted Tube to any angler looking for a finesse bait that they can truly make their own. Go out there, experiment with different scents, and catch some fish!