How to rig & fish a fluke

[TNHeadhunter]

Although I fish 85% of the time with soft plastics (worms, lizards, brushhogs etc.) I've just recently tried  flukes.  Can someone clue me in on the best way to rig and fish with this or other brands of soft stickbaits?  Thank You!!!

 

[jon the fisherman]

I like to Texas rig without the weight. I hook it through the bottom of the fluke and the hook is skin hooked on the top in the flat part. I also like a small swivel and 1' 1/2 leader to cut down on line twists, and also gives it a little weight.

 

[Pointer 78]

I like to fish it slow with 2-3 twitches then letting it sink. I use a 3/0 EWG hook with no swivel. For me, it has to be a sight bait. My hookup ratio is 90% if I see the strike. Less than 50% if I feel the fish on there but don't see it so I don't allow it to sink out of sight. It's also alot more exciting if you see the strike. It's a clear water technique. Also, if you see the fish come up and get it, count 1000...2000 before you set the hook HARD!!! Don't worry, they'll hold on to it longer than that.

 

[paulj]

The fluke is one of my favorite baits to fish with in the summer time around grass. I hook it the a 3/0 Matzuo X wide gap worm hooks. They come in the black package at Walmart. The swim a little better I think.

paulj

 

[jason]

Looks like everyone fishes them differently! I use Gammies ranging from 3/0 to 5/0 to control sink rate and prefer EWGs for their 'keel' action. The same goes for stickbaits, which are more productive this time of year than flukes...IMHO

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[heath j]

I fish them by simply putting a size 4 hook through the end of it from one side to the other, like I am hooking a minnow through the eyes. This really eliminates any loss of movement.

 

[BassmanIU]

Pointer 78 - 4/22/2007 10:31 PM

I like to fish it slow with 2-3 twitches then letting it sink. I use a 3/0 hook with no swivel. For me, it has to be a sight bait. My hookup ratio is 90% if I see the strike. Less than 50% if I feel the fish on there but don't see it so I don't allow it to sink out of sight. It's also alot more exciting if you see the strike. It's a clear water technique. Also, if you see the fish come up and get it, count 1000...2000 before you set the hook HARD!!! Don't worry, they'll hold on to it longer than that.

Good to meet you Saturday Pointer! I agree with you 100%. For me, seeing the strike is more exciting and I'm able to hook more fish as well. That's why if I'm using a fluke or floating worm, I'll stick to the brighter colors (white/shad/cotton candy/orange) so I can see it at a greater depth. I absolutely LOVE fishing these baits.

 

[jon the fisherman]

I learned to fish it with a swivel when I was river smallie fishing. I could still see the bait but could work it a little faster. It also works well if you are at the top of a shoal, throw it down current and just let it swim around. The swivel will give it a nose down action, which will swim it instead of just skimming the top. It goes to show there are many creative ways to fish a fluke.

 

[SeqBass]

Not many baits look as good as a fluke in the water... such a simple thing to fish and gets great results.

 

[Guest]

I enjoy fluking. 3/0 or bigger Gammy EWG or equilivent from other brands. T-rigged. Sometimes a drop of glue on the nose (to help with tearing).

A slow walk the dog action is good, especially if I can do this below 2 ft depth. Also sometimes I like give 3-5 sharp pops with rod tip moving 8-14"inches in a row, then allow the fluke to settle (spiral downward). Sometimes a steady retrieve for 10 ft, followed by a pause (no jerk) works well. heck there are about a million retrieve varations you can try.

A problem I have is most flukes take forever to get down deep enough for me. I think a swivel helps, but it kills the action, as does weighting with nails or adding split shot to the hooks. I really like that 2.5-4 ft depth. I seldom plug a certain brand but i am fond of this one. Case (madtoms.com) flukes have lots of salt in them, makes it sink faster but keeps the action. (I also like fluking there jacks worm). If the fish are up higher brand doesn't matter as much.

 

[Bass Addict]

FLUKES Great choice in baits. I agree with all the guys above, It depends on how the fish want it presented to them. I like it around grass my self rigged weedless with just a 4/0 blood red hook. Baby Bass Zoom Super Fluke is my fav.

 

[FishingBen]

Rig it how everyone else said but then go to shallow flats where your trolling motor is kicking up mud and twitch it back to you at a rapid pace kind like a minnow skipping across the water and look out. Use a heavy spinning outfit to cast the light rig with light braided line to get ultra responsiveness and solid hookups. White with either char or red dippy dye on the tips of the tail work best.

 

[fluke]

I like to rig like a t-rig without the weight.I will also use a suspend strip on the shank of the hook .just wrap it around the shank .This will help it stay alittle deeper.

 

[Pup]

This isn't likely the best way, but it has worked for me.

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I like a size 1 or 1/0 weedless sproat hook. The key, for me, is to insert it at an angle. I shorten twitches and slow-pull my rod tip to keep the point from digging into tree bark, milfoil, or pondweed.

BTW, I keep it away from algae.

 

[drumking]

A pearl super fluke rigged on a 3/4 or 1/2 oz shadhead jig is deadly on stripers in current in the summer time also. Better than sassy shads in summer. emoGeezer