Any Soft Jerkbaits Better Than The Zoom Super Fluke?

[Primus]

Two that I like better than the Zoom Super Fluke are the Yamamoto D-shad, and the Strike King Caffeine Shad. I have fished the SK one for a couple years now, and prefer the jr. size of that bait to the full size one. The D-shad only comes in one size, it's a little smaller than the full size Caffeine shad, and a little bigger than the Jr., but it has a lot of salt and stays down in the water very well without any extra weight on the hook shank. The D-shad is dense enough that I can cast it as far as I care to, un-weighted on a 7' MH Casting rod with 50lb braid, even in the wind. Flukes were sometimes a challenge in that area.

 

Those are the 2 exact models that I favor, the only difference is I usually fish it with 14 lb Floro. I still like the Super Fluke when I want a slower fall.

[A-Jay]

I don't consider myself a big fluke aficionado - and I have only really throw the Zoom Flukes with any regularity.

 

But south of the border recently, the Magnum Super Fluke was THE bait for almost a week.

 

Plain Old White was tough to beat.  The durability was what you'd expect with baits lasting a few fish each.

 

A-Jay

 

 

 

[flyfisher]

One thing i have noticed on teh super fluke is that depending on the color a different type of plastic is used.  Seems like the more solid colors are more "rubbery" and don't have the same action as the ones with fleck in them.  This is part of the reason i prefer the watermelon candy, mardi gras and mocassin blue colors.

[roadwarrior]

I really like the action of the Yamamoto D Shad, but man are they crap for durability and price. I usually am not one to shy from a bait because of price but these are worse than a Senko.

What makes the so unique, too, is the way they fish almost like a Senko on the drop. The tail really quivers and jiggles unlike any other bait in its class. They also glide very wide, similar to the caffeine shad, and boom r ang.

That said it is awfully hard to beat the old fluke. They're effective and reasonably cheap. The caffeine shad is too soft, more so than the d shad. I tend to tear them off the hook just from casting. Good action, but far too soft for my taste.

 

The Slug-Go was revolutionary when it was introduced decades ago. Today GYCB has ""built a better mouse trap".

In this category, nothing compares to the D Shad. You can always go back to whatever you are currently fishing.

but do yourself a favor and give this bait a try!

 

 

[JigMe]

I've used a couple different brands and keep coming back to Zoom Super Flukes

 

X2 on this.

[flyfisher]

The Slug-Go was revolutionary when it was introduced decades ago. Today GYCB has ""built a better mouse trap".

In this category, nothing compares to the D Shad. You can always go back to whatever you are currently fishing.

but do yourself a favor and give this bait a try!

 

 

Care to expand on why you feel it is better?  THe main difference i see on teh descriptions is the tail being heavier to enable a level fall when the bait stops moving.....which sounds pretty good

[roadwarrior]

As Hooligan pointed out:

 

"What makes the D Shad so unique, too, is the way they fish almost like a Senko on the

drop. The tail really quivers and jiggles unlike any other bait in its class. They also glide

very wide, similar to the caffeine shad, and boom r ang".
 

[flyfisher]

ok, i wil l have to get some now as my fluke supply is pretty low right now anyways....

[chromedog]

Two that I like better than the Zoom Super Fluke are the Yamamoto D-shad, and the Strike King Caffeine Shad. I have fished the SK one for a couple years now, and prefer the jr. size of that bait to the full size one. The D-shad only comes in one size, it's a little smaller than the full size Caffeine shad, and a little bigger than the Jr., but it has a lot of salt and stays down in the water very well without any extra weight on the hook shank. The D-shad is dense enough that I can cast it as far as I care to, un-weighted on a 7' MH Casting rod with 50lb braid, even in the wind. Flukes were sometimes a challenge in that area.

2X

[BassThumb]

Try the Strike King Caffeine Shad and the Yum Houdini Shad. Those are my two favorites.

[A-Rob]

Gambler Paddle Tail is decent for the price...bigger tail on it tho which could be good/bad for your purpose

[oxrageous]

I just picked up a couple of packages of the 7" Magnum Super Flukes.  Anyone used these yet?  

[Hooligan]

And don't get me wrong, the reason I whine about the price of the D Shad is because I am fishing them. And I'll continue to fish them. They're worth it. Period.

[Hanover_Yakker]

The best one I ever used is unfortunately no longer available - the Marsh Works Ripple Shad.  It had enough weight to it that it could be used weightless yet still suspend in the 1' sub-surface area.  Just the slightes twitch and it darted from side to side.  No need for excessive rod movement, just slack in the line and and a little twitch was all it took.  They were pretty durable too.  The Mann's Hard Nose is a decent one if you're looking for one with a larger profile.  It is a little heavier, so you have to adjust your retrieve and awareness level if you're concerned about depth.  It works real well for inshore species like speckled trout and summer flounder.  Another favorite in the Chesapeake Bay area is BKD (Bass Kandy Delights).

[kickerfish1]

Two that I like better than the Zoom Super Fluke are the Yamamoto D-shad, and the Strike King Caffeine Shad. I have fished the SK one for a couple years now, and prefer the jr. size of that bait to the full size one. The D-shad only comes in one size, it's a little smaller than the full size Caffeine shad, and a little bigger than the Jr., but it has a lot of salt and stays down in the water very well without any extra weight on the hook shank. The D-shad is dense enough that I can cast it as far as I care to, un-weighted on a 7' MH Casting rod with 50lb braid, even in the wind. Flukes were sometimes a challenge in that area.

Ditto... though on the caffeine shad though I prefer the full size. The d-shad is great in sparse cover and deeper water. Flukes to me are good when the fish are aggressive and caffeine shads shine when they are more sluggish.

[hookset on 3]

I think the bass assassins have a little bit better action than the flukes at times, though they are more buoyant and less durable, but still I really like them. The sluggo has the best action IMO but it sinks VERY slow and doesn't cast as well. Overall, I still have yet to find something better for all around soft jerk use than the fluke. Zoom just makes flat out the best plastics bar perhaps yamamoto.

 

 

 

Ice, you've got to try the new sinking Slug-go. It's loaded with salt for a quick descent, but it has the same erractic action.