Zoom Flukes, What Am I Doing Wrong?

[BrianSnat]

I've been reading good things about the Zoom fluke and super fluke so I bought a few bags of 4" flukes.  I rig them weightless, T style using a 1/0 EWG Gamakatsu offset worm hook.   I love the action and it seems the fish do too, but I just can't seem to hook up.  My first time out I was one out of eight in the hour or so I fished the things. Lost a few more bass yesterday going 0 for 4.

 

I've been fishing T style rigged plastics for years and have had very few problems with hooksets using a variety of other plastics such as Senkos, brush hogs, Trick Worms, frogs, Thumpers etc.  With those however I'm usually using a 4/0 or 5/0 EWG hook.

 

Could it be the smaller hook?  I thought about using a 2/0 or 3/0 but it seemed to impact the action of the bait.  I also went to lighter tackle (6 1/2 ft ML fast rod w/ 6 lb test line)  to get a little distance on my cast because the things are light.

 

So is it hook, rod, technique or something else? Any advice is appreciated
 

[38 Super Fan]

You need a bigger hook...I fish them on a 4/0 EWG.

[Dwight Hottle]

You could try nose hooking them with a 1/0  or 2/0 wacky hook. That will still give you the action you want & a better hook up ratio if the fish are eating your bait.

[rockchalk06]

Yikes, I was thinking about moving up to a 5/0 this year over a 4/0. A 1/0 hook is waaaaaay to small man. Go with a 4/0

[Bassfink86]

like everyone has said, use a bigger hook, i use a 3/0 or 4/0 when i rig mine

[Sam]

And dip the tail in a lime color to give it some additional color.

[Jay Ell Gee]

There a few things that I would optimally change.

3/0-4/0 hook at a minimum.

Heavier rod. Try a M/F, M/XF, etc. I use 12 lb mono at times, but optimally I prefer 20lb braid.

Just like frog fishing, you need to stall your hook sets and let the fish take it before you set the hook. Reel down the slack and when you feel the weight of the fish, hammer it

[flyfisher]

I don't think it is the 1/0 hook that is your problem but a 2/0 would be better, especially since you are fishing the 4" version. I fish flukes quite a bit and some days they just don't eat them like they do other days.  I would also say the rod is to light to get a good hookset when you combine that with the added stretch of mono.  Try braid and see if that helps and if you don't have much vegetation nose hook like was suggested earlier as that will give better action and hooking power.

[BassinLou]

Imho anything above 3/0 on a 4inch fluke is overkill. I feel you are sacraficing action. If the op is missing that many fish, it could probably be a technique issue vs tackle issue. Are you anticipating the strike when you see the fish attempting to take the bait? If so, that could be your culprit. You can be setting the hook prematurely. Another possibility is that the bass are juvenile and are just slapping at it. When a fish takes a fluke especially a 4incher you know it.

[smalljaw67]

The 4" fluke I use a 3/0 "j" style worm hook which is what all worm hooks used to be until the EWG style came along. The regular worm hook in a 3/0 rigged texas style with no weight is a good way to fish them with plenty of hook. When slug-o baits came out in the '80s I was using the 4.5" and the fist time out I was getting bit left and right but I would only hook 1 out of 5 because I thought a 2/0 hook was bit enough, so I switched to the 3/0 and I was still getting bit like crazy but thise time I was catching everything that hit it and you'll do well too with the fluke once you go with a 3/0 or 4/0.  I use the 4/0 and occasionally the 5/0 in the 5.25" super fluke so go a little bigger on the hook and you'll be killing them in no time!!

[PondBoss]

3/0 skip gap hook is the only non Trokar hook I use and I only use it to fish flukes on.  Up size your hook and I think you'll see instant results.

[bocabasser]

5/0 gama ewg is what i use. deadly combo.

[flyfisher]

5/0 gama ewg is what i use. deadly combo.

5/0 on the 4" fluke?  That is huge for that bait and even on the super fluke i think it is pushing it...

[PondBoss]

I think a lot of guys were thinking of the regular fluke which is 6".  I also forgot to mention to use braid that will also help a ton with hook up percentages even with the 1/0 hooks.

[SirSnookalot]

I use 4/0 standard worm hook, probably my most used set up for Florida canals.  If I can go weedless I'd probably use the fluke mounted on 1/8 or 1/4 lead head, but in that case I'd most likely go with hard jerkbait.  I wouldn't be too harsh on yourself, some days they don't hit those flukes aggressive and other days they do.

[craww]

I agree I dont think its your hook. a 1/0 EWG on a 4"  minnow bait is okay...Are you texposing leaving the just the hook point buried? You never know, could be a school of crappie or bluegill also.

[Trailer]

I haven't read everything on here so I apologize if I am re-hashing something, but as far as hook sizes go I would want to match the strength of the rod and line to the hook. If you are throwing a light wire hook you don't want to straighten it out or yank it out on the hookset with a heavy line and heavy rod. 

 

Drop shot hooks land fish and so do punching hooks, but the hookset is much different due to the hook strength. Consult with Glenn May. He can set you in the right direction. All in all, I'd match my setup with my hook size.

[Mike L]

3/0 skip gap hook is the only non Trokar hook I use and I only use it to fish flukes on.  Up size your hook and I think you'll see instant results.

Agree about size and the skip gap. Which is the only style of hook I use anymore.

 

 

Mike

[Grizzn N Bassin]

4/0 wide gap for me.. only missed a few with this set up..

[BrianSnat]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll try a 3/0 or 4/0 and see how that works out.

[CountBassula]

You need a bigger hook...I fish them on a 4/0 EWG.

 

+1

[Chris at Tech]

Agree on bigger hook. You need to ensure there's enough gap to push through the plastic and into the fish's mouth