Which Of My Setups For Weightless Flukes?

[Toeshots]

I think three of my setups could be used for weightless Super flukes, but I am trying to figure out which one would be best. I will be throwing them on a 4/0 Trokar swimbait hook. Here's what I'm trying to decide between:

1) 7' M/F Avid, Lews TP 7:1, 15# Tatsu

2) 6'0 M/F Abu, PQ 7:1, 12# Sunline Mono

3) 6'9" M/XF Fenwick ET SM, Pflueger Supreme MGX Size 30, 8# Tatsu

I was thinking I'd use my spinning rod but I'm a little concerned about the 8# test not being enough for the size of the hook/hookset. What do you guys think?

[flyfisher]

#3

I use a spinning set up for all my weightless soft plastics but i do use braid so strength on hook set isn't an issue.

[Jrob78]

I would use #1.  A fluke is heavy and aerodynamic, you shouldn't have any issue casting it with casting gear.  If you prefer spinning gear though, #3 would work fine too.

[zachb34]

I would go with #1 I actually use a medium heavy, but I fish in a lot of cover.

[Jrob78]

I would go with #1 I actually use a medium heavy, but I fish in a lot of cover.

Me too.  The rod I use for Flukes and Senkos is a 7'3" MH F.  Those baits load up fine on it and cast a mile.  Plus, I get better hook sets on long casts.

[EvanT123]

I would try and figure out what my favorite techniques are for each rod then narrow it down to what the two other most productive techniques are use those two rods for those and throw a fluke on the remaining rod.

I generally always have a fluke or senko tied on (same rod/hook) the other techniques I generally use are draging a tube and a topwater/spinner bait. So a 1/2oztopwater or 3/8 spinnerbait go on a mh rod. The tube on a medium spinning and the fluke/senko on the remainder whether that's a medium light or mh depending where I'm fishing. Of course you could always change lures on any given rod.

[ww2farmer]

#1 should be fine. I throw them on a couple different set ups. A 6'9" MH/F casting rod with 30lb braid and a 20lb fluoro leader around heavy, shallow cover. A 6'6" M/F casting rod with 20lb briad and a 12 lb fluoro leader when I am coing over the top of submerged grass, or down weed lines, and a 6'6" M/F spinning rod, with 20lb braid, and 10 or 12 lb flouro leader for skipping under docks.

[Arv]

1

[Bankbeater]

I would go with #1, but in a MH.

[Deleted account]

Here's a crazy idea, try them all out, and see which one works best for you. Where and how you fish a bait (as well as personal preference) will influence the choice. For what its worth, I like a 6 1/2 ft med to mh rod with a 6.3 reel and 10-12 lb mono most of the time. But will go to a 6 ft med, or a 7 ft mh in particular situations and presentations.

[Toeshots]

Thanks for all the input. Looks like I'll be starting with #1.

FWIW, I do have the same Avid in MH with a Chronarch 200E7 that I suppose I could use when throwing in and around heavier vegetation. I just felt the fluke would have trouble loading the MH Avid, which is pretty stout, although this is an ignorant statement because I've never tried it.

[Dr. Watson]

I'd go with #1, just with a lighter line, 10-12 LB would be better in my opinion for weightless applications. Don't worry about the med. power, it's a St. Croix, they tend to be a bit more powerful than advertised; so, a M. is closer to a MH, and a MH is closer to a H. I own several St. Croix rods and love them all, great craftsmanship and wonderful customer service (not that I've ever had to use it). 

[Dr. Watson]

Thanks for all the input. Looks like I'll be starting with #1.

FWIW, I do have the same Avid in MH with a Chronarch 200E7 that I suppose I could use when throwing in and around heavier vegetation. I just felt the fluke would have trouble loading the MH Avid, which is pretty stout, although this is an ignorant statement because I've never tried it.

Try the M setup with that Chronarch, that reel works exceptionally well with light lures. As for the rod, I'd stick with that M, I say this because my SC Legend Tournament is the teaser rod made just for weightless plastics and it's a M. power. Also, like I said previously SC's rods are a bit stiffer than advertised. Experiment, see what you like the most and most importantly, what the fish like 

[lmbfisherman]

I think three of my setups could be used for weightless Super flukes, but I am trying to figure out which one would be best. I will be throwing them on a 4/0 Trokar swimbait hook. Here's what I'm trying to decide between:

1) 7' M/F Avid, Lews TP 7:1, 15# Tatsu

2) 6'0 M/F Abu, PQ 7:1, 12# Sunline Mono

3) 6'9" M/XF Fenwick ET SM, Pflueger Supreme MGX Size 30, 8# Tatsu

I was thinking I'd use my spinning rod but I'm a little concerned about the 8# test not being enough for the size of the hook/hookset. What do you guys think?

Number 3 - I use that same exact rod for what you want to use it for.

[Toeshots]

Number 3 - I use that same exact rod for what you want to use it for.

What line are you using with this setup? My main concern is the 8# Tatsu (6Lb mono diameter) just being a little too light for this. I'll probably try it anyway though if I'm fishing more open water.

[NorcalBassin]

#1 sounds like a good plan... maybe consider going with a double fluke rig so it will load up even better (and potentially get you a double hookup)

[lmbfisherman]

What line are you using with this setup? My main concern is the 8# Tatsu (6Lb mono diameter) just being a little too light for this. I'll probably try it anyway though if I'm fishing more open water.

I have 10 lb braid on my line and will use 8-10 lb floro leader.  So I don't see your setup being too light.  I have even used this setup in moderate weed cover and have pulled out fish with no problem. 

[NathanW]

Not sure how fast any of those rods are but tip speed is what I look for in a fluke rod. I learned through a couple of years of trial and error that it is worth it to sacrifice snappy casting on a rod that loads well for a better hookset from a rod with a faster tip. And I only say this assuming that we are T-rigging. I will also nose hook 4" flukes with a 1/0 dropshot hook at times but I would throw this on a spinning rod that loads on light baits. <- works wonders during the smallmouth spawn when they start getting too spooky to get real close.

[roadwarrior]

#3 spinning rig with #10 Tatsu. This line has the same diameter as Yo-Zuri #8, .010".

Although that kinda addresses your question, I use #6. My rig is my dedicated soft plastics

spinning set-up:  St. Croix LES70MF/ Stella 2500FE/ Tatsu #6.

[dam0007]

3 - I fish a 6'7" m/f with 10# flouro. Doubles as my Jerkbait rod.

[Fishes in trees]

When I throw weightless soft plastics, I use spinning gear with braid and a 10 to 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.

[SirSnookalot]

Here's a crazy idea, try them all out, and see which one works best for you. Where and how you fish a bait (as well as personal preference) will influence the choice.

Took the words out of my mouth.  There is no better teacher than trial and error, nothing better than making wrong decisions and losing fish, great way to learn to be a better fisherman.