Fluke Hooksets

[robster80]

i just recently started trying out flukes. im getting quite a few bites but i cant get a good hookset im always pulling the bait out of its mouth. ive got it texas rigged with a 4/0 wide gap hook. does the end of the hook need to be stuck completely through the bait?

[lmbfisherman]

Texas rigging is fine and you can use an EWG or an Offset.  The hookset I use is a sweeping hookset, do not do an overhand hookset, I find you pull it out of their mouth that way.  Similar to what I do for a spinnerbait, you sweep to the left or right whichever side you are comfortable with.  Another key tip make sure you know the fish has it, don't set the hook too early. 

[Choporoz]

One thing about flukes is that bluegills hit 'em more as much or more than LMB's.  Especially, if they're weightless.   May not be fish you want to hook, anyway.

[robster80]

well the waters been a little clearer at my pond i know at least 3 bass took it and i couldnt get a hookset. could hav been some bluegills on some of the bites tho.

[CTGalloway21]

are you using a spinning rod?  I switched to a baitcaster and a rod with more backbone and it gave me more confidence.  

[robster80]

no its a casting rod. 6'6 medium heavy cork crucial. im probably just yanking too soon or something. ill try again this evening

[A-Jay]

Matching the hook size to the plastic is especially crucial when rigging fluke style baits.

 

I like EWG here in both weightless and weighted versions. 

 

4/0 for the 5.25" Super Fluke & 6/0 for 7" Magnum Fluke.

 

Other factors that will come into play besides the already mentioned rod used are type / size of line, and the size (gauge wire) of your hook.  You can use spinning tackle here but it helps if you're using braid and a thinner wire hook- not something you want to do in and around mid to dense cover of any kind.  It does work well for schooling fish in fairly open water.

 

A-Jay

[Kevin22]

Drop down to an offset worm hook, I have much better hook-ups with these vs EWG with flukes.

 

When your line jumps, drop the rod tip and give it a 3 second count then just start cranking as fast as you can. When the rod loads, give it a good stout hookset to drive the hooks home. The 3 second pause gives the fish time to take it in its mouth fully and shut its mouth, the loading of the rod allows the hook to start to penetrate instead of forcing his mouth open like a hard hook-set does. You'll hook them in the roof of the mouth or corner of the mouth almost every time with this technique. Also, if you are not fishing in thick grass, leave the tip of the hook exposed a little. 

[Inoah88]

What type of fluke are you using

[smalljaw67]

I use a 2/0 hook for a 4" fluke Jr. and I use 4/0 for a 5" fluke, that works for me and the rod you are using is similar to what I use, which is a 6'6" MH-F casting. You got good advice here, I'm willing to bet you are setting the hook too soon and if you see the fish inhale the bait it makes it worse as you try to set as soon as you see him take it which is too soon. I do believe in rigging it texposed and then skin hooking it, this will get the hook even in a light bite and still remain weedless. If you aren't in heavy cover you can try a light wire hook, these require less force to penetrate but if you hook a hawg you need to take it easy as too much pressure can bend the hook and you'll lose the fish.

[robster80]

zoom salty super fluke i think is what theyre called. ill check the bag when i get home

[flyfisher]

I would also say that your MH rod may be too much and is pulling it out as well.  Gettign a solid fluke hook set is something that takes a little bit of time and frustration.  There are many times they are short striking or as mentioned already, sunnies are hitting them.  I fish flukes on a M XF spinning rod with 8lb diameter Power Pro super slick myself.  Once i figured out when and how to set the hook, my catch ratio went up by a good margin.

 

The other thing you can do when yo hare missing fish is to switch colors.  I stay in the same color smily but try something a little different to see if that makes them take it with a little more oomph.

[Mr. BattleArmor]

Just be sure to not set the hook right when you feel a bite. A lot of times I give them a second to really grab it, then set the hook. Using that method made me stop missing fish with flukes. 

[robster80]

is my rod too stout? should i look into a medium power rod for these?

[CTGalloway21]

I prefer stiff rods for everything but like they said, I wait a little bit and don't jerk it out of their mouths early.  

[kstring]

Like my dad used to say to me all the time, "gotta let 'em take it"

[mprestonSEK]

I prefer to use a casting rod in the 7 ft. range that is a medium action. My rod that I use for flukes is a 7'1 M *** with 20lb Power Pro connected to a 17lb fluoro leader. I use a 4/0 Owner Twistlock the majority of the time and a 4/0 EWG Gammy on occasion.