Soft Jerk Baits/fluke-Twitch Bait Questions

[Hogsticker]

I've fished for many years, but oddly enough have just started using flukes. Without going nuts and spending a wad of cash, I was hoping I could get some info regarding which baits -

1) Are more buoyant / better for surface and sub surface use

2) Heavier / sink quicker / better for twitching on bottom in shallow water

 

I'm not planning on fishing these with any type of weight at this point. Anybody used a fair amount of different soft jerk baits? Which stay afloat? Which sink with a slow sink rate? Which sink like a rock?

Lastly, which have you found that have the better side to side action. How about better darting action? I have a pretty good handle on different hard jerkbaits and what they do, and imagine the soft ones are all a little different as well. I'd like to get a little bit of everything and start playing with them. Which ones have you used? I'm gonna start with a pack of each of these. Can anyone break these particular baits down for me?

 

Bass Assassin split and straight tail shads

Big Bite Baits jerk minnow

Lunker City Fin-S Fish

Netbait super twitch

 

These are all somewhat inexpensive, so I figured it would give me a good start. I already have the standard fair in Zoom Flukes and SK Caffeine shads. For those of you who are bait watchers and really pay close attention to what they do in the water....give me the skinny please. Have you found any that seem to excel better in cool or warm water? Any feedback would be much appreciated!!

[Crestliner2008]

I have had a lot of experience with the LC Sluggos. Depending on hook placement and angle, you make it do just about anything you, or the fish desire. I have actually had better success with these than with the flukes. But I know a lot of other people that have had just the opposite experiences. It's why they call it "Fishing".

[Bank4Bass]

Can't go wrong with a pearl zoom fluke!

[ww2farmer]

In all honesty if you have Zoom Super flukes and SK Caffine Shads, they will catch fish as well as any of them, and that's plenty, really no need for the others IMHO. BUT.....if you do want to get a bunch of different ones to try, I'll  add one to your list and suggest the Berkley Havoc "The Jerk"...It's a little denser than a Zoom Super fluke, but not quite as dense as the SK Caffeine shad or Yamamoto D-shad, and it has a very nice "wiggle" on the fall. FWIW they are my soft jerkbait of choice now, after using Flukes for years, and trying the SK and Yamamotos.

[Hogsticker]

I think it's a good thing to have a few choices/options on deck. You never know what might trigger a strike. Sometimes when you don't quite have it dialed in, but you're close, a subtle change in the characteristics of a bait can make a big difference. I know it does with hard baits.Maybe I'm just anal.

[bassh8er]

I use a pearl or green pumpkin Zoom Super Fluke and always fish it weightless.

I fish it just like a Senko with erratic jerks between pauses.

[PondHopper96]

I've always been able to keep a magnum fluke on top much easier! Also my favorite way to fish it

[FrogTosser88]

Ya I dont see Zoom superfluke on your list..... yet this is a post about flukes..

I love those things.. they just work... And if they aint working you just fish it in a different way.. yet thats the awesome part about it.... very versatile...

Its a senko.. its a jerkbait... its a topwater and a Carolina rig... lol

I do swim it weightless alot, however I also use a belly weighted hook as well.

I may add a few colors to my arsenal but I only own pearl and smoky shad at the moment.

[Hogsticker]

I did mention flukes, and as much as I appreciate the enthusiasm for them, I'm looking for other options as well. It's kind of like saying the X Rap is the only hard jerkbait you will ever need. Different jerkbaits with varied retrieves excel under different conditions in my experience. I would "assume" the same could be said with soft twitch baits. I know and understand that Flukes are a staple that flat catch fish.

[skeletor6]

In all honesty if you have Zoom Super flukes and SK Caffine Shads, they will catch fish as well as any of them, and that's plenty, really no need for the others IMHO. BUT.....if you do want to get a bunch of different ones to try, I'll  add one to your list and suggest the Berkley Havoc "The Jerk"...It's a little denser than a Zoom Super fluke, but not quite as dense as the SK Caffeine shad or Yamamoto D-shad, and it has a very nice "wiggle" on the fall. FWIW they are my soft jerkbait of choice now, after using Flukes for years, and trying the SK and Yamamotos.

 

Spot on. I also use Super Flukes and Caffeine Shads. The caffeine shads are definitely denser and cast further because of the added weight. They also have a different action than the super flukes, especially in the tail.  These just flat out catch fish and would be a great addition if you haven't used them. Rigged weightless t-rigged fishing in submerged vegetation is just killer. Vary your retrieve and depth until you figure out whats working for the day.

[smalljaw67]

For a long time I advocated that the fluke and slug-o were two entirely different baits. I have flukes for fishing close to the surface and that means breaking the surface also, the Slug-o was my favorite for a long time as it sank faster than a fluke and it would dart and almost come to a slow stop while the fluke, specifically the super fluke would sort of glide to the side. I found a new favorite from a small manufacturer, River Rock Baits Jointed Jerkbait, it sinks fast and it gives a subtle kick when it darts, and that kick is deadly on a scrounger head and on a bladed swim jig. I use the 4" on a spinning set up with a 2/0 hook and the 5" I use with casting gear with a 4/0 hook.

[Ghostshad]

At certain times Zoom Super Fluke in  Bubble Gum is good as Baby Bass.

[Choporoz]

One more non-answer to your question....   

 

I went through a bunch of different flukes this year and have settled on just three.  Super flukes and Trigger Drop Dead Minnow, with occasional (regular/small) flukes thrown in.  Depending on rigging, the flukes do most any action I'm looking for.  The Triggers don't have nearly as good of action, but they cast more accurately than any other, swim upright and dog-walk well.  Flukes for searching and Trigger for pinpoint targeting.  I honestly just didn't find anything else that would do better. 

[Loop_Dad]

For me I don't mind adjusting the sink rate with weight / line / hook than depending on the bait itself. What do you do when wind picks up or you want to use your bait deeper that day? I have the color and shape that I like and I just make it work. (At lease I hope I do.)