Rod / Reel For Weightless Fluke Fishing

[livemusic]

I fish a fluke a lot and don't use a weight (but I'm open to considering!), so, it's only the weight of the Zoom fluke (or copy) and a 4/0 or 5/0 hook. So, it's pretty light. Fish a lot in Cypress tree lakes, a bazillion targets to cast at.

 

I bought a Lew's 7.3:1 speed spool reel, just got it in. And just got in a 7 1/2' Cashin med/hvy rod to put it on. I bought this for frogs and because it seemed to be good for pitchin? I am determined to learn pitchin / flippin to hit the target better what with all the Cypress tree limbs. But for casting, what do you think are good reels / rods for using a weightless fluke? Seems I saw a shallow spool mentioned as a benefit.

 

EDIT:  I can also consider a spinning rod/reel. Would you want a whippy setup or stiff? I have seen Pfleuger Presidents recommended online all over the place. I have no idea about a rod.

 

Also, what kind of line is recommended?

[Alpha Male]

There has been a lot of discussions here about using a casting rod for weightless flukes. the consensus is that it is difficult and will be expensive, but not impossible.  yes a shallow spool helps as the lighter weight will help and also less line = less weight. 

 

All in all I would recommend a spinning setup for this.

[hatrix]

Spinning rods. It does depend on the brand of fluke though. Actual zoom brand fluke weigh like nothing and can be difficult to cast. You can throw a double rig on a medium casting rod pretty easily though

[new2BC4bass]

No doubt a spinning rod would be best if tossing small flukes.  It can be done on baitcast reels without breaking the bank.  I have no problem casting a small weightless fluke on a MF with an Ambassadeur 1600C round reel.  Less than $35 for the reel, and the V.I.P. rod was on closeout for around $50, I think.  Not my idea of expensive....even for this bozo.

 

As long as the fluke weighs 3/16 oz. there are several other options that don't require the purchase of a $500 finesse reel. 

 

First the rod has to load with the weight being used.  Some other baitcast reels that will cast that weight are the older BPS Prolite and Carbonlite.  No experience with the newer models.  I've got 2 of the older gold colored Carbonlites and they have no problem casting a 3/16 oz. Shad Rap.

 

A couple more reels that cost a bit more are the Curado 50E and TD-Z 105H.  I assume Alphas reels would also handle that weight, but haven't tried mine at that weight yet.  Plus they run even more.

 

Good luck.  Be sure to let us know what you decide.

 

EDIT:  Just noticed this is your first post.  Welcome to the forum.  Lots of good reading at the top.

[Cgrinder]

A 5" Super Fluke and hook should be about 5/16 oz. This is certainly doable on casting gear. I'd be looking at a Medium power with a quality reel and about 10 lb line. I throw SK Caffeine Shads because they weigh a bit more and the tail doesn't get screwed-up.

[smalljaw67]

I use to use a casting set up for flukes until I got the right spinning rod and that is what I use most of the time anymore.  I'm using a Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'9" M-XF spinning and it does a great job with a fluke and even the fluke Jr. is easy to fish with it. The extra fast action makes it a little stiff but with the medium power it is very forgiving, this makes for good accurate casting and working the bait with plenty of power for hooking and fighting fish. The only time I go with a casting set up is when I'm in heavy grass, then I'm using a 6'6" MH-F, the reason for that set up is simple, the length lets me make accurate cast and I'm not going for distance, and the power and action combine to let me work the bait and pull a fish out.

[new2BC4bass]

Gee, Dan.  Got to get my ET M-XF out even though I prefer casting reels...as you know.  No sense in being too obstinate.  Especially with such a nice (and versatile) rod already in my arsenal 

[F14A-B]

Pitching these baits can be learned with practice. (BC rods & reels...)

I use spinning for the fluke. Add a swivel to help keep twist down, I use co- poly line and medium to medium heavy spinning rods..

[John G]

I don't think the Zoom Super Fluke is a difficult lure to cast with casting gear if you are using the right rod n reel. A M or a MH Loomis in the Mag Bass line-up is what I throw Zoom Super Flukes or Yum Houdini Shads on. You need a rod with a soft tip. For reels, just about any Shimano baitcaster will work just fine.

[Arv]

I almost exclusively use SK Caffeine Shads when fishing weightless. The heaviest rod I use is my NRX 853, but I will also throw them on a M/XF spinning rod quite often.

[fisherrw]

phenix m1 mh and a shimano citica or chronarch should suit you fine

[iceintheveins]

I use spinning gear for flukes most of the time. I use a Pflueger President 6930 and a 7' MH Quantum Spinning Rod with 8 pound mono. You can throw flukes on a casting reel with 12 pound test and a MH 7' rod as well but not quite as far as the spinning setup.

[curtis9]

St croix 68mxf casting rod is the greatest fluke rod invented. I've got a core 50 on mone. I personally hate throwing flukes on spinning gear. It's heavy enough that any medium casting rod should handle it.

[Grantman83]

I have always thrown flukes on casting gear as I usually throw super flukes which, with a 4/0 hook weigh more than enough with 12-14lb Fluoro. I tend to prefer a 7ft mh or shorter with a fast tip. Probably the best fluke Rod I had was a champion 683. Reel is preferably fast. This year I'm gonna be trying out an NRX 843 mag bass Rod and see how it goes.

[flyfisher]

I use spinning gear for all my fluke throwing duties.  6'9" MXF St. Croix rage paired up with a stradic Ci4 2500 with 6lb diameter power pro super slick.  It does the job for all different types of flukes except the huge 7"+ deals

[EvanT123]

I throw flukes on a ml spinning rod and a medium heavy bait casting rod. I spent a lot of time trying to find the "perfect" fluke rod and soon realized the perfect rod is the one appropriate for the cover and lack there of, I'm fishing.

[Chris at Tech]

I used to throw them exclusively on a Dobyns 683c with a Revo Premier baitcaster and 12lb fluoro and that rig did just fine.

This week I've actually been breaking in a new spinning rod by doing some golf course fishing. It's a Kistler KLX 6'9" M/F spinning rod paired with a Stradic 2500 and 10lb Sufix braid. I was skeptical at first but the rod is a bit more powerful than other mediums I've fished. I gotta say I've had a great time throwing both weightless and 3/32oz weighted flukes on that rig (along with quite a few other types of plastics)

[Poolshark]

For spinning, I throw these on an avid 7 Mf spinning rod and stradic 3000 8lb mono

For casting I use a 7 medium fast avid and a chronarch 51e. 12 to 14 pound mono

In heavier cover I'll pitch them with a weighted hook on a 7 ft mh carbonlite and my old trusty curado bsf.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

I cast a fluke jr with a 5'6" old school lightning rod and a tech spec casting reel with 8lb yo zuri with no probs.reel is stock

[Jrob78]

I've always thrown weightless Zoom Super Flukes on casting gear with no problems.  I use the same rod I use for Senkos, a 7'3" MHF with 12 lb fluoro.  A Fluke loads and casts great with no special reel needed.

[hatrix]

It's not that you can't throw them in casting gear. It just always seemed like more of a spinning thing for me.

[F14A-B]

It's not that you can't throw them in casting gear. It just always seemed like more of a spinning thing for me.

Me too, I like to nose hook them, the spinning rod also allows me to pop that fluke just right, lol

[iceintheveins]

Flukes can be thrown fine on casting gear. Just get a higher end baitcast reel that casts lighter lures well though and don't generally go higher than 12 pound test. I guess you can throw them on braid though if you're around cover that demands line heavier than 12 pound test.

[SirSnookalot]

I can only comment on spinning gear, any reel is fine as the retrieves are not constant but twitches and pauses.  I generally use a med 7' rod, in open water a ml works fine and for snakeheads in muck I may use a mh.  Not bottom fishing so sensitivity is not my issue, I use the same brand I inshore fish with.  I like what I use.

[DP82]

Going through old posts. I'm surprised by some of the responses.. Best Trig fluke/senko rod ever made is the Nrx 893c or Nrx 853s imo. Imx/Imx-pro is pretty dang close as well. If I'm nose hooking fluke or wacky style senko I'll move to 802s or 852c. Did it by accident once and I stuck and landed all my fish..lol I use zoom but mostly I prefer the Yamamoto D shads. Better casting distance, you can work them under surface without a nail weight and they fall similar to a senko when you kill it. They tear easy but I prefer the advantages. Also I find when I use straight FC it kills the side to side action. FC sinks this is a problem esp on long casts. This also creates "slack" in your line on the hook set. Slack is an issue on any hookset regardless of line. I feel it pops the fish's mouth open before hook penetration. Any good med heavy rod for trigs and a med for nose hook. I prefer braid to FC leader. Reel out your slack and pull.