flukes from shore

[Drew03cmc]

I've only ever caught one bass on a fluke and that was on accident. What do I need to know regarding techniques, tackle, location, etc?

I'll likely toss a Super Fluke on a 4/0 EWG weightless on my 6' M Fish Eagle with 15/4 PP yellow and 8lb fluoro leader. How does one fish a fluke? 

[ErikmonBillsfon]

I like bass assassin single tails with spring lock hooks to prevent tearing of the nose, sometimes I'll use a keel weighted hook, a bladed jig or 2 flukes in tandem. Jerk the lure back to you like a jerk bait. Twitch, and let it fall on slack line. If rigged straight it will even shimmie on the fall similar to a senko. Always make sure it's straight so it won't nose dive and falls horizontally, unless that's your intention to nose dive it : ). There is a lot you can do with a fluke, play around with them and find out what cadence and retrieve you like best.

[Catt]

I'll work em like a worm, hopping em a long the bottom all the way back to the bank!

[Bankbeater]

This time of year I fish them slow.  Cast it out, let it sink to the bottom, give the bait a slight jerk with the rod, let it sit for a minute.  Repeat.

[fishwizzard]

Flukes are becoming my goto "fast fishing" lure when it is too weedy to use something with an open hook.  I usually start with slow pops and then dead sticking it for 4-5 seconds, then gradually speeding the retrieve up with subsequent casts.  My last cast or two at a spot I usually rip them back to the bank just under the surface.   

[bigbassin']

They're good for a variety of techniques. Some of my favorites include:

1. Giving it soft but quick twitches as soon as it hit hits the water. This will keep it on the top of the water and present a more subtle walk the dog.

2. Allowing it to sink to the desired depth and working it like a jerk bait, just with softer twitches. You can pause as long as you want between twitches, this is probably where most of my strikes occur.

3. Dead sticking the fluke for 10-20 seconds at a time, hop it, then repeat the process.

4. Target casting. Just get the fluke right on top of your desired target and allow it to sink all the way to the bottom. Give it a few twitches then work it back to you.

4. Carolina rigged with long pauses.

5. Dead sticking on a wacky rig.

As far as location, flukes basically work everywhere, but I feel like they really excel in grass where other subsurface lures may not be able to get to, and when targeting schooling bass. They're also one of the easiest lures to skip, so I give them the nod pretty often for dock fishing/getting under branches. Flukes are also pretty good as a follow up lure if you miss a top water strike.

[chadmack282]

18 hours ago, Drew03cmc said:

I've only ever caught one bass on a fluke and that was on accident. What do I need to know regarding techniques, tackle, location, etc?

I'll likely toss a Super Fluke on a 4/0 EWG weightless on my 6' M Fish Eagle with 15/4 PP yellow and 8lb fluoro leader. How does one fish a fluke? 

I think an offset round bend worm hook works ALOT better than an ewg!

 

[EvanT123]

6 minutes ago, bigbassin' said:

They're good for a variety of techniques. Some of my favorites include:

1. Giving it soft but quick twitches as soon as it hit hits the water. This will keep it on the top of the water and present a more subtle walk the dog.

2. Allowing it to sink to the desired depth and working it like a jerk bait, just with softer twitches. You can pause as long as you want between twitches, this is probably where most of my strikes occur.

3. Dead sticking the fluke for 10-20 seconds at a time, hop it, then repeat the process.

4. Target casting. Just get the fluke right on top of your desired target and allow it to sink all the way to the bottom. Give it a few twitches then work it back to you.

4. Carolina rigged with long pauses.

5. Dead sticking on a wacky rig.

As far as location, flukes basically work everywhere, but I feel like they really excel in grass where other subsurface lures may not be able to get to, and when targeting schooling bass. They're also one of the easiest lures to skip, so I give them the nod pretty often for dock fishing/getting under branches. Flukes are also pretty good as a follow up lure if you miss a top water strike.

For me with a fluke it's not what you throw it on but how you work it. SEE above. 

[hawgenvy]

57 minutes ago, bigbassin' said:

They're good for a variety of techniques. Some of my favorites include:

1. Giving it soft but quick twitches as soon as it hit hits the water. This will keep it on the top of the water and present a more subtle walk the dog.

2. Allowing it to sink to the desired depth and working it like a jerk bait, just with softer twitches. You can pause as long as you want between twitches, this is probably where most of my strikes occur.

3. Dead sticking the fluke for 10-20 seconds at a time, hop it, then repeat the process.

4. Target casting. Just get the fluke right on top of your desired target and allow it to sink all the way to the bottom. Give it a few twitches then work it back to you.

4. Carolina rigged with long pauses.

5. Dead sticking on a wacky rig.

As far as location, flukes basically work everywhere, but I feel like they really excel in grass where other subsurface lures may not be able to get to, and when targeting schooling bass. They're also one of the easiest lures to skip, so I give them the nod pretty often for dock fishing/getting under branches. Flukes are also pretty good as a follow up lure if you miss a top water strike.

Agree with the above excellent summary.  I use a 3-0 round bend offset worm hook, and I'll usually fish it weightless. Most bites are on the pause. Also effective, if you want to get it deeper faster, is to add a 1/16 screw-in weight to the nose. Really nice to twitch through the hydrilla that way, if the fish are more aggressive. My favorite color is bluegill flash, but I'll also use white and watermelon seed.

[Drew03cmc]

Thanks fellas!