Hook for Flukes

[Basser2021]

So I went to the creek today and was in the mood to try some fluke fishing in eddies (the river near me is still too high to fish)

 

I tied on the fluke with a 3/0 straight worm hook (this is a 4 inch fluke) and kept missing fish

Then I proceed to tie on another fluke with a 4/0 wide gap hook and continue to miss fish

 

Is this just a bad day on the water or am I using the wrong hook? What is Y'alls go-to fluke hook and what size (straight or wide shank)? 

I typically use flukes on the back of chatterbaits so I'm still sort of new to fishing a fluke weightless

 

Thanks in advance for the advice!

[MN Fisher]

Are you texposing the hook point or burying it deeper in the body of the fluke?

 

That's the first thing I'd check...a 4/0 EWG with a 4" Fluke is a little big - I'd use a 3/0 EWG for that - but you shouldn't be missing that badly.

[NorthernBasser]

I use 4/0 EWG on the 5.25" Super Fluke. What's your setup look like (rod/line)? 

[Basser2021]

3 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Are you texposing the hook point or burying it deeper in the body of the fluke?

 

That's the first thing I'd check...a 4/0 EWG with a 4" Fluke is a little big - I'd use a 3/0 EWG for that - but you shouldn't be missing that badly.

I'm texposing it 

1 minute ago, NorthernBasser said:

I use 4/0 EWG on the 5.25" Super Fluke. What's your setup look like (rod/line)? 

I'm using spinning gear because I like to fish it weightless 

I only have on 10 pound mono

5 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Are you texposing the hook point or burying it deeper in the body of the fluke?

 

That's the first thing I'd check...a 4/0 EWG with a 4" Fluke is a little big - I'd use a 3/0 EWG for that - but you shouldn't be missing that badly.

I will definetley give the 3/0 Wide gap a try

[MN Fisher]

5 minutes ago, Basser2021 said:

I'm using spinning gear because I like to fish it weightless 

I only have on 10 pound mono

Rod power/action?

 

I fish weightless flukes on a Fury 703SF - M/F spinning...even keel-weighted up to 1/8oz on that rig.

[Basser2021]

5 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Rod power/action?

 

I fish weightless flukes on a Fury 703SF - M/F spinning...even keel-weighted up to 1/8oz on that rig.

I'm not exactly sure but I would definetley say Medium action or Medium fast

It's a pretty sensitive rod 

[ATA]

2 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

I'd use a 3/0 EWG for that

Same here.

[Deleted account]

I fish a 2/0 round bend on a 4" Fluke jr, and a 3/0" on the full sized one, don't miss many.

[KDW96]

I would suggest a 2/0 wide gap, light wire hook. Do make sure the drag is set so as its not locked down. A light wire hook,penetrates easier and you dont need to set the hook so hard, which will cause missed bites at times.

[jdr99a]

I fish my weightless flukes on a medium/xf baitcaster and use gammy 3/0 superline hooks and rarely miss them. If I were going to spinning gear I’d use the same size hook but a light wire instead. 

[throttleplate]

I use 4/0 straight worm hook, 4/0 keel weighted hook and just recently at the end of last year going strictly with 3/0 ewg hooks all texposed very gingerly using zoom super flukes 5''.

 

For drop shot i use octopus hooks through the snout. No problems hooking them using spinning gear medium fast rod.

[Basser2021]

Thanks for the replies

I forgot to mention I was using a heavier wire hook which seems like it could be a problem based on the responses (I will be sure to try a light wire hook)

 

I'm also trying for smallmouth and over my short time fishing for them I have determined it is a little harder to get a hook in them sometimes compared to Largemouth

 

Sounds like I'll be using a light wire 3/0 hook! (wide gap)

 

 

[suzuki2903]

Check out owner twistlock hooks for weighless flukes.  They have regular and light hooks as well as any size you’ll need for fluke fishing .    You’ll tear less baits and have a good quality sharp hook

[papajoe222]

Like Deleted account, I use round bend offset worm hooks for a few reasons. First, the hook point sits farther back than a EWG. Second, they are made with a thinner wire diameter, so they penetrate easier and third, the relationship of the hook point to the eye offers more bite for the hook-set. 

[Bankbeater]

I’ve always used a 3/0 EWG hook. It texpose the hook until the fluke starts getting torn up then I bury the hook. 

[roadwarrior]

Gamakatsu 3/0 Offset Worm Hook

[FishTank]

I use either 3/0 or 4/0 EWG with a weighted hook or a pinned bullet weight for Flukes and their clones. With pinned bullet weight I usually use a 1/4 oz and if the fluke is not working, I switch a beaver. These have been a one two punch for my spring fishing. 

 

On a side note, I have found a few "hybrid" worm hooks I going to try.  I agree, in principle, with the offset worm hook and the amount of open gap it has compared to an EWG but I don't like the way they fit in a fluke. I am hoping that the hybrid will be a good go between. 

 

 

These are oddly all 4/0 hooks from different manufactures. It's weird how they vary in size but the two to the left are supposedly hybrid hooks. The first is from Ryugi and the second is a Gamakatsu G-Finesse.

[roadwarrior]

I will be trying this at Pickwick during my trip next week:

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-video/free-rig-spring.html

[DINK WHISPERER]

I use a 4/0 Owner beast hook weighted and unweighted with the hook exposed but laying against the top of the body. 

[TOXIC]

Don’t forget one other factor to consider and that is the manufacturer of your fluke style bait.  Some plastics are much tougher than others and require different gear and hook sets. Personally, I only throw Yamamoto DShads and since they are made from the same plastic formula as a Senko, it is pretty soft.  I use the hook size to adjust the type of fall and weight of the bait.  I use anywhere from 3.0-5.0 wide gap ewg gamakatsu depending on conditions.  I have never felt the need to weight a DShad and have fished it as deep as 15 feet.  

[throttleplate]

when at home i take bait mender glue and make my flukes whole again.

[Basser2021]

22 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

Like Deleted account, I use round bend offset worm hooks for a few reasons. First, the hook point sits farther back than a EWG. Second, they are made with a thinner wire diameter, so they penetrate easier and third, the relationship of the hook point to the eye offers more bite for the hook-set. 

Good to know

[flatcreek]

If you are missing fish on a weightless fluke you may be trying to set the hook too soon.if you fish it like a jerk bait,wait until you feel the weight of the fish to set the hook (like a topwater plug) and your hookups should improve.

I like 4/0 ewg for Super flukes and 3/0 ewg for fluke juniors(Zoom)

[Dwight Hottle]

These are what I use for all fluke style baits. I use the 6/0 for mag & super flukes. The 4/0 for most smaller offerings. 

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Twistlock_Light_Hook/descpage-OTLL.html

[NavyToad]

Weightless on 5/0 EWG with a treble hook tied to main eyelet and lightly buried in the tail. I saw it on a Randy Blauket video. I’ve been throwing a super fluke for years and decided to try it. The treble hook caught several fish that I likely would have missed.