Flukes?

[PondBoss]

I'm beginning to think the reason they call them flukes is because it is just that a fluke to land a fish on them.  So I'm down at the park pond fishing a lil before the sun goes down and getting vicious bites cast after cast, the only problem is I didn't catch a single one.  What gives?  Are my hooks to small?  I'm using #2.  Throwing it on a medium action spinning rod, with 8lb test.  Am I not using stout enough equipment to pierce the bait?  I know my hooks are sharp cuz I tested them after I missed the 5th fish.  I'm beginning to see why I threw away all my flukes last year.  Does anyone else have this problem with this particular bait?  I fish the trick worm with the same rod/reel set up and have no problems.  Thanks for the help.  Hopefully I can get out there tomorrow and use the advice here to redeem myself.

[X-Rap]

I had the same problem earlier in the year.  I switched to a heavier action spinning rod first of all, but only because my medium-light got shut in the truck door...oops :-[.  First of all go with at least a 3/0 EWG hook.  I prefere 4/0 Gamies.  Second dont set right away.  I know its hard when they blow up on it but let them have it for a second, they wont spit it right away.  Then I real up my slack after about a two count the slam 'em.  I still only catch about 4 out of every 6 bass that hit but its better than before.  Im not a pro at fishing them by any means but i hope this helps.  

[PondBoss]

Will try upping the hook size.  Was thinking about changing to a #4 but I'd had enough of those fishes shenannigans for one day.  

[Dan:]

Second dont set right away.  I know its hard when they blow up on it but let them have it for a second, they wont spit it right away.  

x2

[MN Basser]

I just started fishing plastics and I'm having amazing success. I'm fishing Wisconsin by the way. I learned the hard way too. Friday night, first time using plastics. Missed my first 6 hits. What the heak?? I was using Med spinning and had a tight drag. Then my friend said count to 4. Wow that was hard too do. Thump thump..1...2...reel up the slack...3....4!!! BOOM FISH ON!! Haven't missed one since friday night and fished the past 3 days. Hope that helps. Oh, I always use a 3EWG at minimum for plastics.

[Gatorbassman]

I'm beginning to think the reason they call them flukes is because it is just that a fluke to land a fish on them. So I'm down at the park pond fishing a lil before the sun goes down and getting vicious bites cast after cast, the only problem is I didn't catch a single one. What gives? Are my hooks to small? I'm using #2. Throwing it on a medium action spinning rod, with 8lb test. Am I not using stout enough equipment to pierce the bait? I know my hooks are sharp cuz I tested them after I missed the 5th fish. I'm beginning to see why I threw away all my flukes last year. Does anyone else have this problem with this particular bait? I fish the trick worm with the same rod/reel set up and have no problems. Thanks for the help. Hopefully I can get out there tomorrow and use the advice here to redeem myself.

I don't want to sound mean when I say this but... You're doing everything wrong.

Go up to at least a 3/0 hook. Fish it on a Med/Heavy spinning rod. Use at least 12lb test. Wait for the hookset and set the hook over your shoulder or at a low sweep if you are useing a swivel. Most poeple use wide gap hooks but I prefer 4/0 offset round bend hooks. They have more bite.

[PondBoss]

Thats what I was thinking. I just don't think my medium action spinning rod has enough back bone to really get the hook through and into the fish.  Will try tomorrow with my baitcasting gear.  Thanks for all the help guys.  

[NinjaFishin]

someone say flukes?! :-?  Make sure you are rigging them well!

I'm gonna be copying and pasting this until I die i think:  

(click picture for slides)

I'm seeing other people are running larger hooks than mine so I may try upping it in the future.  The ones pictured in those slides are eagle claw razor sharp off-set hooks, size 1.

[PondBoss]

The slide show was awesome.  Hell I'd been rigging them upside down.  Don't be fooled I'm really pretty savy when it comes to fishing, but I guess if you did everything right it'd be called Catching and not Fishing.

[NinjaFishin]

that is true!

forgot to mention earlier that slideshow is of super flukes. Not the smaller flukes.  Dunno if that makes a difference for you or no.

[Gatorbassman]

The slide show was awesome. Hell I'd been rigging them upside down. Don't be fooled I'm really pretty savy when it comes to fishing, but I guess if you did everything right it'd be called Catching and not Fishing.

I rig mine upside down most of the time. They have always given me a better action that way.

[SimonDM17]

I've only used Zoom Super Flukes, I've been very impressed with the action/hookup ratio for the bait on calm days.  I just picked up some 3X Z Too jerkbaits...what size hook do you fish those on?  I bought some 3/0 gammies, but they look like they might be a little small.  

IMO, always use an EWG hook...it provides a kind of "keel" to the lure.  I'm rigging them either texposed, skin hooked or deep skin hooked, depending on the cover, 5/0 gammie for the Super Fluke.

In terms of missing fish, my suggestions:

1.  If you're sight fishing with the fluke, wait until you see the fish chomp down on it, and set the hook.  With some finicky fish, they'll mouth it and then spit it out, so when the mouth closes, set the hook.  

2.  If it's a pickerel following the fluke, play with it.  Wait until it's alllllmost there, and then give the bait a sharp jerk.  Repeat.

3.  Use braid.  If visibility or abrasion resistance is a huge issue, use a mono leader.  If you're not sight fishing, I think braid is a tremendous help.

4.  Expose the hook as much as possible for the cover you're fishing.

[MNGeorge]

With the current in the upper Mississippi, getting the fluke down in the water column is a real issue.  We have gone to 5/0 and even 6/0 EWG Gammie Superline hooks because they are a bit heavier wire and add some weight to the fluke.  We've never had "hook-up" problems using these hooks, but river Smallies are very aggressive fish.

[Bankbeater]

Second dont set right away. I know its hard when they blow up on it but let them have it for a second, they wont spit it right away.

x2

X3 I was fishing them like a worm and I kept missing. I started letting them go for a couple of seconds and my hook ups really improved.

[Joel W]

I fish Super Flukes like I fish frogs. I don't set the hook until I feel the Bass. Missing hookups is because the fish just hasn't taken the Fluke far enough into it's mouth.  For Super Flukes I use a ML 6'6" spinning setup with 10 lb Braid and a 3-4 ft #8 mono leader. Hook is either a #2 drop shot Gami hook where 3 & 4 inch Flukes are nosed hooked. For Super Flukes I use a EWG 1/0 or 2/0 hook. Larger hooks just seem to restrict the action of the fluke.  I've also tried the Super Fluke on the Drop Shot hook but I tend to get too much roll to the lure.

[PondBoss]

Going to try the park again this evening hopefully I'll slay them.  Armed with the knowledge of the forum I'm sure I can't go wrong.

[BirdNestBen]

I use a 3/0 hook and skin hook the fluke...

yes you'll miss some fish because your eyes will deceive you....

You have to wait for the fish to pull before setting the hook...

I use (hope I'm spelling this right) Gamakatsu hooks.... to me they are the sharpest and the best you can buy for flukes........