Getting Super Flukes to Swim Low

[BassFishingMachine]

Just wanted to know if you guys know any tricks on getting super flukes to swim low, instead of flying up to the surface when your working them back to you. I was thinking maybe insert a nail with a cut off head, but wasn't sure where you'd insert it to equal out the balance of the bait, and I also was thinking maybe a weighted hook, any suggestions?

[Mobydick]

I use a weighted hook and it works well. Just a thought on the nail idea.....I would put the nail up toward the front as much as possible. I think this because when you stop moving it...wouldnt you want it to do a nose dive? Im not sure how dying and injured fish fall.....but I think they fall nose first. Can someone verify this theory?

                                                     Ian

[Still a Bigbuckifan]

You should try them on a C-rig if you haven't all ready.

[=Matt 5.0=]

Scrounger head?  

[Dan:]

I use keel weighted hooks when I want to fish them a bit lower.

[fathom]

a 6/0 gammie ewg superline hook will sink it almost the same rate as a weightless 5' senko.  

[Fishing Doug]

I use a weighted hook such as in the link below to get them deep. Works well-this has been a successful method for me.

FD

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_103724_100010002_100000000_100010000_100-10-2

[BARON49_Northern NY]

I almost hate to give this one away, but seeing how you asked here is a great way to fish a fluke deep.  It is called a Petey Rig and was developed by Peter T.

Use a long rod, 7'3'' MH with a fast tip or longer, fast retrieve reel spooled with 12 lb fluoro.  Slid a 1/8 to 3/16 oz tungsten bullet weight up the line and then use a carolina keeper or some kind of bobber stopper so the weight will slide free and stays about 18 inches up the line.  Tie on a 3/0 or 4/0 EWG hook and thread on a Super fluke like you normally do.

Make long casts and allow to fall to the bottom.  Hard to fish this rig incorrectly.  You can hop the bait off the bottom, or sweep it with the rod to the side to keep it near the bottom.  Pay very close attention to the line and fish the weight not the fluke.

[calikid]

Tiny slip sinker

[foul hooked]

Just stick a split shot 12" up the line.

[Wayne P.]

I just use a weighted swimbait hook.

[KevO]

a 6/0 gammie ewg superline hook will sink it almost the same rate as a weightless 5' senko.

X2 they will definately get a fluke to stay down.

[TrippyJai]

Just stick a split shot 12" up the line.

I haven't gotten the chance to use the fluke yet, but as I was thinking the same thing.

[drmnbig]

Take some time and play with how you insert the hook into the fluke.  I've been using flukes as my primary bait for several years now and have found a way to make them stay down in the water.  

When you insert the hook into the fluke you need to angle the point of the hook from the top edge of the head towards the belly opening.  By putting this slight angle on the bait it makes the head grab the water a little better which in turn makes the bait stay a few inches under the surface.

[Bantam1]

I probably shouldn't show everyone this but this is how I do it here in So-Cal. Its probably not a secret but I have not really shown anyone this rig for weighted flukes.

First you'll need some of these. Sizes...well you need to figure out how deep you want to fish it. Heavier the weight the deeper you can go. If you go too heavy the fluke will roll upside down and sink that way. Its a fine line, but anyone with decent fishing sense can figure it out. I use the tungsten because they are heavier for the size. To get the weight I use the lead nail weights stick out of the sides of the plastic.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1232665957

This is how I rig the fluke.

Excuse my quick Windows Paint drawing but you get the idea. The red is the hook (no I use a black hook) and the blue spots are where I place the weights. This balances the bait and allows you to fish the fluke the same as if it had no weight. Stick them straight through the bait. Do not run them lengthwise. Play around with the position of the middle weight. Sometimes the weight needs to be further back or forward depending on the size fluke you plan to use.

The hook acts like a keel preventing the bait from rolling over. The weights are on the nose and middle of the bait to allow it to fall level and not nose heavy. How many dying shad fall nose down?

When you twitch the bait it darts like normal and there will be a pause before it sinks. You can slow the sink down by adding a piece of toothpick next to the middle nail weight.

I fish this down from 15-25 feet with great results during post spawn. Many bass have fallen for this bait Now you can keep this to yourself  

[cbfishalot]

Nail weight!!!!