Name Your Set Up - Soft Plastic Jerk Baits

[Fat-G]

Cumara 7'2MXF 50e 8lb flouro.

Cumara 7'2 MH/F / 50e / 14lb flouro

[Dockhead]

I use whatever spinning rod is laying around. If you need a special rod for this, you are doing it wrong.

That response is very interesting. Hits at the heart of why I started this thread. I used to pretty much just grab whatever rod and put a fluke on it, rather than having a dedicated "Fluke Rod." I wanted to try a Cumara, found a good deal on one, and grabbed it.

Didn't really need another texas rig rod, the Cumara was usually just hanging out, so it ended up as my fluke set-up the last couple of months. But it has honestly not gone well. I have now lost 3 pretty decent fish on it. Anything 2 lbs. and under I stick the heck out of them. But all three of these fish came unbuttoned in open water, well on their way back to the boat.

So, just trying to analyze what's going on, and that post by JFranco makes me think maybe I'm over-analyzing, which I've been known to do.

But at this point I do want something just for flukes, because I've been throwing them a lot and getting bit. Just need to figure out how to get them all (or at least more of the good ones) in the boat.

[J Francho]

A shorter, 6 to 7' medium/fast spinner should work fine. I like a shorter rod simply because I keep the tip down for this presentation. That way, I'm ALWAYS ready for a hook set.

[SirSnookalot]

^^^ The vast majority of my bass fishing is done with 1 spinning rod, employing just about any lure or technique of my choice. I don't get hung up on that dedicated philosophy. More experience with larger fish ( other species) will make those bass a lot easier to land, keep a tight line and you own them............no one lands them all.

[Bass_Fanatic]

That response is very interesting. Hits at the heart of why I started this thread. I used to pretty much just grab whatever rod and put a fluke on it, rather than having a dedicated "Fluke Rod." I wanted to try a Cumara, found a good deal on one, and grabbed it.

Didn't really need another texas rig rod, the Cumara was usually just hanging out, so it ended up as my fluke set-up the last couple of months. But it has honestly not gone well. I have now lost 3 pretty decent fish on it. Anything 2 lbs. and under I stick the heck out of them. But all three of these fish came unbuttoned in open water, well on their way back to the boat.

So, just trying to analyze what's going on, and that post by JFranco makes me think maybe I'm over-analyzing, which I've been known to do.

But at this point I do want something just for flukes, because I've been throwing them a lot and getting bit. Just need to figure out how to get them all (or at least more of the good ones) in the boat.

A 6'6" to 7' M/F or M/EF is the perfect soft jerkbait rod IMO. I have thrown flukes on just about everything and I decided to buy the Crucial 7' M/EF and it is perfect for this application!

[FD.]

That is a classic Texas Rig, not soft plastic jerk bait

This I know. It was an illustration of the lack of opportunity to actually finesse fish with some stereo-typical redneck sarcasm mixed in just for fun.

Evidently the sarcasm did not play well.

[J Francho]

Maybe I was the only thickhead, LOL,.

[GeekOutdoors]

I am in the process of trying soft plastic jerkbait fishing as it seems like bass are on shads during this time of year. I fish from a kayak most of the time, usually not standing so wiping it down like I saw on the videos will not happen so I could maybe get away with a longer rod ? I read in this topic and some prefers casting, other prefer spinning. I have a few setup that might fit the bill:

7' M/F Spinning

7' MH/F Spinning

6'6" MH/F casting

6'6" MH/XF Spinning

7'11" H/MF casting

6'10" H/F casting

 

I plan on throwing 5" flukes (Houdini 5 and/or Strike King KVD Perfect Plastic Caffeine Shad 5") on 4/0 or 5/0 offset shank or swimbait EWG 4/0 and 5/0, likely weightless. If I need to buy something new, I would like to double it as a weightless swimbait setup, if that makes sense. Budget is under 100 CAD and I'm located in Canada, so I keep it to widely known big brands from bricks and mortar stores. I especially like Fenwick stuff but the store has also St.Croix, Abu, Okuma, Daiwa, Shimano, Quantum. I'm not that much in technique specific stuff but I like to have my rigs done in advance so I don't mind going new. I figure I'd need M/F on the stouter side or MH/F on the softer side but I might assumed wrong ?

 

TIA

[J Francho]

Fourscore and seven years ago...

 

57 minutes ago, GeekFisher said:

7' M/F Spinning

Out of what you listed, I'd use this rod for flukes.  I'd prefer something shorter, though.

[GeekOutdoors]

12 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Fourscore and seven years ago...

 

Out of what you listed, I'd use this rod for flukes.  I'd prefer something shorter, though.

I hate to open new topics for stuff that was already discussed elsewhere. Do you prefer shorter because of the wiping action ? I might just get an HMG 6'6", they're on sale now but I was wondering baitcast vs spinning ?

[A-Jay]

1 minute ago, GeekFisher said:

I hate to open new topics for stuff that was already discussed elsewhere. Do you prefer shorter because of the wiping action ? I might just get an HMG 6'6", they're on sale now but I was wondering baitcast vs spinning ?

I use a Fenwick Elite Tech Bass Spinning Rod 7'4" Medium Extra Fast - 

You may be able to cast further with spinning.

If you go that way for weightless flukes - I highly recommend you use a braid main line and incorporate a small but strong swivel .  Really helps with line twist.  I like 30lb Seaguar Smackdown Braid for this with a #4 ball bearing swivel and 15 lb  Seaguar AbrazX Fluorocarbon leader.

btw - smallies here really like these 

A-Jay

[Russ E]

1 hour ago, GeekFisher said:

6'6" MH/F casting

this is what I use exclusively for soft jerkbaits. usually with 12 or 15 lb copoly line.

my rod is a Dobyns fury. it has a little  softer action than some brands.

I also use a high speed reel. it helps pick up line between jerks and also aids in retrieving loose line for hooksets.

I use a fluke often in the fall.

the mh 6ft 6in will help get a good sweeping hookset and it will allow long casts.

 

I also use a smaller hook than you listed. with the hollow body of a fluke I use a 3/0 EWG most of the time. I will use a fine wire to keep it on top and go to a heavy wire if I want to go deeper.

[J Francho]

31 minutes ago, GeekFisher said:

I hate to open new topics for stuff that was already discussed elsewhere. Do you prefer shorter because of the wiping action ? I might just get an HMG 6'6", they're on sale now but I was wondering baitcast vs spinning ?

Wiping or whipping?  If the latter, then no.  I don't find the extra length is an advantage, and it can make controlling a fish near the boat in a seated position a little awkward.  Also, I usually stand when kayak fishing, and use a tip down presentation.

 

As for old topics, the OP's question was asked and answered.  Typical forum decorum would be to open a new thread if posing a new question.  By asking a new thread, it's seen as thread jacking.  It's not a big deal, and not really against any rules.  It's more of an online etiquette thing.

[Subaqua Adinterim]

Loved looking at this thread and seeing an old post from SirSnookalot;miss his practical, down to earth posts.

[GeekOutdoors]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

Wiping or whipping?  If the latter, then no.  I don't find the extra length is an advantage, and it can make controlling a fish near the boat in a seated position a little awkward.  Also, I usually stand when kayak fishing, and use a tip down presentation.

 

As for old topics, the OP's question was asked and answered.  Typical forum decorum would be to open a new thread if posing a new question.  By asking a new thread, it's seen as thread jacking.  It's not a big deal, and not really against any rules.  It's more of an online etiquette thing.

Thanks for your reply and I noted for forum decorum, I will open up new threads next time, linking the threads I read so to show I did my homework

 

I meant whipping, sorry English is not my first language. Like I said, even if my kayak would allow me to fish standing, I prefer to fish seated, especially this time of year since water is pretty cold here, so no tip down whipping and ironically, I'll have to do more like a side wiping movement if I want to jerk it. I'm driving tonight or tomorrow night to SAIL in QC City for my crank setup and will take a look at the other rods. Still wondering wether I go spinning or BC, will probably make my mind while driving there (1h30 ride)

[J Francho]

3 minutes ago, GeekFisher said:

I'll have to do more like a side wiping movement if I want to jerk it. I'm driving tonight or tomorrow night to SAIL in QC City for my crank setup and will take a look at the other rods. Still wondering wether I go spinning or BC, will probably make my mind while driving there (1h30 ride)

Try either out - you never know what you'll prefer.  Great idea about linking back to older threads!  I do that a lot, when answering questions, instead of retyping things already said.

[Sam]

I named my setup Fred.

 

I call out Fred's name while looking for it in the rod locker or on the deck.

 

Fred is a BPS Bionic Blade spinnerbait rod.

 

Yes, I throw flukes with a 6'6" Bionic Blade spinnerbait rod using a 3/8 bullet weight on 8 pound fluorocarbon line.

 

 

[GeekOutdoors]

1 hour ago, Sam said:

I named my setup Fred.

 

I call out Fred's name while looking for it in the rod locker or on the deck.

 

Fred is a BPS Bionic Blade spinnerbait rod.

 

Yes, I throw flukes with a 6'6" Bionic Blade spinnerbait rod using a 3/8 bullet weight on 8 pound fluorocarbon line.

 

 

Fred is my best buddy's name lol ! I note for the fluoro Line. Mine should be weightless most of the time ! On my way to the store !

[fishwizzard]

I fish flukes on the same rod that I fish open-water topwaters and jerkbaits on;

 

Avid 6'2" M/XF

Aldebaran 50 

11lb Amrilo Defier mono

 

Zoom Supers, Pearl, Black w/ chart flakes, and Hodini.  Sometimes Bubblegum but I am not impressed with it over Pearl.  I have never settled on a hook, there are like a half dozen in rotation.  I sometimes want a heavier or lighter hook to mess with the fall rate.  I have messed around with nose-hooking w/ a CPS pin a little bit but I don't like how often it snaggs on debris in the water, I fish flukes on the edges of cover or over grass most of the time and I like to be able to have a little leeway in how close to both of them I can get.    

 

I have a custom spinning rod I had made up for flukes a few years ago but I rarely use it any more, I find a casting combo so much more comfortable for all jerking, popping, and twitching lures.  

[GeekOutdoors]

I end up having a bit more budget because the lunkerstik had 20% on it so I went with a St.Croix Bass X 6'6" medium/Fast casting. Will have to put a reel on it likely spooled with 10-12lbs mono but I dont know about the ratio just yet !

[DogBone_384]

I mix it up depending on what soft bait I’m tossing and what water it’s landing in.

 

I use Kistler, ***, and Abu Garcia rods almost exclusively.  For weedy ponds I use a MH/F rod with the baitcaster I’m in the mood to use, which is either Diawa, Shimano, or ***.  

 

As far as line, I prefer Power Pro Super Slick #30 with a fluoro leader.

 

The same applies when I use spinning gear, except I own only Pflueger reels.

 

[J Francho]

17 hours ago, Sam said:

I named my setup Fred.

 

I call out Fred's name while looking for it in the rod locker or on the deck.

Should have named it James Taylor.  That way, when you call it's name, it will come running to you.

[GeekOutdoors]

2 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

I mix it up depending on what soft bait I’m tossing and what water it’s landing in.

 

I use Kistler, ***, and Abu Garcia rods almost exclusively.  For weedy ponds I use a MH/F rod with the baitcaster I’m in the mood to use, which is either Diawa, Shimano, or ***.  

 

As far as line, I prefer Power Pro Super Slick #30 with a fluoro leader.

 

The same applies when I use spinning gear, except I own only Pflueger reels.

 

I had two reels spooled with 40 or 50lbs braid, I will likely use one to try it. I seldom put leaders on my setup except for the ML finesse setup.

[Hunter Bull]

Kistler Z-bone 6’9” LMH Fast Action

Shimano Metanium MGL 7:1 gear ratio

15-lb Seaguar Abrazyx 

Gamagatsu G-Lock (Pretty sure it’s 4/0 haven’t gotten any a while and I forgot)

Zoom Super Fluke (Baitfish)