Flukes, How Do You Fish Them?

[Deadeye-1]

I am learning how to be more effective when fishing with a fluke. When they first came out many years ago, I lived in PA and fished waters that were clear and had stumps and rocky bottoms. Used to use a single split shot about 12-18" up the line and fish them with a slow retrive or stop and go.

In Florida where I now live it is a whole different game. When and where do you fish a fluke and how do you use it? Weighted or No? In open water over grass or in pads? Slow retrive or short jerks or stop n go or something different? Since I started trying them here I have only caught 2 fish on them, and was with a slow retrive.

Any advise or help would be appriciated.

[BigMoneyGrip]

On a Sworming Hornet Fish Head Spin. Pull it up and let it fall.

[Marty]

There are numerous ways, but I suspect the most common is in shallow water near cover, using a twitch-and-pause retrieve. After the twitch, give it a little slack, as the slack line allows the erratic action. I use them mostly weightless, but you can add some weight and it can still have a good darting action.

[Jaheff]

I caught a good one today on the fluke, just dead sticking it with a weighted hook, in 10 fow.

I have also had good luck with it on the C-rig. Seems I have caught most of them on the initial fall off the C-rig.

[zip pow]

1/4 oz scrouger just swim it along bumping cover

[Deadeye-1]

Thanks for the replies so far. I was trying to Jerk-Pop it along the surface, not doing so well. So if I'm understanding correctly, most of you give it a twitch-jerk then let it sink, then repeat. Is that right?

[Scorcher214]

Weightless. In Albino. My retrieve is based on how the bass want it, constant twitching works sometimes, as well as a jerk-jerk-pause. I also like to walk it on the surface parallel to some reeds or other weeds that are sticking out of the water.

[Clash City Rocker]

I fish them with a keel weighted hook like a suspending jerkbait.

[smalljaw67]

Thanks for the replies so far. I was trying to Jerk-Pop it along the surface, not doing so well. So if I'm understanding correctly, most of you give it a twitch-jerk then let it sink, then repeat. Is that right?

The Zoom super fluke and super fluke jr are more of a topwater bait for me, I live and fish in PA and the way I use them is I let them sink a few feet and then give a couple of quick jerks and stop it and repeat. I also like to use a 1/8oz scrounger for fishing close to but not in cover and open water. For a slug-o I fish the same way but I do move it faster as it doesn't come up as fast as the fluke and I found a bait that is awesome, River Rock Baits jointed jerkbait in 4" and 5", these are made with a denser plastic but they have a joint in the center so it has a lot more action than a standard fluke or slug-o. Those I fish with a jerk-jerk-jerk, quick stop and repeat, they stay a little deeper in the water so you can fish them unweighted much faster than the others.

[Aaron]

I fish them t-rigged, usually weightless sometimes with a keel weighted hook. I will cast out let it fall, then give it a jerk and let it fall, all the way through the strike zone.

[Fishing-Vol]

Watermelonseed, Watermelon/red fished weightless, or with a 1/32 to 1/8 splitshot in the wind. Retrieve varies, slow like a T-rig worm, or twitch/ pause, or fast twitch like walking the dog bait. I have a cousin in central fla and he fishes the fluke 70% of the time.

[Deadeye-1]

Thanks all. Gonna work on it tomorrow,

[tnbassfisher]

Weightless. Work it a lot like I would a hard jerkbait.

[BrASSmonkey]

Weightless. I toss em out, then let them sink slowly until they get to my target depth. I begin my retrieve which consists of a couple of jerks or twitches, followed by slock to allow it to flutter back down. I try to mimic an injured baitfish that will struggle and kick, then go limp before repeating this.

[hatrix]

Its usually a close to top water bait for me. So I never use weighted hooks. Thin wire off set and heavy EWG hooks make a noticeable difference to me in how easy it stays on top. I use some kind of pearl usually so I can see it. I work it depending on what it just did last time I jerked it (if I can see it). That way is way more effective for me then doing some kind of set rhythm.

[riskkid 2]

I've had alot of luck fishing them on a carolina rig

[TxBankFisherman]

walk the dog method.... I use a small split shot a couple inches above the hook....and when the bass go deeper I use the same technique on a weighted hook....

never fished them on a drop shot, but have heard folks on here having success with that... also, if they are not biting the fluke, you might try the senko... Usually they will hit one or the other...

[Primus]

River Rock Baits jointed jerkbait in 4" and 5", these are made with a denser plastic but they have a joint in the center so it has a lot more action than a standard fluke or slug-o. Those I fish with a jerk-jerk-jerk, quick stop and repeat, they stay a little deeper in the water so you can fish them unweighted much faster than the others.

That's why I enjoy this forum, people expose me to lures & techniques that I'm not familiar with. I'm going to try a few of the River Rock baits, looks like a cool idea and that something that's a little different to show the fish, thanks for sharing.

Regarding the SuprFluke, as mentioned fishing it weightless and twitching it like a soft jerkbait is effective. I've also had success with the " Petey " rig that Peter T. used to win a tournament a few years back by fishing a 12" leader C-rig with a 1/16 oz weight which gives the bait a slow death spiral

[Fishing Cowgirl]

I fish them t-rigged, usually weightless sometimes with a keel weighted hook. I will cast out let it fall, then give it a jerk and let it fall, all the way through the strike zone.

X2

[piscicidal]

Weightless, T-rigged. When I'm working a fluke, I try to work the bait as if I am trying to make it dart while keeping the bait in place. I'm not sure if that description makes sense, but the point is not to necessarily drag the fluke through the water. If done correctly, the bait will dart in random directions with only a slight amount of forward movement. I like to use a medium power/fast action rod, a small baitcast reel (Curado 50E) and very light braided line (#20 PP) for this kind of fishing. I think it's a little easier to get the desired action using a line that doesn't stretch.

[Nitrofreak]

Weightless around shallow grass areas.

With a keel weighted hook when I find schools of shad in deeper water.

C-rig across grass flats or any deeper structure.