Best way to rig fluke lures?

[publican57]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jul-10-06 AT 12:23PM (EST)[/font][p]I have been told of flukes and bought some; what is the best way to rig them. I was told they are great for bass when no other plastics are working.

[artcarney_agr]

I use a 4/0 or 5/0 Gamakatsu wide gap hook. I prefer to use it weightless. You can work it on top like an injured baitfish, let it free fall, or whatever your imagination brings! It's very versatile and weedless and great this time of year for the early mornings and late evenings.

[pastorbass]

I live or die by the fluke - I often die, but it generally produces very well for me. However, there is only one color that works for me.

I use a 3 4 or 5 Gama offset shank hook. The bigger the hook the more it sinks.

Something that is KEY to fishing the fluke is having the perfect rod and reel to get the most action. I use a medium heavy rod with an Quantam Energy open fact reel. I have tried using other combos, but this gives me the most control and best action.

Blessed Fishin

[artcarney_agr]

I agree on the use of a good rod and reel combo. I prefer a 6' or 6.5' medium action spinning rod. It's short size and medium action lets you do all kinds of neat tricks! It's fun when you really get into it! A good limber line helps too!

[elnutsmalljaws]

Weightless wide gap 4/0 hook works best for me. I have 3 or 4 different colors but always go back to the basic White Super Fluke for best results. Flip around and under docks, weeds, overhanging trees is the best places I found. Great backup bait to cast behind a short strike on a topwater bait, especially a buzzbait. Cast back to the missed strike area and let it sink and flutter down, I think it makes the Bass feel like it smacked it the first time and knocked it out and now it is easy pickings. I find myself skipping the fluke under objects with spinning tackle and even will skip the fluke in open water to imitate a baitfish trying to elude a BIGUN. Easy bait to fish with very good results. If you are ever at Cumberland try using them at night on the points around Indian Creek for Smallies love them plus you may catch a Stripers at certain times as well.

Tight Lines

[dcbasser]

I also like the Gamakatsu 5/0 Wide gap hooks. They also make one that is weighted with about a 1/8 ounce sinker that is deadly in the spring time. Summer time I like to texas rig them and can't tell you how many quality fish we have caught this way. Just let it fall to the bottom and rip it off in short bursts and hang on. Color wise I like white and bubblegum during the daytime and smokin silver at night. You can also try carolina rig em and can be productive on deep points. Hope this helps.

[Danny]

First, welcome to the board. I note that this is your third post.

Now no one has said how to rig the hook. You can hook it many ways. If you look at the fluke, you should see a "belly" that should be toward the bottom. The traditional way is to tx rig the fluke with the point coming out the top of the fluke, and the belly being the bottom.

I've also seen some modifications on hooking. Some will leave a little bend in the bait on the hook. This will add a spin to the bait. Of course, I normally use a swivel to prevent line twist and if using that hooking method, you definately need something to prevent the twist.

One of the most interesting ways I've read to hook the bait, but have failed to try, is try hooking the bait on its side. You TX rig it, but instead of coming out the bottom you come out the side.

Lastly, slopfishin on here is a pro at skipping this bait. If you are going to skip the bait... and he can put it where he wants it, you should probably use a spinning reel. It's very hard to skip with a bait with a baitcaster and not backlash. It can be done, and I've done it totally by accident, but never on purpose. LOL

Have a lot of fun with them!

Danny

[publican57]

Thank you for all the replies.

[Dave Stewart]

One rig that I noticed was not mentioned is the "double fluke rig". This is not only a very effective rig but sure a lot of fun when you get on a school of active fish and can get "two at a time hookups".

Here is how I rig mine:

1. Thread a barrel swivel on your line and let it run freely.
2. Tie another barrel swivel onto the end of your line.
3. Put leaders on both barrel swivels. Make the leader on the free running swivel about 12 inches long. Make the leader on the barrel swivel tied to your line about 18 inches long.
4. Add hooks of your choice and Texas rig the flukes.

I fish this primarily on a 6 or 6.5 foot spinning rod medium or medium/heavy action. Work it just like you would a weightless fluke.

[downtime]

thats interesting..... I actually caught a 7.lber at guist creek last year drop shotting a cabin creek fluke... Its the only one ive caught on a fluke.... Talk about a fluke :)

[artcarney_agr]

I like the double Fluke method you described. One thing that I've found about it is that if you use gold barrel swivels, the gold attracts the baitfish. I've have large shad actually repeatedly strike at the small gold swivels. It makes for an awesome attractant! Not only do you have two flukes simulating a school, but you also have actual baitfish flashing at your swivels just ahead of the Flukes!

Do you get many doubles on it? I've had a few and it gets crazy when it happens! I'll have one fish on the end hook and another 20' away on the free sliding swivel! Talk about fun!

:)

[SNIPER_01]

WELL, PUBLICAN HERE'S THE BEST WAY I'VE FOUND TO TO RIG A FLUKE. FIRST TAKE A 4/0 HOOK TIE IT TO YOUR LINE. USE A KNOT OF YOUR CHOICE. THEN PLACE THE POINT OF THE HOOK INTO THE HEAD OF THE FLUKE, RUN IT HALF WAY DOWN THEN BRING THE POINT OF THE HOOK OUT AND TWIST, PLACE THE POINT OF THE HOOK BACK INTO THE FLUKE JUST ENOUGH TO KEEP IT FROM HANGING UP. NOW FOR THE FINAL STEP.....TAKE THE FLUKE IN HAND AND GO UP YOUR LINE ABOUT 1 FOOT, CUT YOUR LINE....TOSS THE FLUKE.....TIE ON ONE OF YOUR BEST CRANKBAITS AND GET TO CATCHIN SOME FISH........SNIPER GONE