How to Fish a Fluke or soft jerkbait 2024
jenga reply :
I would like to know how to fish a fluke. What size do typicaly fish with, what kind of hook and size, line and type of rod and reel. Any help would be great.
Thanks,
Jenga
Blade-Runner reply :
I prefer spinning tackle.
A 6-6.5' medium power, fast action rod w/ a 20-series reel fits the bill. I use exclusively braid for this presentation. 20/6 PP gets the nod here...
I only use 1 brand and color of fluke, 5" Zoom Superfluke in Pearl White. I've wanted to get my hands on the Case Sinkin' Salty Shads but they are a little pricier...
Go with a 4/0 EWG or (what I use) the older "Shaw Grigsby" R-Bend Wide Gap. The key is to rig so that the jerk stays put. You may try supergluing it or using trailer tabs to keep it put. Or just deal w/ readjustment. Some folks will probably also suggest using braid w/ a fluoro leader. The soft jerk really attracts bites, and some are initial attacks...Wait until you feel the weight of the fish before setting the hook. It is also a great sight fishing tool, as you can see your fluke often swimming sideways in the mouth of your quarry.
Absolutely awesome lure, particularly in clear(er) water and shallow(er) water. I fish them on highly-pressured lakes post-spawn and really "mop up" behind guys fishing spinnerbaits and crankbaits.
Many folks prefer baitcasting gear but I like being able to "skip" the lure more effectively, as well as impart erratic actions with spinning. Sky is the limit on imparting action - 'pull-glide-hovers', 'twitchity-twitchers' - it's up to you...It's a great way to figure out the activity level of the fish. You can also split-shot and fish deeper or use one of the new weighted hooks (I do not prefer them as they affect the "shimmy" that I believe is a trigger). Good luck.
Wild Bill [NY] reply :
I fish them on two different rods, depending upon how heavy the weeds are.
I have a 6'6" Avid medium spinning rod rigged with either 8 or 10 pound copolymer for more open water situations.
For heavier weedy areas, I have a MH Kistler LTX baitcaster rigged with 12 copolymer.
I rig the Super Flukes one of three ways:
1]. I nose hook the Super Flukes with a #2/0 octopus hook , coming from the bottom through to the top, about a 1/2 inch back from the nose. This way gives the bait the most action, and very erratic darting motion, and provides a EXCELLENT hookup ratio.
2]. I texpose or skin-hook a 4/0 EWG-style of hook, and work it with glides, getting the bait to dart side to side, similar to a 'walk the dog' action. A heavy-wire EW can be substituted instead, so it will work slightly deeper in the water column. Skin-hooking the hook point will give you a weedless bait.
3]. To get it working even deeper in the waters, I will rig it on a belly-weighted EWG hook.
.............
Those are the three most common ways I work them.
Other ways are:
4]. On a Carolina rig, especially after a sudden cold snap, to mimic dying shad on the bottom.
5]. On a double-Super Fluke rig.
This way, you are using two Super Flukes on one line.
Take a barrel swivel, and pass you main line throughone eye, and slide it up the line, then tie a second barrel swivel nto the main line, so that the first one is now sliding on your main line between the tied swivel, and your rod tip.
Tie about a 12-18 inch leader on the sliding swivel, and a tie a 24 -30 inch leader to the fixed swivel. Puta heavy-wire EWG onto the fixed line leader, and a regular wire EWGG hook on the sliding leader, putting Super Flukes then on both.
It is crucial to have to one sliding, because if you hook two fish at the same time, this way they do not break your line if they pull in opposite directions.
The shorter, lighter wire hook will ride higher in the water column that the heavy-wire/longer leader rig will, giving the appearance of two schooling fish.
Sometimes I will rig a smaller Super Fluke in the front, lighter hook, and a full sized on on the longer leader, giving the apearance it is a bigger fish following behind, lower in the water than the smaller one.
Hope this all helps you to put some fish on your line guys.
Blade-Runner reply :
And they are good for dropshotting, too.
mphenry reply :
6'6" medium baitcast or spinning on 8-10 lb line. I like the 5 inch size on 4/0 ewg
NewKidInTown reply :
QuoteAnd they are good for dropshotting, too.
Oh yeah,,right up there with a Sluggo.
roadwarrior reply :
I'm a Slug-Go fan, too, but regardless of the
brand, "flukes" are perhaps the most universal
baits every invented. They imitate a shad, so
use your imagination: Where, when and how
would you fish a live shad?
My most productive presentation is in shallow
water, twitching the bait without trying to move
it forward. I'm trying to imitate feeding baitfish.
8-)
MALTESE FALCON reply :
Hey Jack, take notes, and we'll learn together this Spring.
How's your Winter going?
Falcon
TimJ reply :
Falcon...gotta love fishing flukes along the shallow weeds along the StClair river. dynamite schools with the current turning and breaking.
TJ
Crestliner2008 reply :
Thanks Wild Bill! I've never used a double rig like that. I've heard of it, but since you've been successful with it, I'll give her a whirl this season.
roadwarrior reply :
QuoteThanks Wild Bill! I've never used a double rig like that. I've heard of it, but since you've been successful with it, I'll give her a whirl this season.
How are you going to land 24 lbs of smallmouth
on 6 lb line?
;D ;D 
;D ;D
Frog Turds reply :
that double fluke rig is illegal here in minnesota. only one lure or live bait per line.
Wild Bill [NY] reply :
Quotethat double fluke rig is illegal here in minnesota. only one lure or live bait per line.
That's why it is so important to know the laws of wherevere you are fishing.
Crestliner2008 reply :
QuoteQuoteThanks Wild Bill! I've never used a double rig like that. I've heard of it, but since you've been successful with it, I'll give her a whirl this season.How are you going to land 24 lbs of smallmouth
on 6 lb line?
;D ;D
;D ;D
VERY carefully!
A-Rob reply :
I use Yum Houdini worm, I think it is 5" long.
I throw it on a hook with a hook keeper and a weight on the belly of the hook that keeps the fluke upright.
I twitch it with spinning gear or if in heavy cover (usually when fishing largemouth) i switch to a baitcaster.
I just have 1 rig for my spinning set up. 6'0 medium shimano rod, shimano sahara reel, 15# test braid with a 10# test mono leader.
Blade-Runner reply :
I met a guy down in East TN that uses flukes as swim-jig trailers and as a trailer for a Ledgebuster.
Almost every trip I hear about includes a 5 lb. smallmouth...
roadwarrior reply :
Well, we catch a lot of 5lb smallies, but not on
every trip!
8-)
jb7725 reply :
i pretty much only nose hook them and the action is amazing
jenga reply :
what are the best colors to buy for Lake Erie or Lake St. Clair.
Thanks
Jenga
SPAZ reply :
Quotewhat are the best colors to buy for Lake Erie or Lake St. Clair.Thanks
Jenga
You can never go wrong with white anywhere.
bassnleo reply :
Don't ever buy or try bubblegum color, it won't catch a fish 
.
Flukes are a mainstay around here with all the clear water.
My fluke rig consists of a Kistler Helium 7' MH spinning rod, a 20 series reel, and 8 lb Power Pro braid.
I use primarily a 3/0 or 4/0 Gammy superline EWG hook.
I make looooong casts and it never fails, the bait hits the water, I pop it twice and a fish blows up on it. I went to the set-up above for that reason. I can still bury the hook even at the end of a long cast and I've seen no negatives whatsoever, even in clear water.
I've watched fish come from a long distance to eat a fluke, also had them chase the darting bait back to the boat, kill it, and watched them suck it in, only to get their eyes crossed 
It's a productive bait, you can't go wrong.
kms399 reply :
I like it as a topwater bait. I will rig weightless with a 4/0 ewg gammy hook. I keep the rod high and get it almost skipping across the water. it looks just like a shad running from a predator.
dead eye reply :
WildBill, The double rig was in a FLW tournament last year by a guy named Mann to win it, thanks for the tip on rigging it. I will be trying it this year, looks really good comming through the water.
basspro215 reply :
i fish a small man made lake in ny it has lots of lily pads i throu to the bank reel it across the the top of them for picral and if nothing hits i let it drop on the out side edge for bass and they tare it up
jenga reply :
Have you ever fished it with florocarbon with a barrel swivel 10 inches in front of the hook. I saw a video of a guy doing this on LSC and nailing the fish.
Jenga
Aluma-Bass reply :
jerk it!
VAfishin4me reply :
Quote5]. On a double-Super Fluke rig.
This way, you are using two Super Flukes on one line.
Take a barrel swivel, and pass you main line throughone eye, and slide it up the line, then tie a second barrel swivel nto the main line, so that the first one is now sliding on your main line between the tied swivel, and your rod tip.
Tie about a 12-18 inch leader on the sliding swivel, and a tie a 24 -30 inch leader to the fixed swivel. Puta heavy-wire EWG onto the fixed line leader, and a regular wire EWGG hook on the sliding leader, putting Super Flukes then on both.
It is crucial to have to one sliding, because if you hook two fish at the same time, this way they do not break your line if they pull in opposite directions.
The shorter, lighter wire hook will ride higher in the water column that the heavy-wire/longer leader rig will, giving the appearance of two schooling fish.
Sometimes I will rig a smaller Super Fluke in the front, lighter hook, and a full sized on on the longer leader, giving the apearance it is a bigger fish following behind, lower in the water than the smaller one.
That is awesome. I think I found a new technique to try out. thanks Wild Bill 8-)
slonezp reply :
One of my favorite ways to fish. I prefer Yum Houdinishad, or Zoom Superfluke. I use a med action spinning rod and either floro or braid with a floro leader in most cases. When fishing Lake Michigan I'll use an 8-10lb floro because of the clear water and lack of snags. EWG hook weightless in shallow water skin hooked. Make sure it sits straight on the hook or you'll get line twist and it won't run true. I've also fished deep water 20-30ft rigged on a jig. Tried the double rig but found it awkward, maybe it takes getting used to. As far as color, when I fish Lake Michigan white if its rigged weightless, white or watermelon red flake if I'm jigging it. If I'm fishing inland waters I prefer blugill, baby bass, or smoke shad to "match the hatch" Someone else mentioned dragging across lily pads. I couldn't agree more. Make sure you're using braid or heavy floro in that situation
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