Fishing flukes, or soft plastic fluke-style baits or jerkbaits, are versatile lures primarily used for bass fishing.
They are designed to mimic baitfish and are popular for freshwater and saltwater angling. Here are some key points about fishing flukes:
Design: Fishing flukes typically have a slim, elongated body shape with a forked tail resembling a shad or minnow.
They are usually soft plastic, allowing for realistic swimming action and easy rigging.
Rigging Options: Flukes can be rigged in various ways depending on the fishing situation and angler preference.
Common rigging methods include Texas, weightless, Carolina, drop shot, or using a jighead.
Versatile Action: Flukes are known for their universal action in the water. They can be worked in different ways, such as a steady retrieve, jerking and twitching, darting side-to-side, or even on the surface as a topwater bait.
Effective Bass Lure: Flukes are particularly effective for targeting largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass.
The realistic appearance and lifelike swimming action of flukes trigger predatory instincts in the bass, enticing them to strike.
Fishing Techniques: Flukes can be fished in various situations and environments.
They work well around structures like weed beds, submerged vegetation, docks, and rocky areas.
They are also effective when used in open water or near the surface when the bass is actively feeding.
Versatility for Other Species: While primarily used for bass fishing, flukes can also attract other game fish such as pike, musky, walleye, and even saltwater species like redfish and striped bass.
Presentation and Colors: Flukes can be presented in a variety of ways to imitate injured baitfish or provoke a reaction strike.
Experiment with different retrieve speeds, twitches, and pauses. Also, choose colors closely matching the local forage or try contrasting colors to grab the fish’s attention.
Check local fishing regulations and obtain the necessary fishing licenses before using fishing flukes or other lures.
Additionally, always practice responsible fishing, including catch-and-release practices when necessary, to help preserve fish populations and habitats.
How to Fish a Fluke
Fishing a fluke, or soft plastic jerkbait, can effectively target bass and other predatory fish. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to fish a fluke:
Select the Right Equipment
- Choose a medium to medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting rod and reel combo suitable for your target size.
- Use a fluorocarbon or monofilament fishing line in the 8-15 lb test range, depending on the fishing conditions and the size of fish you expect to catch.
- Match the size of your Fluke lure to the forage and the fish species you are targeting.
Rigging Options
Texas Rig
- Insert the point of a wide-gap hook into the head of the Fluke, burying it about a quarter inch.
- Exit the hook through the top of the Fluke’s body, keeping the hook point hidden.
- Use an offset worm hook or a weighted hook if desired.
Weightless Rig
Skip weights for a more natural, slow-sinking presentation. Use an offset worm hook and rig the Fluke as described above.
Jighead Rig
Use a jighead with an appropriate weight for the depth and fishing conditions.
Thread the Fluke onto the jighead, ensuring the hook is exposed, and the lure is straight.
Casting and Retrieval Techniques
- Cast your Fluke near potential fish-holding areas, such as weed beds, points, drop-offs, or structures.
- Allow the Fluke to sink or settle to your desired depth before starting your retrieve.
Implement a variety of techniques
- Twitching and Jerking: Use your rod tip to impart quick, sharp twitches to the Fluke, imitating an injured or fleeing baitfish. Pause between twitches to mimic a vulnerable target.
- Subtle Retrieval: Employ a slow and steady retrieve, reeling in the Fluke with occasional twitches or pauses to give it a subtle, natural action.
- Erratic Action: Experiment with erratic retrieves, combining twitches, pauses, and varying retrieval speeds to trigger reaction strikes.
- Topwater Presentation: Use a weightless fluke and retrieve it rapidly across the water’s surface, imitating a fleeing or struggling baitfish.
Observing Strikes and Setting the Hook
- Watch for any line movement, twitches, or unnatural behavior, as these may indicate a fish striking your Fluke.
- When you feel a strike or see line movement, quickly reel in any slack and set the hook with a firm but controlled hookset.
- Maintain a smooth and steady pressure on the fish while reeling it in, keeping your rod tip up to prevent the fish from diving into cover or breaking the line.
Remember to adhere to local fishing regulations, practice catch-and-release when appropriate, and respect the environment and fellow anglers.
Adjust your techniques based on fishing conditions and the behavior of the fish. Good luck, and enjoy your fluke fishing!
Flukes fishing lures
Flukes fishing lures, also known as soft plastic fluke-style baits or jerk baits, are popular among anglers for their versatility and effectiveness in attracting a wide range of game fish.
Here are a few examples of some of the best fluke fishing baits:
Zoom Super Fluke:
The Zoom Super Fluke is a widely recognized and widely used fluke-style lure.
It has a lifelike profile and a soft, durable body that produces a realistic swimming action.
It comes in various colors and sizes to match different fishing conditions.
Strike King Z-Man Fluke Stick:
The Strike King Z-Man Fluke Stick is known for its buoyancy, which allows it to sit horizontally in the water like a real baitfish.
It has a slender body design and forked tail, providing excellent action and enticing fish to strike.
Berkley PowerBait Jerk Shad:
The Berkley PowerBait Jerk Shad is infused with scent and flavor that attracts fish and encourages them to hold on longer, increasing your chances of hooking up.
It features a realistic body shape and soft texture, producing an enticing swimming motion.
Gary Yamamoto Senko:
Although not specifically marketed as a fluke, the Gary Yamamoto Senko is a versatile soft plastic bait that can be rigged and fished like a fluke.
Its unique wiggling action and lifelike appearance make it highly effective for enticing bites from various fish species.
Keitech Swing Impact Swimbait:
The Keitech Swing Impact Swimbait is a fluke-style lure with a ribbed body and a paddle tail that creates a natural swimming action.
It is known for its durability and ability to withstand multiple fish strikes. The wide range of colors available allows anglers to match the local baitfish.
It’s important to note that the effectiveness of a lure can vary depending on the fishing conditions, target species, and angler preferences.
It’s always a good idea to have a selection of different fluke-style lures in various colors and sizes to adapt to different fishing situations.
Fluke bait rig
Here are a few common rigging techniques for fluke baits:
Texas Rig: The Texas rig is popular for fishing flukes in various conditions, including around cover and vegetation. To rig a fluke bait Texas style, follow these steps:
- Slide an offset worm hook (such as an EWG or offset shank hook) into the head of the fluke bait.
- Push the hook point through the top of the bait and thread it about a quarter inch, ensuring the point is not fully exposed.
- Align the hook with the bait’s body, ensuring it is straight and weedless.
- Depending on the fishing situation, you can add a bullet weight or use the bait weightless.
Weightless Rig: The weightless rig allows for a more natural, slow-sinking presentation.
This is particularly effective when fish are more hesitant to bite or when fishing in shallow water. Here’s how to rig a fluke bait weightless:
- Use an offset worm hook or a wide-gap hook.
- Insert the hook point into the head of the Fluke and thread it through the body until the hook is mostly hidden.
- Make sure the Fluke is straight on the hook, ensuring a natural swimming action.
Jighead Rig: Rigging a fluke bait with a jighead adds weight and allows for deeper fishing or targeting fish in stronger currents.
Here’s how to rig a fluke bait on a jighead:
- Choose an appropriate-sized jighead based on the fishing conditions and the size of the fluke bait.
- Thread the Fluke onto the jighead, starting at the nose and pushing it up the shank until it is straight.
- Ensure the jighead is securely embedded in the head of the Fluke and the hook point is exposed.
These are just a few common rigging options for fluke baits. Feel free to experiment with different rigs, hook sizes, and weights to find what works best for your fishing situation and target species.
How to rig a fluke for bass fishing
To rig a fluke for bass fishing, you can use various techniques. One popular method is the Texas rig. Here’s how to rig a fluke for bass fishing using the Texas rig:
Gather your equipment
- Fluke bait: Choose a fluke bait of your preferred color and size. The Zoom Super Fluke is a popular choice.
- Offset worm hook: Select an offset worm hook size that matches the fluke bait and the size of bass you’re targeting.
- Bullet weight (optional): Depending on the fishing conditions, you may add a bullet weight to the rig for added casting distance or to get deeper in the water.
Rigging the Fluke
- Insert the point of the offset worm hook into the head of the fluke bait.
- Thread the hook through the body of the Fluke until the hook point is barely exposed or just below the surface.
- Pull the hook out of the bait’s body and align it parallel to the bait’s body.
- Reinsert the hook into the Fluke’s body so that it remains hidden, creating a weedless rig.
Adding a bullet weight (optional)
- If you want to add a bullet weight, slide it onto your fishing line before tying the hook.
- Tie your fishing line to the eyelet of the offset worm hook using a suitable knot.
Fishing the Fluke
- Cast the rigged Fluke near areas where the bass is likely to be, such as structure, weed edges, or drop-offs.
- Allow the Fluke to sink to your desired depth, or start a slow retrieve immediately if fishing near the surface.
- Use a combination of twitches, jerks, and pauses to impart an erratic, wounded baitfish-like action to the Fluke.
- Pay attention to any line movement or subtle bites, as the bass may strike the Fluke on the fall or during pauses.
- Quickly reel in any slack when you feel a bite and set the hook with a firm but controlled hookset.
Remember to adjust your technique based on the fishing conditions and the behavior of the bass.
Experiment with different retrieval speeds and actions to find what triggers the best response from the fish.
Striper fishing with flukes
Flukes can be highly effective for striper fishing, as these lures resemble the baitfish on which striped bass feed. Here are some tips for using flukes when targeting striped bass:
Match the Hatch: Choose fluke colors that closely resemble the baitfish present in the area where you are fishing.
Common colors include silver, white, pearl, and chartreuse, which imitate various baitfish species.
Rigging Options: Rig your flukes with various techniques to find what works best for the conditions and the behavior of the stripers.
Texas rigging, weightless rigging, and jighead rigging are all viable options.
Target Structure and Current: Striped bass are often found near structure such as rocks, jetties, bridges, or submerged vegetation.
Additionally, they are known to hold in areas with strong currents.
Cast your flukes around these areas and work them along the edges, allowing them to mimic the movement of injured baitfish.
Vary the Retrieval: Experiment with different retrieval speeds and techniques to entice the stripers
Twitching, jerking, and pausing the Fluke can simulate an injured or fleeing baitfish, triggering the predatory instinct of striped bass.
Pay attention to the behavior of the stripers and adjust your retrieval accordingly.
Consider Depth and Water Conditions: Stripers can be found at various depths depending on the time of year and water conditions.
Adjust the weight of your Fluke or use different rigging techniques to fish at different depths.
This can involve adding a weighted jighead or using a Carolina rig with a sinker to get deeper.
Time of Day: Striped bass is often more active during low-light periods, such as early morning, late evening, or even at night. Consider fishing during these times for increased chances of success.
Remember to check local regulations and fishing guidelines for striper fishing in your area, as rules may vary.
Also, handle and release striped bass properly to help preserve the population for future generations.
Conclusion
Fishing flukes can be a versatile and effective technique for targeting bass and other game fish.
With their realistic profile and lifelike swimming action, Fluke baits closely resemble baitfish and can trigger aggressive strikes from predatory fish.
By using various rigging techniques such as the Texas rig, weightless rig, Carolina rig, drop shot rig, and jighead rig, anglers can adapt to different fishing conditions and preferences.
When fishing flukes, it’s important to consider factors such as the fluke bait’s color and size, the fish’s location (including structure, currents, and depth), and the behavior of the target species.
Varying the retrieval speed, incorporating twitches and pauses, and matching the hatch are all strategies that can increase your chances of success.
Remember to familiarize yourself with local fishing regulations and guidelines, practice catch-and-release when appropriate, and handle fish carefully.
Fluke fishing can be an exciting and rewarding technique that allows you to mimic the natural movements of baitfish and entice predatory fish to strike.
Check out the Drop Shot Bass Rig available on our website.
FAQs
What do you use flukes for?
Flukes are primarily used as fishing lures to target various species of game fish, particularly bass.
Fluke baits are designed to imitate baitfish with their realistic profile and lifelike swimming action.
Anglers use flukes to entice predatory fish into striking, whether by casting and retrieving near structures, working them along weed edges, or employing other techniques to mimic injured or fleeing baitfish.
What is a fluke rig?
A fluke rig is a fishing setup that uses a fluke bait, a soft plastic lure designed to imitate baitfish.
The rig typically involves rigging the fluke bait on a hook and may include using weights or other components depending on the fishing conditions and the angler’s preferences.
Is a fluke a common fish?
No, a fluke is not a common fish. The term “fluke” is more commonly used to refer to a type of soft plastic fishing lure that imitates baitfish.
However, if you are referring to a specific fish species, the term “fluke” can also be used to refer to the summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus), a type of flatfish found in the coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean.