Are you interested in learning how to fish a fluke? Here, we are going to find out more about the soft plastic baits, commonly referred to as “flukes” and how to use them while fishing.
Flukes are jerk baits that look like shads. They come in a variety of colors and sizes. The color choice of your fluke doesn’t affect the number of basses that you will catch while fishing.
These shad-like baits are versatile and thus can be used to catch both small and big fish. They are also suitable for different weather conditions and in various conditions.
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Related: How To Fish A Crankbait
Set Up For Fishing A Fluke
You do not need high-quality gear to fish a fluke effectively. What matters most is that you need to have a drag that works. Fishing a fluke requires you to have the following:
The Right Rod/Reel Combination
Having the right rod reel combination will make skipping your fluke easier. For newbies, it is recommended to use spinning gear when fishing a fluke. Using spinning tackle, you will be able to skip the lure further even in thick cover.
As for the length of the rod, everybody has a preference. Choose the length that you are most comfortable with. The 6ft APX rods are known for their sensitivity and strength. These qualities come in handy when the fluke is far from your sight.
Hook Selection
If you are looking forward to catching big fish, you should use strong hooks that won’t get straightened out by the fish. It is preferable to use the round bend hook as it has a better hook-up ratio and greater leverage.
Straighten The Fluke
When you purchase the soft jerk baits, they are usually not straightened. This will prove to be a challenge when you decide to fish weightless. They don’t track right, and for you to be able to catch the bass, it has to be lured to the fluke.
For you to make it straight, you have to place the fluke in hot water for 15-20 minutes depending on its size. Larger flukes require a longer time of immersion, i.e. 20 minutes and vice-versa. However, if you leave the fluke in the water for more than 20 minutes it may melt, and you don’t want that.
After the twenty minutes, remove the soft jerk bait and place it on a dry towel to dry. Run your hands along the fluke to straighten it. When it is dried, you can then hook your bait.
How To Rig A Fluke
As you are hooking your fluke, you need to ensure that your hook goes straight down the center of the lure. Depending on your fishing style, you may leave the eye of the hook out if you will do a lot of jerking. Here are pro steps on rigging a fluke.
Hold the fluke upright in one hand and the hook in another. Push the hook through the mouth of the fluke and out through the centerline. This is the area just below its mouth.
Step 1:
Hold the fluke upright in one hand and the hook in another. Push the hook through the mouth of the fluke and out through the centerline. This is the area just below its mouth.
Step 2:
Slide the hook through and into the underbelly. Ensure that everything is aligned at the center of the fluke. This helps in balancing the fluke on the hook.
Step 3:
You can flip the fluke over and go through its back with the hook. This is another way to rig the fluke. Each method has a different reaction. You need to figure out what you want and also want the fish wants.
After successfully hooking the fluke, skip it and let it sink to the desired depth of water. You can then twitch it and leave it to slack. This gives it time to dart around. Be patient as you watch the line.
Sometimes you are not able to feel the effect once you strike a bass. Your line movement should be a tell-tale sign that you have caught fish on the hook.
Different Hooking Angles And Their Effect On The Fluke Movement
When you rig your hook close to the fluke’s underbelly, it causes the jerk bait to be uneven. This results in the fluke to look like it is moving upwards. This method is suitable for those who would like to see the movement of their lure as they fish.
Hooking it vice-versa results in the opposite effect. In that, the fluke seems to be diving into the water. Whichever method you select should be what you are comfortable with using.
There are different ways to which one can add more weight to the fluke. Most people use lead nails which they slip into the fluke, at the head, middle or tail. You can also use a bell sinker to get a horizontal effect on the fluke.
Using a fast action and medium-heavy rod will help you make short, fast twitches. Insert a swivel before the fluke as it prevents the line from twisting. It also adds more weight, when you are fishing weightless.
You can also choose to braid your line which helps in strike detection. For more original action and movement on the lure, connecting your hook with a loop knot will do the trick. This action will result in more strikes.
Best Areas To Fish A Fluke
These are areas that you are most likely to fish a fluke, successfully:
Grass Beds That Are Shallow
When fishing along shallow grass beds, you are most liable to strike ‘gold’ early in the morning or late in the day. Grass has a way of holding the fish. It is, therefore, prudent to know the exact place in the grass, where the fish are caught.
Winds cause the fish to go deeper from the grass beds, but in calm weather, the bass can be found as close as the banks of the water.
Boat Docks/ Houses
In such areas, look out for fishing pole holders, rods or chairs, etc. These are indicators of the places where most people fish. They are possible holding places for the fish and should be your number one go-to place when you are in a dock.
Try to skip your fluke in any concealed area such as the opening in between boats. You could also try the sides of the dock. Remember to keep an eye on your line as your fluke will most probably be out of sight.
Bear in mind that the volume of flow, temperature, and sediments in the water, all have an impact on the bass’ willingness to move towards the bait. The also increase or decrease the striking zone
Conclusion
How to fish a fluke is dependent on understanding what the fish wants. Does it want the shad like bait to appear to be running away or should be still in the water? This will help you lure the bass to the eye of the hook.
Boat docks and shallow grass beds constitute the areas where you can best practice the art of fishing a fluke. Remember to skip your fluke in concealed areas as these may be the places holding the most fish.
Source: usangler.com