I am making my own fluke rigs this year as a project to do with the kids, I am not looking for anyone's secret recipe here but just some advice on hook selection. I am using 9" and 4" squid bodies. Was thinking about a tru-turn style of hook. Thoughts ?

While far from being a fluke guru, I know the rigs I use all have a long shank hook, makes for easier unhooking and protects against those teeth! Spinner blades seem to work well too, and some bright florescent surgical tubing on there as well. The kids will have a blast putting all sorts of stuff on there! It will probably kill the flatties this summer! Good luck!

Thanks for the feedback, that was my thought too, a long shanked hook. We ought to have some pretty "interesting" configurations when they are done, but I think the kids will really be stoked when a rig they made actually works.

I am making my own fluke rigs this year as a project to do with the kids, I am not looking for anyone's secret recipe here but just some advice on hook selection. I am using 9" and 4" squid bodies. Was thinking about a tru-turn style of hook. Thoughts ?

9" Squid bodies are too big.

I recommend 4" or 6" for Fluke.

Ed

Thanks for great idea!!! I am reading with interest.

9" Squid bodies are too big.

I recommend 4" or 6" for Fluke.

Ed

Used 9" in the past.
it will work, fluke are way more aggressive than most people realize...

I usually just use a 3-way swivel, 50lb leader, and a large kahle hook; no spinners, skirts etc.. just a big bait, while squid, fluke belly etc..

Bryan, what do recommend for leader length? It seems like alot of people overanalyze fluke rigs with beads, spinners, etc. They are aggressive feeders. I will have to try some whole squid this year...

I just do what Bryan does, big bait.

Doesnt help with the kid rigging but take your kids sqiud fishin ,then use big strips of squid they caught, they'll love that.

Bryan, what do recommend for leader length? It seems like alot of people overanalyze fluke rigs with beads, spinners, etc. They are aggressive feeders. I will have to try some whole squid this year...

36-40" Leaders

I also like a Hi-Lo Rig for Fluke.

Tie a dropper loop about 10" above your sinker and anothe one 2' above your sinker.

Remember, Fluke see better a bit above them than directly in front of them.

Used 9" in the past.
it will work, fluke are way more aggressive than most people realize...

I usually just use a 3-way swivel, 50lb leader, and a large kahle hook; no spinners, skirts etc.. just a big bait, while squid, fluke belly etc..

The 9" Squids are very large. Tsunami, B2 etc.

I know Fluke are aggressive feeders.

I have never tried 9' for my rigs, but I will.:btu::btu:

Some 6" I made.

Great input guys, I have the tsunami holographic squid in 4,6, and 9. My thought is 3 way with the 9" off the bottom and a dropper tied above with a smaller squid body. As far as the 9" being too big... there is a guy in our marina that does really well on large and I know he uses whole squid that are every bit of 9" long and when the snappers are in he switches to the live bluefish.

OTH13
great looking rigs, interesting looking blades, I haven't seen those before

Great input guys, I have the tsunami holographic squid in 4,6, and 9. My thought is 3 way with the 9" off the bottom and a dropper tied above with a smaller squid body. As far as the 9" being too big... there is a guy in our marina that does really well on large and I know he uses whole squid that are every bit of 9" long and when the snappers are in he switches to the live bluefish.

OTH13
great looking rigs, interesting looking blades, I haven't seen those before

They are called Dakota style blades.

Fluke are not line shy, and love to chase the bait!!

big bait in deep water will get you the big guys. I have found that 4 to 6 inch bait works the best all around.

I use a built by me St. Croix 7 foot rod rated for 3/4 to 3oz and 10 to 20 line wt. (F70M-BK)
I love the narrow Penn Squidder's or the Penn mag 10 (level wind) with Spiderwire stealth 65# test with a 36" leader of Andy Clear or what have you. 20# to 30# test

Egg sinker above the leader from 3oz to 10 oz depending on current & depth, swivel, leader and a 5/0 to 7/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hooks.
I like my hooks snelled and ONE hook only, after getting so many hooks drove in you from the shaking Fluke I got sick of tandem rigs fast!!

I use to use SS Kale hooks but they bend and are a pain, I use to use gold Kale hooks and they were junk half way threw the day. Decided to give the Octopus a try and they work great!! and they can take a set of pliers with out bending or breaking!!

Bait is Squid strips to start the day and switch to Fluke belly (and tops work also). If the current is moving fast use a short (4") bait to make the fish come up on the hook or you will miss them every time.
If the current is going slow use a longer bait (6") and jig it a bit more to get the fish to come for it.
Fish drop offs and when you find the fish shorten you drifts to stay on them. If you are in a good area you can drift threw many drops and move when you are out of them.

Fluke like to chase the bait so a moving tide is best!! In a slack tide slow troll and jig as you go to get them to rise.

I know spinners and stuff all work, but after years of using all that stuff I have found you don't need it! In this case simple is best!!
Buck tails tiped with squid also work well in the deeper water.

My biggest Fluke 12 and 14 pounds were caught on live Scup while bassing!! So you never know what will happen!

Good Luck!

Same as above. Adjust your weight as macojoe says to stay in close contact with the bottom. You don't want your line much more than 45 degree angle. More than that and you've got too much line out to feel the light pick ups. You'll miss out on a lot of fish.

Nice piece of info joe:btu::btu::btu:

Joe is the flukeman. Maybe this year I can learn your ancient secretive ways kemosabe

:rotf3::rotf3::rotf3:

Couple B2 Squid rigs.

YES Paul we will be out toghter this year for sure!! All looks good, th4e New fish finder is here, Hard top be delivered 2 weeks Trying to be done by May 1 cause I close on my new house April 30 and have to move in May and Fluke will Start right after!!

We will tow your tin boat behind mine to put the extra, I am only allowed 200 pounds a day you know!:wavey:

Oh sure. I get to come over to do all the work on the boat and ProfessorM gets the invite.:cens::deadhorse:

The coolies of the engine room are not allowed to come up on deck and play! :lama:

Lets get one thing straight. I'm not your cabinboy. I put money in that fishbox.

Lets not talk about the 200 pounds you took home to sell with your wife! I lost 80% of one of the best catches of the year!:1poke:

Come on. 78% at best.:lama::cheers2:

Sandman makes killer qaulity rigs....'and thats all I have to say about that'~ Forest Gump

Killer Quality++

OTH13 Those rigs do look smooth. Nice work.

Thank you.

:btu:Yes sir you sure do nice work!

Very cool pics.

Bryan, what do recommend for leader length? It seems like alot of people overanalyze fluke rigs with beads, spinners, etc. They are aggressive feeders. I will have to try some whole squid this year...

What OTH said.
3ft or so.
don't overlook circle hooks on a deadstick as well.

I like circle hooks for Fluke.

Alot of people tend to shy away from them though.

I believe for beginners they are better than any other hooks.

Not much of a hook set needed.

IMO

Thanks for all the info guys
Macojoe: thanks for the indepth reply, some great info that won't go to waste !!

Man I can hardly wait!!

I've tried circlehooks for fluke and never had any luck. I always did best with a classis long shank fluke hook. I think it presents the bait best too. IMO

:gorez::gorez::gorez:

Circle hooks are great for Dead sticking!! Use them all the time! 7 ft Ugly stick med action, they hook them selfs!! some times better then we do!!

The thing with the circles you can not set the hook! Thats why dead sticking so good.

Circle hooks are great for Dead sticking!! Use them all the time! 7 ft Ugly stick med action, they hook them selfs!! some times better then we do!! The thing with the circles you can not set the hook! Thats why dead sticking so good.

Amen; I usually fish one and dead-stick one... just re-stocked on 5/0 circles...

I tied up a bunch of my own rigs over the winter which consisted of a three-way swivel with a bucktail off one and a long (3 ft) trailer with a squid body off the other. The part I'm having trouble with is the short length to the bucktail. Do you guys tie these direct to the bucktail while you're out on the water or do you tie to a snapswivel ahead of time? I can't figure out a good system that allows me to change out the bucktail easily as the current / wind / depth change.

Thanks,

"Lou"

I throw a 7" split tail on a jig head and call it a fluke rig, simple and they love the ledgerunners.

Circle hooks are great for Dead sticking!! Use them all the time! 7 ft Ugly stick med action, they hook them selfs!! some times better then we do!!

The thing with the circles you can not set the hook! Thats why dead sticking so good.

Is it getting close? come hell or high water I am going to try my best to hook up with you this year. I have been considered a dead stick many times.

Is it getting close? come hell or high water I am going to try my best to hook up with you this year. I have been considered a dead stick many times.

Paul, Tuesday is opening day!! Want to go??

Damn Joe. My wife is going out of town this week and I have to work days all week, and watch daughter after school. I can't win, but it is still early so please keep me in the loop. Thanks for the offer.

Ok I am very busy with a lot of different things and I may forget to ask from time to time!

When you can go, DO NOT HESITATE to ask me!!! I will PM you my #'s again so you have them.

My normal days of fishing are Tue, Wed, Thur I will adjust as I can but that is the norm.

Later!!

Just an fyi, those 9" tsunami squid bodies work just fine....
my son is 5 years old and the fluke is 9#.
big bait = big fish, even for little fishermen

Awesome!! That there is a great fish!! Good for you.

beauty for sure. way bigger than anything I have ever caught.

Great great photo!

Slow pick last weekend. Found a small pod right at the end of the day...
fair number of 18-19" 'shorts'
One nice fish, literally pounced on it as I was reeling up to head for the dock... stayed for another 45min. more small fish... oh well.

This fish had those nice photogenic colors...
just a skosh under 7, and damn tasty!

Just an fyi, those 9" tsunami squid bodies work just fine....
my son is 5 years old and the fluke is 9#.
big bait = big fish, even for little fishermen

sweet, doesnt get any better than the lil guys hookin up large!

I like my rigs large and Basic...9/0 hooks worked well on Monday

My largest was over 6# and Wendy's was just short of 5#

Damn Joe. My wife is going out of town this week and I have to work days all week, and watch daughter after school. I can't win, but it is still early so please keep me in the loop. Thanks for the offer.


Can I come with you two? I want to see experts at work!!!!

nice P. I take it you were on the south side in your boat.

Bill, Don''t let my name fool you I am far from and expert, I just enjoy that kind of fishing. I have not even been yet this year. God I am getting lazy. YOu been out in your boat yet ?

Took my sister out this past week. No monsters. 6.5, 6, and two 5.5s. everything under 20" goes back, we had a handfull of shorts. I thought it was slow but we had a weird drift with the wind against the tide which I don't like for fluke. Toss in a few bluefish, dogfish scup and seabass and you get the vineyard sound mixed bag. Hope to get out a couple times this weekend for them.

Can I come with you two? I want to see experts at work!!!!

Hmm...Expert, no one has ever called me that before?? I do it commercial and we keep 14" and up. I have got some nice size this year(7# the biggest) but most are recreational shorts.

That said I have sold about 700 pounds so far this year, its been slow? But I do it only cause I love the water, and love fishing and at $4+ for gas I am making nothing!!
Between gas, oil, gas for truck I just make paying for the day including lunch, and thats fine by me!!

I can go most Tue, Wed, Thur depending on he weather. If you want to go just bring your own gear, drink, food. If we get 100 pounds that will pay for the day. And you get some fish to go home.

If we don't get at least 100 pounds then we split all the fish and passengers split the cost of the day.

ProfessorM nice P. I take it you were on the south side in your boat.

Bill, Don''t let my name fool you I am far from and expert, I just enjoy that kind of fishing. I have not even been yet this year. God I am getting lazy. YOu been out in your boat yet ?

Paul Commercial is 50% caught and won't last much longer!! The recreational season ends Aug 15th !!

Not much time left!! You better hurry!

hmmm, sounds like a possible plan!!!!

What time do you leave Wareham?

beauty for sure. way bigger than anything I have ever caught.

Don't feel bad, I haven't even come close. Trounced by a 5 year old, but the one's that took most of the ribbing were his 2 older brothers

CK pm's

I have a convenctional setup for fluke. i use a 30# fluro leader tied directly to my 30# powerpro. make a large loop on the end and a long dropper loop above the bottom like 20 inches. i use plastic shads like 3 inches such as tsunami holographic models 9my fave) and spro jigs (chart, white, silver n white). havent tried a pink one. it works for me. i jsut wnet out once. i think that i need more fixes on it. man, i need someone to take me on a fluke fishing trip. i need white meat fillets for fish n chip.

mj, u got any room for next week?