fluke rigs
 

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.

9" Squid bodies are too big.

I recommend 4" or 6" for Fluke.

Ed

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

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.

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.

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

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.