Fluke masters...

[Big Vern]

...I have a question for ya. Well, maybe a couple.

First - I'm looking to make some fluke rigs myself, and I'm looking for some recommendations from you fluke pros. I'll be doing most of my fluke fishing off the mouth of the Bass River in about 15-30 of water. I generally use a 3-4 oz. bucktail to hold bottom, and I tip it with a squid strip or live mummichog if I trapped some. I usually use a rig with a snap to the bucktail, a dropper loop about 18'' above the snap with an unweighted bucktail skirt tipped with either the squid or mummichog. I tie this all with 20 lb. flourocarbon. I almost always use white.

Does this sound appropriate or should I add in some beads and spinners? If I should, what colors and combos are good?

Second - When is the best fluke bite normally? I've had my best luck from first light through about 10 AM. However, I've also found good fish mid afternoon and at dusk.

I really want a trophy fluke as I lost one that was 10+ boatside last year. I need the doormat.

[RIROCKHOUND]

I've done well anytime of day, more tide dependant, I dont like slack tides... Fluke are agressive as anyone who has caught them in the surf on plugs knows....

A few years ago, found a bit of fluke from shore, at night in vary shallow water; they were chasing bait up and trapping it like bass or blues....

[MakoMike]

For fluke, IMHO the gaudier the better, beads, spinners, skirts all help attract the fish's attention. IMHO the key for catching big fluke is to use big baits.

[Goose]

Hey flukeheads,, What is the best dept for for #10+ fluke??

Anybody in 100'+??

[Mr. Sandman]

This is a good thread, I am into the fluke setup as well now....I am having some fluke TONIGHT for dinner!! Nothing like fluke in Feb!

I like to experiement with my rigs. When fluking I have 4 or more rods out (the whole clan is with me) and try something different on each.

My observations to date are not that scientific but there seems to be a trend. I have also spoken with 2 hard core comm fluker's who fish every possible day they can all day for advice as well. Everyone has their own secret fluke killer trick. I have not found mine yet but I will.

I think your rig sounds pretty solid and typical. I would suggest a top quality wide gap hook. Don't waste your time with a lame fluke hooks.

I think the key colors are chartruse,white, pink. I like the chartruse and white best myself. I think fluke are very visual feeders. Last year I caught two while TROLLING A PLUG for bonito and albies. They seem to be attracted to the spinner blades IMO. We caught more fish on the flashy rigs then the straight bucktail rigs.

You might want to try using long fluke belly strips. These are tuff meaty and good looking baits.

Some pros I know swear there is a difference in the squid they catch at the dock vs what you buy at the store. I have not tried this.

Some guys like teasers tied off the ball.

My main rig looks like this...I use a floro leader with a small clip to the silver bullet chrome ball. Gamakatsu make a nice one witn a big eye and quality hook. The NY guys swear by the ball with the hook being 2.5" aft of the ball. There is a company called "bite me" that makes them. I have not tried them.

I use a 3-way (or a blood knot) to tie off the 36" leader with hook and flashy stuff. I try all combos of stuff, simple and complex.
Spinners blades (1 and 2)
beads colored and glow in the dark
rubba squids...These worked really well last year for us on medium size fish.
bucktail slider teasers..
Spin and glows

Most of that stuff works. I tend to agree with mako if is looks flashy the seem to check it out to see what you have on the hook. Fresh long baits seem to work the best for me. When I lived in NY, I use to use snappers (baby bluefish) these worked great! but I don't see them up here that much. So I mainly use squid and fluke bellys. Sometimes a side of a herring.

As far as spots...Can't give you numbers but look for drop offs and holes. The deepest I have fished is 93' but most of the time I am in the 20-40' range. There is one very steady spot I have the is a very consistant a simple sandy drop off from 15-45'. Pull up to 15' when the sounder hits 21' hold on...like clockwork. IMO the key is current. You need decent drift you need to cover area. Also, deeper water seems to hold bigger fish. This is just my opinion, I am sure a lot of guys do things differently and that works great for them.

Below are a few pics of my desk..I should be working but its fun to tie!

[Mr. Sandman]

gamakatsu bullet sinker

[Mr. Sandman]

hooks I use

[Mr. Sandman]

typical gaudy fluke rigs...

[chris L]

sandworms !

[Mr. Sandman]

I've got boxes of this junk... My kids think I should go into business selling fluke rigs.

[Big Vern]

Jackpot!!!!

Sandman, I think I second your kid's viewpoint. You got some serious goods. I've been using those gami wide gap hooks too.

I guess I'll jazz some rigs up. I've got to order some jig paint anyway, and I minus well add to the order with a bunch of spinners and beads. I'm gonna make a bunch of rigs ranging from plain to Mister T Starter kit gaudy.

I hear ya on the fluke strips, but I made a decision last year to keep my fishing "cleaner", and I'm trying to stay away from livelining and meat fishing. I usually use the live mummichogs as I feel that they're the best for where I fish, but I have a ton of snappers right at the dock, and might give them a try too. However, that's a little too meat oriented for me, and I'll probably stick with the cleaner and smaller live mummies.

I like fluking quite a bit. It's a lot of fun in mid-July, and works well with very recreational fishermen firends. Plus, they're really tasty. I'm actually planning on targeting them instead of Stripers when it gets too warm. I've got a couple good spots.

[Mr. Sandman]

I love fishing for fluke when the bass fishing slows down as well. IMO they taste better then bass as well.

Don...try the live snappers if you got them. Make the extra effort on a trip or two...They are the ticket to the jumbo fish esp in deep water of 50+ feet

[goosefish]

My biggest fluke have all been taken in deep water. The big fluke like edges of broken bottom and smooth bottom. I do short drifts. Also the bigger fluke tend to travel in pairs or sometimes even in bigger groups. So if you get a real joe then mark the spot, either on the plotter or whatever else you're using. Keep fishing that spot. I've often put more than three joes in the boat on the same drift, just by keeping on it. But I can't say enough that the big fish seem to like rocks next to smooth ground. If the wind or current is really smoking I use a modified "race" bass rig--heavy bank sinker, long drop, to a smiling bill rip splitter jig--two hooks and one long long strip. Blue fish belly, bonita, fluke, squid...........................big being 10 or so inches.
I'm no expert but these kind of methods have put a good number of 10 pound-plus fish on board, the biggest being (not caught by me but by my friend a 14 pounder) 100'

[Mr. Sandman]

"smiling bill rip splitter jig"

This may sound dumb but what is that? Sounds kewl! Is it a regular similing bill 3-wayed?..I have fished the race and gut with set-ups like that and I can see how it would work outside of Robinsons where you have the situation you describe.

Where can I purchase a smiling bill rip splitter jig? It sounds like I need them. I am not in your catagory of "joes" just yet...maybe this year.

joes...I like that term. My 82 YO father in-law's name is Joe (who likes fluke fishing)... He would like it too...

BTW...you are an expert with number like that.

[goosefish]

Bear in mind that I don't own a boat I'm a surfcaster that has a wicked soft spot in my heart for fluke. I go whenever I can. Look out boat guys, I'II be PMing you in mid-June. Fluke during the day bassing by night Cannot wait.

I've got all my own gear, am slight of frame (don't take up much room), don't need food, only water, can fish for hours on end.

Last year the Marthas Vineyard Fluke derby was a blast. I think it was in July. My girlfriend came in second with a 9 pound fish The winning fish was 10 something.

[goosefish]

Sandman--the rip splitters are what Andrus calls their smiling bills. You can buy them anywhere.
Most guys who jig fluke use the lima bean heads, also know as Bill uppermans. These heads work great if you want to bounce bottom. The rig I was talking about the bank sinker tends bottom while the smiling bill works above it. Vineyard sound I've fished up to a 12 ounce bank there on a moon tide.
Now thats some sweet looking water.

[Surely Bassey]

those gaudy fluke rigs look like my wife's earings.....