[partyboater]

I have been reading the posts on fluking and it seems everyone has their favorite rig (ie bucktail, bullet etc.)and fishing method. How long do you stick with one method or 1 color before trying another? I fish the partyboats (north shore for fluke)and do not want to lose fishing time changing rigs.

 

[baywatch]

Traial and Error

Fluke can be finicky sometimes. I have had them hit squid spearing combo one day and the next day they are hitting Fluke strips. Sometimes the will prefere a feather or a shiner on the rig also. I have also done well with searobbin tails filleted them into strips. They last forever.

I have recently started tying my own rather then use the store bought package. Yes it is a couple of pennies more and time consuming but the results are better. Gives you something to do on the cold days of winter.

You can use your imagination to vary the type of rig you want.

If you are going to narrow yourself to one type of fluke rig you are not going to have the same result as changing the rigs to see what is working the best for that day.

It changes constantly with tides, winds, currents, water temps, etc. Sometimes at slack you can even use a bucktail jig if the water is still enough..

I am not that familair with the N/S fishing but I do fish the inside bays and outside of FI inlet and it aways changes.

My advice is to have a few types of setups with you and if takes a few minutes to change them so be it.

I'd rather spend the time working at it and have a better day.

Take a peak at ADDRESSING AND ISSUE on this board it might help you out.

Goode Luck.

Bill

 

[616357]

You are so correct about putting your own together. Shiners, plastic squid, beads are some of my favorites. I have had some good catches on the larger shiners.

 

[616787]

I've always been kinda stubborn when people show me new fluke rigs they made with beads, blades, and "feathers*, etc.

For many years, I've used a 4/0 hook on a 18" - 24" leader, tied fishfinder style.....and that's it. When the bite is off, I change presentation - from letting it drift motionless, to jiggling the rig along, to outright bouncing it off the bottom in 4 foot lifts.

And thats how I got the name

 

[baywatch]

Right and wrong

Hi B/F...I used to do the same thing until I fished with few different guys here.
I also keep and asortment of bait, spearing, squid naturally. Fluke strips and ribbons, searobins filets and even penut bunker when they are around.

I will also use jigs such as bucktails and spros, made with gama hooks that are the chartuise color.

The point here is that the same thing doesn't work all the time.. What ever works best for you stay with but I have had some productive days changing my methods.

BTW there where 4 anglers on the boat this day. We maxed out and where throwing 17 and 18 inch fish back. The largest in this catch was about 6 pounds.

Bill

(This post edited by baywatch on 02/05/2003)

(This post edited by baywatch on 02/05/2003)

 

[partyboater]

Thanks for the info. I know it's always a guessing game (and the fish are smarter!). I think I will head out with 1 rod set up light for bucktails/bullets and another with a more conventional set up.

 

[614668]

From older archive post by Leprechaun.

Try it this way

This is how we do it on my boat and it is a devastating method - almost unfair to the flukies (This was copied from one of my posts on the "Reports" page):

What we do is use 30lb mono and make a 1.5" dropper loop in it. Then tie a small Spro 130lb barrel swivel about 5" above it. This will get connected to the main line with a ball- bearing snap swivel. Now put a small black duo-lock snap on the dropper. This is where the tiny 1/4oz bucktail goes. Now EXACTLY 14" below the dropper tie on a second black duo-lock snap. (Remember - exactly 14", not 13" and not 15" - took a LOOONG time testing results to get that height right). This is where the silver bullet goes on. So what you have now is a rig that allows quick changes of lures at the top and bottom positions plus and this is the biggie - when you get a decent fluke in the net and he completely weaves the lures thru the netting all you need do is unsnap the lures and drop them out of the netting, then close the snaps and pull the empty rig right out of the net. Works like a charm and took a few seasons to get it right. We never ever use "Standard" fluke bait rigs anymore - haven't for at least 4 season now. The rig is THAT effective.

Works fine with a 12" gentle jigging motion or even better when just left in the rodholder, dead-stick style.

Good for silver bullets to 10oz. In truth, 95% of the fish hit the upper bucktail, but occasionally, the bullet gets one too.

Got a nice 7lb2oz fish on this rig two weeks ago. It hit a home-tied bucktail - Bright Blue Krystalflash on a 1/4 oz bullet-head body painted white. Blue and to a lesser extent light green/turquoise have been the smokin' hot colors this year. Last year it was pearl white and the year before brown.

Go figure.

rgds, Leprechaun



Me personally, I try different things throughout the year. When fishing with friends I am the designated mate and tie each pole with a different rig. I have seen different rigs outfish others on different days/conditions etc. I think the most overlooked factor is to see how the bait presents itself when placed in the water. I will put the rig a few inches below the waterline and observe the action.

I became a big fan of bullets last year on north shore when tide conditions allowed it. But if you are fishing on party boats I would recommend fishing same rigs as others to prevent tangles but try using colors/feathers and mylar teasers to attract fish to your hook. I find that with the added color you may not catch more fish but usually catch bigger fish.

 

[LkyLindy]

Party party

Make it easy on yourself-

Bring two rods-one for bucktailing the other for hook and sinker. one rod could be a 10-20 lb. XH tip 6 foot class with an abu 5600 c3 with 2 tails. 1oz and 1/2 oz about 18in apart and jigj jig jig Only if you can hold bottom with not much current.Be careful-if you will tangle with everyone Fuhgetaboutit! Second rod a 6'6 or 7 ft 15-25 or 40 class with maybe a Penn 310gti(the lep stick would work well(see search))30 lb line with a 3 way swivel ,sinker (fluke bullet) and hook setup.I'm not an advocate of too much hardware but with a snap and swivel you can change setups fast

 

[strip]

Here's one....

This one used to work wonders for me...

BUT I haven't used it in a long time. Why?....good question.

When I was a young eager fisherman an old timer suggested I try ABERDEEN style hooks on a standard fluke rig NO HARDWARE. In those days I was adamant about NO HARDWARE. These days I am more flexible. Anyway the idea was that the LIGHT wire aberdeens would allow the bait to be more bouyant and live looking. This oldtimer did conceed that the downside was losing a big fish to an opened up light wire hook but I gotta admit it really did increase my hook up ratio dramatically. I guess the reason I don't use aberdeens anymore is because I see bigger fish these days and don't want to lose a real big one. But a little lighter on the drag.....

 

[616787]

Thanks, BAYWATCH - I didn't mention that I change bait according to availability. We had fun throwing the castnet at the dock, and filling the pail with peanut bunker. They work great! I kinda stopped using the fluke & searobin strips.....unless there is a hoard of crabs.

Here is a pic of my bubba

 

[flukerr]

Fluke...

I also fish the northshore party boats for fluke in the early part of the season.After July it seems to die down on the N.Shore.

2 rods A lite one that can handle an ounce nicely,spro,bullet and the like type of rod.

And one that can handle up too 8 oz of lead.It can be a 6 oz bullet or the old standby rig,three way hook and sinker.A little tip use a bullet with no hook as a sinker on the 3 way rig....

You never know how deep you will be fishing that day. It could be up shallow in 8 ft of water or in 50 ft when the fluke go deep.Thats where they are in late June feeding on sand porgies.Adjust you rig to the fish!
Have all diff. rigs tied up and ready to go so you dont waste time, and change them when the boat makes a move. That way you miss no fishing time

I love that early shallow water fluking on the J.J. in the spring......

 

[strip]

Interesting point Flukerr

It is common knowledge that the fishing for fluke takes a nose dive after july.....I would love to hear anyone's theory on why this occurs....I find it very intriguing and perplexing.