A reliable approach for catching more bass is to use flukes, and this is the method to choose. These soft plastic baits, which are meant to look like shads and are guaranteed to work for capturing bass, are available for purchase. The term fluke is also used to refer to a specific type of fish, which we shall discuss in more detail later in this chapter. For the time being, let’s concentrate on how to fish flukes for bass and the measures that must be taken in order to have a successful fishing excursion.
A bit about flukes
Flukes, as previously mentioned in the introduction, are plastic baits that can be used to catch bass, specifically. They are jerk baits, which means that they will disturb the surface of the water and cause a small amount of commotion in order to attract the attention of the fish lurking beneath the surface.
They are available in a huge number of colors, but this does not imply that you need be very concerned with whatever color you choose. This factor has little to no bearing on your chances of catching bass, so don’t spend too much time worrying about it.
Although we mentioned bass, the truth is that these baits are fairly adaptable, which means that you can use them to catch both large and small types of fish with relative ease and success. Another important point to mention is that you may use them to capture fish in any weather conditions, and they are not restricted to specific seasons.
What rod and feel should you use with flukes?
While flukes are quite adaptable, you must pay close attention to the rig you want to employ with them. An underwater spinning rod and reel would be the most appropriate choice because it allows you to skip the fluke and cast further into the dense underwater brush, thereby enticing fish hiding in the brush to come forward.
When it comes to selecting the proper rod lengths, there are no hard and fast rules to follow. Most experts advise choosing a rod length that is most comfortable for you. Many fishers choose a rod that is responsive while also being sturdy and durable. If you wish to capture a certain species of fish, this factor is important to consider. Bass is a powerful fish that is capable of putting up a good fight, so use a powerful combination to avoid losing the fish.
What kind of hook should you pick?
Again, when it comes to bass fishing, we must concentrate on obtaining a powerful hook. When the fish bites, the sheer force of the bite should prevent the hook from straightening and breaking free. Round bend hooks are your best option since they provide tremendous leverage and are particularly effective for hooking large, aggressive fish that fight a lot when hooked.
Why you must straighten your flukes
The most important thing to remember when learning how to fish flukes is that your baits should be straightened. This is true whether you want to catch bass or any other similar fish. The responsibility for this type of job will rest on your shoulders because vendors typically give flukes that have not been straightened. They will not provide adequate tracking, and their movements in the water will not appear natural to bass or other fish, which is an issue with these flukes.
Having said that, you will be responsible for straightening the flukes yourself. Here’s how to accomplish it in a short amount of time. For around 20 minutes, submerge the flukes in boiling water to kill the bacteria. If you’re using larger baits, you’ll want to soak them a little longer. Make certain, however, that the flukes do not grow overly soft if they are placed in boiling water for an extended period of time.
Using your palms, straighten the baits after they have been soaked for an extended period of time. You can use them as bait for fish as soon as they have been thoroughly dried and cured.
The necessary steps for rigging a fluke properly
In order to be successful when using flukes to capture bass, you must take the required precautions and follow the right rigging procedures. In your left hand, hold a fluke and a hook in your right hand. While doing so, be sure that the fluke is kept erect with one hand. The hook must be inserted through the mouth of the bait, dead center in the mouth of the bait.
The hook must next be inserted into the underbelly while maintaining the alignment of the fluke. If you follow these instructions, you should be able to achieve perfect balance. This is one way that can be used. Alternatively, hold the fluke with its back to the hook and thread the hook through it. Because of this, the behavior of the bait will vary depending on how you rig the fluke, as you can easily guess.
Continue to allow it to drop until it reaches the desired depth of water without using the fluke. It is beneficial to twist the bait a little. After a few moments, it will begin its jerky moving pattern, which you can let it to perform while keeping an eye on the line. When a bass takes a bite out of the bait, you will know it.
How does hooking influence the movement?
Earlier, we discussed a few different approaches of hooking your bait. Let’s have a look at how this affects the way the bait will move in the future. The first approach stated includes inserting the hook through the underbelly of the fish; this causes uneven jerky motions, and the bait will appear to be moving upward as a result of the movement. If you are interested in tracking the movement of your bait, this configuration will work well for you.
The alternative hooking approach will give the appearance that the fluke is diving. Either strategy will draw the attention of the fish moving beneath the surface of the water. Extra weights will be required if you want your fluke to sink any farther than it already has. You can accomplish this by inserting lead nails into the fluke’s body and hammering them in. Of course, another approach that should be simple to implement is to include a bell sinker in the bait.
The type of rod you use has an impact on how well the bait moves about on the water. Take, for example, a heavy rod with a quick action. The fluke will make brief, jerky movements when you use this rod. Swivels should be used to prevent your line from twisting if you want to keep it from twiddling. You will even be able to add some weight to the rig, which will allow you to have better control over it.
A loop knot is another option for customizing your rig to accommodate more unusual bait movements. This arrangement has the key advantage of allowing you to detect fish hits with more accuracy, which is an essential advantage.
Where to take your fluke tackle configuration to catch a lot of fish
Now that your rig is ready and you are ready to go fishing, here are some suggestions for where you should cast your line in order to have an efficient and pleasant session. This style of setup is useful in a variety of situations, such as shallow grass beds.
For as long as it perceives itself to be protected by the high bush, bass is one of those fish species that like spending time near the shore. It is possible to make a good investment by skipping your fluke in these waters, and you will be able to entice the fish out of hiding.
Another favorable location for skipping a fluke is in the vicinity of boat docks. The space between two boats can be an excellent location for this. In addition, the sides are a wonderful choice. Because you will most likely not be able to see your lure clearly from where you will be standing, one thing you should pay attention to is the movement of the line.
Many factors influence your ability to catch the fish you desire, and using the appropriate type of lure is only one of the things you can do to increase your chances of success. It’s possible that the water temperature, how muddy or clear it is, and the currents all play a factor in whether or not you catch a monster bass on a fluke. If this is the case, it’s not always the fault of the bait you choose.
About flukes as a fish species
Now that we’ve discussed the fluke lures and how to catch them, let’s have a look at how to fish for fluke with success. This is a marine flatfish that may be found primarily along the east coasts of Canada and the United States of America. The occasional large fish, weighing more than 10 pounds, may be caught, but this should not be expected to be the norm.
If you are interested in the fluke fishing season, it begins in April when the water temperature begins to increase steadily over a period of time. These fish prefer warm water, which is why you have a better chance of catching some of them during the summer months. Nevertheless, if you ask any seasoned angler who has ever caught one of these fish, they will tell you that the beginning of May is the most fruitful time of year for catching flukes.
The fishing season is open throughout the summer, and if you go fishing by the end of September, you may even be able to catch something. The greatest sites to look for flukes are in shallow water, where schools of flukes tend to congregate in huge numbers, providing you with the ideal opportunity to catch a sufficient quantity of fish.
The fact that flukes tend to retire to deeper water as the weather gets hotter should be kept in mind when looking for them. If you’re planning a deep sea fishing vacation, you might even want to go on a little expedition to make the most of your time. Because there are so many anglers who are serious about capturing this species, there are lots of boats available to transport you there.
Methods to catch flukes
Flukes are notoriously difficult to catch in shallow water because they prefer to burrow in the mud or sand to avoid being discovered. They do this because one of the methods they employ to catch their prey is to lie in wait while their eyes are turned toward the tide. While this may make them difficult to detect, it is also one of their greatest weaknesses. In order to accomplish this, they swarm around any thing they can find on the waterbed.
That means that your fish detector will be able to detect any irregularities in the bottom and point you in the direction of the areas where flukes are most likely to be gathering in high numbers. Then, once you’ve discovered a structure where you think flukes might be hiding, use a drift anchor to lock your position and spend some time floating over it. This will increase your chances of achieving achievement.
Many fishermen believe that a light jig is the most effective tackle for capturing flukes, and this is supported by research. This must make it all the way to the bottom without touching it. That will provide you with the essential advantage in order to bring the flukes out of hiding.
If you’re curious what kind of bait these fish prefer, you can figure it out by studying the fish you capture and noting which one they prefer. When you bring a fluke to the surface, the fish will expel the contents of its stomach; the leftovers of the fish’s last meal will reveal everything you need to know about the fish’s favored diet, and you may rely on these discoveries to catch additional fluke in the future.
Using fluke fishing nets when removing the fish from the water is recommended if you want to inflict the least amount of stress possible to the fish. When doing this procedure, there are certain stages that must be followed to ensure success.
The fluke should always be guided with the head first while bringing the fish out of the water. If the fish is not within striking distance, do not flash the net. One of the primary reasons for netting the fish is to avoid the natural struggle that occurs after the fluke knows it has been lifted from the water.
It might be a good idea to have more than one net on your boat just in case. It is possible that your friends can assist you by bringing their nets closer together, which will prevent the fish from fleeing and therefore saving you time. When using fishing nets, be careful not to waste your time and energy on specimens that you do not intend to keep. There are a few things that can go wrong, and if your net gets stuck in the rig, you run the danger of ruining your trip completely.
Simply storing your net somewhere where you will have easy access to it is a good practice to follow. You never know when a fish may strike, so if you don’t have a net handy, you may miss out on the opportunity to pull up a specimen that is worth photographing while you are out fishing.
At first, the fluke will not be aware that it has been hooked, and it will not resist. Make certain that the net is placed beneath it, and allow the fish to calm down. This will give you enough time to get a hold of the fishing net you’ve been eyeing. Lift it as quickly as possible to ensure that the fish experiences the least amount of strain.
One interesting fact about flukes that you might not have known is that they can swim backward. It’s important to keep this in mind while you adjust the net to remove the fish from the water.