Bucktailing for Fluke
Last week I wrote about fishing the Peconics for doormat fluke. I
personally do not like to drag a baited hook when fishing for fluke unless I
am fishing for "doormats." And then, it's usually when I definitely know they
are around in numbers. There is always is the possibility of taking a big
fish at anytime, but there are certain times when your chances will go up.
This week we will talk about another method for taking fluke that I
particularly enjoy.
This is light tackle fishing with bucktails and it has really become a
favorite method when fishing in the shallower bays and channels. The bucktail
is from 1/2 - 1 oz. and the one that seems to work the best for me is called
the "Silver Bullet". Several manufacturer make up this bucktail. It consists
of a chromed ball-shaped head with a swivel attached to a white bucktail hook
with silver mylar trim. Another effective bucktail color is chartreuse.
To rig this up, take a 4 foot length of 30 lb. mono leader material and tie a
3 inch dropper loop right in the middle of the leader. Cut one strand of the
dropper loop close to the knot. Tie on a white or chartreuse bucktail teaser
to the dropper loop and the bucktail jig to one end of the leader. On the
other end tie on a small black barrel swivel. The bucktail, teaser and swivel
should all be tied with an improved clinch knot. Now tie your main line to
the black barrel swivel.
Like I said earlier, this is light tackle fishing primarily in shallow bay
waters. A good fish may hit 4-5 lbs., typically they are 1-3 lbs. For this
kind of fishing I use a
6 1/2 - 7 foot conventional rod with a relatively firm tip and a levelwind
reel spooled with 20 lb. test braided line like Spiderwire or Fireline. Since
the braided line has virtually no stretch, you will have better control and
bite detection.
To effectively fish this rig, put a small strip of fluke belly, 3-4 inches, on
both the ball jig hook and the teaser. You can also use small spearing or
sand eels. Drop the rig to to bottom and gently bounce the jig along the
bottom raising the jig no more than
6 inches.
A fluke will typically hit this rig very hard and really put up a good account
of themselves. My experience has been that the larger fluke hit the teaser
more frequently then the jig. When the fish are thick, I have seen double
headers taken on this rig. Also, don't be surprise if you hook a weakfish,
striped bass or bluefish.
I have used this rig effectively even in deeper water, just go to a heavier
jig of 3-4 oz.
They really work well and I have taken fluke up to 11 lbs. Give it a try and
I'm sure you will enjoy it.
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This week we will talk about another method for taking fluke that I particularly enjoy. This is light tackle fishing with bucktails and it has really become a favorite method when fishing in the shallower bays and channels. The bucktail is from 1/2 - 1 oz. and the one that seems to work the best for me is called the "Silver Bullet". Several manufacturer make up this bucktail. It consists of a chromed ball-shaped head with a swivel attached to a white bucktail hook with silver mylar trim. Another effective bucktail color is chartreuse.
To rig this up, take a 4 foot length of 30 lb. mono leader material and tie a 3 inch dropper loop right in the middle of the leader. Cut one strand of the dropper loop close to the knot. Tie on a white or chartreuse bucktail teaser to the dropper loop and the bucktail jig to one end of the leader. On the other end tie on a small black barrel swivel. The bucktail, teaser and swivel should all be tied with an improved clinch knot. Now tie your main line to the black barrel swivel.
Like I said earlier, this is light tackle fishing primarily in shallow bay waters. A good fish may hit 4-5 lbs., typically they are 1-3 lbs. For this kind of fishing I use a 6 1/2 - 7 foot conventional rod with a relatively firm tip and a levelwind reel spooled with 20 lb. test braided line like Spiderwire or Fireline. Since the braided line has virtually no stretch, you will have better control and bite detection.
To effectively fish this rig, put a small strip of fluke belly, 3-4 inches, on both the ball jig hook and the teaser. You can also use small spearing or sand eels. Drop the rig to to bottom and gently bounce the jig along the bottom raising the jig no more than 6 inches.
A fluke will typically hit this rig very hard and really put up a good account of themselves. My experience has been that the larger fluke hit the teaser more frequently then the jig. When the fish are thick, I have seen double headers taken on this rig. Also, don't be surprise if you hook a weakfish, striped bass or bluefish.
I have used this rig effectively even in deeper water, just go to a heavier jig of 3-4 oz. They really work well and I have taken fluke up to 11 lbs. Give it a try and I'm sure you will enjoy it.