The chrome ball bucktail jig has become a very effective lure in catching fluke all around Long Island. A number of manufacturers are now making the lure marketed under different names such as the Silver Bullet or Chrome Bullet. The lure is basically a chrome ball jig with a swivel to which is attached a hook that is tied with either bucktail deer hair or synthetic material to which some strands of silver mylar, flashabou or krystalflash is added.
I have written a number of articles and answered numerous emails over the last three years on how to effectively fish this lure for fluke. However, I continue to be asked many questions, since some of you are not having that much success with the lure. So, I thought by going over some of the finer points and tips I have learned it will help you to increase your success.
Matching The Hatch
The first tip is to match the size and color of the bait the fluke are feeding on. For fishing the back bays and channels in the early run, fish with up to a jig with a white feather and teaser baited with a spearing or small sand eels. Do not use a strip of fluke belly unless you are fishing the ocean. These early season fluke are primarily feeding on spearing and grass shrimp.
Later in the season you can use chartreuse and white or silver, which is very effective. The weight of the jig will depend on drifting conditions. Also, you can use short strips of fluke belly or sea robin, no more than 3 inches long. Remember to split the tail for more fluttering action.
Proper Rigging
Use a 3 foot leader of 25 lb mono line, like Ande or Berkeley Big Game. Tie a small black barrel swivel to one end and the ball jig to the other end. Tie both with an improved clinch knot. Make a six inch dropper loop about 18 inches above the jig and attach your
teaser.
Keep Your Hooks Sharp
I cannot emphasize this enough. Your hooks must be razor sharp. If the hook point doesnÕt catch on your thumbnail when you drag it across, than your hook is not sharp enough. Use a hook file or an emery board. Check the sharpness of both hooks everytime you retrieve your rig.
Proper Tackle
My choice of rod, reel and line for bucktailing is a medium fast action 6 Š 6.5 foot rod rated from 3/4 Š 1.25 ounces with a relatively fast tip. Glass, graphite or composite rods are you own choice. Match this with a good baitcasting levelwind reel loaded with 20 LB Spiderwire or Fireline. The synthetic line offers thin diameter and no stretch, with allows you to use a lighter jig, better bite detection and a solid hook set.
Fishing Techniques
Working the jig effectively takes a little practice and needs to be varied depending on water temperature, drifting conditions and depth of water.
In the beginning of the run in May, the water is still cold and the fish tend to be very sluggish. Therefore, slow down your jigging motion and jig the lure no more than three inches off the bottom. Also, if you get a bite and donÕt hook up, immediately drop back and slowly jig. The fish will usually return if the spearing is still on the jig.
As the season progresses, the fish become more aggressive in their bite and will attack the bait. Also, the teaser will usually attract the larger fish.
If you are fishing with any of the new synthetic non stretch lines like Spiderwire, ease off on your drag a little and use your thumb to increase drag to control the fish. Always keep slack out of the line or you will lose the fish. If you hook a good fish and he makes a run, let him take drag and slowly begin to work him back up when he stops his run.
Open Ocean Drifting
When fishing open ocean areas, where you encounter deeper water or faster drifting conditions, you will need to use a heavier jig. My experience with using heavier jigs has resulted in losing larger fish due to the heavier weight of the jig allowing the fish to dislodge the hook.
I have had excellent results by tying up a standard bait rig and instead of snelling a fluke hook to you three foot leader, use a _ to 1 ounce ball jig baited with a 3 inch strip of fluke belly. Bounce it along the bottom like you would a standard bite rig. DonÕt be surprise if you hook a good fish. I have both taken and seen fluke up to ten pounds caught with this rig.
Modifications to the Jig
The standard hook and bucktail that comes with the jig does not stand up to hard fishing. The bucktail really gets shredded. I tie up a 3/0 or 4/0 Gamakatsu black long shank octopus hook with synthetic hair and krystalflash and attach the hook to the jig with a small split ring. The hook is razor sharp right out of the box and the synthetic hair seems to be a lot more durable.
I hope your hook up ratio and size improves with these tips. Please email me any additional tips, suggestions or questions you may have.
Tight lines.
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