Will flukes work the same way as a hard jerkbait?  Or is it too early to fish a fluke type bait.

I fish a fluke all year.

I fish a fluke all year.

X2

A few weeks ago they are all we could get a bite on.

I caught my PB this year in January deadsticking a Fluke.  Went 7lbs or so.

Thanks guys.  I am fairly new to fishing and I am trying to increase my knowledge as much as possible.

With clear water and water temps around 50, what would be the best way to rig the bait?  Should I rig it weightless?  Or should I rig it with a nail through the belly to help get it down further?

THanks again for all the replies. 

I Love this site.

Thanks guys. I am fairly new to fishing and I am trying to increase my knowledge as much as possible.

With clear water and water temps around 50, what would be the best way to rig the bait? Should I rig it weightless? Or should I rig it with a nail through the belly to help get it down further?

THanks again for all the replies.

I Love this site.

Depends on where they are holding. Do what you have to do to get the bait in front of them. Use natural colors and a slower presentation in cold clear water. If that doesn't work try increasing the speed a bit.

Weightless, IMO.  It'll get down to depth, it just won't get there as fast.

If you are using 8 pound test you can get flukes to fish well in 15 - 20 feet of water. Just make sure you are fishing an area with relatively sparse cover. With 10 - 12 pound test they will still be able to be fished 8 - 10 feet down at least.

Flukes can be used all year and I think overall they are one of the top 5 best bass lures. Same goes with all soft jerks.

I fish a fluke all year long and use the same weightless rig, rod and reel and line. I use a 6'9" MH Kistler casting rod, 14lb Gamma and a #5 Hook. I always use a swivel. The Gamma gets the bait down quicker. I would not use anything less then 14lb test because you need the extra strength for a solid hook set. The larger line does not effect the depth at all. Just my thoughts.

Will flukes work the same way as a hard jerkbait? Or is it too early to fish a fluke type bait.

Depends.

Hard jerkbaits are available in three different buoyancies:

> Floating Jerks (lighter than the water they displace)

> Suspending Jerks (weigh the same as water, i.e. neutral buoyancy)

> Sinking Jerks (heavier than the water they displace)

The fluke is a "sinking" soft jerkbait.

Roger

Flukes are one of my favorite Spring baits.  I tend to fish them more gently than a hard jerkbait.

by the way, gman poured me some badd As$ flukes. they are very soft, limber, and symmetrical. very well made. he's very prompt and courteous too!

Its never too early to fish a fluke but no they do not fish the same.

The fluke is the most versatile bait in your tackle box.  I have it rigged up 12 months out of the year and it is usually one of the first things I pick up when I'm on the water.

My favorite setup is a 6'6" M power, fast action spinning rod with any smaller sized spinning reel.  8lb test fluorocarbon, barrel swivel, 3/0 EWG hook, and a Smokin' Shad colored bait. 

I love the smokin' shad color and white pearl , but has anyone ever tried white ice? I was looking at it and it looks like pearl white pearl with alot more flash.

And i can't wait to try out zooms new color Disco Violet, it just appeared on the site today looks like a nice color for clear water.

Do any of you nose hook them with a circle hook when you are in open water, or does the t-rig make them flutter better??

Got it.  If you are going to twitch it back fast, should a regular hook be used instead of a circle hook?

Zelmo, when I'm ripping it back fast, I like to nose hook it with the circle hook.  I like how when I kill it for a second or two, it falls nose first.

Thanks for all the replies.  Going to give it a try tomorrow.  I will be fishing for about 9 hours.