I been catching more fish this year on the Houdini Shad than on the Super Fluke. I've used them about an equal amount of time, just to give them a fair comparison.

The Houdini Shad has a tail designed to be modified. you can fish it three ways. Don't modify it. Leave it just as it is.

Rig this tex-posed on a 4/0 EWG hook, and see what happens. If you leave the tail intact, it has a very senko-esque wiggle on a spiralling fall. The Fluke doesn't do this.

You may have to experiment with hook sizes to get this action. A Gammy 4/0 EWG hook is just about perfect with 10lb test mono. Heavier line will probably require a larger hook. Too large, or too small a hook will reduce, or eliminate the wiggle.

I haven't given up on the Fluke. It is still one of the great baits. The Houdini shad has proven to be a worthy alternative. Sometimes the Fluke works better, and sometimes the Houdini Shad works better. Sometimes both work. Over the course of this year, the Houdini Shad has been better for me.

Check "em out.

Cheers,

GK

Thanks for the tip, ill have to check em out for myself.

The Houdini Shad has long been our best producing fluke type bait on the Mississippi River here in Minnesota.  The Smallies love them.  We also do nothing to modify the tail and agree about the enticing wiggle on the fall.  We have used as big as a 6/0 Gammie EWG Superline hook for extra weight to get down in the current and have not noticed any appreciable decrease in the action of the Houdini Shad.