Soft plastic jerkbaits

[ohioyaker]

Who here uses baits like Zoom flukes, etc. ?

I have been using them on and off for the last few seasons with good success. I normally use the Zoom Fluke Jrs. but wonder what everyone else uses or recommends.

How about rigging, hook style & size, etc. ?

I use 1/0 Gamakatsu hooks, normally unweighted..but will add a small push in weight if needed.

Whats everyones take on these lures?

Scott

[shwookie]

Oh man. Case SSS and SSM is the product of choice for me.

I rig them unusual, I actually wacky rig them. It took some trial and error to get the hook placement right, but I find the feel and action much more productive than either eye hooking, or T rigging. The SSM get a small octopus, like a 1 I think, i'm bad about sizing of hooks. Its the small one anyways, and the SSS get the next size up. The hook size is important for sink rate and balance, that was probably the hardest part to figure out. I never use any weights, just the hook.
With the right hook in the right place, the lure will slowly see saw back and forth. sweeping the rod a small amount causes a kick from the bait and a coasting action away from you. Works great. I tried this with flukes and fluke jrs. and can't get the same action.
It took me the better part of 2 months to get all my info sorted and worked out.

These are far and away my favorite thing to use. They work great on rivers where minnows are the primary forage. On flows where craws rule, they are a little slower.

Right now I have 18 unopened packs of case SSS and SSM left over from this year!!!

[ohioyaker]

Great info. Brock...THANKS.

I know of the case helgies and madtoms..but will look up the baits you mentioned.

I guess I should mention that the flukes are my choise in ultra clear water..for stained water I will stick to tubes and hula grubs when it comes to plastics.


Scott

[rarevos]

I've had some luck with the fluke jrs. with a little weight at the nose when I want to get it down in a hurry. Sometimes it is just the ticket.

I've really become a fan of the Wave Tiki-Shadicks. Overall a little heavier than the same sized Zoom... with more taper in the tail and a lot softer. They do some wild things in the water. I typically throw the Glow color and a laminated Smoke Shad. I will throw them weightless or on a Falcon weighted hook depending on the water. I've been trying to get the Eye's to bite on these but haven't had any luck. The Pike like them at the top of the water column though. I also caught one my best Greenies of the year just a couple weeks ago with a weightless Shadick.

Don't even get me started about their craws... I can't wait till it is time to throw some Tiki Crawdudes.

[Kyle Kochheiser]

I am a newbie with the soft plastics, but they are starting to become more of a part of my arsenal. I like the plastic otpions made by Lunker City. The Fin S Fish in particular. There's another one with a long tail, but I can't recall the name of it. It seems to do better fished slow below riffles. I can thank Andyman for introducing me to the powers of soft plastic.

CG

[bterrill]

I use plain ole' Zoom flukes with 2/0 or 3/0 Gammie EWG and 2-3 finishing nails in the head.

Definately looking at Yum's offering as the superfluke's heads are always busting. Rhino jobs would be great if they were 5" instead of 6".

12" fish have no problems taking a 5"fluke- I hope to get bigger fish to strike as well.

Oh, Hi everyone from Indianapolis - Toledo native.

Brenden

[creekyknees]

I got around 400 Sluggos at a garage sale for $5 , since then I have come to prefer them over Flukes . My son still fishes Flukes and does well on them .

I prefer the Case Magic Stiks for cigar type plastics and even use them with a jig at times .

[Andyman]

Scott,
Do yourself a HUGE favor and get some bubblegum colored flukes.
Throw them in that favorite creek of yours in May.
HOLY CRAP!!!!!

[Andyman]

BTW,
I throw almost all of my flukes in 5", unweighted, on a 4/0 hook.

[mikem]

I usually have thrown the flukes with a large gamagatsu hook they called a "superline" hook. Extra heavy metal, I think it was a 4/0 size, tex rigged. The heavy hook keeps the bait from turning over too much when I jerk it.

This is a real good lure when fishing pools 1-5 feet deep and for making really long casts. I'd like to give the case stuff a try. One thing I've noticed with flukes is that after being in the bag for a while the tail can get bent, which I don't like. My favorite color is a green one called Baby Bass