Fluke Rigging Tricks From Shallow To Deep! (You Need To Try The Nose Hook)

Soft jerkbaits are amazing! If you know how to adjust your rigging you can fish a fluke as a topwater, just below the surface, or 20+ feet deep. You can fish it in the deepest cover on heavy tackle, or in open water on your lightest spinning rod. These baits are incredibly adaptable and will catch fish in every lake around the country! If you're not taking advantage of the Fluke's ability to catch fish this time of year, you're missing out!
The power of the fluke is its adaptability. In today's video Tim shows how you can use different rigging and different brands of soft jerkbaits to achieve different actions and reach different depth ranges. There are dozens of brands that make soft jerkbaits and a variety of hooks that can work, but today we're providing you with our EXACT components so you can fish with confidence when you head to the lake.
Below you'll find links to the exact baits (including our favorite colors), exact hooks, and rigging components for each method. We've also included our favorite gear for fishing these baits in different scenarios. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
RELATED VIDEOS...
-Fluke Rigging (with Donkey Rig): • Fluke Fishing Tricks F...
-Double Fluke Rig Tricks: • Fluke Fishing Tricks (...
ZOOM FLUKES...
-Zoom Fluke: bit.ly/2OFjvjx
Colors: Albino, Smokin Shad, Electric Shad
-Zoom Super Fluke Jr: bit.ly/2aqys0H
Colors: Albino, Smokin Shad
-Zoom Super Fluke: bit.ly/2aqys0H
Colors: Albino, Smokin Shad, Electric Shad
OTHER SOFT JERKBAITS...
-Yamamoto D Shad: bit.ly/3lG1b7T
Colors: Smoke Shad, Pearl White, Olive Shad
-ZMan 5" Jerk Shad: bit.ly/3yRocN0
Colors: Bad Shad, Smelt, The Deal
-Strike King Caffeine Shad: bit.ly/2jjyvzr
Colors: Pearl Blue, Smokey Shad, Pearl White
BIG SOFT JERKBAITS...
-Zoom Magnum Super Fluke: bit.ly/2aqys0H
Colors: Albino, Smokin Shad
-Zman 7" Jerk Shad: bit.ly/3yRocN0
Colors: Smokey Shad, Pearl
NOSE RIGGING HOOKS AND COMPONENTS...
Standard- Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap (1/0): bit.ly/2aKGmHM
Weedless- Owner Jungle Wacky (1/0): bit.ly/2VKZl9U
Spring- Owner CPS Spring (Medium): bit.ly/2b2YgDf
TEXAS RIGGING HOOKS...
Small Flukes- Owner 2/0 Rig N Hook: bit.ly/2BnniXN
5" or Super Flukes- Gamakatsu 4/0 Superline EWG: bit.ly/2ac92XG
7" or Magnum Flukes- 6/0 Owner Jungle Wide Gap: bit.ly/2sBsR1Z
NAIL WEIGHTS AND KEEPERS...
-Gamakatsu Silicone Stoppers: bit.ly/3Nrrtqs
Size: Large or XL
Lead Nail- VMC Neko: bit.ly/2Xx8K8R
Tungsten Nail- Swagger Pagoda: bit.ly/2iGNSFW
TEXAS RIG FLUKE COMBO...
Rod- Shimano Expride 7'6" Medium Heavy: bit.ly/2nTq9FL
Reel- Shimano Curado 150 MGL: bit.ly/2TQHwrP
Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 40 lb: bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb: bit.ly/2ae97J9
NOSE HOOK SPINNING COMBO...
Rod- Megabass Orochi XX Ronin: bit.ly/2XkVoej
Reel- Shimano Vanford 2500: bit.ly/2gu84t7
Line- Sunline SX1 Braid 20 lb: bit.ly/2tn8EzQ
Leader- Sunline Super FC 10 lb: bit.ly/2p7fxju
NOSE HOOK BFS COMBO...
Rod- Dobyns Sierra BFS 7' Light (700): bit.ly/3C4PWgc
Reel- Shimano Curado BFS: bit.ly/2QGRVF2
Line- Sunline Super FC 10 lb: bit.ly/2p7fxju
BUDGET FLUKE FISHING COMBO...
Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7'4" Heavy: bit.ly/2r0xWAs
Reel- Shimano SLX 150 XT HG: bit.ly/2BRTYL8
Line- Power Pro 40 lb Braid: bit.ly/2aFg46b
Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb Mono: bit.ly/2ae97J9
WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??
We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here...
TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: bit.ly/38YpPIz
_________________________________________________________________
MAJOR EQUIPMENT WE USE DAILY...
Trolling Motor- Minn Kota Ultrex 112: bit.ly/2vFQypW
Electronics- Humminbird Solix 15: bit.ly/35HuPRY
Anchors- Minn Kota Talons: bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Net- Frabill Conservation PLD 2612: bit.ly/3kdZ3kA
Camera- GoPro Hero 9: bit.ly/2KQ0VEI
FAVORITE TOOLS AND GEAR…
Favorite Storage Box: bit.ly/3kngvEG
Favorite sunglasses: bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite Pliers: bit.ly/2MpUBEr
Favorite life jacket: bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite Scale: bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Favorite Lure Retriever: bit.ly/2TLTJc6
Favorite Braid Cutters: bit.ly/35KSp3O
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
________________________________________________________________
If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won't be able to even see a difference but they'll know you're one of us!
#fishing #fluke #jerkbait

[@Mjones8383]

I make my own flukes with a super fluke mold I bought, and I add tungsten powder to the plastic to make them heavier. By doing this I can use a lighter hook and lighter line and get down 8, 10, and even 15 ft deep and lose 0 action

[@TerpDerp]

Love that idear

[@tagg946]

dude thats genius. kudos for the innovation.

[@scooter8320]

You sell em? I’d be interested in ordering some for real

[@Mjones8383]

@@scooter8320 no it wouldn't be cost effective, and you really only get 2 colors, gray and darker

[@marshmellow303]

​@Mjones8383 where do ya snag the powder?

[@jonathangreen6088]

No matter what time of year or what the situation is my dad always always always fishes a fluke or at least has one rigged up in the box. I can hardly get him to put it down some days. I'm going to give him some of these rigging tips since the fluke is the 🐐 in his eyes. Thanks for the vid TB.

[@thehappycamper2908]

Your pops is onto something tho🤫 lol I’m the same way

[@josephpatten8087]

This a bait that catches everything!!! Snook, redfish, bass and striper.🐐🐐

[@theoriginaltech019]

I always have a super fluke with me, never know when that's gonna be the deal. Also they just seem to flat out catch them when most other stuff won't! I love fishing it really fast like a topwater, gotta be my favorite way to fish it. Keep crushing it guys, appreciate ya!

[@Bassassinator]

DUDE!!! I watched this a few days ago and went out and bought some Sexy Shad ZOOM Super Fluke Jrs. Today, I had my BEST DAY EVER at a highly pressured pond and killed it with six hooksets and four landed! ALL on 6# test on an ultra-light rod. Thank you, bro.

[@copperh1722]

Thanks for your teaching. I will be trying this out this weekend!

[@Tbowie13]

Love it that your close to 1/2 mil subs...you guys have worked hard for it...congrats!

[@elhija653]

That was amazing INFO. You guys are always helping us find the right bait the right set up and I personaly thankful for that.

[@ptcscagu2878]

Awesome video Tim. I'm a fluke junky and learned a bunch from this one. Thanks a bunch.

[@donprater2754]

Great stuff!😊

[@Mr.Higgs.]

Love fluke fishing on the edge of grass that is topped out on the surface. I was curious is you guys could do some videos on boats/maintenance and safety on the water. In the past 3 years I've seen news articles dealing with anglers in accidents and deaths happening. Very unfortunate accidents that we all need to learn from.

[@FreedomFishing]

Love the super fluke baitfish and shad colors. And the 5" Big EZ.

[@yakmanJ]

Another great video I keep the super fluke ready😆!!! Tactical indeed

[@captind57]

The video I've been wanting thank you definetly gonna pick some stuff up this weekend and give flukes a go.

[@paDdywitha]

September hit me hard and the fluke and jerk baits are something I haven’t learned yet. Thanks for filling the gaps in my training.

[@JoseMartinez-dq4km]

Awesome tips love the fluke with cps

[@KingMoroz]

Watch’s the old fluke video from like 2 years ago just yesterday, it’s almost like you guys knew I was wanting to get into fluke fishing a little more

[@oldeschoolbob1022]

Thank you, Tim!

[@tylersadler3427]

Thanks for the video and the education. I honestly do not give my fluke-style baits enough of an opportunity to shine. I will be breaking them out this weekend to try some of the techniques you have recommended.

[@Tbowie13]

I like rigging a caffeine shad with superfine hook donkey rigged to a zoom superfluke with thin gauge hook and fish two columns of water. Love your videos brother!

[@gslang3489]

I've caught more fish on a fluke that anything else. Weedless dead sticking, running it along the top, and lately I've been putting a fluke on a gama tricky head and it's been crushing. More success on the zooms with slower fall time compared to the kvd

[@elhija653]

Thanks tim.

[@christophergodfrey3419]

Another great video definitely going to try these only ever put a fluke on a under spen

[@donkukawski8609]

Just started using them nose rigged..freakin works!

[@frankwestphal4525]

to help keep the nose hook fluke on, you can use a rubber jig band. cut it into a small cube thread the on the fluke and then thread the rubber. you can then trim off any excess.

[@pacman_17]

Great topic. I need to beef up my fluke game

[@williamgould2470]

The weedless fluke is also a great throwback lure for when a bass has missed your top water.

[@riprogers1617]

Great video. would like to see you guys talk & use some Deps and OSP

[@noahvanderwall6992]

I won a tournament fishing flukes top water along reeds and in pads. It was a very fun tournament. Bite was tough for everyone else but me and my buddy came in with a big bag especially for Indiana

[@Huntn_fish365]

Been doing the screwlock in the nose for a while now. One of the best things i discovered for keeping the plastic on the hook.

[@operationexploration9831]

Thanks guys really enjoyed the video just at a curiosity what would you use the super fluke junior for? Tight Lines

[@nathanhopp5437]

Hey Tim great video as always, which St Croix victory did you have in you hand in the video with the mag flukes? Will that rod work with standard sized soft jerkbaits texas rigged? Thanks, Nathan

[@chadc7846]

I love throwing a fluke. I keep it simple and Texas rig them. Depending how deep you initially put the hook into the head of the bait, you can get them to dive down on the twitch. Or have them dart up and break the water for top water bites.

[@Assault0137]

Love the fluke. Went out yesterday with an Albino super fluke, got a largemouth first cast ripping it across the top. Later in the day even got a snapping turtle on it!

[@ferndelisle]

Been throwing the Maxscent Flatnose Jerkshad with the CPS nose hook. Had one fall off in some grass and found it in a largies belly shortly after lol so it goes without saying scent is a powerful tool!

[@kellymoore4517]

Never imagined!

[@billljones979]

I have great success with the strike king caffeine shad 5in , and the zoom fluke is my back up, I got into these a few years ago from TB video and been smashing since

[@stpbasss3773]

One of my favorite Flukes is the 6th Sense Flush.

[@texoma_outdoors]

I've gotten away from flukes for several years, just been fishing other baits. I remember when the slug-o hit, they were magic if you could get them and selling for at times $10 a pack. That was insane back in the early 90s

[@williamgould2470]

The slugo was the original soft jerk bait. You used to be able to find them in any fishing store. Now you can only get them it seems by ordering online. They are one of the deadliest soft jerkbaits out there. Because they have a solid body you can add a full nail weight to the front throat portion and Texas rigged. We don't have shad up North but we have shiners and ale wives As big.because of the concave back they are very weedless.with the nail weight in the throat you can cast them flutter and they will sink faster so you can fish them faster.biggest mistake I ever made when teaching my brother to fish was to start him on a slugo.he caught so many fish on some of the lakes we fish that I had a terrible time getting him to try other techniques that would work better under different cercumstances.i'm glad I have a lifetime supply of sluggos as this will probably be the next great lure to disappear.

[@texoma_outdoors]

@@williamgould2470 first ones I ever had I used in Minnesota in 1993. Just as good up there as here down south. The slug-o definitely has a a different action compared to the super fluke and other more popular baits now. I still see them at some bass pros and occasionally at independent tackle shops but definitely not as common as they used to be. If I remember right phantom tackle made made them originally not lunker city. Their next bait, the phish stick, looked like a fat TRD but wasn't very successful. I still have a few of those around somewhere too lol

[@robertbain2435]

Goff stuff Tim. One question: Do you rig a swivel between your main line and leader, to minimize line twist?

[@6cwl9]

I caught maybe my pb (battery dead in scales) on a mega super fluke smokin shad that I had bought same day I watched one of your videos talking about fluke colors thanks for all your advice it honestly has made me a better angler oh and I caught it on Friday the 13th a couple weeks ago lol

[@buddymccormack8668]

(battery dead in scales) I know that pain ! , when I caught my PB I didn't own a scale, I won't make that mistake again.

[@mooch9034]

@@buddymccormack8668 I heard that homie.. it's the worst when u dont own a scale.. catch a big.. then go cop a scale.. cuz you always wonderin and comparing the ones you do weigh.. wit the one u couldn't.. Livin thru it.. keep gettin after G

[@6cwl9]

@@buddymccormack8668 my buddy lived right down the street he has a scale but I caught it off of a long cast so she was tired and stressed so I couldn't wait I had to get her back in the water and it still took a minute of moving her back and forth to get her swimming she would have probably died by the time my buddy got there and we weighed it but I'm just glad the fish didn't die because it was a beautiful healthy fish keep that DNA in the lake

[@johnowens7435]

I have not yet caught a largemouth bass on a super fluke (only a large peacock bass) but I am trying. I had the super fluke Texas rigged this morning and did have a strike but was not able to set the hook. I will try the nose hook approach and let you know. FYI, I did finally catch the bass using a 6” wacky rigged senko right after I couldn’t get the fish to strike a second time on the fluke 😉

[@blacksheepmtb6533]

What’s the best big swim bait for this time of year? And what kind of cover are you targeting? I fish on chickamauga 90% of the time, and I’ve had success on glides and bull shad style baits early in the fall/late summer and spring but I’m not sure about the real summer period. Thanks guys!

[@lonniepittman4498]

Great video! What poison adrena rods are you using in the video?

[@vernmoser7721]

The googan fluke is pretty good too

[@Shotbyry]

I would love an underwater video!

[@davidfeidler4727]

Should I use the baby bass color as a all around when I'm not mimicking anything in particular

[@solemndx5415]

What size circle hook should I use for a super fluke?

[@anangrycustomer2913]

The Zman flukes I use on a Carolina rig... You set the leader length and itll float deep down.

[@carlchristenson3430]

Have you guys played with any of the Deps baits?

[@randy2058]

I may have missed it but what type of hook were you using for the Zman Jerk Shad?

[@randomheroat420]

I use that weed less wacky hook all the time upstate new york has lakes full of grass. Always finding ways around it

[@michealbutsko9912]

Tim and Matt ... Do you guys get concerned about line twist when fishing flukes ?

[@TimLarson25]

would you ever rig it on a weighted ewg?

[@ricksankey7078]

have you evr tried fishing a fluke wacky rigged under a bobber??

[@swissmochaj]

You guys ever fish the Flappin Shad by Gambler?

[@davidpenner2903]

Have you ever fished the Yum Houdini shad? That thing is killer nose hooked and fished near riprap. It's my favorite fluke-style bait when fishing shallow.

[@Assault0137]

How is it compared to the super fluke, especially the action?

[@davidpenner2903]

@@Assault0137 the tail section is a flat vertical paddle. When you kill it the tail shimmies back and forth like a bait fish just casually swimming by. The bass on my part of Lake of the Ozarks crush it. I use the green pumpkin red flake color and crush them by docks.

[@victorsimonsen921]

how do you rig the zman i find elaztek does not like the screwlocks?

[@robertomascolo2259]

can you fish with this lure from the beach?

[@adammolotfishing]

Is it bad practice on a jerkbait rod to have braid and a long fluoro leader instead of straight fluoro? Just on a budget and don't have a dedicated jerkbait rod. Just wondering if the braid will ruin the action

[@shaundonnelly3856]

Re nose hooking ... I bought the spark shad by tater on your recommendation. I got the small size accidentally but I've been nose hooking them with success. #Finesse

[@willtrax71]

Can you or has anyone used a Fluke like live Minnows with a Dorsal Rig.? It seems like that may give it a lot of action. I’m anxious to try using the Fluke in the local River here in Virginia.

[@562fishing6]

Try out the kietech shad impact has a unique “shimmy” to it

[@jeremyeskew1395]

Oh what a way to start off this nasty rainy day inn Texas

[@seanyB223]

Same here in Wisconsin bro lol

[@Matthiaskyriakidis]

@@seanyB223 and in Tennessee

[@seanyB223]

God dang rain is all over today 😂

[@andresorozco6304]

Same here in Nebraska

[@Fareye100]

Hey. Do you use a screw with zman solf jerkbait ? Because i think it s not necessary with elaztech...

[@kirkblackadar7299]

The Z man baits don't screw into those keepers very well. But killer soft plastics no less

[@chopsticks525]

Thoughts on the flush?

[@thereeljoshua4820]

So i just tried nose hooking with the centering pin and the fluke spins as i reel in. Is that normal or am i doing something wrong?

[@canam2436]

QUESTION: How come you can’t fish the magnum on the nose rig? 18:40

[@r3ynolds_ow581]

My fishery does not have shad or baitfish. Flukes never seemed to work for me. Maybe I should try a bluegill pattern.

[@blackbass2023]

flu good 😎

[@jeffdelong5909]

Works on the Bluegill spawn as well!

[@randylahey3909]

why on the drop shot are you only hooking the nose? i know that's the popular way to do it, but i thread mine on more like a jig, using VMC wide gap walleye drop shot hooks. that way the hook point is a little further back so you can still get hooked up if the fish hits the lure a little further back and there's more "meat"(plastic) on the hook making the rig a little more durable.

[@dontnonowuno9953]

Hooked in the nose gets a better action,more lifelike

[@dannysibley6180]

Where can I get those weedless hooks with the wire an tiny weight

[@markpousard4393]

Appreciate the shallow water love!

[@_MTFA]

how can you skip one without a backlash on a bait caster?

[@octopusservicespulpo1716]

How do I realize when the fish has it in its mouth. The fish won't strike and swim away. I have to light tug before popping the action to the lure. And every single time I feel them and I set the hook and nothing. I've tried training myself to swing for the fences. But coming out empty handed kind of makes me reserve. I've had some strike and swim away. But they're normally small. Twitch bait, jerk bait, jigs they hold motionless. Reaction bites seem to be the more strike and swim away fish. And most of the time you have short strikes and stump bites and that's the bass biting the bait and crushing it to death. Which I don't have an answer to. Because I think they're grabbing it from the jighead. I been putting stinger hooks for the short strikes and they can see the hook. So I added a rooster tail, mepps and replaced hook with a 1/0 live bait HD hook. And that gets them hooked but not captured. I've been doing this for a good while now. And have hook up with a really huge bass in the 15's now 5 to 10 times and manages to get off. I have spent a tremendous amount of money and time. It's embarrassing. I just want to see one of those special poles you speak of cause at my retro bass shops only have stuff from the 80 and 90s. I have a dogged heavy , falcon lizard dragger and med heavy excursion.

[@Mjones8383]

As bad as I hate to say it, the Googan dart bait is another great fluke bait option for catching bigger largemouth around grass, it's larger heavier size is very good around submerged grass. I hate admitting anything googan has is good and not a teenager money trap, but they are pretty useful

[@SlothySeconds]

Bandito bug is sadly also a great bait

[@dontnonowuno9953]

Who cares who makes it. Googan baits flat out get bit.Bandito was number one selling creature bait on the market last year.You don't like LFG or Jon B?Im 48 and still get a kick out of those dudes .Good fisherman actually.Now they got Zaldain,D.C.,Martin,and Wheeler helping with bait design?nothing to be embarrassed about

[@livinglife3230]

I just started using the dart, buy on sale & no complaints. I’ve caught hundreds of fish on the bandito bug, slim shake, trench hog

[@urban_legendO-H]

Hitting lake st Clair from Harsens island in June. Anyone have some good tips for me? I’ll be having a fishing competition with my friends.

[@joshwhite8055]

These Kentucky Spotted Bass suspend under floating boat dock stores here on Cherokee and Douglas

[@stevencaldwell838]

What about a screw lock hook🤔

[@Grand-Massive]

Why do so many people that use a left handed retrieve on a spinning rod use a right handed retrieve on baitcasters? I use left hand for both. Should I not be doing that?

[@emilianobanzi9432]

best pre spawn - spawn bass softbait lure this year Deps Sakamata Shad 5inch

[@DavidMccallister65]

I can't believe you guys haven't hit a millions subs yet! 🤷‍♂️ Although, I have to say there's one negative to you hitting a million and that'd be more boats on the water! 😬

[@kidswrestling1281]

I flip the hook so it comes out of the belly of the fluke. I miss too many fish attacking from the bottom when my hook is coming out the back.

[@johncoopes1056]

Natural lake?

[@timmikityuk1080]

Took one of my buddies bass fishing for the first time, rigged up a super fluke on a spinning rod for him and he caught himself his first bass

[@jaythorne5208]

I tie the hook to the hitchiker with a piece of braid....if I don't they flie off sometimes

[@DBreeazyy]

Yoo, you had great info but you are missing the best type of "Super Fluke".. I kind of don't wanna talk about it, but lately I have been hooking up with them on The Swimming Super Fluke and the jr. Its the same as the super fluke and jr, but it has a paddle tail. Caught my PB on one about a week ago, texas rigged with an Owner 3/0 EWG.

[@canam2436]

Just like the banjo minnow… I have no idea why they stopped making the banjo… caught everything, every time just like my flukes right now , the way I rig them.. (original banjo)

[@slimbidious]

When I tell people im catching em on a fluke, I mean I’m catching em by accident.

[@mitchpeters7872]

Still like the old sluggo

[@blackbass2023]

blackbass 2022

[@joefish63]

I don't understand why you are differentiating between a 'Fluke' and a 'SUPER Fluke', or why you've chosen to dismiss the 'Fluke' from this rigging instruction video. Everything you've discussed here will work with the 'regular' Fluke or any similar style soft plastic (I personally use the Lunker City Fin-S Fish).

[@michaelhayes16]

Get to the point already ffs