Fluke Rod & Reel for bucktail question

[Bergen Angler]

I am a freshwater bass fisherman. I have been to fluke fishing only a few times. What would be the recommended Rod & Reel for bucktail fluke fishing? What would be the recommended weight for bucktail? I remember using 8 oz sinker and it still wasn't enough to hold the bottom.
Thank you.

P.S. Sorry for not being more detailed on my questions.
1. I will be fishing at the Bay.
2. Conventional Reel
3. Price: $200-$400 for both rod & reel.

[pcrawf]

Where are you fishing? How deep? Bay or Ocean

[tropics]

Spinning or Conventional??

[LegalEyes]

As you see, you left it kinda wide open and also didn't talk about cost.

Bucktail weight will always depends on the conditions.

I understand being so north, but take a trip to see pete on your way to a head boat and he will set you up.

Get two setups... light spinning outfit for bucktailing up to 2oz... and a little heavier conventional that can hold that 8oz days. Then fish the conditions.

Add some more info, you'll get a better answer.

[LegalEyes]

Btw... Don't forget to practice your underhand casting.

[TomKaye]

Some of your fresh water equipment will suffice in the back of Raritan Bay,or on the flats inside the hook etc.......

Take some down with you & stop in at Pete's on the way to AH party boats.
I'm certain he can steer you right with terminal tackle and a new set-up or two if necessary.

[arat]

I would go with a shimano inshore trevalla rod. rating determined by the jig weight you want. most guys pair them with a shimano curado 300EJ awesome jigging combo super light but extremely powerful. if you get the 50-80lb 6'3'' you can jig 8-10oz bucktails with no issues all day long. In my opinion it is probably the single best rod for buctailing on the market today

[frugalfisherman]

Drag bait on a party boat. Check out the guys jigging AND catching. Ask them for advice.

[MVP]

I am a freshwater bass fisherman. I have been to fluke fishing only a few times. What would be the recommended Rod & Reel for bucktail fluke fishing? What would be the recommended weight for bucktail? I remember using 8 oz sinker and it still wasn't enough to hold the bottom.
Thank you.

P.S. Sorry for not being more detailed on my questions.
1. I will be fishing at the Bay.
2. Conventional Reel
3. Price: $200-$400 for both rod & reel.

Bergan Angler

Feel free to give me a call as I have as I have quite alot of tackle that I am looking to get rid of to raise money for friend. I can get you into two really nice set ups both conventional, spinning including bucktails/ teasers withen your budget. I live in cranford so it might be worth you time to come by and take a look and i can answer most of your questions.

Alex
MVP
201-741-1823

[Poseidon]

I would go with a shimano inshore trevalla rod. rating determined by the jig weight you want. most guys pair them with a shimano curado 300EJ awesome jigging combo super light but extremely powerful. if you get the 50-80lb 6'3'' you can jig 8-10oz bucktails with no issues all day long. In my opinion it is probably the single best rod for buctailing on the market today

That's pretty much what I have. Mine is the Shimano Trevala TVC-66MH 6'6" Medium heavy power and Medium fast action. Will take braided line 50-100lbs. I use 50# Powder Pro on an Abu Garcia 10000I Big Game reel. The pole and reel cost about $250.


I also have a Shimano Trevala TVS-66MH Medium heavy power and Medium fast action. Will also take braided line 50-100lbs. This pole has a Van Staal VM 150 with 50# test Power Pro on it.

[CancunPete]

Bergen Angler...stop by the shop and I will help you pick out, and set up a combo without breaking the bank...Pete

[Pete]

As you can see there are many different opinions. And, I'm sure each guy believes his outfit will fit your needs. Best bet is get out on a couple party boats, if the mates have some favorite bucktail equipment they might let you try it. If I was on a boat I'd let you try out my outfit. And other anglers would as well. Some would never, but they are the exception rather than the rule. Real life as opposed to just holding a balanced combo is the way to go. Conditions can change in a hurry so with that the weight of the bucktail, changing the"feel" drastically.

Think of it as an investment. You wouldn't buy a car without driving it. Test drive a few when possible. You don't want to buy something that you come to realize just isn't right for you.

I almost exclusively back bay (Raritan) bucktail. I have a custom 6' 2" spinning rod Paid just south of 80 bucks and a middle of the road, quality, name brand spinning reel, which I bought for easy maintenance, and the fact that it got high reliability reviews $59.99, spooled with 10 lb. slick pp. No matter how much you spend you don't want your gear breaking down. Especially when the bite is on, and you are in the zone.

Lastly, always remember, it ain't the arrow but the indian. But, let's face it the better arrows sure can't hurt, the brighter indians agree with that.

Good luck!

[Ryelof]

That's pretty much what I have. Mine is the Shimano Trevala TVC-66MH 6'6" Medium heavy power and Medium fast action. Will take braided line 50-100lbs. I use 50# Powder Pro on an Abu Garcia 10000I Big Game reel. The pole and reel cost about $250.


I also have a Shimano Trevala TVS-66MH Medium heavy power and Medium fast action. Will also take braided line 50-100lbs. This pole has a Van Staal VM 150 with 50# test Power Pro on it.

Are we really talking about fluke fishing with these setups? I may need further advice.

i have been fluke fishing for 45 years and never considered going that heavy

[Gerry Zagorski]

Whatever set up you decide on, braided line is pretty much a must Bucktailing. It gives you a much better feel, which is important to help signal strikes as well as feel the bottom when you are fishing the sticky stuff and avoid snags. It also has less resitance in the water so you can typically use less weight to hold bottom, which is proabably it's most important advantage over mono when Fluking.

Tie on a 10 foot 30 lb top shot of mono and use it to make your loop for the teaser hook and tie your bucktail to. If you break off just use the remaining mono to tie another rig.

As mentioned above a light spinner is good to use if you are casting around and fishing the shallows. If you're fishing deep and in the sticky stuff then I prefer a conventional.

You also want to keep the weight of the rod and reel to a minimum since you are going to be working it all day and a heavy rod and reel will wear you out.

Most of the time you will be fishing 3 or 4 ounces, occationally 6 or 8 and if you have to use more then 8 then your probably better off draging bait.

For conventionals, I like the Avet SXJ or the SX and several people I know are also using Abu Revo and Diawa Lexa and love them.... Just make sure which ever reel you choose it balances well on the rod you choose.

Happy Bucktailing. Once you come over to the dark side your are never going back.