Help...Gulp or Bucktail?

[fish4fun]

Ok....I want to have my best shot on fluke keepers. Last year some posts praised Gulp while others swore by Buck tails. Some even said they only use boat bait(spearing and fluke belly). What about fresh squid strips? So...what do I use? Since I'm an amateur at this I thought it best to ask you professionals.

[tropics]

Ok....I want to have my best shot on fluke keepers. Last year some posts praised Gulp while others swore by Buck tails. Some even said they only use boat bait(spearing and fluke belly). What about fresh squid strips? So...what do I use? Since I'm an amateur at this I thought it best to ask you professionals.

All of the stuff you mentioned works. I buck tail and use the 6" grubs on the buck tail. The teaser hook I also use Gulp and have great success with them combos. The only thing I can tell you is keep the buck tail bouncing.
Good Luck

[frugalfisherman]

Ask the fluke!

[Capt Sal]

If you are new at it I would stick with dragging bait.Gulp on the bait rig also works!

[stugots]

Bucktail tipped with a strip followed by a 20-24 inch trailer of a plain hook with choice of bait or gulp

[Bucktailboys.com]

My Favorite...
Bucktail on the bottom with a teaser about 12-18 inches above depending on depth you are fishing. Gulp on the teaser and squid/spearing combo on the bucktail...bounce, bounce and hold on tight! Most fish are on the teaser :D

[hookset]

Bucktail on bottom with a 4 inch swim mullet then teaser rig 12 to 18 inch above with 6 inch grub! That's it plain and simple and as always bounce a lot at different levels some small some big keep it moving!

[Papasown]

Hey f4f, There's no hard and fast rule in my mind. I like to have the lightest bucktail that will reach the bottom w/o dropping back too far, with a PapasOwn fluke hook ( hand tied fly w/ bucktail or synthetic fibers and flash of some sort) about 16-18 inches above. The bucktail will have a gulp and/or minnow for live action, and the teaser hook will have a combo of 1 or 2 of the other baits mentioned above. If there are a few fisherpersons with me onboard, we set each one up different to start, to see what the fluke like, then go with the best. Over the last 2 years, I have been adding a swivel onto my (always large) bucktail hook, and crimp on a stinger hook for those short biters. My hook up/ catch ratio is better, I think. Good luck, and catch ém up. Papa

[nutleysigns]

BOTH TOGETHER ... Bucktail on the bottom & GULP! above .... keep it Bouncing

[PALMERS TACKLE]

The best fluke fisherman i know use bucktail on bottom and a 6/0 gammi baitholder tied on a dropper loop about 15" up use gulp on both the bottom and top.
I sell the round heads and bullet heads that are designed for use with gulp and match the colors perfectly.
The bottom rig jig use a 6" grub curl tail and up top use a 6" glow swimming mullet.
Pink shine is huge which is pink/glow and on sunny days nuke chicken can be real succesfull, also chartreuse is a must have. You will need to play to find out what the fish are keying on.
Fishing headboats alot one thing i noticed for sure is if the majority of guys are using the gulp products the phermones in the water from the gulp shutdown a natural bait bite..so if the majority is using gulp USE GULP!
Most of the sharpies use a plain undressed jig head with gulp.

[ParkerBoys]

Fishing headboats alot one thing i noticed for sure is if the majority of guys are using the gulp products the phermones in the water from the gulp shutdown a natural bait bite..so if the majority is using gulp USE GULP!
Most of the sharpies use a plain undressed jig head with gulp.


Can you please elaborate on this statement. Are you saying that 30 artificial baits( gulps ) could shut down fluke from eating the food that is naturally there? c'mon man. On another note - I think gulps works because if 9/10 peoples are using it .........of course it will catch more fish. I prefer to use the natural forage. bunker or bluefish strips. If those baits are around - that's what the fluke are eating.

[Riverbassfishing]

If you want keepers wait til july and august in the ocean on the sticky bottom or channels. Less smaller fish and bigger fish usually. Bucktails, big strips, gulp 6" grub, and live bait will work. Location is important if you do fishing on your own. I dont fish much in the ocean more in sandy hook bay and the navesink river. The smallest size jig you can use also helps with keepers. I never really use bait just bucktails and gulp.

[GDubya07]

This is all great advice - best thing to do is bounce bounce and bounce some more - hop on a party boat and watch the regs. you will tell who can fish or just ask a mate who is da man - watch - observe ask question sif there willing to give you advice.

We all have to start somewhere - good luck and post up

Gee Dubs- :cool:

[PALMERS TACKLE]

Can you please elaborate on this statement. Are you saying that 30 artificial baits( gulps ) could shut down fluke from eating the food that is naturally there? c'mon man. On another note - I think gulps works because if 9/10 peoples are using it .........of course it will catch more fish. I prefer to use the natural forage. bunker or bluefish strips. If those baits are around - that's what the fluke are eating.
Hey i'm no scientist but i can tell you that i love to use whole trolling squid and long strips of belly, and while fishing a head boat with guys (alot) using gulp my natural selection is not taken much....then i fish a buddies boat and they eat the natural bait..Hey i don't work for berkely --just an observation.
it has happened this way fr 3 seasons. I did question the berkely rep and his explanation was the phermone scent in the formula they use.
Just relaying the information i was told --not looking for a fight.
As i tackle manufacturer i HATE gulp because it lessens some tackle sales for me and others on here..i used to sell over a thousand 3/8 jigs a few years ago to the belmar area now very little because guys are using 6/0 hooks up top and gulp.
believe me i wish gulp didn't work!

[Capt Sal]

I think your just plain wrong!I run head boats and that is just simply not the case.That will be the day it shuts the bite down.We drag bait and bucktail at the same time.Do your home work before you put ideas like this into people heads!

[seazu]

I WOULD NOT TRUST BERKLEY AS FAR AS I COULD THROW THEM. PHERMONE SCENT MY A##, LAST YEAR WHEN A LOT OF US WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE GULP AND HOW IT WAS DIFFERENT, TO SOFT A IT WAS USLESS AFTER ONE HIT, WOULD DRY OUT REAL QUICK AND SOME OF THE PACKAGES CONTAINED DEFORMED TAILES THAT WOULD BE PRESSED TOGETHER......... I KNOW MY SELF I WENT THROUGH AT LEAST DOUBLE THE AMOUNT I EVER USED. (MORE MONEY FOR BERKLEY) I WROTE AND COMPLAINED AND GOT THE ROYAL F U AS DID MANY OTHERS,:mad:

WELL TALKED TO A FRIEND WHO HAD SPOKEN WITH A BERKLEY REP AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD A BAD BATCH, FOR A YEAR:eek: ........ APPARENTLY YES..... SO IF IT WAS A BAD BATCH, AND THEY KNEW IT, WHY WOULD YOU KEEP MAKING IT? AND IT WAS SO SCREWED UP WAS THE SO CALLED PHERMONE SCENT SCREWED UP TO?....... ( HOW LONG COULD IT POSSIBLY LAST ONCE IN THE WATER ANY WAY IF THAT IS EVEN TRUE)
APPARENTLY IT IS BACK TO NORMAL........ WELL I CAN TELL YOU FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, I USED BUCK TAILES WITH GULP THE LAST FOUR FLUKE TRIPS, NOT EVEN A BITE, LOOKED AROUND AND ALL THE BAIT DRAGGERS AND BUCK TAILES (NO GULP) JUST BAIT WERE HOOKING UP ALL AROUND THE BOAT, BIG FISH TO. I TOOK THE GULP OFF TIPPED THE BUCK TAILE WITH BAIT, AND GUESS WHAT........... YOU GOT IT :confused:
(IN ALL FAIRNESS THE BITE HAS NOT BEEN THAT GREAT)

I THINK BERKLEY SHOULD OFFER ALL OF US SOME KIND OF COMPENSATION MAYBE A COUPLE OF FREE BAGS OF YOUR CHOICE, AFTER ALL AT THE VERY LEAST THEY DOUBLED THERE SALES IF NOT TRIPPLED THEM....... I KNOW I WOULD GO THROUGH ANY WHERE FROM 1 TO 3 BAGS A TRIP DEPENDING HOW GOOD OR BAD THE BITE WAS, EVEN A TAP WOULD RENDER IT USELESS..........

SO FAR THIS SEASON, BAIT IS THE WAY TO GO FOR SURE, NOT EVEN BUCK TAILS JUST GOOD OL FASHION HOOK AND BAIT. (MAYBE IT'S ANOTHER BAD BATCH OF GULP) WHO KNOWS FOR SURE, BUT DOWN HERE IT IS NOT WORKING ALL THAT WELL, THEY WANT BAIT.
I TALKED TO MY FRIEND JIMMY MAC AND HE WENT TO RHOAD ISLAND, AND DID GREAT, 9 KEEPERS FOR HIM AND EIGHT FOR MY FRIEND RICHIE, (only keeping there legal limit of course). ALTHOUGH I DID NOT ASK HIM WHAT HE USED, HE USUALY USES BAIT ON ONE OF HIS HOME MADE RIGS.

THERE IS NO SET WAY TO FISH FOR FLUKE, ONE DAY THE WANT BAIT AND THE NEXT BUCK TAILS SO FAR THIS SEASON BAIT IS THE WAY TO GO. (HERE ANY WAY)
WHEN IN DOUBT HOOK AND BAIT WILL USUALLY NEVER FAIL. THIS IS MY OPTION ON WHAT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE LAST FEW WEEKS:D
GOOD LUCK, TIGHT LINES AND LIMITS TO EVERY ONE:D

[PALMERS TACKLE]

I think your just plain wrong!I run head boats and that is just simply not the case.That will be the day it shuts the bite down.We drag bait and bucktail at the same time.Do your home work before you put ideas like this into people heads!
Capt sal again it's an observation not written in stone, and by the way i did do my homework. Ask Tommy at the fishermens den how much bait he sells versus gulp these days. And as a captain i'm sure you heard of regal bait in new york a commercial supplier, Ask, glenn what has happened to his bait sales since gulp has hit the market..Folks again not a scientist nor do i work for Berkley!
Not looking to fight here as some of you folks are rather testy.
Just offering opinion, and observation based on what i see on the head boats i fish in belmar. Maybe other areas are different. I have buddies and Captains, some very well known ones saying the same thing from belmar to Cape May.
I was just trying to help folks put fish in the coolers with options, and answer a post.
I'm done ---Tight lines to all and good luck fishing!

[reason162]

I WOULD NOT TRUST BERKLEY AS FAR AS I COULD THROW THEM...

I THINK BERKLEY SHOULD OFFER ALL OF US SOME KIND OF COMPENSATION MAYBE A COUPLE OF FREE BAGS OF YOUR CHOICE, AFTER ALL AT THE VERY LEAST THEY DOUBLED THERE SALES IF NOT TRIPPLED THEM....... I KNOW I WOULD GO THROUGH ANY WHERE FROM 1 TO 3 BAGS A TRIP DEPENDING HOW GOOD OR BAD THE BITE WAS, EVEN A TAP WOULD RENDER IT USELESS..........

SO FAR THIS SEASON, BAIT IS THE WAY TO GO FOR SURE, NOT EVEN BUCK TAILS JUST GOOD OL FASHION HOOK AND BAIT. (MAYBE IT'S ANOTHER BAD BATCH OF GULP) WHO KNOWS FOR SURE, BUT DOWN HERE IT IS NOT WORKING ALL THAT WELL, THEY WANT BAIT.
I TALKED TO MY FRIEND JIMMY MAC AND HE WENT TO RHOAD ISLAND, AND DID GREAT, 9 KEEPERS FOR HIM AND EIGHT FOR MY FRIEND RICHIE, (only keeping there legal limit of course). ALTHOUGH I DID NOT ASK HIM WHAT HE USED, HE USUALY USES BAIT ON ONE OF HIS HOME MADE RIGS.

So not only is Berkley an evil company, their product doesn't even work as effectively as bait. How fortunate for you, it all works out.

-roger

[NoLimit]

We are doing better this year with spearing and killies - squid and gulp not so much

[seazu]

So not only is Berkley an evil company, their product doesn't even work as effectively as bait. How fortunate for you, it all works out.

-roger
WHAT?????????????????????????
I DONT EVEN GET WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, FIRST I NEVER SAID BERKLEY WAS EVEL OR THAT IT DOES NOT WORK, I THINK IT'S GREAT, I SAID THAT THEY SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE FOR THE BAD GULP LAST SEASON, SECOND I DID NOT KNOW BERKLEY SOLD REAL BAIT, WHERE DO THE SELL SQUID, SPEARING,ECT???????
I NEVER SAID IT DOESENT WORK??????,
THIS IS WHY ARGUMENTS BREAK OUT AND THINGS GET OUT OF CONTROL, TURNES SOMETHING INTO SOMETHING IT WASENT. DO YOU OWN BERKLEY? WERE YOU ONE OF THE FORTUNATE FEW THAT DID NOT GET CRAP PRODUCT LAST SEASON? THE REP EVEN SAID YOU CANNOT BELEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINED, SO I CANT UNDERSTAND WHY YOU WOULD STICK UP FOR A COMPANY THAT GAVE EVERYONE WHO COMPLAINED THE ROYAL BRUSH OFF, AND WHY YOU WOULD SAY I SAID IT DOESENT WORK WHEN I SAID NO SUCH THING, AND SAID BAIT IS WORKING BEST RIGHT NOW NOT THE GULP AND BUCKTAILS. IF YOU WORK FOR BERKLEY THEN PLEASE EXPLAIN TO EVERY ONE OR AT LEAST ME, WHAT HAPPEND TO THE GLULP LAST SEASON, AND HOW IT ALL WORKED OUT FOR ME?
JUNE

[Fish Stix]

GULP AND BUCKTAILS!
http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m532/fishstixnj/D950248B-D8F6-440B-B383-61B09A5BE700-376-0000001BE1EAFA98.jpg
http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m532/fishstixnj/B2E660BE-F793-483E-B714-8F0CC375330B-2474-000001E211D0ADFA.jpg
http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m532/fishstixnj/3126E649-D7C9-413A-9E71-A7A5C636A31C-543-0000011EDB2CF550.jpg
http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m532/fishstixnj/8F1E3F17-C200-4167-99B8-E9E4B045126F-1505-00000119709F5A67.jpg
http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m532/fishstixnj/C2F8DB4E-E160-4416-9E26-B1FBB5B304C3-2816-000002B5354C886B.jpg
http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m532/fishstixnj/B16B44DD-4433-41E6-8269-B9762BDDA334-1678-000001B30E9EA545.jpg
http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m532/fishstixnj/958C9CB2-9074-4DEB-BCFD-A8D197D0370C-1041-000000CD34997E01.jpg
http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m532/fishstixnj/29b60bb2.jpg
http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m532/fishstixnj/39fluke.jpg
http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m532/fishstixnj/3650559d.jpg
JUST SAYIN.......

[bender]

Capt sal again it's an observation not written in stone, and by the way i did do my homework. Ask Tommy at the fishermens den how much bait he sells versus gulp these days. And as a captain i'm sure you heard of regal bait in new york a commercial supplier, Ask, glenn what has happened to his bait sales since gulp has hit the market..Folks again not a scientist nor do i work for Berkley!
Not looking to fight here as some of you folks are rather testy.
Just offering opinion, and observation based on what i see on the head boats i fish in belmar. Maybe other areas are different. I have buddies and Captains, some very well known ones saying the same thing from belmar to Cape May.
I was just trying to help folks put fish in the coolers with options, and answer a post.
I'm done ---Tight lines to all and good luck fishing!

while others are quick to call you crazy, I find your observations intriguing to say the least. in fishing, nothing is absolute. but, now that you have pointed out an odd occurance, that has repeated itself, it may help someone dial into the bite faster than if you hadn't shared this albeit "strange" obsevation. I'm sure that was your reason for making the statement and thanks for sharing.
We have all caught fish on bait, and those who have tried gulp know that it also catches lots of fish. leave the prefference to the fish, and you will be more successful ;)

[seazu]

Im Talking About This Year Not Last, The Gulp Still Worked Last Year, This Year Seems They Want Bait So Far Not Any Fancy Stuff, Just Sayin Chris.

[jmurr711]

I think baits working better as the waters still chilly once it warms up break out yo bucktails!

[NoLimit]

Yep - Last year green gulp was by far the best producer.

This year, spearing and killies seem to be better by far inside and outside of RB

[NoLimit]

Also, years ago, I had a special stinger rig with some beads and that was all we used and it usually outfished anything else. It was a killie and squid rig but that has not performed well at all recently.

[Fish Stix]

Only fluked one day this season so far. All Bucktails and gulp, had 2 shy of our limit in only a short period of fishing, before the south wind started whipping and shut it down. But my guess is with jmurr, water temps warm a bit more and it's on. And we can only hope it will be half as good as last season and it'll be great!

[Capt Sal]

Capt sal again it's an observation not written in stone, and by the way i did do my homework. Ask Tommy at the fishermens den how much bait he sells versus gulp these days. And as a captain i'm sure you heard of regal bait in new york a commercial supplier, Ask, glenn what has happened to his bait sales since gulp has hit the market..Folks again not a scientist nor do i work for Berkley!
Not looking to fight here as some of you folks are rather testy.
Just offering opinion, and observation based on what i see on the head boats i fish in belmar. Maybe other areas are different. I have buddies and Captains, some very well known ones saying the same thing from belmar to Cape May.
I was just trying to help folks put fish in the coolers with options, and answer a post.
I'm done ---Tight lines to all and good luck fishing!
I am just saying a statement like that puts ideas in the heads of novice anglers.We as captains have to deal with too much info from the internet.Second there is no way a tourist or beginner on a head boat is going to bucktail with a rental rod.Some times simple fishing gets too high tech.Not looking to argue either,hope you have a good year.

[jmurr711]

Only fluked one day this season so far. All Bucktails and gulp, had 2 shy of our limit in only a short period of fishing, before the south wind started whipping and shut it down. But my guess is with jmurr, water temps warm a bit more and it's on. And we can only hope it will be half as good as last season and it'll be great!
thanks babe

[PALMERS TACKLE]

while others are quick to call you crazy, I find your observations intriguing to say the least. in fishing, nothing is absolute. but, now that you have pointed out an odd occurance, that has repeated itself, it may help someone dial into the bite faster than if you hadn't shared this albeit "strange" obsevation. I'm sure that was your reason for making the statement and thanks for sharing.
We have all caught fish on bait, and those who have tried gulp know that it also catches lots of fish. leave the prefference to the fish, and you will be more successful ;)
Bender you win the prize! THose were my intentions exactly..to help guys on this site dial in to what may be working or put more fish in a cooler.
With the cost of fishing these days the more info the better i say.
Thanks for understanding the post the way it was intended.
This post was also intended for a more seasoned angler who has experience fluking and uses both bait and gulp..I can fully understand the tourist problem from Capt Sal's perspective..

[reason162]

WHAT?????????????????????????
I DONT EVEN GET WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, FIRST I NEVER SAID BERKLEY WAS EVEL OR THAT IT DOES NOT WORK, I THINK IT'S GREAT, I SAID THAT THEY SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE FOR THE BAD GULP LAST SEASON, SECOND I DID NOT KNOW BERKLEY SOLD REAL BAIT, WHERE DO THE SELL SQUID, SPEARING,ECT???????
I NEVER SAID IT DOESENT WORK??????,
THIS IS WHY ARGUMENTS BREAK OUT AND THINGS GET OUT OF CONTROL, TURNES SOMETHING INTO SOMETHING IT WASENT. DO YOU OWN BERKLEY? WERE YOU ONE OF THE FORTUNATE FEW THAT DID NOT GET CRAP PRODUCT LAST SEASON? THE REP EVEN SAID YOU CANNOT BELEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINED, SO I CANT UNDERSTAND WHY YOU WOULD STICK UP FOR A COMPANY THAT GAVE EVERYONE WHO COMPLAINED THE ROYAL BRUSH OFF, AND WHY YOU WOULD SAY I SAID IT DOESENT WORK WHEN I SAID NO SUCH THING, AND SAID BAIT IS WORKING BEST RIGHT NOW NOT THE GULP AND BUCKTAILS. IF YOU WORK FOR BERKLEY THEN PLEASE EXPLAIN TO EVERY ONE OR AT LEAST ME, WHAT HAPPEND TO THE GLULP LAST SEASON, AND HOW IT ALL WORKED OUT FOR ME?
JUNE

June, after rereading your initial post I apologize for being flippant. I was engaged in a back and forth re the spongy gulp on another board, and it carried over (as internet arguments often do).

I have noticed, however, that this year's batch of gulp (the ones in trays) seem free of defects, back to its normal, hardier consistency...which leads me to believe that they heeded the feedback from us consumers. I hope that is the case anyway.

-roger