I hate dragging bait for fluke and try to bucktail all the time, sometimes it's just not in the cards.
For the bay/shallows/no current/shore I like to go as light as possible:
Anywhere from a 3/8oz jighead to an ounce Spro bucktail is my favorite. Generally use a light graphite spinning rod akin to a trout/bass stick. 10# Fireline attached to 15# mono leader, anywhere from 3' to 10'. Don't really need a shock leader length of line but never had any problems with such a long leader on the spinning reel. Connection knot can be whatever you are comfortable with tying. lately I've been going with the doubled slim-beauty knot but in a rush I'll just tie a uni-to-uni.
Bucktail goes on the end of the leader via a no-slip loop knot. I feel that gives the bucktail/jig alot more action with less effort.
Teasers? I've sworn by them in the past and have done quite well with them at times. Generally just tie a drooper loop about a foot above the bucktail and slip on a feathered/bucktailed hook(fly) or even a pre-rigged soft plactic like the Tsunami 3" splittails. Can bait up hooks with whatever you choose whether it be a Gulp product, spearing, other bait, etc.
Last few seasons I've gone with just the bucktail and still put fish in the boat. IMHO, fluke do swim above the surface but generally it's about a foot up. Unless fishing really irregular rough bottom, the teaser should be 10-14" above the jig. I would suggest fishing without a teaser and just the bucktail to begin with until you have working the jig correctly down.
I like to see what way the boat is drifting before casting. need to know how the lines will be running especially when on a crowded party boat. Of course the pulpit and stern corners are the easiest to work as it gives you room to cast and work the bucktail longer.
If the boat is drifting say left to right, your baits will be dragging behind the boat to the left. I will cast out and to the right, ahead of the drift, so that when it hits the bottom you have more area to cover first and be ale to work it along until it catches up with the drift and then continue to work it letting out some line if necessary. With light bucktails sometimes you really can't feel it hit bottom and need to pay attention to your line as it'll "tell" you when you hit botton though it just might be a slight pause in line coming off the reel/sinking. I like short, quick snaps of the rod and will reel in the slack created from the lifts and the drift. Once it's fully into the drift, you should be able to just bounce it along. Shouldn't be dragging it along the bottom, just bouncing and atleast coming into contact with the bottom occassionally. If you're catching skates frequently, you're fishing to heavy and dragging it.
Color of bucktail does matter IMHO. I've fished one color successfully and switched to another that does not get nearly the amount of bites with all other things being identical, ie weight, size, and what it's tipped with.
That being said, 90% of the time I start off with a Spro chartreuse bucktail.
Tried the Spro mudkicker and did very poor with it. The Live/open mouth/smiling bill types I also have done less than stellar with. personally like the regular Spro bts or a bannana head-type ones my buddy builds. The bannana heads one are what I usually use from shore or for under 1/2oz conditions. Coin head types too but have meager supply of them.
What to tip them with? Anything from fish strips(fluke belly, bluefish, bunker, dogfish) squid, snappers, smelt, pork rind, soft plastics, Gulp product, etc.
I personally love the 4" Gulp swim mullet grub and usually start off with the pearl white color. The 6" is good on bigger bucktails larger than 2ozs.
I caught my personal best on the Gulp sandeel on a 3oz bucktail. Not alot of "meat" on it but did the job.
Obviously deeper waters, snag filled spots, fast currents, etc will need a bit heavier line and gear. I use a conventional setup for heavier bucktails and 15-20# Fireline with 20-30# mono leaders. With heavier jgs I will tend to sway back to using a teaser and larger baits. Tried stinger-hooks and never really had much success with them, then again, 98% of my fluking is in the bay.
This is what works for me so your mileage may vary
