Fluke Hook Size

[frugalfisherman]

I think the type of hook is more important than size. I use octopus hooks 5/0 which are more likely to slide back out a fishes throat than a straight hook. Also pay attention. If you sit there day dreaming while the fish swallows the hook that's no good. If I catch 1000 fluke over the summer I doubt if I gut hook more than 5.

[MVP]

Bucktails save fluke
I have been bucktailing for about 20 years now. Last year on th HH was the first time I had to switch to bait as the tide starts to rip up there that even with 8-10 oz Bucktails it is hard to hold especially when you are on the side of the boat were you can not cast out. I never enjoyed fluke fishing that much until I started to Bucktail

[shrimpman steve]

Take an 8/0 or 9/0. Used with a six inch grub the point comes out of the grub midway. The rest of the hook is hidden in the grub

[Irish Jigger]

Neither my father or myself have EVER killed a short fluke with a bucktails since we started many years ago. Have torn some lips and put a few hooks thru the eyes but every short has swam right back to the bottom!!! Want to stop killing fluke stop dragging bait.

[Gerry Zagorski]

I'll weigh in here.....

- IMHO the old English style hooks should not be used.... A lot of gut hooked fish for most guys who drag bait, especially if you are not intently working and watching your pole. Use a larger Octopus hook as mentioned above. 6/0 at a minimum.

- If you are bucktailing I would assume you are tending your pole and paying attention. Bucktails are proven large fluke magnets.... I would bet you that more then 80% of all large tournament winners are caught this way. So, large Fluke = large hook that goes further back on your long strip bait or gulp increasing your odds of the fish taking the hook and avoiding short strike where they take your bait and miss the hook. Most fish are caught on the teaser hook so large hook on the teaser as well, 6/0 minimum.

Lastly I've seen even the smallest of Fluke take on 6/0 through 9/0 hook no problem so why would you use something smaller then that?

[Sharkyispy]

Originally Posted by Capt John

Want to reduce the amount of gut hooked Fluke?....bucktails! Ever since I've fished with them exclusively on Fluke trips, the overwhelming majority of fish hooked have been in the corner of the mouth and nowhere near the gullet. Sure they cost more than your plain-jane rig that you drag along the bottom, but something has to give if you are sincere about preserving the species. And, as a added bonus, it's a hell of a lot more fun once you learn the technique.

Great post. As many have said, different sizes for different guyses (crickets). Seriously anything from 2oz up should be a 7/0 or larger hook on your bucktails ( Depending on mold and maker) and how I make and use. I can't recall the last gut hooked, bucktailed fluke I have had as it really just doesn't happen. Occasionally and rarely I might have a teaser with a 4/0 to 6/0 hook on dropper loop inhaled a little deeper but still able to reach from gills and not cause mortality.

[ALS Mako]

1/0 treble. haven't gut hooked a fish yet.

[Billfish715]

The report/study targeted J Hooks and an additional study was to be done with kahle ( English bend) hooks. I dislike too much governmental intrusions and unnecessary and wide ranging regulations but if using a certain size and style hook reduces mortality, I'm for it. The object is to prove to fisheries' scientists that we have cut back on the number of dead fish that they use to create our size and bag limits.

I might remind you that circle hooks only may be used in sections of the Delaware River when fishing for striped bass. Some folks don't like it but the goal is clear.

Using larger hooks is one way to improve fluke mortality rates but careful
handling of a fish before its release is another. Many party boat patrons as well as many private boat fishermen only know how to drag bait........and they catch fish. They are entitled to their own style of fishing and I doubt that there is a charter captain who would turn down a customer's request to use bait.

I'm not sure how some of the sponsors who operate bait and tackle stores would feel if they couldn't sell bait. Bucktails are fun to use but they are not for everyone as evidenced by the big fluke that are caught every season by someone dragging a squid and killie. My point is, again, this study indicates that using bigger hooks catches fewer small fish and thereby reduces the number of throwbacks that will eventually die because of the removal of deeply impaled hooks. Big hooks come out easier and make safe releases more likely.

[Bucktailboys.com]

Originally Posted by bunker dunker

bucktails save lives!!!!!

Very true!!!

[stevelikes2fish]

Originally Posted by shrimpman steve

I use 8/0 and 9/0. If you think they're to big your wrong

Even a 15 inch fish will take a hook that large with no problem.

Been using an 8/0 teaser hook for the last 3 seasons. You are 100% correct about the small fish being able to get hooked. Easy release too.