I keep these setups as simple as possible, using 15- to 25-pound-test fluorocarbon line. When the fishing is slow, using a teaser can solicit more reluctant fish to bite. Still, sometimes teaser rigs can be your better option. Without a teaser, the rig has less water resistance and will reach the bottom a bit faster. Additionally, fishing a single jig can mean fewer snags if there’s any type of structure around. Each has its time and place, but I prefer to fish a single jig because if I hook an exceptionally large fish, I don’t have to worry about the integrity of the top teaser knot. The author holds up a quality fluke for a GoPro photo.Īnother thing to consider is whether you want to fish a single jig or a teaser setup. You can also fish with bait, such as spearing and squid strips, but Gulp stays on the hook better, stores easily, and requires less clutter and cleanup, making it ideal for kayak fishing. Keep in mind when selecting a jig that it needs to be heavy enough to hold bottom in the depth and current where you will be fishing. When fishing with Gulp, the size of your selection will vary depending on the type of forage present and the weight of your jig. You may still get a bunch of nuisance porgy bites, but they will be unable to destroy the more rugged jigging strip. With this presentation, the Gulp scent is still on the jig, and the tail remains as a visual attractant to the fluke. In these cases, one of my favorite strategies is to keep the munched-off Gulp on the hook and add a white 5-inch, eel-style jigging strip. Worse, while fending off the bycatch, you might not realize that your Gulp’s tail has been nipped off and is essentially useless. It’s common to encounter porgies or juvenile sea bass while fluking, so Gulp can get shredded up quickly. I find bright colors to be the most productive, including white, glow white, chartreuse, hot pink, salmon, or any other vibrant neon shade. When fluke fishing from the kayak, use a bucktail or sturdy jighead tipped with a 4- or 5-inch Berkley Gulp Grub or Swimming Mullet. With a pedal drive, I can continuously maneuver the boat with my legs, freeing up my hands to jig, net, steer, or even crack open a cold beverage. There are many variables to manage when fluke fishing on a kayak, and it is always helpful to have your hands free. Pedal drive will get you around with ease, but that isn’t the only benefit. I did have some success, but after a couple seasons, I decided it was time to upgrade. However, without pedal drive, I was extremely limited in where I could fish, and it was a lot more work to move and control the kayak. All I had was a rod, paddle, a small tackle box, the top half of a net, and a positive mindset. ![]() Originally, I fished out of a sit-inside kayak that had no fishfinder, no pedal drive, and no rod holder. ![]() ![]() You don’t need an expensive kayak to catch fluke, but I strongly recommend using a rig with some type of pedal-drive system. Black sea bass commonly feed in the same areas as nearshore fluke, and while undersized sea bass can be a nuisance, keepers are a welcome bycatch. Neither of these options easily fit into my summertime work schedule, but then I found a third option: a kayak. As a predominately shore-based fisherman, I thought this meant one of two things: tag along on a friend’s boat or hop on a party boat. Certainly, if you want to aim for larger fish, it helps to have access to deeper water. I have been able to find keepers, even during the slowest seasons, but until recently, my personal-best fluke was shy of seven pounds-and that fish was an outlier I encountered while fishing off a dock in my teens.Ī couple of years ago, I decided to get a bit more serious about fluke fishing, but I wasn’t sure where to begin. When fishing from shore, I was always able to put solid numbers of fluke on the board, though I struggled with finding good-sized fish. They’re aggressive, approachable, fairly widespread, grow large, and are delicious. They are one of my favorite fish to target and check off so many boxes as a worthwhile gamefish. Pictured: Throughout June, keeper fluke can be caught from a kayak in the Northeast’s inshore waters.įor as long as I can remember, I haven’t had a season without summer flounder.
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