We use both at the same time and have grinded out limits in the eastern part of the bay pretty much every time out.
Bucktail instead of a sinker with gulp on the bucktail and 12 -18 inches above that, a teaser hook with gulp tipped with a strip of squid and a spearing. Once the spearing is gone so are your bites so if you feel a hit and don't connect, he likely got your spearing so always check it after a bite.
My theory is they come for the gulp and stay for the bait... In other words they are attracted by the profile and movement of the gulp and the bait is what keeps them around. .
Having said this, there's a raging debate on tipping your gulp here on our site
http://www.njfishing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103800
I also know some very respectable and successful people who target big Fluke on the ocean side who are dead set against tipping. Most think that tipping attracts all sorts of by-catch you don't want.. Bergals, Seabass and the dreaded dog fish...
As far a color of the gulp, some days it makes a difference and others it doesn't. I think a good rule of thumb is dark colors in stained water and light colors in cleaner water... The reason I say this is because when the water is murky, fish see darker colors better and in clear water lighter colors.
As far as the color of the bucktail, I don't think it matters much but I'm sure others have their opinions. I think the weight is the most important choice... You want it as light as possible while being able to hold the bottom.... 1 to 4 ounces usually covers most conditions but if you have a fast drift or are fishing deep water channels, you'll likely need more... If I'm forced to fish more then 6 ounces I'll switch over to a sinker and bait.
If I had to choose only 2 gulp colors it would be New Penny Shrimp and White Glo. Nuclear Chicken or Pink Shine would be a close third.
A few more words of advice... Fluke are ambush feeders and hit very aggressively. For this reason you
always want to keep your bait or bucktail moving to attract them... Sometimes the boat will provide the movement if it's drifting correctly. If you're stuck with no drift or a drift in the wrong direction this is where a bucktail and the jigging action can really help you. Casting out and jigging back can provide the movement needed to get them in the mood, otherwise your bait is just sitting there.
Hope this helps you and some others and best of luck next time out.
