Fluke Hook Size

[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.

[MrAC1980]

Yep I just went to bucktails not long ago too and haven't looked back. But I think this question can be said about teaser hook size too. I'm also in the 6/0 club except when I go to MA then I step up to 8/0.

[bunker dunker]

bucktails save lives!!!!!

[bulletbob]

Bucktails make sense if you want less mortality from deep hooked shorts.. much less damage done, and very effective.. Bait guys can just put a spearing, killie or squid strip on if it makes them feel better..
You don't need $7 each bucktails either. Plain Jane's work just fine, including unpainted leadheads with a plastic tail or Gulp... bob

[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.

[mikeytheflop]

Originally Posted by 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.

I'm with Frugal here, as well as a few others. Its the technique, made up of a lot of jigging activity on my part and paying attention. I've landed my biggest fluke using octopus 2/0 hooks and same for me: 1,000 fish and gut hooking <5.

[SaltLife1980]

Its all in the way you fish. I went to jigging 4 years ago and have not looked back. I use 6/0 or 7/0 hooks for my teasers.

[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.