All About Bass Fishing - Guide To Fishing Shallow With Flukes

A fluke is a baitfish-shaped lure designed to be fished without a weight. Its primary benefit is that it stays horizontal as it falls. When the lure is retrieved, it moves in a “walk-the-dog” fashion, darting side to side in a very natural looking motion. It can be fished Texas style allowing it to be fished in heavy cover.

3 Most Important Factors About Fishing Shallow With Flukes

Flukes represent a slow-moving baitfish that would be easy prey for the bass.
Flukes often catch bigger bass because of the natural appearance.
A fluke is one of the most versatile lures available for shallow water.

3 Most Effective Fishing Methods & Lures

Cast the fluke to cover and let it fall naturally along the edge of cover.
Cast and quickly retrieve with a jerking motion allowing the bait to veer side to side.
Make extra long casts in clear water.

Flukes fished shallow draw bass out of cover.

In clear water, when bass are shallow it is time to throw a fluke-type lure. It is exciting to watch bass come from cover and inhale the lure. The retrieve should match the activity level of the bass. If the bass are aggressively feeding, use a quick, jerky motion keeping the bait on or near the surface. When the bass are less active, allow the lure to stop and slowly fall near cover to pull bass away from the cover. Just the slightest twitch of the rod tip will make the fluke dart from side to side.

The fluke should be one of the first options for spring. It is a great bait for all phases of the spawn. Use this lure to fish in heavy cover by using braided line in weights heavy enough to handle quality bass in the cover you are fishing.

Use light colors or white so you can see the lure. By seeing the lure action, you can experiment with a speed and cadence that tends to work best for a given day, or time of day. Any time your success slows down, experiment with the speed and cadence of the lure. Generally speaking, if the bass become less active, slow down and dead stick the bait allowing it to fall deeper in the water column at its own pace. As it is falling, twitch it occasionally to give it action. This often is the movement that triggers strikes.