“Bait and Wait” with Monofilament Fishing Line for Doormat Fluke

I love to go bucktail jigging for big fluke.  However, there will be days when the drift is too fast for effective bucktailing. The fall back option is a simple baited hook on a 3-way rig. I use a 40-pound fluorocarbon leader of 36-inches attached to a 5/0 beak hook and monofilament fishing lineas my main line. When baiting up I use thin, pennant shaped strips baits sliced from a freshly caught bluefish, sea robin, or frozen squid.  Keep the strip between 6 to 8-inches in length. I also like to add a frozen spearing or sand eels, hooked through the eyes, to the hook holding my strip bait. Keep in mind, when fluking it is crucial that the offering looks natural, so while drifting make sure the bait moves through the water nice and fluidly, with no spinning. 

I prefer using 15-pound monofilament fishing line on a medium action baitcasting outfit when bait fishing for fluke.  Big fluke have seen lots of baits dragged before their eyes during their lifetime. I feel these out-sized specimens can be cagier than an average sized keeper fluke. This can often cause a cat and mouse game to develop between the angler and the fluke. Monofilament line has some built-in stretch. I like this slight stretch when bait fishing for fluke because I believe when a big fluke grabs the bait on monofilament line the fluke is less likely to feel me on the other end of the line. As a result, the fluke is more likely to hold onto the bait longer, and eventually swallowing it whole to make it a meal. When that happens I’ve won the cat and mouse game. 

-- By Capt. Tom Mikoleski

Captain Tom Mikoleski is the successful fishing charter captain of the Grand Slam, who sails out of Montauk, NY for trophy striped bass, doormat fluke, jumbo porgies, humpback sea bass, and monster sharks. Captain Tom is the author of Bass Buff — A Striper Fishing Obsession Guide.