Welcome to: “Bucktailing for Fluke” by Capt. John Kolias Reel Fun Sportfishing Twin Lights...

Welcome to:Welcome to:

“Bucktailing for “Bucktailing for Fluke”Fluke”

by Capt. John Koliasby Capt. John Kolias

Reel Fun SportfishingReel Fun SportfishingTwin Lights Marina, Highlands, NJTwin Lights Marina, Highlands, NJ

“ “Bucktailing for Fluke” Bucktailing for Fluke” Tides-Tides-

Outgoing vs. Incoming- I like fishing outgoing as it flushes bait out of streams into Outgoing vs. Incoming- I like fishing outgoing as it flushes bait out of streams into the bay and the warmer waters puts the fish on the feed.the bay and the warmer waters puts the fish on the feed.

Speed of your Drift-Speed of your Drift-Drift Speed: 1-1.5 kts ideal-Anything over 2 kts and it’s time to get out your drift Drift Speed: 1-1.5 kts ideal-Anything over 2 kts and it’s time to get out your drift sock or attach heavier bucktails. (Cabela’s Advanced Pro 72” Drift Sock)sock or attach heavier bucktails. (Cabela’s Advanced Pro 72” Drift Sock)

Winds-Winds-Remember… “Winds from the East….fishing’s the least”Remember… “Winds from the East….fishing’s the least”

““Winds from the West….fishing’s the best”Winds from the West….fishing’s the best”Wind/Current working together will usually provide a good day fishing.Wind/Current working together will usually provide a good day fishing.

Have a Game Plan- Have a Game Plan- Chart out your locations the night before with 2Chart out your locations the night before with 2nd,nd, 3 3rdrd and 4 and 4thth options. If your first option is a bust, stick to your plan and work your 2options. If your first option is a bust, stick to your plan and work your 2ndnd, 3, 3rdrd and and 44thth locations. Driving around endlessly hoping to score is a waste of your time, locations. Driving around endlessly hoping to score is a waste of your time, gas and money. gas and money.

Read and use your charts- Read and use your charts- Home Port Chart #42Home Port Chart #42

““Bucktailing for Fluke”Bucktailing for Fluke”

Rods, Reels and Line we like for Bucktailing:Rods, Reels and Line we like for Bucktailing:

Baitcaster RodBaitcaster Rod: 6’6” Med/Hvy butt, fast action tip.: 6’6” Med/Hvy butt, fast action tip.

ReelReel: Level Wind Reel (Penn International 965, : Level Wind Reel (Penn International 965, Shimano Tekota 500, etc)Shimano Tekota 500, etc)

LineLine: 40 lb test Power Pro or Suffix braid over : 40 lb test Power Pro or Suffix braid over dacron or mono backing. dacron or mono backing.

““Bucktailing for Fluke” Bucktailing for Fluke”

Rigs: Rigs: Basic Bucktailing Fluke Rig-Basic Bucktailing Fluke Rig-

24-30” fluorocarbon leader material w/ dropper loop tied 24-30” fluorocarbon leader material w/ dropper loop tied approx 12” above the business end.approx 12” above the business end.

50-75 lb. barrel swivel tied to one end of your leader 50-75 lb. barrel swivel tied to one end of your leader (Tsunami Pro TSS-6-50 or TSS-8-50)(Tsunami Pro TSS-6-50 or TSS-8-50)

50-75 lb. Snap Swivel tied to end of leader for 50-75 lb. Snap Swivel tied to end of leader for attachment attachment to one of the bucktails shown below. to one of the bucktails shown below.


Baits we Baits we alwaysalways use with Bucktails and Teasers: use with Bucktails and Teasers:

• Bunker stripsBunker strips

• Bluefish stripsBluefish strips

• Sea Robin strips**Sea Robin strips**

• Squid Strips (cut from squid tubes)Squid Strips (cut from squid tubes)

• Mackerel StripsMackerel Strips

• Fluke bellies and ribbons Fluke bellies and ribbons

• Gulp Alive Products 4-6” Chartreuse Minnow Grub, 8” Gulp Alive Products 4-6” Chartreuse Minnow Grub, 8” Sandworms or 7” Belly StripsSandworms or 7” Belly Strips


Where to Find Fluke……Where to Find Fluke……Structure!Structure!

• Tidal RipsTidal Rips – “The Rip” – “The Rip”• Channel EdgesChannel Edges - Ambrose Channel (East or West - Ambrose Channel (East or West

winds), Raritan Reach Channel (East or West winds), Raritan Reach Channel (East or West winds), Sandy Hook Channel (East or West winds) winds), Sandy Hook Channel (East or West winds) and Chapel Hill Channel (North or South winds)and Chapel Hill Channel (North or South winds)

• Dredge HolesDredge Holes• StructureStructure - Reefs, sunken wrecks, rock piles, - Reefs, sunken wrecks, rock piles,

mussel beds, etc. Check Home Port Chart #42 mussel beds, etc. Check Home Port Chart #42 and locate any underwater structure that may and locate any underwater structure that may hold fish.hold fish.

• Avoid the crowds! Find your own “honey hole.”Avoid the crowds! Find your own “honey hole.”

““Bucktailing for Fluke”Bucktailing for Fluke” About About Structure…Structure…

Fluke have the tendency to be found around Fluke have the tendency to be found around underwater structure….facing into the current on underwater structure….facing into the current on the the downsidedownside of that structure. Fluke will also be of that structure. Fluke will also be found along channel edges and deep in the channel found along channel edges and deep in the channel at low tide and along the flats adjacent to the at low tide and along the flats adjacent to the channel during high tide.channel during high tide.

Fluke will also be found in and around man made Fluke will also be found in and around man made reefs (fish between structures…..find the sandy reefs (fish between structures…..find the sandy bottoms)bottoms)

Remember…. Remember…. Structure, Structure, StructureStructure, Structure, Structure


Tips for “Flukers” with BoatsTips for “Flukers” with Boats

• Drift around and between structure.Drift around and between structure.• Bucktails should maintain contact on Bucktails should maintain contact on

bottom at all times. Bounce or twitch that bottom at all times. Bounce or twitch that bucktail!bucktail!

• Lift rod tip and feel that bottom!Lift rod tip and feel that bottom!• Set hook with authority.Set hook with authority.• Retrieve slowly & evenly…… don’t pump Retrieve slowly & evenly…… don’t pump

rod.rod.• Net fish from the head.Net fish from the head.• Keep your fish in a cooler w/ice or water.Keep your fish in a cooler w/ice or water.


Navigating Tips for BoatersNavigating Tips for Boaters

• Using your GPS, mark the beginning point of a drift. Using your GPS, mark the beginning point of a drift. • Use that point to repeat your drift. (Keep “track lines” on)Use that point to repeat your drift. (Keep “track lines” on)• Keep your drifts short and tight.Keep your drifts short and tight.• Keep a log book on Keep a log book on EVERYEVERY trip…date, location, tide, water trip…date, location, tide, water

temps, number retained, number released, bait temps, number retained, number released, bait used….fish are creatures of habit!used….fish are creatures of habit!

• Long endless drifts without a fish are a waste of time.Long endless drifts without a fish are a waste of time.• Fish swim together in tight groups.Fish swim together in tight groups.• If your drift is too fast to hold bottom, either change your If your drift is too fast to hold bottom, either change your

bucktail, get out your drift sock which ALL fluke fishermen bucktail, get out your drift sock which ALL fluke fishermen should own or sometimes both.should own or sometimes both.

• If current is very slow (or wind against tide) and the boat If current is very slow (or wind against tide) and the boat is not moving, its time to power drift or cast and retrieve is not moving, its time to power drift or cast and retrieve to get your bucktail moving.to get your bucktail moving.

• (REMEMBER: NO MOVING BUCKTAILS = NO FISH)(REMEMBER: NO MOVING BUCKTAILS = NO FISH)


Fishing with Teasers produce:Fishing with Teasers produce:

• The vast majority of the Fluke we catch!!! The vast majority of the Fluke we catch!!!

• Teasers to consider using:Teasers to consider using:1- Plain J hook with bait (4/0 Octopus)1- Plain J hook with bait (4/0 Octopus)

2- Clouser or Deceiver flies2- Clouser or Deceiver flies

3- Soft body shads/lures3- Soft body shads/lures

Chartreuse Deceiver Fly


Fishing the Sandy Hook Reef – Fluke & Sea Bass


Kristy with her 8 lb -14oz FlukeTony with his 11 lb. doormat caught in Ambrose Channel.


Mate Chris and Ambrose Channel Fluke

Mike and his 6.8lb Flattie


John & Tom with a few of their Ambrose Fluke on

Bucktails.Tom (on right) with his

7lb. 8 oz beauty.

Bill G. with his 26“ 6 lb.-2 oz Fluke.


Some nice opening day fluke bucktailing Flynn’s Knoll.

Some Fluke ready for the knife.


6.2 lb. fluke caught at Sandy Hook Reef

Capt Marc with his 8.2 lb Fluke


11 lb “Doormat” Fluke by Bob in Raritan Reach Channel

Mike T. with his 6.4 lb Fluke fishing Scotland

Light area

Bucktailing for FlukeBucktailing for FlukeCapt. John’s Hall of Fame Friends

Donnie with his 11.5 lb doormat. Gerry with his

10.5 lb doormat

Dave Lilly with his 15.6 lb BEAST


25’ Parker Sport Cabin - Furuno 24 mile Radar- Furuno 600L Color Fishfinder

Garmin 2010C GPS Charplotter- 2 Horizon VHF/DSC RadiosAll USCG Approved Safety Gear – All USCG Licensed Captains

All crew certified in Adult 1st Aid and CPR


Thank you for attending today’sThank you for attending today’sSomerset Saltwater ExpoSomerset Saltwater Expo

““Bucktailing for Fluke” seminar.Bucktailing for Fluke” seminar.

From the staff ofFrom the staff ofReel Fun SportfishingReel Fun Sportfishing

908-421-4761908-421-4761

Tight Lines,Tight Lines,Capt. John and CrewCapt. John and Crew

Welcome to: “Bucktailing for Fluke” by Capt. John Kolias Reel Fun Sportfishing Twin Lights...

Documents

Transcript of Welcome to: “Bucktailing for Fluke” by Capt. John Kolias Reel Fun Sportfishing Twin Lights...