Page 92 - Fish in OC Magazine 2026

good starting point. Hi-Lo Fluke Rig
Rigs vary, but the two most effective setups are: Swivel or Braid to Mono Knot

• High-Low Fluke Rig: A pair of 4/0 to 5/0 wide gap or bait
holder hooks on dropper loops, with a 6 to 12-ounce bank 20-30# Fluorocarbon
sinker.

• Bucktail Combo: A single bucktail on bottom (1 to 6 ounces
depending on current), paired with a teaser hook about 12 4” - 8” Dropper Loop

inches above.
Bucktails tipped with strip baits like fresh cut sea robin,
bluefish, or squid strips are deadly, especially when en- 6” - 8” Between Dropper Loops

hanced with a 4” or 5” Gulp Swimming Mullet or Grub. The
scent trail and movement combination make it hard for a Size 4 or 5 Baitholder
big flattie to resist. Hook

“The key is to stay vertical,” says Captain Jason Mumford 6”-10” Dropper to Sinker Loop
of Lucky Break Charters. “If you’re dragging behind the
boat, you’re missing fish. Keep that line straight up and Sinker Loop

down, feel every bump, and lift just enough to give the bait
some life.” 8 - 16 Oz Sinker

Drift Strategy and Boat Control Bucktail Fluke Rig
Unlike bay fishing, where the current often dictates your Swivel or Braid to Mono Knot

drift, offshore flounder anglers must constantly adjust for
wind and swell. The best drift speed is between 0.8 and 1.2 20-30# Fluorocarbon
knots — slow enough for the flounder to commit, but fast

enough to cover ground. Size 4 or 5 Baitholder
Sea anchors, trolling motors with spot lock, or bumping Hook 4” - 8” Dropper Loop
the engines in and out of gear are all tools to manage your

drift. Many captains use GPS trails to repeat productive
lines over structure, turning a single bite into a steady pick.

On calm days, it pays to “short drift” small pieces repeat-
edly rather than covering too much ground. “If you find one 18” - 24” Between Dropper Loop
big fish, there are usually a few more right there,” says and bucktail

Hawkins. “They stack up tight when the water gets cold.”

Timing the Bite Loop Knot
Late October through mid-November is prime time, but 2 - 6 Oz Bucktail Jig
success depends on the right conditions. Clean water with