Bucktail weight for fluking, on party boats.

[gimbap1707]

I was just confused/curious about bucktailing on party boats for fluke, especially when you have an under the boat drift. In this case I switch to a spinning outfit and cast a 2 or 3 oz bucktail, working it back to the boat slowly. However, I was wondering if it's more effective to use a lighter bucktail, something around 1 - 2 oz max. Is it possible to get the jig down to the bottom using that light of a weight? I fish the ocean in montauk so I'm used to using at least 3 oz on chicken rigs. I found that when I apply this technique using a 2 or 3 oz bucktail, I get down quick but as I'm jigging, the falling of the bucktail feels very abrupt and not natural (visually). Should I be tossing lighter bucktails in these scenarios and just deal with a slower drop? Last thing I want is to not be able to hold bottom, obviously.

[55555s]

thinner braid will permit smaller/lighter bucktails, if thats a goal.   

[Sam3631]

I just fluke fished twice on afternoon trips on party boats at the Jersey shore.  I'm new to it and figuring out what to do, also.  Usually fish off the beach.
 

I wasted a bunch of money for my son and I on large bucktails and lead heads up to 5 oz.  Waste of money.  Used them for about 10 casts and put them away.  Drift was too fast each trip, Wind was 10-15 knots out of the south both times.  Seems to be the story every afternoon in NJ in the summer.  Don't know how the current plays into it.  Trips are out in the ocean.

 

Had to ask the mates for 8-10 oz sinkers and I cut the TA clips off my rigs.  Tied on a loop for the sinker and use the dropper loop for a bait holder hook and gulp/bait.  That was barely enough weight to hold bottom.

 

On both trips, which I assume is SOP, the captain positions the boat so that each side alternates with their lines going out away from the boat and then under the boat.
 

The light bucktails just floated around for me, never reached the bottom.

[BrianBM]

There's no such thing as one technique that fits every time and place.  Bucktailing is what the cool kids are doing right now. I don't like doing it with 6, 8, 10 oz. leadheads, but I've seen it done successfully.

Edited August 12, 2020 by BrianBM

[JonnyKim]

Is there a way to have a chicken rig with a bucktail on it. that way the stinker will keep you on the bottom and the buck tail can still be used?

That way their is enough weight but i am not sure if the bucktail will even be effective if it is on with a sinker at the bottom.

[gimbap1707]

29 mins ago, JonnyKim said:

Is there a way to have a chicken rig with a bucktail on it. that way the stinker will keep you on the bottom and the buck tail can still be used?

That way their is enough weight but i am not sure if the bucktail will even be effective if it is on with a sinker at the bottom.

Yeah some people do it, but with a very light bucktail. Use two bucktails somewhere between 1/4 - 3/4 oz. 

[squidder 329]

When on the up current side of the boat "I" would have a 2/3 oz BT with a 3/4 or 1 oz BT teaser above. The heavier BT will assist in under hand casting as far up current as possible.  Jigging the BT till your straight up and down reel in and repeat.

[dscott]

I fished the Nantucket Shoals last week and my most productive rig was a 6 ounce bucktail on the bottom and a  2 ounce bucktail as a teaser 18 inches above the bottom one.  I used this when the current was strongest and had 15 lb braid.  I was letting out twice as much line as the people around me fishing with 16 - 20 ounces and catching more fish.  Luckily I was on the bow of the boat and could switch sides on every drift, so I didn't have to worry about my rig going under the boat and tangling with others.  

[CLFish5]

On 8/11/2020 at 6:50 PM, gimbap1707 said:

I was just confused/curious about bucktailing on party boats for fluke, especially when you have an under the boat drift. In this case I switch to a spinning outfit and cast a 2 or 3 oz bucktail, working it back to the boat slowly. However, I was wondering if it's more effective to use a lighter bucktail, something around 1 - 2 oz max. Is it possible to get the jig down to the bottom using that light of a weight? I fish the ocean in montauk so I'm used to using at least 3 oz on chicken rigs. I found that when I apply this technique using a 2 or 3 oz bucktail, I get down quick but as I'm jigging, the falling of the bucktail feels very abrupt and not natural (visually). Should I be tossing lighter bucktails in these scenarios and just deal with a slower drop? Last thing I want is to not be able to hold bottom, obviously.

You know the answer. If your 2/3 oz bucktail is dropping too fast and you feel like your dragging it despite trying to jig you gotta go lighter brother

[J.Mo86]

You are doing it right. Cast a spinner on under drift and go as light as possible on favorable side.  As others mentioned, lighter diameter line is a way to reduce your weight needed to get into the strike zone.  Also really try to zing that sucker out as far as you can safely.  

[B.Casa]

On 8/16/2020 at 8:31 AM, dscott said:

I fished the Nantucket Shoals last week and my most productive rig was a 6 ounce bucktail on the bottom and a  2 ounce bucktail as a teaser 18 inches above the bottom one.  I used this when the current was strongest and had 15 lb braid.  I was letting out twice as much line as the people around me fishing with 16 - 20 ounces and catching more fish.  Luckily I was on the bow of the boat and could switch sides on every drift, so I didn't have to worry about my rig going under the boat and tangling with others.  

Thanks I’m going to try this setup this weekend. 

[Dan Tinman]

Not to de-rail this thread but I've heard reference to a "chicken rig" before and don't know what it is or looks like. Can someone enlighten me?

[MakoMike]

5 hours ago, Dan Tinman said:

Not to de-rail this thread but I've heard reference to a "chicken rig" before and don't know what it is or looks like. Can someone enlighten me?

Simple high/low rig. Bigger bucktail on the bottom and smaller one above. Can be tied several different ways.

[Dan Tinman]

1 hour ago, MakoMike said:

Simple high/low rig. Bigger bucktail on the bottom and smaller one above. Can be tied several different ways.

OK.  Sounds simple enough.  Thanks for the reply.

[Mr. Bigdeal]

....only Chickens use it.