Let’s talk about the Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flux Gill! This is one of the most unique soft plastics I’ve fished in a long time. If you’ve followed me, you know I’m a huge fan of the Berkley MaxScent lineup. Baits like the Flat Worm, MaxScent Minnow, General, D-Worm, and Hit Worm have caught me a ton of fish. But here’s the deal. Most of those baits have a long, thin profile. The Flux Gill is completely different! It has a wide, flat body that looks like a bluegill, sunfish, crappie, rock bass, or even a small tilapia. That’s important because bass feed on these wider-bodied fish all the time. Available in 3.5-inch and 5.3-inch sizes and 14 colors, this bait gives you a whole new way to match the forage. And remember, it’s still MaxScent, so you get that incredible scent and taste that helps fish find the bait and hold on longer!
A Unique Design That Creates Incredible Action
What really separates the Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flux Gill from other soft plastics is its honeycomb body design. Look closely, and you’ll see holes punched completely through the bait, with a solid rib running down the middle. Those holes do three important things:
- Create movement: Less plastic allows the body to flex, wave, and move naturally through the water.
- Trap air: Small air pockets add buoyancy and release tiny bubbles as the bait moves.
- Release scent: More openings allow that famous MaxScent formula to disperse into the water.
But there’s more! The bait is extremely flat, which creates an amazing gliding action as it falls. It also has a thin pin tail that comes alive with even the slightest movement. You’re getting a bait that glides, flexes, shakes, and releases scent all at once. And because of that solid center rib, you can rig it almost any way you’d rig a traditional soft plastic. Texas rig, drop shot, shaky head, Neko rig, or even a Jika rig. The possibilities are endless!
My Favorite Rigging Method: The Wobble Head
If I had to pick my favorite way to fish the Flux Gill, it would be on a wobble head! Guys, it’s almost like this bait was designed specifically for this technique. I use a Berkley Fusion19 Swing Head, generally between 1/4 and 3/4 ounce, with 3/8 and 1/2 ounce being my favorites. The beauty of a wobble head is that the hook swings freely behind the weight.
I Texas rig the Flux Gill flat, making sure the hook runs through that solid center rib. Then I cast it out and slowly crawl or drag it along the bottom. The weight stays in contact with the bottom while the bait swings, rolls, and flexes behind it. It’s unbelievable! That wide body and honeycomb design allow the Flux Gill to move naturally in every direction. I especially love this setup around rocks, gravel, hard bottoms, and offshore structure. The key is keeping that head grinding along the bottom while the bait does all the work behind it.
The Free Rig: Let It Glide!
My second favorite way to fish the Flux Gill is on a free rig. This is another technique where that flat body really shines! I start with a cylinder-style drop shot weight with a closed eye, anywhere from 1/32 to 1/2 ounce. Slide the weight onto your line first, then add a bobber stop to protect your knot. Next, tie on a Berkley Fusion19 EWG Hook and Texas rig the Flux Gill with the flat side facing down.
Here’s where the magic happens. When you cast, the weight falls first, and the bait slowly glides behind it. That wide, thin body makes it look like a wounded bluegill drifting toward the bottom. Once everything settles, start dragging the rig. Eventually, the bait catches up to the weight and suddenly pops upward before gliding back down. Dude, that movement is incredible! I’ve been getting so many bites with this setup. The combination of the gliding fall, trapped air, and natural movement makes this a killer presentation.
The Ultimate Jig and ChatterBait Trailer
My third favorite way to use the Flux Gill is as a trailer on a skirted jig or vibrating jig. This is where you can really change the profile of your bait! On a ChatterBait, I rig the Flux Gill sideways instead of flat. That creates a taller, wider profile that looks like a bluegill, crappie, or big gizzard shad. When the blade vibrates, that little pin tail shakes like crazy!
On a traditional skirted jig, like the Missile Jigs Mini Flip, I usually rig it flat when fishing the bottom. This gives the jig a wider profile and helps it glide as it falls. If I’m swimming the jig, I’ll often rig it sideways to imitate a baitfish. Guys, the Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flux Gill is a game changer because of its unique profile, incredible movement, and endless rigging options. Whether you’re crawling it, gliding it, or swimming it, this bait offers something different that bass haven’t seen a thousand times. Give it a try, experiment with these techniques, and I promise you’re going to catch more fish!
Berkley MaxScent Flux Gill: A Game-Changing Soft Plastic for Catching More Bass!
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