Clarify for me fishing a "spoon" 2024
pauldconyers reply :
I read or hear about guys graphing a group of fish down deep and throwing a "spoon" and getting the school all fired up and catching 30 fish. I run into fish down there like that and would like to give it a go. What are some specific examples of spoons to look at and at what size? What is the ideal rod/reel/line for this presentation?
jimmyjoe reply :
Try this: https://www.bassmaster.com/tips/modifying-spoon
Mobasser reply :
You could also do a Google search on jigging spoons. Most have a single treble hook, and are fished vertically in deeper water. There are different sizes and styles. Basically, the spoon is dropped over the boat and jigged up and down. Expect the strikes to come on the fall, and strikes can be light.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I like a Bink's or War Eagle, something in the 1/2 to 1oz size range. Ice jigs like a Jigging Rap are really good too. Finding the right spoon is only half the battle, after the fish are found, then you have to find the right jigging action. Sometimes it's sharp snaps, sometimes it's deadsticking which I call the "spinning spoon" retrieve. It's a great way to get deep fish to bite though.
WRB reply :
You could also do a BR site search on "structure spoons", 7 pages to read.
Tom
Catt reply :
One can do the same thing with deep diving crankbaits ????
NYWayfarer reply :
On 1/25/2019 at 7:47 AM, Bluebasser86 said:I like a Bink's or War Eagle, something in the 1/2 to 1oz size range. Ice jigs like a Jigging Rap are really good too. Finding the right spoon is only half the battle, after the fish are found, then you have to find the right jigging action. Sometimes it's sharp snaps, sometimes it's deadsticking which I call the "spinning spoon" retrieve. It's a great way to get deep fish to bite though.
Great advice.
I like to lift the spoon above the school and let it flutter down into them method. Kastmaster, Phoebe and Johnson Silver Minnows are my spoons of choice for this method.
BassWhole! reply :
Vertical jigging is one of my favorite ways to catch fish. I don't get a chance to do it much here for LMB, but where ever the opportunity arises, I'm doing it. Ironically, one of my favorite sticks for this (inshore salt and fresh) is an old Quantum flipping stick. My favorite spoons are the Hopkins shorty and the Mr Champ (like a KastMaster) in addition to the ones actually shaped like a spoon. Depth and current dictate the choice.
Jig Man reply :
On 1/25/2019 at 6:31 PM, Catt said:One can do the same thing with deep diving crankbaits ????
I am intrigued Catt. Can you elaborate on this. Most of my spoon jigging is done 40+ feet deep.
J Francho reply :
On 1/26/2019 at 4:02 AM, Jig Man said:I am intrigued Catt. Can you elaborate on this. Most of my spoon jigging is done 40+ feet deep.
I don't know what Catt's answer will be, but I've added a pegged bullet weight before the crankbait, right at the bill. Use enough to Make it sink. Cast out, count to depth, and use a subtle pump-reel retrieve. It's called "jacking a crankbait." I read about it years ago on a Japanese site. It's not much fun, but works.
Catt reply :
On 1/26/2019 at 4:02 AM, Jig Man said:I am intrigued Catt. Can you elaborate on this. Most of my spoon jigging is done 40+ feet deep.
There's crankbaits that run 25-30' ????
Ya pick off one or two & then switch to something lake a Carolina Rig & pick off a couple more.
Kinda like what Paul Elias did on Falcon
pauldconyers reply :
If I wanted to buy a few are there a specific makes and models you'd point me to? If LMB are the desired target is there a size I should stick to?
Jig Man reply :
On 1/26/2019 at 5:47 AM, pauldconyers said:If I wanted to buy a few are there a specific makes and models you'd point me to? If LMB are the desired target is there a size I should stick to?
I used Hopkins shorty 75 before I started making my own.
On 1/26/2019 at 5:08 AM, Catt said:
There's crankbaits that run 25-30' ????
Ya pick off one or two & then switch to something lake a Carolina Rig & pick off a couple more.
Kinda like what Paul Elias did on Falcon
Thanks for the information.
We have lots of fish on Table Rock that suspend 40 to 60' deep over 100' of water. That is summer bread and butter for a lot of guides. This winter there has been a good bite on heavy jigs and spoons at about 50'.
Peddiesake reply :
Little Cleo hammered blue and nickel
BassWhole! reply :
On 1/26/2019 at 8:29 AM, Peddiesake said:Little Cleo hammered blue and nickel
I read somewhere the Cleo is a salmon spoon..... 
WRB reply :
On 1/25/2019 at 5:33 AM, pauldconyers said:I read or hear about guys graphing a group of fish down deep and throwing a "spoon" and getting the school all fired up and catching 30 fish. I run into fish down there like that and would like to give it a go. What are some specific examples of spoons to look at and at what size? What is the ideal rod/reel/line for this presentation?
If you have taken the time to read the prior archive threads on the BR site your knowledge should be good regarding "spoons" the oldest lure.
What your specific question was firing up a school of bass throwing a spoon.
1. The popular term "fired up" meaning the bass see another bass fighting and get exited or "fire up" and the whole group starts feeding needs further discussion.
2. I believe you are referencing big flutter spoons like Nichols and Lake Fork Tackle popularized and Strike King got on the band wagon with. The big flutter spoons 5 1/2" to 8" are designed for bass or stripers feeding on gizzard Shad schools roaming the creek channel edges or ledges. Bass are stationed along the deep break waiting for a Shad school to show up, the big spoon replicates the big Shad.
If your lake has big bait fish then a big flutter spoon may work if the bass are targeting those big bait fish.
Where I fish we have Threadfin Shad about 3" to 5" long so spoons between 3" to 5" are a good choice in sliver pearl white with chartruese highlites work good. The big 5 1/2" to 8" flutter spoons catch occasional LMB, mostly stripers If the lake has stripers.
Firing up a school; over 60 years of bass fishing I have never been able to fire up bass school. I have caught a lot of bass that started actively feeding while I was on the water, those bass would feed if I was there or wasn't, it's all about timing being at the right place at the right. Catching bass can have the opposite affect by shutting down the bite.
Tom
pauldconyers reply :
I guess I misstated my question. I am talking about pulling up on an area and on my graph seeing bass schooled up say 30 feet down and I want to vertical spoon with some spinning gear for them. I was asking what specific spoons would you guys recommend I check out for that?
Jig Man reply :
Like I posted earlier, Hopkins Shorty 75.
jimmyjoe reply :
On 1/27/2019 at 7:48 AM, pauldconyers said:I guess I misstated my question. I am talking about pulling up on an area and on my graph seeing bass schooled up say 30 feet down and I want to vertical spoon with some spinning gear for them. I was asking what specific spoons would you guys recommend I check out for that?
7/8 oz. Bomber slab spoon.
3/4 oz. Cotton Cordell CC spoon
3/4 oz. Acme Kastmaster
Swedish Pimple (IDK ... maybe 1 oz?)
Hopkins Shorty
At that depth, the only two things that matter are contrast and displacement. Sound, as in rattles, can work for you or easily work against you. If you want to gamble, that's fine and dandy. Always us light colors, because even in clear water, light colors give you the contrast at that depth. With all that said and done, I personally would use a 3/4 oz. blade lure, like Steve Day's Elken Zonar, if the spoons didn't work. But that's just me, too. YMMV jj
pauldconyers reply :
On 1/27/2019 at 8:46 AM, jimmyjoe said:7/8 oz. Bomber slab spoon.
3/4 oz. Cotton Cordell CC spoon
3/4 oz. Acme Kastmaster
Swedish Pimple (IDK ... maybe 1 oz?)
Hopkins Shorty
At that depth, the only two things that matter are contrast and displacement. Sound, as in rattles, can work for you or easily work against you. If you want to gamble, that's fine and dandy. Always us light colors, because even in clear water, light colors give you the contrast at that depth. With all that said and done, I personally would use a 3/4 oz. blade lure, like Steve Day's Elken Zonar, if the spoons didn't work. But that's just me, too. YMMV jj
I was considering the Acme Kastmaster so thank you for recommending a specific size for this! As for a blade bait I was checking out the Binsky blade bait, would you say 3/4 for that as well?
jimmyjoe reply :
Yes. The Binsky is very active, and the 3/4 oz. model will do what you need to do at 30 feet. Good luck! jj
pauldconyers reply :
I know a lot of times these a kind of baits are used in cold water situations but will they work year round?
Catt reply :
jimmyjoe reply :
On 1/28/2019 at 11:34 AM, pauldconyers said:I know a lot of times these a kind of baits are used in cold water situations but will they work year round?
As far as I know, yes. jj
pauldconyers reply :
I have always wondering why vertical jigging like this is done with spinning tackle and not a bait caster? I find it easier to haul a descent fish from aways down with a more powerful bait cast set up then spinning?
jimmyjoe reply :
On 1/28/2019 at 11:36 AM, Catt said:
Interesting that you say that lure. The only tailspinner I've ever used was a Little George. It caught me one fish. Only one. That was over twenty years ago, and I haven't used a tailspinner since. I think someone put the Tailspinner Curse on me. jj
????
Catt reply :
On 1/28/2019 at 11:51 AM, jimmyjoe said:. I think someone put the Tailspinner Curse on me. jj
If ya aint thrown one in over twenty years...that someone was you!
TnRiver46 reply :
On 1/28/2019 at 11:34 AM, pauldconyers said:I know a lot of times these a kind of baits are used in cold water situations but will they work year round?
Works year round
On 1/28/2019 at 11:50 AM, pauldconyers said:I have always wondering why vertical jigging like this is done with spinning tackle and not a bait caster? I find it easier to haul a descent fish from aways down with a more powerful bait cast set up then spinning?
I use both. The advantage of spinning is the spoon will sink faster. Sometimes they like to eat them better when it sinks by them a million miles an hour. Other times they want the slow sinking bait, like a little Cleo
BassWhole! reply :
On 1/28/2019 at 11:50 AM, pauldconyers said:I have always wondering why vertical jigging like this is done with spinning tackle and not a bait caster? I find it easier to haul a descent fish from aways down with a more powerful bait cast set up then spinning?
Either will work as long as you match the rod action to the resistance of the lure being jigged. I prefer casting gear, but will use either at times. There are spinning rods every bit as stout as BC ones, all be it not always in the LMB isle.
pauldconyers reply :
With as heavy as a 3/4 oz would be does it still get much "flutter" as it falls or just drop like a stone?
J Francho reply :
They flutter because there's more surface area.
BassWhole! reply :
On 1/30/2019 at 12:40 PM, pauldconyers said:With as heavy as a 3/4 oz would be does it still get much "flutter" as it falls or just drop like a stone?
They flutter. We use spoons up to 6 oz for striped bass, and up to 24 oz for cod, and they flutter. You want to match the size and weight to the depth and current. I know it sounds counter intuitive, but heavier mono works best for this, you want a slight belly on the drop, and the resistance aids with the action. Now if you want to use a smaller spoon deep, braid with a leader works well.
WRB reply :
The tail Colorado blade spins as the tail spinner fall through the water column, slowing the fall and giving the wobble action, it's not a flutter darting action like a spoon.
I made kite shaped tail spinner with a mini vinyl skirt back in the 70's that had a line through design. Still have a few but lost the mold about 25 years ago.
Can't get the mini skirts anymore and give up looking for the mold.
Tom
pauldconyers reply :
3/4 oz just seemed heavy to me but you guys know a lot more than I ever will so I guess I'll roll with it LOL
J Francho reply :
It's what works. If you want to buy all the sizes, go for it, and report back what you find.
BassNJake reply :
In colder water I have better luck with smaller blade baits than spoons with little to no movement.
I have found stopping the lure just above the school works better than letting it fall directly into the school.
I like the quarter and half ounce sizes for blade baits.
J Francho reply :
On 1/31/2019 at 4:10 AM, BassNJake said:In colder water I have better luck with smaller blade baits than spoons with little to no movement.
Interesting. Last time I fished spoons in the cold, 38° temps on Erie, they were hitting spoons using 24-30" ripping strokes off the bottom. As the sun got higher, drop shot baits worked better. That was the day I caught my PB smallie.
BassNJake reply :
On 1/31/2019 at 4:13 AM, J Francho said:Interesting. Last time I fished spoons in the cold, 38° temps on Erie, they were hitting spoons using 24-30" ripping strokes off the bottom. As the sun got higher, drop shot baits worked better. That was the day I caught my PB smallie.
Probably the difference in fishing for Smallmouth versus Largemouth
pauldconyers reply :
Well I bought these 3 today. Weird thing is all 3 were in factory sealed packaging and one had a split ring on the top of the bait and the other two did not. I assume they are supposed to have one and I do not want to tie directly to the body of the lure, correct?
CrankFate reply :
I hate spoons. I never throw spoons. The only thing spoons do is catch the wrong fish. If I throw a spoon for largemouths. Bam! Carp. If I throw a spoon to smallmouths. Bam! Catfish. It never fails. And if I throw one at some far away place with big bass. Bam! Green Perch.
Dorado reply :
On 1/31/2019 at 9:27 AM, pauldconyers said:Well I bought these 3 today. Weird thing is all 3 were in factory sealed packaging and one had a split ring on the top of the bait and the other two did not. I assume they are supposed to have one and I do not want to tie directly to the body of the lure, correct?
I wrote a question about this same issue in the “other species” forum regarding trout fishing a few months back. The older kastmaster spoons were not equipped with split rings. One day, the manufacturer made the smart switch to include them and there ya have it!
J Francho reply :
Those don't look like Hopkins spoons 
Kastmasters will catch. Any spoons I use, I add a split ring, and a swivel. I tie off to the swivel.
Here's a Lil' Cleo with the split ring and swivel:
On 1/31/2019 at 5:04 AM, BassNJake said:Probably the difference in fishing for Smallmouth versus Largemouth
That makes sense.
Dorado reply :
On 1/31/2019 at 9:58 PM, J Francho said:Those don't look like Hopkins spoons
Kastmasters will catch. Any spoons I use, I add a split ring, and a swivel. I tie off to the swivel.
Here's a Lil' Cleo with the split ring and swivel:
That makes sense.
Does the swivel add more action when you attach it to the split ring?
J Francho reply :
On 1/31/2019 at 11:18 PM, Dorado said:Does the swivel add more action when you attach it to the split ring?
The swivel mitigates line twist.
pauldconyers reply :
On 2/1/2019 at 12:58 AM, J Francho said:The swivel mitigates line twist.
Certainly makes sense. What size spilt ring and swivel would you recommend for me to grad? Again it is a 3/4 oz spoon.
J Francho reply :
I'm not sure, I just grab whatever fits.
pauldconyers reply :
On 2/1/2019 at 1:02 AM, J Francho said:I'm not sure, I just grab whatever fits.
OK. Our of curiosity why did you remove the treble hook in favor of that style on this bait?
BassWhole! reply :
On 2/1/2019 at 1:02 AM, J Francho said:I'm not sure, I just grab whatever fits.
That's how I mostly do it. Guys get mad at me cause they think I'm punking them when I say "I dunno, like this".
I guess I need a spreadsheet...
Choporoz reply :
On 2/1/2019 at 1:05 AM, pauldconyers said:OK. Our of curiosity why did you remove the treble hook in favor of that style on this bait?
What might be your top 2 guesses?
J Francho reply :
On 2/1/2019 at 1:05 AM, pauldconyers said:OK. Our of curiosity why did you remove the treble hook in favor of that style on this bait?
I use a single hook for trout fishing. The mod isn't necessary for bass, though you can try it. It doesn't affect hook ups.
Choporoz reply :
The only other reason that came to my mind was to reduce snags. I have swapped trebles for doubles and singles on bottom baits...like spoons and blade baits.
I suppose there could be other reasons, tho
J Francho reply :
It is a little less snaggy, but if you hang a single hook, chances are you aren't getting it back. I just find they work better for trout.
Peddiesake reply :
Lake Fork Flutter Spoon
I/MBasser reply :
On 1/31/2019 at 9:58 PM, J Francho said:Those don't look like Hopkins spoons
Kastmasters will catch. Any spoons I use, I add a split ring, and a swivel. I tie off to the swivel.
Here's a Lil' Cleo with the split ring and swivel:
That makes sense.
Is there a difference between using a split ring and swivel versus a snap swivel? I have a bunch of snap swivels laying around that I can use but if they fail compared to split rings I'll make the switch. Thanks!
Cam R reply :
On 10/19/2019 at 8:59 PM, I/MBasser said:Is there a difference between using a split ring and swivel versus a snap swivel? I have a bunch of snap swivels laying around that I can use but if they fail compared to split rings I'll make the switch. Thanks!
I use a larger split ring on every spoon instead of those swivels to attach lures with. Say a spoon lure has 2 holes (one at each end) i have 2 split rings one for the hook end and one to attach my line to alone. If you have a split ring already on it theres you do not need a swivel
GreenPig reply :
On 1/27/2019 at 7:48 AM, pauldconyers said:I guess I misstated my question. I am talking about pulling up on an area and on my graph seeing bass schooled up say 30 feet down and I want to vertical spoon with some spinning gear for them. I was asking what specific spoons would you guys recommend I check out for that?
I would suggest getting the 2 pack Cotton Cordell spoons and various sizes in chrome & gold. As beginner you are going to set the hook on trees/limbs/rocks I promise you. Absolutely no point in leaving high $ spoons in the lake while you learn the technique. My spoon box weighs 16 lbs and has 30 brands in it and if I could on have one it'd be the CC. Winter vertical spoon fishing is when I fill my fish freezer. Most important thing I learned is to find the school, drop it into them for a few minutes, if no takers then move on and don't waste the fishing time.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 10/21/2019 at 11:04 AM, GreenPig said:I would suggest getting the 2 pack Cotton Cordell spoons and various sizes in chrome & gold. As beginner you are going to set the hook on trees/limbs/rocks I promise you. Absolutely no point in leaving high $ spoons in the lake while you learn the technique. My spoon box weighs 16 lbs and has 30 brands in it and if I could on have one it'd be the CC. Winter vertical spoon fishing is when I fill my fish freezer. Most important thing I learned is to find the school, drop it into them for a few minutes, if no takers then move on and don't waste the fishing time.
One of my fishing buddies swore by those CC two packs. They are all I buy now
J Francho reply :
On 10/19/2019 at 8:59 PM, I/MBasser said:Is there a difference between using a split ring and swivel versus a snap swivel?
Yes, a snap-swivel is the wrong piece of terminal gear. They are for mixing and matching trolling weights to your line, and were never designed to manage fighting a fish.
WRB reply :
I deep structure spoon fish as soon as the Threadfin Shad school up in deep water over 20' to around 40' although they catch bass at any depth.
My favorite structure spoon was Megabait 3/4 oz jigging spoon no longer made, P-Line has a similar Laser Spoon. My second favorite is the old Champ 3/4 oz chrome spoon now made by Lurh-Jenson. I change the treble hooks to Owner nickel size 2 white/charteuse chicken feathered treble hooks. I don't use a swivel or split rings and use a snap. Line twist hasn't been a issue as the spoons tend to spin in both directions when fish them veritically or short lob cast and fall vertically. If you cast them horizontally then a swivel is a good addition to reduce line twist.
Hopkins Shorty and Kastmaster are both good, I prefer the wider Champ spoon it spins less or narrower Megabait or Laser spoons with holographic Shad finish.
Structure are over looked lure that work when bass are feeding on Shad.most bass will be school size 2 ro 3 lb bass with occasional big bass in the mix, you never know what will strike a structure.
My rod is a Loomis PR845C bait casting with 12 lb FC line, reel of choice but set the drag no more then 3 lbs to aviod hooks tearing out next to the boat.
Tom
jimmyjoe reply :
On 10/22/2019 at 2:02 AM, WRB said:...set the drag no more then 3 lbs to aviod hooks tearing out next to the boat.
Exactly. I found this out the hard way. (I had to laugh when I heard a "young" guy tell us old geezers that his reel was better than any we had because his had 20 lb. of drag, and none of ours went over 15 lb.)
Now pike or musky .... well, they can be a little different. ???? jj
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