Fishing with Spoons

Fishing spoons are among the most popular lures and are easy to use.

FISHING SPOONS: BASICS

Fishing spoons have a simple design, an oblong shape, concave on one side that catches water producing a wobble and light reflection flash imitating a fleeing or crippled bait fish. Spoons work best for larger fish species such as northern pike, largemouth bass, muskies, walleye, salmon and trout.

The action of the spoon is based on its shape and thickness. A long spoon will display a wider side to side wobble than a shorter spoon. A deep concave spoon will also produce a wider wobble that a flatter spoon. 

FISHING SPOONS: TYPES 

Some fishing spoons are thin and light, others are thick and heavy. Different fishing spoons have different actions. How and where you’re fishing will determine how to use them. 

• Casting spoons: The basic technique is to cast it out and reel it back. A steady retrieve is usually best. If fish are curious but not striking, try slight variations in the speed or direction of your spoon.
• Trolling spoons: Thinner and lighter than casting spoons so they can be trolled slowly. Typically used with depth control rig for open water species like trout, salmon or walleye. Can also be tied onto a rig with a diving crankbait and trolled on a long line to go after species near the bottom.
• Topwater/Weedless spoons: Great for predators like bass, musky and pike that tend to hide in thick underwater cover. Cast over the cover, start retrieving and reel just fast enough to keep the lure on the surface.
• Jigging spoons: Great for predators typically found on deep structure. Let the spoon freefall down. When it hits bottom, take up slack line until the rod tip is a foot above the water, then work the spoon with short jerks up and down. Usually, strikes occur when the spoon is falling, so be ready.