The Basics of Fishing Spoons

Few lures in the fishing world are as simple yet as effective as the spoon. Characterized by their curved, concave metal body that wobbles and flashes in the water, spoons imitate baitfish better than almost any other lure. They can be cast, trolled, jigged, or fluttered depending on the design, making them versatile across species and conditions.

Types of Spoons

Not all spoons are created equal. While they all share the wobbling, flashing qualities that make them so effective, different designs excel in specific scenarios. Here are the main types:

1. Casting Spoons

• Designed to be cast long distances and retrieved steadily.
• Typically thicker and heavier to allow for long casts and a strong wobble.
• Great for covering water quickly and imitating fleeing baitfish.

2. Jigging Spoons

• Compact, heavy, and designed to be dropped vertically.
• Perfect for fishing deep water or targeting suspended fish.
• Often used in freshwater for bass and walleye or in saltwater for species like striped bass and grouper.

3. Flutter Spoons

• Oversized, lightweight spoons that glide and flutter on the fall.
• Mimic dying shad or herring.
• Deadly for big bass in reservoirs or stripers in open water when baitfish are abundant.

4. Weedless Spoons

• Feature a single hook with a wire guard to prevent snagging.
• Excellent for fishing around vegetation, lily pads, and shallow cover.
• Popular for species like pike, redfish, and largemouth bass.

Best Time of Year and Conditions for Spoons

Spoons work year-round, but certain times and conditions amplify their strengths:

• Spring: Fish are active and feeding shallow. Weedless spoons shine around emerging vegetation, while casting spoons cover large flats.
• Summer: Deep water becomes crucial. Jigging spoons and large flutter spoons excel when fish school offshore or suspend in thermoclines.
• Fall: Baitfish are abundant, and predators feed aggressively. Flutter spoons perfectly imitate dying bait, while casting spoons excel along windy points and shorelines.
• Winter: Fish are lethargic. Jigging spoons fished slowly in vertical presentations catch deep, sluggish fish.

Conditions:

• Clear Water: Shiny chrome or silver spoons mimic baitfish best.
• Stained/Dirty Water: Gold or brightly painted spoons add visibility.
• Windy Days: Casting spoons allow long casts into wind-blown banks or points where baitfish concentrate.
• Heavy Vegetation: Weedless spoons provide snag-free presentations.

Techniques by Spoon Type

Each spoon type has a set of techniques that maximize its action and effectiveness:

Casting Spoons

• Straight Retrieve: Steady crank at varying speeds to imitate a fleeing baitfish.
• Stop-and-Go: Reel a few cranks, pause, let it flutter, then repeat—deadly for triggering strikes.
• Burning: Retrieve quickly just under the surface to mimic a panicked shad.

Jigging Spoons

• Vertical Jigging: Drop the spoon to the bottom or target depth, then lift the rod tip sharply to make the spoon dart upward before fluttering back down.
• Snap Jigging: Quick, aggressive jerks followed by controlled drops for triggering reaction bites.
• Hovering: Keep the spoon suspended above structure where fish are holding.

Flutter Spoons

• Lift-and-Fall: Cast and let the spoon flutter naturally on slack line. Lift the rod gently, then allow it to fall again.
• Suspended Schools: Cast into schools of bait and let the spoon fall through the fish column—big predators often hit on the drop.
• Slow Glide: Sweep the rod sideways to give a long, fluttering fall.

Weedless Spoons

• Steady Swim: Retrieve just fast enough to keep the spoon wobbling above vegetation.
• Twitch-and-Rip: Twitch the rod tip to create erratic darting movements.
• Over Cover: Cast into lily pads or grass mats, letting the spoon slip through openings where predators ambush.

Rod, Reel, and Line Selection for Spoons

Matching your gear to the type of spoon is critical for effectiveness and hook-setting power. Here’s a breakdown:

Rod Length and Action

• Casting Spoons: A 7’ to 7’6” medium-heavy rod with a moderate-fast action. This provides casting distance and enough flex to keep fish pinned.
• Jigging Spoons: A 7’ medium-heavy rod with fast action for solid hooksets and control in deep water.
• Flutter Spoons: A 7’ to 8’ heavy rod with moderate action to absorb the weight of big spoons and large fish.
• Weedless Spoons: A 7’ medium-heavy rod with fast action for working through vegetation and driving single hooks.

Reel Speed

• Casting/Weedless Spoons: A 6.3:1 to 7.1:1 baitcasting reel balances speed with torque.
• Jigging Spoons: A slower reel 6.3:1 provides power to fight fish vertically.
• Flutter Spoons: A 6.3:1 reel is versatile enough for sweeping retrieves and controlling big baits.

Line Choice

• Casting Spoons: 12–17 lb fluorocarbon
• Jigging Spoons: 15–20 lb fluorocarbon or braid with fluorocarbon leader
• Flutter Spoons: 15–25 lb fluorocarbon
• Weedless Spoons: 20–50 lb braided line with or without fluorocarbon leader

Chart of Common Spoons

Spoons are one of the oldest yet most effective lures in fishing. Their ability to flash, wobble, and flutter mimics injured baitfish in a way that predators cannot resist. Whether you’re fishing shallow grass with a weedless spoon, vertical jigging deep water, or swinging a giant flutter spoon over suspended fish, there’s a spoon for the job. By understanding when, where, and how to use each type—and pairing them with the right gear—you’ll be able to unlock their full potential year-round.