James RickardSpoons--the "Anytime" lure
June 28th 2009 01:03
One of the easiest to find artificial lures would have to be the spoon. Just about any species you can think of has been taken with a spoon yet, it persists in being one of the most under-used lures on the market.
You may think the spoon is another lure that fails to resemble anything in nature. At first glance, that may be true but, a fish responds because light can glint off the side to resemble bait fish.
In most cases, spoons have one side that's painted with some kind of finish and the other side is unfinished, often either gold or silver. All things being equal, a silver spoon is probably going to catch more fish in different conditions than a gold one. Despite this, I certainly wouldn't want to try fishing without a gold spoon in my arsenal.
Spoons are best used for suspended fish—fish that are neither at the top or bottom but hanging somewhere in the middle or moving around in that same area searching for food. Spoons may also be a fairly decent topwater bait but, some anglers don't like this use because it requires a fast retrieval to prevent the lure from floating to the bottom and getting snagged. Smaller spoons are also used by ice anglers.
It can be fairly easy to fish a spoon. If fish are feeding near the surface, cast beyond the area and then reel your lure through the fish. On the other hand, if you observe fish following your lure without striking it, you may want to try a break in your retrieve and let the lure flutter down a foot or two—sort of resembling an injured baitfish
Another tactic I like is one I borrowed from ice anglers. I simply drop my line over the side of the boat or off of a dock until it hits bottom. After that, I retrieve my line a few inches and then, lift and drop the rod tip to give the lure some motion. I try this a couple or three times and if nothing happens I try the other side of the boat or dock.
Aside from something obvious like the finish or hook quality, there's not of lot of shortcuts that can be taken with a spoon. One thing to look for, though, is the little O-ring where you tie on your line. Some spoons have just a hole and many anglers tie on there and hope for the best. However, sharp edges coupled with the action of the lure may act like a knife and end up severing your line at the most inopportune time—like when you have fish! Another place the ring matters in the spring ring holding the back hook. Make sure it's in good shape.
Spoons can be great lures for anything from trout to saltwater applications. They're cheap, strong, and can resist the razor sharp teeth of pike or mackerel. For these reasons alone, even if they're not you're No. 1 lure, they should be in your tackle box.
You may think the spoon is another lure that fails to resemble anything in nature. At first glance, that may be true but, a fish responds because light can glint off the side to resemble bait fish.
In most cases, spoons have one side that's painted with some kind of finish and the other side is unfinished, often either gold or silver. All things being equal, a silver spoon is probably going to catch more fish in different conditions than a gold one. Despite this, I certainly wouldn't want to try fishing without a gold spoon in my arsenal.
Spoons come in a variety of sizes and styles.
Spoons are best used for suspended fish—fish that are neither at the top or bottom but hanging somewhere in the middle or moving around in that same area searching for food. Spoons may also be a fairly decent topwater bait but, some anglers don't like this use because it requires a fast retrieval to prevent the lure from floating to the bottom and getting snagged. Smaller spoons are also used by ice anglers.
It can be fairly easy to fish a spoon. If fish are feeding near the surface, cast beyond the area and then reel your lure through the fish. On the other hand, if you observe fish following your lure without striking it, you may want to try a break in your retrieve and let the lure flutter down a foot or two—sort of resembling an injured baitfish
Another tactic I like is one I borrowed from ice anglers. I simply drop my line over the side of the boat or off of a dock until it hits bottom. After that, I retrieve my line a few inches and then, lift and drop the rod tip to give the lure some motion. I try this a couple or three times and if nothing happens I try the other side of the boat or dock.
Aside from something obvious like the finish or hook quality, there's not of lot of shortcuts that can be taken with a spoon. One thing to look for, though, is the little O-ring where you tie on your line. Some spoons have just a hole and many anglers tie on there and hope for the best. However, sharp edges coupled with the action of the lure may act like a knife and end up severing your line at the most inopportune time—like when you have fish! Another place the ring matters in the spring ring holding the back hook. Make sure it's in good shape.
Spoons can be great lures for anything from trout to saltwater applications. They're cheap, strong, and can resist the razor sharp teeth of pike or mackerel. For these reasons alone, even if they're not you're No. 1 lure, they should be in your tackle box.
Until next time--watch your line and watch yourself!
| 46 |
| Vote |
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
p/s...cute/funny post title...
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate