How to Fish with Spoons: The Complete Guide for Beginners

Fishing with spoons is a fun and effective technique used by anglers of all skill levels. The flashing, wobbling action of a spoon mimics small bait fish and triggers instinctual predatory strikes from fish like bass, trout, pike and more. In this complete guide, I’ll teach you everything you need to know as a beginner to start catching fish on spoons.

Choosing the Right Spoon

Not all spoons are created equal You’ll want to pick a spoon designed for the specific type of fish you’re targeting. Here are some of the most popular styles of spoons and when to use them

• Casting Spoons – These traditional concave metal spoons are ideal for bass, pike, trout and other gamefish They come in various weights so you can fish shallow or deep water Cast and retrieve them or jig them vertically.

• Trolling Spoons – Long, thin and lightweight spoons perfect for trolling behind a boat. The quivering flash imitates injured bait fish Great for salmon, lake trout, walleye

• Weedless Spoons – Feature a guard to prevent snagging in heavy cover. Allows you to fish dense vegetation for bass and pike.

• Jigging Spoons – Heavy spoons with horizontal or vertical jigging action that mimic injured bait fish. Designed for vertical jigging but can also be cast.

In addition to style, you’ll want to match the spoon size and color to the fish you’re after. Here are some tips:

• Bigger spoons for bigger fish or when fish are active and aggressive. Downsize when fish are finicky.

• Natural finishes like silver, gold and copper are good all-around colors. Add bright colors on sunny days or dark colors on cloudy days.

• Match the hatch by mimicking local baitfish colors. Ask at your local tackle shop.

Carry a variety of sizes and colors and don’t be afraid to experiment until you find what’s working best on a given day.

Rigging the Spoons

Proper spoon rigging is easy and important for good action and weedless properties. Follow these steps:

1. Attach split rings to the top and bottom holes of the spoon. This allows the treble hook and line to freely swing as the spoon moves.

2. To the bottom ring, attach a treble hook sized appropriately for your target species. Make sure the hook is attached so it rides up behind the spoon.

3. To the top ring, attach a ball bearing swivel and then tie your fishing line to the swivel. The swivel prevents line twist.

4. Consider adding a weed guard to the hook to make it more weedless, especially when fishing heavy cover.

Fishing Techniques

One of the great things about spoons is they can be fished in a variety of ways:

Casting and Retrieving

• Use spinning or baitcasting tackle with 10-20 lb line.

• Make long casts across promising structure and retrieve the spoon at a steady pace.

• Vary your retrieve speed until you determine the speed fish prefer that day.

• Let the spoon sink for several seconds before retrieving to get down to depth.

Vertical Jigging

• Use spinning or baitcasting gear with 10-30 lb braided line.

• Position boat over structure and drop spoon straight down.

• Lift rod tip a couple feet, let spoon flutter down, repeat.

• Vary jigging cadence until you find the speed that draws strikes.

Trolling

• Use light spinning or baitcasting tackle with 10-15 lb line.

• Let out 50-150 feet of line behind a moving boat with planer or downrigger.

• Troll over structures fish use as ambush points – humps, drop-offs, weed lines.

• Troll at 1-3 mph until you locate where fish are holding.

Setting the Hook

The most frequent mistake anglers make when fishing spoons is setting the hook too soon when they get a strike. It’s important to wait until the fish has the spoon in its mouth before setting the hook. Follow these tips:

• Don’t set the hook immediately when you feel a tap or when the line simply goes slack. Wait for a steady pull.

• When you feel the pull, sweep the rod tip back firmly and quickly. Don’t jerk too hard.

• Wait a couple seconds for the fish to get the treble hook in its mouth before you start reeling.

• Stay ready for additional hooksets in case the fish is lightly hooked.

With practice, you’ll become adept at detecting strikes and knowing exactly when to set the hook hard. Pay close attention each day, as fish may strike more aggressively some days than others.

Retrieving Fish

Spoons are excellent at hooking fish, but you still have to get them in the boat! Follow these retrieves tips:

• Keep a tight line and use your rod to absorb head shakes and runs. Don’t get in a tug-of-war match.

• Pump and reel when gaining line. Don’t reel continuously or you can pull the hooks out.

• If the fish is hooked lightly or makes a big run, let it take some line then re-engage.

• Lead fish away from snags and use side pressure to direct it out of cover. Go easy on rods and lines.

• For hard fighting fish, use appropriate rod/reel combos and line strength. Don’t go too light!

• When boat side, use a net for easier hook removal and healthy release.

Caring for Your Spoons

With proper care, quality spoons will produce fish after fish and last for years. Here are some tips:

• Rinse spoons with freshwater after each trip to remove salt, silt and algae.

• Frequently check split rings for damage. Replace if bent or rusted.

• Replace treble hooks once they become rusted or damaged. Sharpen hooks as needed.

• Use fine steel wool to gently polish tarnished spoons. More abrasive methods can damage finishes.

• Store spoons securely in a tackle box to prevent hooks getting tangled or scratching finishes.

With the right spoon, rigging, technique and hookset, you’ll be catching tons of fish in no time! Don’t be afraid to experiment until you solve the spoon fishing puzzle.