Let us know how that works out, John. I've eyed the MT products for some time, myself. Seeings as I have about a gazillion other soft plastics already, I just havent gotten around to getting any.
Travis: There are many one can aquire but the easiest to find on most outlet shelves are the Swedish Pimples and the Kastmasters. The Pimples come in a multitude of colors and sizes but for gills, the #1 and #2 work pretty good with the Crusted Ice colors. Same with the Kastmasters. Start out with the smallest 2 sizes but leave yourself open to all the other brands and sizes available as well. Blue Fox makes some good ones as well as Hali's. Good luck. Bob
Do you use tipped spoons for shallower water too, or do you switch to something else when you fish in shallower water (like the last 2 hours or so before sunset when fish are in the shallows feeding)?
Also, what color/type combinations have you guys had succes with (spoons and tubes) in different conditions (like overcast, middle of day, deeper water, shallow water, clear bright days, windy, muddy/mirky green water, etc., etc.)?
Which way is up as far as making sure the hook is pointed up for the different spoons? Is it generally the more colorful side (like opposite the rattle for the blue fox rattlers)?
Has anyone been able to find a good variety of colors/sizes for the blue fox rattlin spoons? I can seem to find more than a couple different choices...but all only at 1/8oz.
Tipped spoons can be used effectively in 3-35 FOW...here is a simple guideline for weights.
3-10ft....1/16, 1/12, 1/10 oz spoons
10-25ft....1/8-1/5 oz spoons
25-35ft.....1/4-3/8 oz spoons
Color combinations vary....in gin clear water I would choose a natural minnow or perch pattern, and possibly tip with an orange/yellow micro tube, but more than likely I would go directly to live bait with water that clear. Brass and hammered for overcast...Chrome when the sun is high....Blue in slightly stained water or low light conditions...Glow, whenever and always.....Phosphorescent red, orange, and yellow patterns in dark or murky waters.(rattles are also a plus when fishing in chocolate milk)
Proper hook placement is critical. There are two kinds of spoons....well actually three but that's another story....for instance, the bluefox spoon is a convex/concave type....shaped similar to an actual kitchen spoon in some respect....the rattle sits in the saddle of the spoon..this lure runs rattle up, and face down...or concave up, convex down.
The Kastmaster and Swedish Pimple achieve their tantalizing flutter by the design of a bevel...The Swede has an obvious bevel, or belly....but unlike the bluefox spoon, the face or pattern of the spoon rides up...Kastmasters are tricky, take a good long look at it...the fatter bevel rides down....and remember, all kooks ride up.
Bluefox halted production of the 1/16 oz spoon almost 3 yrs ago....the 1/8ths were also nixed about a year ago...still a few at http://www.overstockbait.com
OK, I received a couple Blue Fox in the mail today and bought a couple swedish pimples so I got some hooks with actual big eyes. I also took off the O-rings from the non-hook end of the spoons. This seemed to give them an action more like what I thought they should look like.
Unfortunately I got zero bites. The owner of the boat I have access to had made some revisions...putting the trolling motor at the front of the boat...with the depth/fish finder at the rear. Needless to say this does not play friendly with a single man crew. I basically just cast the spoons up and down the drop-offs and occasionally into the middle of the bayou (Millhouse bayou in Grand Haven, MI in case you wanted to look at a topo map...deepest is about 15-18ft).
Is finding the fish first a huge part of this spooning technique, or am I just missing something? I so want to be successful fishing this way.You should come up to Michigan and show me what's up. Otherwise, I might have to believe you caught all those fish in your videos on live bait and then hooked them with a spoon and threw them back to be re-caught on film with a spoon. :)
Criag, Fishing gills is like fishing any other species. You have to understand the fish at every time of the year and what it's doing at that time which will also help know where to locate said target. Sounds easy but getting started is always the task at hand. I have been trying this tactic for years and if I told you I have ever had a day like Bill's videos depict, I'd be fooling both of us. It doesn't mean it doesn't work. It means I haven't figured it out yet! I had the privledge to fish with Bill on my local lake once and we didn't do all that well. Can't say why just know we didn't do all that well. All it means is we didn't have the fish zeroed in that day. The lake is loaded with big gills for at least the beginning of each season. Still way too many folks popping them off the beds during the spawn, double tripping, over bagging, and all the other things that add up to a reduced population like it used to be. That all adds up to lesser targets to zero in on. But mainly DON'T GIVE UP. I haven't. Have started my first summer as a retiree and hope to put some extra time into trying this tactic. I believe it will come around sooner or later. Just have to keep at it. Good luck sooner or later, it will all come together. I look forward to sharing that special day with all of you, when it happens.
Oh no, I'm not giving up at all. I'm just trying to figure out how to make it work. Obviously it does, I'm just missing some crucial part of it I think.
BTW, I'm planning a reel/pole/line buying spree tonight. Would a Shimano Voltaeus model VTS-70ML2 7' ML and a Shimano Sienna model SN2500FD be an OK combo? I don't want to spend much more than this if you have some other suggestions. Also, is Fireline Crystal a must have, or could you basically swap with any kind of braided line?
I have yet to catch a bluegill on a spoon. So, dont sweat it Craig. Remember, Bill developed this method over years. I think of him like a brain surgeon. He is a specialist, sharing what he has learned. And he lives in a particular place, WI, which is its own unique locale. It is MOST likely going to take some experimentation and persistence to hit on the magic where you live. I have yet to do it!
I go fishing because I love to. Every time I go, a part of me feels like a kid again. If I catch some fish, too... well, that;s icing on the cake!
When you say 6lb test braid, is that mainly for the diameter? I can get either 10lb test with 2lb mono equivalent diameter, or I could get 8lb test with 1lb mono equivalent diameter. Planning to go with the 10lb/2lb unless I hear back in t-minus 44 minutes.
I forgot I was planning to use this pole for flinging flies/poppers too, so I think I'm going to go with the 8lb/1lb instead. There is no 6lb option for Power Pro from Cabela's that I saw.
Whoops, I guess it will have to be next time then. I'll just try to be careful with it.
Any chance a how to/where to tutorial/instructional YouTube video might be in the works? Hopefully with answers to questions like...
-If you were on a new to you small lake/bayou with a maximum depth of 18 feet just at the very middle (and very heavily weedy almost everywhere else), how would you locate the fish you're targeting with your spoons? Would you just troll along the drop off/weed edge casting into spots that look like they might produce fish, or do you cruise along zigzagging over the middle with a depth/fish finder trying to locate a big school to target somewhere first? So basically just how do you find the fish.
-What's the proper way to retrieve the spoon after casting? Is it a different method for different depths of water?
These seem like the biggest pieces of the puzzle to me and would love to get more specifics. I just ordered the 2012 Panfish Guide and May 2011 In-Fisherman issues, so maybe some of that will be covered there in more detail. Heck, I'd even let you shoot your video(s) on the bayous I fish on!
By the way, thank you very much for sharing all this with us.
I don't know where to get the surface temp without going down there myself (I live about 1/2 hour away, but will most likely be going there tomorrow). I'll hook you up with that info as soon as I can.
Feel free to suggest other areas too. Millhouse is just very convenient to fish. My folks live right on the bayou and have a 14' rowboat that my brother and I have access to.
I'm having some success this spring with spoons. It's a blast fishing this way Thanks everyone. I'm having a little confusion with setting up my Kastmaster rig. Which side of the Kastmaster rides up, the side with the writing or the side without the writing. The way I currently have it set is with the writing down and the hooks being up facing the side without the writing.
You have it right Doug....Kastmasters are probably the most confusing when it comes to determining what side rides down.....The stamp always rides down so the fish can see the name of the spoon...:)
That's why fish swim in schools so they can read and know what there biting thats why the stamp always rides down right Bill. Theres nothing worse than catching an eliterate fish.
Too windy and rainy today to fish so had to stay home and do household chores. Oh yeah, ordered some stuff online, too. Have a reel coming for my new walleye rod, 5 Swedish Pimples and some size 8 siwash hooks. It all should be here in time for the June full moon bite. Sometimes going fishing is cheaper than staying home.
Took my buddy out for the bass opener. They weren't cooperating so I anchored up on a favorite gill spot. We caught 100 + in a couple hours up to 8 3/4". He was jigging, I had a copper Kastmaster tipped with Gulp 1" minners. The spoon was clearly catching the better gills. Also scored 3 nice Smallies, a Largemouth and a Northern. A fine morning after we switched to the UL gear.............
Spent some time chucking spoons this past week and did ok.Caught 5 differnt species this past monday on Winnebago here in WI.6 fish were walleyes fom 16-20 inches. Pimple in orange crush was boss.got fish in 4 fow and 16 fow same spoon .just lost some paint on the rocks.
Steve what size spoon were you using and what did you tip the hook with? I have had days like that using #3 1/5th size pimples while fishing for gills with wax worms. It seems like I always get a pike or two, a bass or crappie's. However only one time have I hooked into a walleye while fishing gills on on lake Geneva. I do have to admit that I'm still working on the chucking and do more jigging with them. Don't tell Bill!
Vince, I was also using a 1/5 th oz. whice is why I lost paint in 3-4 fow.I tipped the pimple with a hunk of crawler which is standard fare for summer walleye on bago.I caught perch,sheephead, white bass ,crappie,and a catfih besides the walleye.
Thats surprising that the walleye are that shallow right now with the heat we all have had. I have not been up to bago in a month or so but I will say that walleye fishing has been pretty good this year from what I have been told. We have caught some but it always seems like when I go up there the old lady is rocking!
Next time you go and it's rockin try the shallowst rocks you can find.Temp doesn't seem to bother them if the surfs up.I get um all sumer when it's rough but if the wind dies so does you're bite.
Caught on the classic, Johnson "Silver Minnow" weedless spoon. This one, the smallest made (1/12th oz.), had an orange twist tail grub on the hook.
I've been catching a lot of bass and 'gills on these spoons, lately. I love them cause they are almost snag proof. Im not fishing them over deep humps, drop-offs or weed beds, but right in thick tree branches, weeds and cover from the shore.. Got a nice 2-3 lb bass right off the boat ramp with one Saturday.
6" yellow perch caught on small Johnsons, "Silver Minnow," spoon. No trailer, just the bare spoon. This spoon has been producing *something* every time I take it fishing.
I am somewhat new to spoon fishing, and want to learn more about using them on all types of fish. I have fished Johnson Silver Minnows, Sweedish Pimples, and Cast Masters in the past, but want to learn how to be more effective when using them.
I believe another factor that should be added is this:
Spoons must be in front of fish to work.
This sounds simplistic, I know. But spoons are no different than other lures, in that they can be considered 'reaction strike' devices. They *trigger* behavior - either aggression or feeding - with their actions. For them to be effective, you must place them where fish are holding.
As Cliff Hauptmann says (and as every fisherman eventually learns), "Finding fish is the greatest challenge. You can't catch 'em if they aren't there."
I get strikes and catch fish on spoons in all sorts of places, but inevitably, this ends up being around edges and structure of some sort. Edges are everywhere, including variations in the waters' surface, it's shore lines and it's bottom. The shadow cast by a tree can be an "edge" to which fish relate, as can be the traditional weed bed border.
Structure, likewise, is widely scattered and can be anything bridges, trees, pilings, etc... what I like to think of as "wood, weeds and rocks."
These are the places where fish live. Fishing spoons around such places will, by default, up your odds of catching fish with them.
First time spoon chucker Mark Garlow conquered the deep water spoon presentation today while fishing Lake Geneva's abyss....we captured several giant seeds and big gills in water in excess of 37 ft on 1/5-1/4oz Swedish Pimples tipped with wax worms.
It's between seasons here in South Dakota. I don't even know if the ice is off my favorite bluegill hole yet. I ordered a new Jon boat from the Cabelas in Mitchell, SD and it should be there in a couple weeks. I'll be more than ready to try it out by then. I bought a couple Johnson 'Splinter' spoons which look like a Kastmaster clone I want to try out.
David, aka, "McScruff"
Let us know how that works out, John. I've eyed the MT products for some time, myself. Seeings as I have about a gazillion other soft plastics already, I just havent gotten around to getting any.
Feb 26, 2012
Bill "Musky" Modica
Nice looking grub for spoon tipping....
Feb 26, 2012
Travis J. Anderson
What would be some good spoons to start out with? I cant wait to try this technique this spring.
Mar 6, 2012
Bob Davis
Travis: There are many one can aquire but the easiest to find on most outlet shelves are the Swedish Pimples and the Kastmasters. The Pimples come in a multitude of colors and sizes but for gills, the #1 and #2 work pretty good with the Crusted Ice colors. Same with the Kastmasters. Start out with the smallest 2 sizes but leave yourself open to all the other brands and sizes available as well. Blue Fox makes some good ones as well as Hali's. Good luck. Bob
Mar 7, 2012
Craig DuShane
Also, what color/type combinations have you guys had succes with (spoons and tubes) in different conditions (like overcast, middle of day, deeper water, shallow water, clear bright days, windy, muddy/mirky green water, etc., etc.)?
Which way is up as far as making sure the hook is pointed up for the different spoons? Is it generally the more colorful side (like opposite the rattle for the blue fox rattlers)?
Has anyone been able to find a good variety of colors/sizes for the blue fox rattlin spoons? I can seem to find more than a couple different choices...but all only at 1/8oz.
Thanks,
-CD
Apr 11, 2012
Bill "Musky" Modica
Tipped spoons can be used effectively in 3-35 FOW...here is a simple guideline for weights.
3-10ft....1/16, 1/12, 1/10 oz spoons
10-25ft....1/8-1/5 oz spoons
25-35ft.....1/4-3/8 oz spoons
Color combinations vary....in gin clear water I would choose a natural minnow or perch pattern, and possibly tip with an orange/yellow micro tube, but more than likely I would go directly to live bait with water that clear. Brass and hammered for overcast...Chrome when the sun is high....Blue in slightly stained water or low light conditions...Glow, whenever and always.....Phosphorescent red, orange, and yellow patterns in dark or murky waters.(rattles are also a plus when fishing in chocolate milk)
Proper hook placement is critical. There are two kinds of spoons....well actually three but that's another story....for instance, the bluefox spoon is a convex/concave type....shaped similar to an actual kitchen spoon in some respect....the rattle sits in the saddle of the spoon..this lure runs rattle up, and face down...or concave up, convex down.
The Kastmaster and Swedish Pimple achieve their tantalizing flutter by the design of a bevel...The Swede has an obvious bevel, or belly....but unlike the bluefox spoon, the face or pattern of the spoon rides up...Kastmasters are tricky, take a good long look at it...the fatter bevel rides down....and remember, all kooks ride up.
Bluefox halted production of the 1/16 oz spoon almost 3 yrs ago....the 1/8ths were also nixed about a year ago...still a few at http://www.overstockbait.com
Apr 11, 2012
Craig DuShane
OK, I received a couple Blue Fox in the mail today and bought a couple swedish pimples so I got some hooks with actual big eyes. I also took off the O-rings from the non-hook end of the spoons. This seemed to give them an action more like what I thought they should look like.
Unfortunately I got zero bites. The owner of the boat I have access to had made some revisions...putting the trolling motor at the front of the boat...with the depth/fish finder at the rear. Needless to say this does not play friendly with a single man crew. I basically just cast the spoons up and down the drop-offs and occasionally into the middle of the bayou (Millhouse bayou in Grand Haven, MI in case you wanted to look at a topo map...deepest is about 15-18ft).
Is finding the fish first a huge part of this spooning technique, or am I just missing something? I so want to be successful fishing this way.You should come up to Michigan and show me what's up. Otherwise, I might have to believe you caught all those fish in your videos on live bait and then hooked them with a spoon and threw them back to be re-caught on film with a spoon. :)
Apr 13, 2012
Bob Davis
Criag, Fishing gills is like fishing any other species. You have to understand the fish at every time of the year and what it's doing at that time which will also help know where to locate said target. Sounds easy but getting started is always the task at hand. I have been trying this tactic for years and if I told you I have ever had a day like Bill's videos depict, I'd be fooling both of us. It doesn't mean it doesn't work. It means I haven't figured it out yet! I had the privledge to fish with Bill on my local lake once and we didn't do all that well. Can't say why just know we didn't do all that well. All it means is we didn't have the fish zeroed in that day. The lake is loaded with big gills for at least the beginning of each season. Still way too many folks popping them off the beds during the spawn, double tripping, over bagging, and all the other things that add up to a reduced population like it used to be. That all adds up to lesser targets to zero in on. But mainly DON'T GIVE UP. I haven't. Have started my first summer as a retiree and hope to put some extra time into trying this tactic. I believe it will come around sooner or later. Just have to keep at it. Good luck sooner or later, it will all come together. I look forward to sharing that special day with all of you, when it happens.
Apr 14, 2012
Craig DuShane
Oh no, I'm not giving up at all. I'm just trying to figure out how to make it work. Obviously it does, I'm just missing some crucial part of it I think.
BTW, I'm planning a reel/pole/line buying spree tonight. Would a Shimano Voltaeus model VTS-70ML2 7' ML and a Shimano Sienna model SN2500FD be an OK combo? I don't want to spend much more than this if you have some other suggestions. Also, is Fireline Crystal a must have, or could you basically swap with any kind of braided line?
Please advise.
Apr 14, 2012
Bill "Musky" Modica
Craig, that combo would work fine.... any comparable braid will work....stick with 6lb test or less and use a Fluoro leader of equivilent test.
Apr 14, 2012
David, aka, "McScruff"
I have yet to catch a bluegill on a spoon. So, dont sweat it Craig. Remember, Bill developed this method over years. I think of him like a brain surgeon. He is a specialist, sharing what he has learned. And he lives in a particular place, WI, which is its own unique locale.
It is MOST likely going to take some experimentation and persistence to hit on the magic where you live. I have yet to do it!
I go fishing because I love to. Every time I go, a part of me feels like a kid again. If I catch some fish, too... well, that;s icing on the cake!
Apr 14, 2012
Craig DuShane
Hey Bill,
When you say 6lb test braid, is that mainly for the diameter? I can get either 10lb test with 2lb mono equivalent diameter, or I could get 8lb test with 1lb mono equivalent diameter. Planning to go with the 10lb/2lb unless I hear back in t-minus 44 minutes.
Apr 14, 2012
Craig DuShane
I wish we could edit these posts. Anyway...
I forgot I was planning to use this pole for flinging flies/poppers too, so I think I'm going to go with the 8lb/1lb instead. There is no 6lb option for Power Pro from Cabela's that I saw.
Apr 14, 2012
Bill "Musky" Modica
I find Power Pro to be too limp....it wraps around my rod tip often...1lb dia will work fine
Apr 15, 2012
Craig DuShane
Whoops, I guess it will have to be next time then. I'll just try to be careful with it.
Any chance a how to/where to tutorial/instructional YouTube video might be in the works? Hopefully with answers to questions like...
-If you were on a new to you small lake/bayou with a maximum depth of 18 feet just at the very middle (and very heavily weedy almost everywhere else), how would you locate the fish you're targeting with your spoons? Would you just troll along the drop off/weed edge casting into spots that look like they might produce fish, or do you cruise along zigzagging over the middle with a depth/fish finder trying to locate a big school to target somewhere first? So basically just how do you find the fish.
-What's the proper way to retrieve the spoon after casting? Is it a different method for different depths of water?
These seem like the biggest pieces of the puzzle to me and would love to get more specifics. I just ordered the 2012 Panfish Guide and May 2011 In-Fisherman issues, so maybe some of that will be covered there in more detail. Heck, I'd even let you shoot your video(s) on the bayous I fish on!
By the way, thank you very much for sharing all this with us.
Apr 16, 2012
Bill "Musky" Modica
Craig, I need to know what state the lake is located in, and what the current surface temp is before I can send you in the right direction...
Apr 17, 2012
Craig DuShane
Millhouse Bayou in Grand Haven, MI
I don't know where to get the surface temp without going down there myself (I live about 1/2 hour away, but will most likely be going there tomorrow). I'll hook you up with that info as soon as I can.
Map of Millhouse Bayou
Satellite View
Feel free to suggest other areas too. Millhouse is just very convenient to fish. My folks live right on the bayou and have a 14' rowboat that my brother and I have access to.
Apr 18, 2012
Craig DuShane
59 degrees was the surface temp yesterday.
Apr 20, 2012
Bill "Musky" Modica
May 5, 2012
Bill "Musky" Modica
Spoon Connection published today at Fishing Headquarters.com
Spoon Connection
May 7, 2012
dick tabbert
Thanks Bill I need all the help I can get. Looks like some interesting articles I know I'm going to enjoy.
May 7, 2012
Doug Sawyer
I'm having some success this spring with spoons. It's a blast fishing this way Thanks everyone. I'm having a little confusion with setting up my Kastmaster rig. Which side of the Kastmaster rides up, the side with the writing or the side without the writing. The way I currently have it set is with the writing down and the hooks being up facing the side without the writing.
May 10, 2012
Bill "Musky" Modica
You have it right Doug....Kastmasters are probably the most confusing when it comes to determining what side rides down.....The stamp always rides down so the fish can see the name of the spoon...:)
May 11, 2012
dick tabbert
That's why fish swim in schools so they can read and know what there biting thats why the stamp always rides down right Bill. Theres nothing worse than catching an eliterate fish.
May 11, 2012
John Sheehan
Great article Bill!!
May 11, 2012
Doug Sawyer
Thanks Bill. My Kastmaster cloud of confusion has now been lifted.
May 11, 2012
Rick Love
Too windy and rainy today to fish so had to stay home and do household chores. Oh yeah, ordered some stuff online, too. Have a reel coming for my new walleye rod, 5 Swedish Pimples and some size 8 siwash hooks. It all should be here in time for the June full moon bite. Sometimes going fishing is cheaper than staying home.
May 26, 2012
Greg Rogers
Took my buddy out for the bass opener. They weren't cooperating so I anchored up on a favorite gill spot. We caught 100 + in a couple hours up to 8 3/4". He was jigging, I had a copper Kastmaster tipped with Gulp 1" minners. The spoon was clearly catching the better gills. Also scored 3 nice Smallies, a Largemouth and a Northern. A fine morning after we switched to the UL gear.............
Jun 17, 2012
Steve Connell
Spent some time chucking spoons this past week and did ok.Caught 5 differnt species this past monday on Winnebago here in WI.6 fish were walleyes fom 16-20 inches. Pimple in orange crush was boss.got fish in 4 fow and 16 fow same spoon .just lost some paint on the rocks.
Jul 7, 2012
Vince Bielanski
Steve what size spoon were you using and what did you tip the hook with? I have had days like that using #3 1/5th size pimples while fishing for gills with wax worms. It seems like I always get a pike or two, a bass or crappie's. However only one time have I hooked into a walleye while fishing gills on on lake Geneva. I do have to admit that I'm still working on the chucking and do more jigging with them. Don't tell Bill!
Jul 7, 2012
Steve Connell
Vince, I was also using a 1/5 th oz. whice is why I lost paint in 3-4 fow.I tipped the pimple with a hunk of crawler which is standard fare for summer walleye on bago.I caught perch,sheephead, white bass ,crappie,and a catfih besides the walleye.
Jul 8, 2012
Vince Bielanski
Thats surprising that the walleye are that shallow right now with the heat we all have had. I have not been up to bago in a month or so but I will say that walleye fishing has been pretty good this year from what I have been told. We have caught some but it always seems like when I go up there the old lady is rocking!
Jul 9, 2012
Steve Connell
Next time you go and it's rockin try the shallowst rocks you can find.Temp doesn't seem to bother them if the surfs up.I get um all sumer when it's rough but if the wind dies so does you're bite.
Jul 9, 2012
Bill "Musky" Modica
Deep water waypoint meandering
Aug 11, 2012
dick tabbert
Another beautiful Seed.
Aug 12, 2012
David, aka, "McScruff"
Caught on the classic, Johnson "Silver Minnow" weedless spoon. This one, the smallest made (1/12th oz.), had an orange twist tail grub on the hook.
I've been catching a lot of bass and 'gills on these spoons, lately. I love them cause they are almost snag proof. Im not fishing them over deep humps, drop-offs or weed beds, but right in thick tree branches, weeds and cover from the shore.. Got a nice 2-3 lb bass right off the boat ramp with one Saturday.
Aug 13, 2012
John Sheehan
Davids back !! Miss your posts man!!
Aug 13, 2012
David, aka, "McScruff"
6" yellow perch caught on small Johnsons, "Silver Minnow," spoon. No trailer, just the bare spoon. This spoon has been producing *something* every time I take it fishing.
Aug 13, 2012
John Sheehan
Let me guess near bottom .Slow retreive /lift ,drop drag?
Aug 13, 2012
dick tabbert
HE'S BACK
Aug 13, 2012
dick tabbert
Yea David is back we have to find someone else to talk about and watch what we say.
Aug 13, 2012
David, aka, "McScruff"
John said: "Let me guess near bottom . Slow retrieve /lift, drop, drag?"
That's about right. The Silver Minnow is an excellent, injured baitfish mimic.
Aug 14, 2012
Vince Fusco
I am somewhat new to spoon fishing, and want to learn more about using them on all types of fish. I have fished Johnson Silver Minnows, Sweedish Pimples, and Cast Masters in the past, but want to learn how to be more effective when using them.
Aug 16, 2012
David, aka, "McScruff"
Use them to mimic the forage fish in the body of water you fish.
Aug 16, 2012
David, aka, "McScruff"
I believe another factor that should be added is this:
Spoons must be in front of fish to work.
This sounds simplistic, I know. But spoons are no different than other lures, in that they can be considered 'reaction strike' devices. They *trigger* behavior - either aggression or feeding - with their actions. For them to be effective, you must place them where fish are holding.
As Cliff Hauptmann says (and as every fisherman eventually learns), "Finding fish is the greatest challenge. You can't catch 'em if they aren't there."
I get strikes and catch fish on spoons in all sorts of places, but inevitably, this ends up being around edges and structure of some sort. Edges are everywhere, including variations in the waters' surface, it's shore lines and it's bottom. The shadow cast by a tree can be an "edge" to which fish relate, as can be the traditional weed bed border.
Structure, likewise, is widely scattered and can be anything bridges, trees, pilings, etc... what I like to think of as "wood, weeds and rocks."
These are the places where fish live. Fishing spoons around such places will, by default, up your odds of catching fish with them.
Aug 16, 2012
Bill "Musky" Modica
First time spoon chucker Mark Garlow conquered the deep water spoon presentation today while fishing Lake Geneva's abyss....we captured several giant seeds and big gills in water in excess of 37 ft on 1/5-1/4oz Swedish Pimples tipped with wax worms.
Aug 18, 2012
Leo Nguyen
Aug 18, 2012
Bill "Musky" Modica
Thanks Leo.....this technique....I believe, could be a monster on the lakes in your area.......
Aug 18, 2012
dick tabbert
Bill them are some gorgeous fish is 37' the norm for this time of year or a little deeper than usual.
Aug 19, 2012
Rick Love
It's between seasons here in South Dakota. I don't even know if the ice is off my favorite bluegill hole yet. I ordered a new Jon boat from the Cabelas in Mitchell, SD and it should be there in a couple weeks. I'll be more than ready to try it out by then. I bought a couple Johnson 'Splinter' spoons which look like a Kastmaster clone I want to try out.
Mar 31, 2013