Bert Swope
Spoons accurately replicate the shape, movement, and flashing of small baitfish that trout and other game fish find irresistible.
Jigging, trolling, or casting spoons can be the key to successfully catching trout. But which spoons work best?
When selecting a spoon for your fishing style, several factors must be considered. Consider your location, fishing conditions, and what trout you plan on catching when selecting.
Size
Trout are highly sensitive to a variety of lures, but spoons stand out as one of the most successful. Spoons are designed to look like small fish that trout feed on and feature an irresistible flash they can spot from a distance.
There are various sizes of spoons, each tailored for a particular fishing application. Larger spoons tend to be used in deeper waters, while smaller ones work best in shallower lakes and ponds.
Smaller spoons can be retrieved much slower than larger lures, providing a more natural motion in the water that trout respond to. Furthermore, these lures may be swiveled to reduce line twists.
Catching rainbow trout with a spoon is an effective method, and they can also be combined with other baits for added variety. Popular choices include minnows, smelt, and sculpin. Live bait may also be utilized; however, this practice may be illegal in certain states, so you must purchase it from a bait shop or fish store.
Another option is using a spinner, especially if the water is warm and the pond has been stocked. Mepps Aglias make some excellent trout spinners for stocked ponds in sizes ranging from #00 to #1.
These spoons make a great choice for small stream brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout. They also work well in larger ponds and rivers.
One of the most popular weedless spoons is the Johnson Silver Minnow. This spoon features a pin-like protector to prevent weeds from getting tangled on it and can be trolled – making it popular among anglers on both the East and West Coasts.
For a lightweight lure that can be trolled quickly, Kast Master spoons are an excellent option. They can be fished for trout, salmon, steelhead, and walleye.
The Johnson Silver Minnow is a favorite trout lure, particularly on the East and West Coasts. This lure boasts an ultra-glow UV coating and is constructed with premium brass material for optimal durability.
If you’re just starting out with spooning, finding the right one for your needs is essential. This can be challenging, so research different types of spoons available and learn how to properly use them. You can find an impressive range of spoons online and at many baits and tackle stores.
Color
For trout fishing, small spoons are typically made of silver or gold and come in various sizes. They feature a barrel swivel that allows them to pivot on the hook, simulating natural fish action.
A small spoon is ideal for catching rainbow trout, which inhabit waterways throughout the United States and Canada. In the wild, these trout can grow to 8 pounds and have a bluish-green coloration with silver spots on their belly.
They can be identified by their pink or red horizontal stripe that runs down each side of their body. Furthermore, black spots usually run from dorsal surface to the base of their caudal fin.
Trout can be caught in a variety of waterways, from rivers and lakes to ponds. Anglers usually catch them using a jig or stick bait as their primary lure.
Fishermen often find that a brightly colored spoon is especially effective in stained or off-color water. Flashers, shad spoons, and twitch baits can also be used alongside the spoon to attract trout in these conditions.
Fishers sometimes prefer darker spoons over lighter ones when fishing in cloudy conditions. This is because dark or black spoons may be harder to see under direct sunlight and thus provide more visibility.
Switch the lure out when the sun comes up when fishing with a spoon under cloudy conditions. Doing this will give your lure a more accurate color representation and prevent fish from being distracted by dull or dark spoons.
Spoons can be an effective lure for many types of fish, such as walleyes, chinook, coho salmon, steelhead, and lake trout. Not only is the spoon itself attractive to trout, but how it’s presented can also influence their behavior when near your boat.
When selecting a spoon for fishing, consider the water’s temperature and what species you plan on targeting. If it’s warm out there, opt for a model with a faster retrieve. Conversely, you might prefer something with a slower retrieval speed in cold or rainy weather.
Fishing Method
Trout can be caught using a variety of methods, such as spinners, plugs, and spoons. When fishing for rainbow trout, select a spoon appropriate to the type of water you are fishing in; this includes selecting an appropriate size, color, and style of spoon that will work best in that location.
When fishing for rainbow trout, your method depends on when they’re feeding and their behavior to weather conditions in your area. For instance, during spring and summer, trout are most active morning and evening; during these times, you should cover lots of water with metal spinners or casting spoons 1-3 feet down to reach as many trout as possible before they go into hiding for the day.
At midday, when trout actively chase baitfish in deep water, they switch to crankbaits or jigs to imitate their prey. Cast out and retrieve your lure with several quick twitches and pauses for maximum attention from the trout.
Try using a drop-off jig on a winter trip to catch trout through the ice. A green or orange jig head tipped with a wax worm, or small fathead minnow is ideal for this technique.
Another effective method for fishing through the ice is using a lead weight as bait. Instead of using a bobber, attach the weight to the bottom of the lake about one and a half feet above your baited hook.
For this technique, keeping the lead weight out of any fish that might accidentally snag on it is essential. To do this, consider using a weedless spoon such as the Johnson Silver Minnow, which features a pin-like protector on the concave side that prevents snags from damaging your lure.
In the summertime, a wide-bodied spoon such as the Acme Kastmaster or Thomas Rough Rider can be effective when trout move to deeper waters for the warmest part of the day. These spoons are designed to flutter slightly as they fall, tempting finicky trout into striking.
Where to Fish
Small spoons are an effective method for catching rainbow trout in rivers and lakes. These lures are made to look like wounded baitfish, which can entice fish to bite.
Trout are highly sensitive and can sense vibrations. Therefore, it’s essential to minimize any unnecessary noise or movement while fishing to focus on the fish and their environment.
Spoons make excellent lures for trout in streams or lakes, as they’re easily cast and trolled. Anglers typically use these lures in clear water but also in stained or murkier waters.
When fishing for rainbow trout in small lakes, the size of your spoon should correspond to their size. Conversely, larger spoons can be utilized when fishing deeper waters for larger specimens.
For maximum effectiveness when fishing with a spoon, attaching a swivel above it helps reduce line twist. This allows you to get more line out of your reel when fishing with a spinning rod – often preferred for trout fishing – increasing its line capacity.
One way to increase your trout fishing success with a spoon is to change the hook. Most spoons come with a treble hook, but removing it and replacing it with a single hook is best. This is important because single hooks penetrate easier and won’t come undone like trebles.
When fishing with a spoon, selecting the appropriate color for the water you are in is essential. Gold or silver works best in sunny weather with clear water, while copper or dark colors work better on cloudy days.
When selecting a spoon for fishing, other factors include the type of fishing you plan on doing and the fish species you’re targeting. For instance, if targeting a stocked lake is your aim, stick with spoons shaped and colored like forage items those fish are used to seeing in that body of water.
