New weapon! I hope (SPOONING)

[BLANESENN]

WANTING TO TRY TO MASTER THE ART OF SPOONING.JUST WANTING TO KNOW HOW TO DO IT,WHERE,AND WITH WHAT TYPE OF EQUIPMENT.HAVE TRIED IT BUT DON'T REALLY KNOW IF I AM DOING IT RIGHT OR IF I AM EVEN DOING IT IN THE RIGHT PLACES.FISH MAINLY IN THE LOWER PART OF ALABAMA(EUFAULA,COOSA RIVER CHAIN,MARTIN,ALABAMA RIVER)ANY ADVICE WILL BE APPRECIATED

[jbh3]

Start here: http://www.heartlandtackleservice.com/spooning.stm
No need for the CAPS.

[Ridge Runner_20]

Most importantly, ALWAYS stay in contact with the spoon, i.e., follow it back down with the rod on the drop. Also try varying the speed/distance of the lift/drop to determine what the fish like best; sometimes it's a little, sometimes a lot. Lastly, if you're using something like a Hopkins Shorty or Kastmaster (two of my all-time faves), make sure you change out the stock hook to a larger, high quality treble (Gamakatsu, Owner, VMC, etc.). For LM, I tend to go with a #1 treble for a 3/4-2oz. spoon, but I'll drop down to a #2 for spots and smallies.

As for equipment, I use a 7' MH BPS Crankin' Stick for 90% of my spoon fishing (anything from 1/2-2oz.). The rod has great backbone, but a forgiving tip to help keep that treble hook pegged when fighting a fish. For the reel, I just use my old standby Quantum Accurist PT (6.3:1), spooled with 12# Yo-Zuri Hybrid line.

As for the baits themselves, I like the Hopkins Shorty, Kastmaster, and the Cotton Cordell CC Spoon, but my absolute favorite is the DUH! spoon made by Bladerunner Tackle here in California. The 67mm (1.5oz.) is great for any situation or species, and my favorite color is Morning Dawn (pictured). Check them out at http://www.duhteam.com/duhspoon.html.



Places are pretty simple, and will almost always involve the presence of baitfish. Fall thru winter, look for humps, ledges, channel drops and points, and monitor closely for signs of both baitfish and bass. This technique also works great on suspended bass, again, provided they are relating to some kind of food source.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

RR_20

[BennyFLa]

http://www.bassresource.com If you can't find it there, it doesn't exist

[VictorM.]

The spoon I found this year that worked the best on the "Coosa" spots (and largemouth) was the Bomber Slab Spoon in 7/8oz..(silver) Like someone else said make sure you change out those stock hooks for a quality set..I've been using the #4 KVD owners and tying them with mylar..
If you want to have some fun right now head down to the lower end of Logan Martin to the dam and fish the rock piles right off the channel..

[BLANESENN]

Sorry for the caps.My wife keeps telling me not to do it but when it comes to typing on the computer i am what people call a dummy!

[cmclairday2]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by BLANESENN &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Sorry for the caps.My wife keeps telling me not to do it but when it comes to typing on the computer i am what people call a dummy!</td></tr></table>
No big deal. It hurts some folks ears I guess...

[Scotty B]

Only spooning I do is in bed with my Wife

[cmclairday2]

I wondered how long it would take for someone to go there...

[Chuck D]

[dchance]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by jbh3 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Start here: http://www.heartlandtackleservice.com/spooning.stm
No need for the CAPS.</td></tr></table>

Great Read! thanks for posting....good help.

[PATRO]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by jbh3 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Start here: http://www.heartlandtackleservice.com/spooning.stm
</td></tr></table>

Thanks for the link..

[jbh3]

For those interested, the gentleman that did that article is a great resource on the spoon and electronics interpretation. He posts pretty regularly under the name LTBama over on the "Bass Fishing Home Page" Fishing Tactics and Electronics forums. The folks over at BFHP are a good group, but if you visit there you will need to make sure you're running a pop-up blocker. Have a good one, folks.

[03 tr20]

Try any of the War eagle spoons .You dont have to change the hooks and you get two in a pack.Be careful those hooks are Razor sharp!

[mike28nc]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by jbh3 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Start here: http://www.heartlandtackleservice.com/spooning.stm
No need for the CAPS.</td></tr></table>


that is a good write up

[steve1206]

Some things to think about....

Going a little stiffer on the rod than you would a normal treble hook lure. Crank like hell and get them in the boat/net. The longer they are in the water, the more time they have to shake loose that big, heavy chunk of lead.

You can also cast the spoon to schooling fish to get lower in the water column or after they are no longer on the surface...

I shorter rod help to keep the spoon in the graph cone if you are watching your lure and the fish on the electronics.....

PS--I want to comment Scotty B.'s post but I would get thrown off the site if I added my thoughts to your "techinque."

[BCapes]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Scotty B &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Only spooning I do is in bed with my Wife </td></tr></table>

No spooning in bed for me - I prefer forking...