Spooning Docks

[sholder02]

...and yes we're talking fishing.

Was hoping you guys could educate me on some different tips and techniques for flipping a spoon in and around docks. For example, on the deep water docks, do you just pitch it over one of the bars and vertically jig it at X depth? On the "shallower" docks, do you let it sink to the bottom and rip it back up...or just kind of hop it along?

Looking to add another arrow to the quiver and practice this technique exclusively this weekend. Just hoping you guys can help me straighten the learning curve a little.

Thanks!

[dtrs5kprs]

I have caught them both of the ways you describe. Overall best for me is flipping it way back in a slip, peeling line to get it down, then snapping it back to the boat, finishing by fishing it right below the boat for a bit. If they are on it there will be lots of times it does not make it to the bottom, line will just stop falling out over 35' or more of water. Everyone says the tighter and nastier the place the better, but I catch about as many, and about as much size flipping empty slips.

Biggest deal is finding the right docks. Need to have quite a bit of water on the out end, and under it. Say 35' to 50'. Doesn't hurt if it is over something cool like brush, or on the inside of a point. Second biggest deal is sticking with it.

Bill Richey does it about as much as anyone I know. Might be worth taking a trip out with him to learn it. Good luck with it.

[WeekendWarrior]

I here the white spoon works best in anywhere from 1/2 oz. to 1 oz. Is there any particular brands that are better than others or is a spoon a spoon? Or any other tricks people do with their spoons? Sometimes have problem with the line catching in the treble with a BPS spoon.

[Jason Essary]

War eagle white 1oz. work best for me. great trebles. after awhile rocks will dull them so either keep an eye on them and sharpen or switch to triple grips of the same size. Also, Gammy makes a stinger hook, its a small hook on a red braided line. Hook one of them on the top of the spoon, where the loop comes out of the lead. These help alot when you hook the fish, I think when the fish shakes his head it grabs and keeps them from throwing the single treble. Sometimes. Lost two keepers the other night, of course got 4 shorts to the boat.

One last thing on the stingers, be careful if you flipping. I stick that little sharp hook in my fingers all the time and they are SHARP.

[dtrs5kprs]

White War Eagle or Hazie Dazie. Both 1/2 and the bigger sizes work, think matching the bait size is more key than the actual weight. Will use an old hammered chrome spoon if it is super bright.

Have been swapping my flip spoons out to a Gamak octopus single hook (looks kind of like a drop shot hook) in sz 1 or 1/0. Seems to hook up as well and there are two fewer points to stick myself with. As Jason said, you can plan on a day of pokes.

[WeekendWarrior]

I am new at the spoon gig, but have caught a few fish doing it and lost more than I have caught. I only get down to TR a couple times a year. I have been using 15 lb. Invisx with a 7 ft IMX Heavy rod, but am afraid if I try to get into the tight spaces I will be in trouble. What kind of line do you guys use for this application. thanks!

[Jason Essary]

_{I use 15 Big Game in green. which ever you think will take the abrasion the best. Be ready to retie often. Going over steel parts and stuff is rough. As one of my buddies says about spooning "I worry about getting them hooked up first, then getting them to the boat."}

[dtrs5kprs]

Had used the old Carbon Pro in 15# and liked it. The InvizX is not the same animal with respect to abrasion resistance. Big Game in 15# or 20# is probably about right. I use a little shorter and softer rod than your IMX, partly b/c I am more accurate with it, and partly because it is less likely to pop if you swing on a cable or crossbar that felt right but was not.

[sholder02]

Well, I struggled with the spoon. Didn't even get a bite. Obviously need some more practice with it. I did, however, manage to land the biggest bass (so far) I've ever caught out of Table Rock. She was 22 ^_1/4" and weighed just shy of 6 pounds (according to my cheap digital scales). I was fishing a big worm in about 16' of water up the white.

I tried attaching a picture but can't figure out how.

[Gone Fishing]

Thats awesome. Would love to see a pick of the big girl if you get it figured out.