Spoon guys

[Nearki]

Thanks a lot guys! How about the Rapala jigging rap? Anyone messed with them much in the summer? I'm new to this whole clear/deer water deal so it's pretty much spanish but I feel like I'm catching on. The lake I'm use to fishing the deepest water is 15' and that's at the dam. Tons of info and thanks guys for being so willing to share. 

[David Unnerstall]

What makes one decide when to use a spoon?  Is it when we are having no luck beating the banks?

[Old plug]

i use them anytime I am hunting big catfish. 

[Nearki]

David, for me it was the speed that you can fish them. I fish fast, its hard for me to slow down. Also watching the binks video on youtube a few months ago and seeing how effective they can be. It took me several trips but had I stuck with trying to learn the spoon instead of putting it down I don't think it would take as long. Its also a reaction bite. So you can catch fish that arnt actively feeding.

[Stump bumper]

Some quick tips that help me, I know it is 3 feet from my reel to the first eye. So if i see the shad at 30 feet and fish at 40 I strip the line by hand 12 times to get the spoon at the bottom of the shad and above the fish. If that does not work I drop it right to the bottom.  Knowing how much line each turn of the reel takes in and you don't have to watch the fish finder as much and you can play your spoon faster. I am amazed to how much water I cover in just raising the rod, sometimes less is more when working a spoon, it should be a wounded shad not a super shad.

Sometimes changing shapes from shad to minnow will trigger more strikes than changing color, when spoon fishing I have 4 rods and 4 different spoons at the ready until I get a pattern going.

[J-Doc]

You guys are killing me. Wish I had some of this knowledge but it only comes with time on the water. 

 

I tried some new techniques mentioned here yesterday and still no bites.  I think I had a few nibbles but no fish.  The slow lift got attention but swimming away faster seemed to make them follow.  

 

I hope I figure it out one day.  I'll keep trying new things to see what works I guess. 

[Nearki]

Stick with it j-doc, it took me awhile. After the first two I was able to run from dock to dock pulling out at least one on each stop. Now I have to sit at home and think about the next trip. Its such a violent strike. Try setting your reel up so the spoon can free spool as it falls without back lashing. That was how I was getting most of my hits. Just flip it to the shadiest spot on the dock and let it free spool down.