To Spoon, or not to Spoon
By Jeff Beckwith
There’s no argument, the
vertical jigging spoon is ice fishing’s dominant lure. Fish have
surrendered to hammered metal and forged lead since, well…since
folks decided that ice could no longer separate them from quarry.
I’m talking eons.
In contemporary times,
spoons are linked to the pursuit of walleyes, lake trout, and
perch, although, when given a chance, flashing hardware will
swindle crappies, whitefish and tullibee (ciscoes), bass, northern
pike and bluegills too. And yes, I said bluegills.
Despite the spoon’s
universal appeal, though, going to war with an arsenal of metal
only is foolhardy. There are situations, for instance, where
swimming jigs outperform spoons, as well as times when a plain
hook and agitating minnow is the preferred tonic.
But having said that,
times are few when I’m not pumping a spoon. Honestly, I’m sort of
passionate about ‘em. I’d much rather rifle through a montage of
spoons – testing different shapes and sizes – than resort to an
alternate bait.
And over years, while
assessing various types of spoons, I’ve established that certain
styles of spoons excel in certain situations. And while size and
weight would seem to be the chief characteristics of a spoon, I’ve
found that “action” is equally as influential.
On the ice, my attitude is
to open with vigor and calm down as conditions warrant. Regardless
of species, that initial drop is executed with a high profile
jigging spoon – something that sends a message, attracts fish, and
challenges aggressors.
The lure must make a
spectacle of itself, generating vibrations and kicking out all
sorts of color and sparkles. Scenic Tackle’s Glow Devil, JB Lure’s
Pro Varmint, and Northland Tackle’s Buck-Shot Spoon go beyond the
call of duty to entice fish. The Glow Devil sports eye-popping
colors; Pro Varmint an onboard propeller; and Buck-Shot an
internal rattle chamber.
Now, despite the dazzle
and fuss, all three lures run pretty much straight up and down.
That’s typical of lead lures. They rise and fall like a yo-yo, but
can be jigged powerfully, jerked toward the sky and pounded on the
bottom. But in turn, elongated lead spoons can be jigged timidly
too, catering to fussy fish. They’re that versatile.
When fish are clearly
“on,” I dorsal hook a whole minnow and employ exaggerated jigging
motions, raising the rod tip 6 inches to a foot while monitoring
how fish react to on the flasher. Oftentimes, active fish are
furthest from the bottom too, walleyes included, so it’s important
to study the screen.
If fish aren’t receptive,
though, or seem to be nibbling not biting, I downsize my dressing,
switching from a whole minnow to a head. That change is
accompanied by a subtler approach too. Jerks are replaced by
quivers – rod tip motions of only an inch or two. And I
incorporate more pauses as well. It’s not uncommon for me to hold
a lure motionless for 30 seconds when there’s a curious but
passive fish on the screen. Nibblers are known to hit idle baits.
That’s the lead gig – the
opening volley – but not necessarily the final act. After that, my
inclination is to dump lead in favor of thinly stamped metal. Wide
profile, flapping spoons occasionally convert sniffers into
feeders. They also cover more water, winging away from the hole
and drawing fish from great distances.
A great example of a
stamped metal spoon is the Scenic Tackle Angel Eye. The slender
minnow-shaped spoon features a unique arched tail that generates a
floating and fluttering action on the drop. It’s been hotter than
pistols. And the new Angle Eye Jr. delivers the same gyrations to
crappies and perch.
Speaking of wintertime
crappies, far too often their appetites and capabilities are
underestimated. Fact is, crappies are pigs. They’re constantly
eating. And last time I checked, native minnows weren’t much if
any daintier than a small spoon.
Spoons do a tremendous job
of attracting traveling crappies to a fixed location. And
normally, the larger and angrier fish arrive first. They won’t be
bashful about bashing a spoon either, particularly something
luminescent, like a glow red Angel Eye Jr.
Normally, though, I
support jigging with a setline. I’ll fix up a small shiner or
crappie minnow beneath a bobber and position it in a neighboring
hole. It’s quite typical to lure crappies in with a jigging spoon
only to have them wallop the setline.
At some point, though, if
nothing’s happening, the minnow’s performance warrants
reconsideration. Meat failed and it’s time to reach for the tin of
grubs, maggots or wax worms. For perch, crappies, bluegills, and
even walleyes have been known to swing at larvae when minnows are
completely shirked.
The spoon is king. Say it,
“The spoon is king.” Feel better? I do. Whatever trials and
experimentations you engage in this winter, make sure spoons are
knitted into the tapestry. Dust off the old ones and procure a few
new ones. Fish ‘em with confidence and don’t be afraid to change
up with frequency.
By winter’s end, you’ll
have built an ice fishing system around spoons too.
Editor’s note: The
Angel Eye and Angel Eye Jr. by Scenic Tackle are available at
select sporting goods stores and bait shops across the Ice Fishing
Belt. For more information, call (218) 751-9669, or visit their
website at www.scenictackle.com.
