Using Spoons For Bass Fishing: Master Every Season 2025

By: Dave Samuel

Updated On: July 25, 2025

Last October on Lake Travis, I watched three boats work the same deep point for hours without a bite. Meanwhile, I quietly dropped a 3/4-ounce jigging spoon down 25 feet and proceeded to catch seven bass in 30 minutes. The guy in the $80,000 bass boat throwing a $30 swimbait wasn't happy when he motored over to see what I was using – a beat-up spoon that cost me $3.99.

That's the thing about spoon fishing for bass: it's stupidly simple, incredibly effective, and criminally underused. While everyone else is throwing the latest trendy lure, spoons keep catching fish like they have for the past 100 years.

Why Spoons Still Dominate Deep Water Bass Fishing?

Here's what most anglers don't get – bass don't care about your lure's Instagram following. They care about one thing: does it look like food? And nothing mimics a dying shad fluttering to the bottom quite like a well-fished spoon.

I learned this lesson the hard way after years of ignoring the dusty spoons in my tackle box. Now? They're my secret weapon when the bite gets tough, especially from fall through winter when bass are gorging on shad in deep water.

The physics are simple: that concave shape creates an erratic wobble as it falls, reflecting light and vibration that triggers reaction strikes. It's not fancy. It just works.

Types of Bass Spoons (And When Each One Shines?)

Flutter Spoons: The Offshore Assassin

Flutter spoons changed my deep water game forever. These wide, flat chunks of metal fall through the water like a leaf – slow, erratic, and absolutely irresistible to suspended bass.

When to throw them:

Water temps above 60°F
Bass suspended 15-40 feet
Marking fish on your fish finder around bait schools
Fishing floating docks and deep marinas

Best flutter spoons for bass:

Nichols Ben Parker Magnum (the OG)
Strike King Sexy Spoon
War Eagle Flutter Spoon
Blade Runner Duh Spoon

I rig mine with 20-pound fluorocarbon and a barrel swivel 18 inches up the line. That swivel is crucial – flutter spoons spin like crazy on the drop, and without it, you'll spend more time untangling line than fishing.

Jigging Spoons: Cold Water Gold

When water temps drop below 55°F, jigging spoons become my bread and butter. These compact, heavy spoons get down fast and stay in the strike zone when bass are hugging bottom.

Prime jigging spoon scenarios:

Winter bass on deep points
Vertical fishing over structure
Under bridges and deep docks
Water temps 35-55°F

The key with jigging spoons for bass is the cadence. I drop to bottom, rip it up 2-3 feet, then let it flutter back down on controlled slack line. Most strikes come on the fall, so watch that line like a hawk.

Weedless Spoons: The Shallow Water Sleeper

Everyone knows the Johnson Silver Minnow, but most anglers fish it wrong. These aren't just weed-beaters – they're bass magnets when fished right.

Weedless spoon situations:

Grass beds and lily pads
Shallow flats with scattered cover
Post-spawn bass in 2-6 feet
Anytime you need stealth in skinny water

Pro tip: Add a white or chartreuse trailer for extra action. I've caught more 5-pounders on a Silver Minnow with a twin-tail grub than I care to admit.

What Color Spoon For Bass? (It's Simpler Than You Think)

After testing every color combination imaginable, here's what actually matters:

Clear water: Chrome or silver with blue back Stained water: Gold or copper Low light: White or glow Sunny days: Chrome with prism tape Deep water: Anything with glow or UV coating

But honestly? I catch 90% of my fish on plain chrome or white. Bass key on flash and vibration more than color. If you're not getting bit, change your retrieve before switching colors.

How To Fish Spoons For Bass: Technique Breakdown

The Basic Flutter Drop

This is your money technique for suspended fish:

Cast past your target
Let spoon sink on semi-slack line
Watch for line jump (strike on the fall)
If no strike, snap rod tip up sharply
Let flutter back down on controlled slack
Repeat until spoon hits bottom

The magic happens during that flutter. Keep just enough tension to feel the strike but loose enough to let the spoon work.

Yo-Yo Retrieve for Active Fish

When bass are fired up and chasing:

Let spoon hit bottom
Rip up 4-5 feet aggressively
Drop rod tip fast to create slack
Follow spoon down with rod tip
Repeat with varying speeds

This mimics a baitfish trying to escape – drives bass absolutely nuts.

Dead Sticking (Yes, Really)

Sometimes the best action is no action. Drop your spoon to bottom in current or wind and just hold it there. The water movement gives it subtle action. I've caught giants this way when nothing else worked.

Gear Setup For Spoon Fishing

Rod Selection

Flutter spoons: 7'6" heavy power, fast action

Needs backbone to drive hooks at depth
Fast tip for working the spoon

Jigging spoons: 7' medium-heavy, moderate-fast

More forgiving for close-quarters combat
Better for lighter spoons

Reel Requirements

High-speed reels (7.5:1 or faster) are mandatory. You need to catch up with fish swimming at you after hookset. I learned this after losing three good ones in a row on my old 6.3:1 reel.

Line Choices

Fluorocarbon: 15-20 pound for most situations

Low stretch for solid hooksets
Invisible in clear water
Sinks to keep spoon deeper

Braid to fluoro: 30-pound braid to 15-pound fluoro leader

Better feel in deep water
Easier to break off snags
Use 3-foot leader minimum

How To Fish With A Spoon Saltwater?

Saltwater spooning follows similar principles but with important tweaks. When I'm kayak fishing the Texas coast, spoons are deadly for redfish and speckled trout.

Saltwater spoon modifications:

Upgrade hooks to saltwater grade
Use heavier spoons (1-2 oz) for distance
Add stinger hooks for short strikes
Rinse thoroughly after each trip

The retrieve is typically faster in salt – those reds will chase down a spoon burning just under the surface. Work it like a topwater on steroids.

Common Spoon Fishing Mistakes (And How To Fix Them)

Fishing Too Fast

Most anglers work spoons way too quickly. Slow down. Let it fall. The magic is in the flutter, not the retrieve.

Wrong Hook Setup

Stock treble hooks often suck. Upgrade to quality hooks one size larger. Add a trailer hook for short strikes. Your landing percentage will double.

No Swivel = Twisted Mess

Always use a quality ball bearing swivel. Cheap swivels don't actually swivel under load. I use SPRO or Owner.

Fighting Fish Wrong

Spoons give bass serious leverage. Keep steady pressure but let them run. Try to horse them and you'll bend hooks or tear holes. Learned this after losing a 7-pounder at the boat.

Advanced Spoon Tactics

Double Spoon Rig

Run two spoons 18 inches apart on a three-way swivel. Deadly for schooling fish. The competition factor triggers strikes.

Blade Additions

Add a small willow blade above your spoon for extra flash. Works especially well in stained water.

Glow Charging

For deep water, charge glow spoons with a UV flashlight every 10 casts. That subtle glow in 30+ feet of water makes a huge difference.

Seasonal Spoon Strategies

Spring (Water temp 55-70°F)

Fish spoons slow around spawning areas. Let them sit on bottom near beds. Triggers territorial strikes.

Summer (70°F+)

Focus on deep ledges and thermocline. Fish faster with erratic snaps. Target early morning and evening baitfish activity.

Fall (55-70°F)

Prime time. Follow shad schools with your electronics. When you mark bait, drop a spoon through it. Be ready for violence.

Winter (Below 55°F)

Slow everything down. Smaller movements, longer pauses. Focus on deep winter holes and channel bends. Proper fish handling crucial in cold water.

Kayak-Specific Spoon Fishing Tips

Fishing spoons from a kayak requires some adjustments:

Use a drift sock to control speed over structure
Mount rod holders for multiple setups
Keep net ready – spoon-hooked bass go ballistic
Shorter rods (6'6"-7') work better in tight quarters
Always leash your rods when spoon fishing

Top 10 Spoons Every Bass Angler Needs

Hopkins Shorty - The original jigging spoon
Cotton Cordell CC Spoon - Budget-friendly workhorse
Nichols Flutter Spoon - Offshore specialist
Johnson Silver Minnow - Weedless wonder
Blade Runner Duh Spoon - Jigging perfection
Strike King Sexy Spoon - Versatile all-rounder
War Eagle Jigging Spoon - Winter staple
Luhr Jensen Krocodile - Multi-species slayer
Acme Kastmaster - Distance casting champ
Thomas Buoyant - Unique action for tough bites

When Spoons Outfish Everything Else

After 20 years of throwing spoons, these scenarios almost guarantee success:

Post-cold front conditions
Deep, clear water with suspended fish
Heavily pressured waters
Schooling fish below surface
Anytime shad are dying (winter especially)
When bass ignore traditional soft plastics

The Bottom Line on Bass Spoons

Here's the truth: while everyone else is dropping $25 on the latest Japanese finesse bait, I'm catching limits on spoons that cost less than a gas station coffee. They're simple, durable, and flat-out effective.

Start with a handful of 1/2 to 1-ounce spoons in chrome and white. Learn the basic flutter retrieve. Find some deep water with baitfish. Then hang on, because when bass are eating spoons, they're not playing around.

Remember, the best spoon is the one you have confidence in. Pick a proven model, learn its action, and fish it in the right places. The bass will handle the rest.

Next time you're marking fish deep but can't buy a bite, tie on a spoon. That simple chunk of metal might just save your day – and remind you why sometimes the old ways are still the best ways.

FAQ Section

What's the best spoon weight for bass fishing?

For most situations, 1/2 to 3/4-ounce spoons work perfectly. Go heavier (1-1.5 oz) for deep water over 25 feet or when you need distance. Lighter spoons (1/4-3/8 oz) excel in shallow water or for finicky fish.

Do I need special equipment for spoon fishing?

Not really. Any medium-heavy baitcasting setup works fine. The most important addition is a quality swivel to prevent line twist. Upgrading to sharp hooks also makes a huge difference in landing percentage.

Why do spoons work when nothing else does?

Spoons trigger reaction strikes through flash and vibration. Their erratic fall mimics dying baitfish perfectly. Plus, most bass haven't seen many spoons lately, so they lack the conditioning to avoid them like they do with overused lures.

Can you catch bass on spoons year-round?

Absolutely. I catch fish on spoons in 90-degree summer heat and through holes in the ice. The key is adjusting your presentation speed and location to match seasonal bass behavior.

What's the difference between freshwater and saltwater spoons?

Saltwater spoons typically feature corrosion-resistant hooks and hardware. They're often heavier for longer casts in wind. The basic design and fishing technique remain the same – just remember to rinse everything thoroughly after use.

How do I prevent spoons from snagging?

Fish them higher in the water column around cover. Use weedless models in vegetation. When jigging near bottom, keep your rod tip up and stay alert for that subtle "tick" that means you've touched structure. Develop a feel for when to stop your spoon's descent.

Should I add trailers to my spoons?

Trailers work great on weedless spoons – try curly tail grubs or small swimbaits. For jigging and flutter spoons, I prefer them naked. The natural action is usually enough, and trailers can actually hurt the fluttering fall that makes them effective.

What's the best knot for spoons?

I use a loop knot (Rapala knot) for smaller spoons to enhance action. For heavy spoons or when fishing heavy cover, a Palomar knot provides maximum strength. Always retie after catching several fish – those sharp hooks and violent strikes can damage line.

Do spoon colors really matter?

Less than you'd think. Chrome and white catch 90% of my fish. In super clear water, subtle colors like blue/chrome help. In stained water, gold or chartreuse can improve visibility. But action and location matter far more than color.

Can you troll spoons for bass?

Definitely. Troll them behind downriggers or lead-core line for suspended fish. Keep speed around 2-3 mph and vary your depth until you find the thermocline. This technique kills on big reservoirs where bass suspend in open water.