Trouble with Cheap Spoons

[Spot]

I made a resolution this year to catch at least one Steelhead on a spoon and one on a plug. That said, I was fishing a smaller costal stream today and though there were lots of fish to be seen, they all had lock jaw. I tried everything that had ever worked for me in the past and still nothing. Out of desperation I finally grabbed a Spoon out of my vest and tried the dieing fish bounce. It got their attention but no bite so I tried a slow roll swinging it right in front of a fish and *BAM!*. Not a pick up but a full fleged, rod bending, scare the crap outta me attack. The fish went insane and wound up bending one of the tines straight and was gone. I chalked it up to one heck of a fighting fish and got out a new spoon. A couple more slow rolling swings and *BAM* fish on then *TWANG* and my Spoon was sailing right back at me minus one of the tines. @#$%^&&*!!!!
I'm guessing I shouldn't have gone for the bargain tackle at Joe's. I can't remember the brand but when I bought it I couldn't see paying $4 for a peice of bent metal. I still can't. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good replacement hook? Can I use a Siwash or does it need to be a Treble. Also, should I replace the split ring on these?

[ampersat]

i just finished spoon fishing for steelhead (xmas present) and he recommends siwash (as do i). when you stick a fish, it's stuck. get gami's, don't go cheap. two fish lost today, you should know what cheap will get you. rig 'em up with the point to the inside of the spoon. according to the book, it gives you more hook-setting clearance. you might want to spring for fresh split rings while you're at it. if the hooks are cheap, the splits probably are too. both ends of the spoon. while you're at it, add a good swivel on the split at the top.

[ 01-10-2002: Message edited by: ampersat ]</p>

[RichH]

Definitely go siwash!!! You'll be very pleased with the end result.

[rcl187]

Never, I repeat Never use a treble hook on a spoon or spinner unless your only fishing for trout. Not only do the siwash hooks not bend they also hook and hold alot better and as an added bonus they don't snag up as often.

[Spot]

Thanks guys! I changed over my plugs per the suggestions I'd read here but hadn't heard about switching to siwash on Spoons until now. Wish I'd asked this question yesterday!

[BigSpinner]

I don't know call me lucky but I have never lost a fish I hooked on a spinner and I use only treble hooks. I get good hook I make my own spinners so I put good ones on, but ever lost a fish yet.

Jeremy,

[Snagly]

Sorry you lost two steelhead due to poor spoon hardware. The good news is that you learned how effective spoons can be (and few people use them, making them even better). Here's how I keep the costs down as well as minimize pilot error:

1. I buy spoon bodies from www.mortac.com (http://www.mortac.com) or Marty Michaelis (he runs www.steelheader.net (http://www.steelheader.net) and wholesales spoon components, esp for teardrop shapes)

2. I buy heavy duty black ant swivels and split rings from Offshore Angler, the saltwater affiliate of www.basspro.com. (http://www.basspro.com.) Order via website:

NORMAL SPOONS: 35-400-061-01 : #7 black barrel swivels (100/ $5.89).

SMALL SPOONS: #10 swivels = 060-01 @ $4.39 too small except for spoons

Split rings = 35-400-078-00 = #3 @ $3.19 / 100 in 2001, -079 = #4, -080 = #5 @ $3.49, -081 = #6 in 2001

(I use the #5 split rings for all 2/5 and 2/3 oz spoons)

3. Gamakatsu Open-eyed Siwash hooks in sizes #1-3/0. Price per 100 around $24 in the NW. Pinch down the barbs. These hooks can be sharpened once they begin to dull on rocks/ fish. At the end of the day, change any hook that's not razor sharp.

4. Experiment with a strip of fluoro tape on the concave side of the spoon to add contrast/ brightness (or darkness if you use black tape!).

If you buy a store-bought spoon in the US, chances are you should throw away all the hardware and start fresh.

Hope this helps.

I tie my spoons on with a Kreh Loop knot to give them more action. I cut off and re-tie after EVERY steelhead hook-up.

[Spot]

Great info. guys! I appreciate all the help! I'll be giving them another shot (the right way) this weekend. Wish me luck!

[Trick]

I build my own spinners and I always use either Owner or Gami trebles usually in a size two. They can bend out if your heavy-lining it and horsing fish in. I landed somewhere in the neighborhood of 75 to 100 fall salmon and didn't bend a hook out. I had a couple large chinook twist the hooks up but they didn't straighten out.

I don't have anything against single hooks what is all I use for steelhead but I don't see the disadvantage of trebles, except hanging up more, as long as you stick with quaility.

You probally had bronze trebles on the spoons. I know we should use them for the dissolving in the fish issue, but I've always had problems with bronze in singles and trebles. I like nickle.