Opinion? Spoon fishing for steelies

finnman · 02-21-2003, 02:29 PM

Just curious on how people stand on spoon fishing for steelhead versus other methods? If you had to pick one method what would it be? Is it solely a condition issue? I'm sure there is many drift fisherman out there that have an opinion. I like to be a topic starter and this crossed my mind as I was daydreaming at work today.

Thanks!
Finnman :smile:

ampersat · 02-21-2003, 02:33 PM

i have the "spoon fishing for steelhead" book. depending on your selection of spoon, you can fish any time of the year and any section of the river. i tried it a few times and didn't care for it myself. i'll stick with spinners when it comes to hardware.

Grantspastor · 02-21-2003, 02:39 PM

Wouldn't choose it as an only method...but I sure like it as a change-up from other methods.I've done well drift fishing spoons for winter fish, and casting/retrieving spoons for summer fish

Gr8waves · 02-21-2003, 02:40 PM

Lived for years in Valsetz (which no longer exists). Fished the headwaters of the Siletz for steelies growing up with spoons exclusively - 1/4 oz Thomas lures with the red crinkle finish being the favorite. Didn't really fish the deep holes but stuck to pockets behind big rocks, pool tailouts, rock ledges. We always enjoyed it as we were to impatient to sit in a single hole and drown bait.

finnman · 02-21-2003, 03:04 PM

Interesting, I've caught summer fish on the Deshutes. I wonder if the cold water of winter makes a difference?

Finnman

P.S. How is the spoon book by Bill Herzog?

KillerDave · 02-21-2003, 03:07 PM

If you want to catch a big steelhead, fish with spoons in the late season (March/April).

This is not the most effective method, but it angers big steelhead into striking.

Use casting tackle. My favorite spoon is a 2/5oz Little Cleo/BC Steel. I don't have a second favorite spoon.

KingFisher85 · 02-21-2003, 03:10 PM

I've gotten a few steelhead on spoons. Spoons work better on some rivers then others. But at times, spoons will out fish bait and other fishing ways. I've proved that one :grin:

finnman · 02-21-2003, 03:19 PM

I would think it would anger any size of fish. hmmmm? If they have lockjaw for bait then making them mad is the option. Right? I know I loved the feel of the strike when fishing with steelies (lure) on the Deshutes.

Finnman

sparkleboy · 02-21-2003, 03:22 PM

My grandfather, dad, and myself are almost exclusive spoon fishermen. Our favorites are the basic half ounce "Steelie." Our favorite colors are silver, black, copper, gold, blue, and green, with my personal favorite being green. Most of the fish I catch with spoons are in fast moving water, (rapids, behind rocks, riffles, etc). However, I hooked a huge salmon on a silver spoon in a hole that was 10-20 feet deep just by casting and retreiving slowly. It's been one of two salmon I've ever hooked, and I tell you, seeing that monster chasing after my spoon got my heart pumpin' pretty fast!

Gr8waves · 02-21-2003, 03:26 PM

I rember one summer fish that was laying in about 5 feet of water and 20 feet off the bank. I kept casting upstream and swinging the spoon right past him - completely ignored it until I got so frustrated that I swung the spoon so that it bounced off of his nose - that made him mad enough to turn and grab the spoon. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good! :grin:

finnman · 02-21-2003, 03:29 PM

Wondering if anyone has read the Herzog book? Is it a recommended buy?

Thanks,
Finnman

FishinMission · 02-21-2003, 03:38 PM

When I first started fishing for steelies..I used to use spoons (Steelies). Though I lost most I hooked 'cause I was a "newbie"...they seemed to be deadly in smaller rivers you could wade out into. I used to "backtroll" them...in other words...get them working in the current downriver from where you're standing...then slowly let line out and work them downriver a ways. Be sure to hang on to your rod too, as they'll slam the crap out of that spoon.

Brings back some good memories.

Mark

Crayfin · 02-21-2003, 03:40 PM

Have THE BOOK, read THE BOOK--should be required reading for individuals wanting to learn to spoon fish. I had caught many steelies with spoons before I got it and thought is was a worthwhile purchase, especially when you can probably buy it from Powells used for relatively cheap.

I have loaned mine out to several people and everyone thought it was great!

Just my .02

Crayfin

tipndwater · 02-21-2003, 03:45 PM

I perfer spinners, I make my own but it is hard to beat a #3 or #4 blue fox spinner for steelies. Yes the book is worth it, I read my buddies. Herzog has got the best job in the world. He and the clan has got hardware fishing figured out!
tipndwater

Wood N' Fish · 02-21-2003, 03:47 PM

Love the old spoons, for low water Summer Steel. Any type in silver or black will do-----Casting upstream and retrieving will be some of the hardest strikes you'll ever get--

Gus Orviston · 02-21-2003, 03:47 PM

I like them over spinners in the upper stretches like GR8waves describes. Bang up the rocks, drop them into pockets where the there is nearly no time for a spinner to start working, or weird currents. The hits I have experienced have been awesome, and I have seen fish come out of very shallow water for spoons and spinners a like.

gus

finnman · 02-21-2003, 03:52 PM

This is great stuff! Now the question is where would rank this method among others? I get such great info from this forum. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

nerta · 02-21-2003, 04:00 PM

[img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] Keep some spoons in the tackle box they work. I try to always have a second rod rigged with spoons or spinners.

FishinMission · 02-21-2003, 04:07 PM

The answer is.... whatever works...keep trying diferent things til you find what works for you. Then...keep doing it until it quits working.

Mark

Mad Mikey · 02-21-2003, 05:44 PM

My first steelhead was caught on a spoon at the Cable hole on the Deschutes. I had NO CLUE what was going on. I lobbed it out, it stopped, I yanked and darn if there wasn't a fish on!
I worked it downstream and fifteen minutes later a guy nets it for me. Turned out he was the outgoing governor of Colorado, forgot his name but I got a neat looking custon pen out of the deal and a 17lb Clearwater whopper.
For lure fishing I prefer spinners but a heavy spoon is ideal for fast/deep slots and also a nice lure to throw when eveything else is not working. I prefer a BIG siwash as opposed to trebles, less snag ups and when you stick em' good it will hold.

batman · 02-21-2003, 05:56 PM

down here in the southland (Applegate and Rogue), I have always used little cleos (blue and silver) early in the morning and done well on steelhead - it is usualy the first thing I use in the morning - i will run a cleo thru the hole for awhile then if no takers, I go to corkies and bait. dc

rola76 · 02-21-2003, 10:19 PM

Absolutely love it!! Summer, winter, whenever. I've caught...I'd say over 50 steelies on spoons and as far as having to choose one method, spoonin' would be it. I love the slam of a plug, but spoon fishing allows you to cover a lot of water, especially in areas where there are a lot of boulders, tailouts, and fast water.

My favorite are Rainbow Plastic wobblers, not only are they effective, they're very well-priced at Wal-Mart. If not, Little Cleos and Steelies are other great choices.

Wild Chrome · 02-22-2003, 12:17 PM

I like spoons for fishing wide areas of holding water that's not too deep or fast. With my 10.5 Lamiglas, I can cast a 1/2 oz spoon about 130 feet. With the extra length of that rod and 14 pound Fireline (as well as some line mending), hookups are not a problem. This allows me to cover water few other people fish including some very productive broad tailouts. I disagree with the notion that spoons are easier to get down than spinners. I've found that a homemade Mortac #5 or #6 spinner sinks faster than a same-weight spoon, though the spoon may require a little less tension to impart action once it gets down.

As far a spoons being good for big fish, within a month of giving them a serious try, I landed my biggest summer run last April. 36 inches and 16 pounds. I have to agree. :smile:

Jbug · 02-22-2003, 07:03 PM

i love fishing with spoons. they are simple to use, just tie one on and go! i used to buy little cleos but now i buy the blades from Mortac and BC Steel blades from BC Angling down in Oregon City. just add a hook, swivel and split rings and you ready to go. its much cheaper than paying up to $3 for a little cleo.

i think the herzog book is a must for beginners and intermediates, it explains the differences between the 4 styles of spoons and where to use them. that book made me a better spoon fisherman.

i think one of the hardest things to mastering spoons is knowing what style/size/color/weight to use for different water speed/depth/color conditions. once you figure that out and you're bouncing your spoon off rocks on the bottom you're in business! that sounds like alot to master but it's worth it and they'll outperform lots of other methods.

Paddlefish · 02-24-2003, 10:15 PM

I love fishing spoons.

There's a real contact with the lure that can't readily be reproduced with a Corky or bait or strand of yarn.

(Maybe it shades my opinion that my first steelhead was a March Sandy River native that grabbed my spoon and exploded through the surface of the river on her way downstream.)

Fishing spinners is . . . "similar." Like most methods, there's a familiarity process which requires getting familiar with the feel of the lure, its action, its contact with the bottom, and so on.

My most interesting/bizarre episode involved late summer steelhead, surging upstream in the first muddy September river rise. A few steelhead and jack salmon had been hooked in the area.

I was working my copper/flame spoon downstream, across the current in the standard manner, with one nice cutthroat to show for my efforts. One across-and-upstream cast resulted in an apparent line tangle at the lure, so I speeded the lure quickly back, across the surface of the current. Just as it whiplashed, 10 feet from where I stood, a steelhead attacked it, flying through the surface.

Missed the hook.

I continued fishing, but -- every now and then -- I tried the same quick, surface skimming retrieve. The result: three more explosive surface attacks, with one shiny steelie ending up on the bank.

Very likely, there's a water temperature/seasonal effect which made those steelhead more likely to attack than would a winter fish in 40 degree water.

Oh, and, not willing to totally abandon the standard "slowly down and across the bottom drift" method, I alternated that style. A 40-lb. chinook found that just perfect.

Thumper · 02-25-2003, 04:33 AM

Wild Chrome mentioned "broad tailouts." Earlier this winter several of us were drowning jigs in the tailout below Daybreak Park on the EF Lewis. Nobody had hooked a fish. Up walks an older guy (older than me even!) and asks if he can cast a couple of times. I smiled as I saw his lure --- a Steelie with a bit of green yarn on it. I figured that one would soon be decorating the bottom.

Three casts later he had one hatchery on the bank and one native back in the river. We couldn't believe it. He then proceeded to change the color of Steelie, added some more green yarn, and caught another hatchery critter! None of us touched a fish all morning. He also never touched the bottom with that Steelie.

He caught every fish on the swing, nearly below where he was standing. I can only assume that those fish followed the Steelie across the tailout and grabbed it when it started back upstream or neared the shore on our side.

What a clinic!

Slugranch · 02-25-2003, 05:53 AM

Used to buy Steelies on sale and re rig em with siwash hooks. Fished almost exclusively at the ramp at McIver. Would average a limit in an hour for many years, but haven't fished it in 20 years. Bet they are still there tho. Fast water and very seldom touched bottom. Most of the strikes were at the swing end of the cast.