Split ring size: according to Herzog, a 4 or 5.
As for size, color, style: That depends on SO many conditions.
Herzog's "Spoon Fishing for Steelhead" has good information. Buy or build a few of each and start flinging.

 

Half ounze, blue and green!!!!
KO Wobblers work well for steelhead, as well as copper, black, silver, and gold spoons. Almost all of my spoons are the "Steel-Lee" brand. They work.

 

If you order the spoons from Pen Tac, just tell them that you want the split rings for that size. If you check out their website, look in the accessories section and you should spot them.

 

Below chart and other good information about spinner selection can be found at Mepps See Best Spinner Selection

Good place to start to get an idea of water temp, light conditions and the roll each place in spinner selection.

 

I mostly use the oval spoon, like a BC Steel or a Little Cleo in a 2/5 oz size. If I had to have one spoon, I would take any of these in these sizes. I have done the best with these spoons for Spring Willamette Valley steelhead, but haven't fished good spoon water for winter steelhead very much.

Silver plate is the cheapest for BC Steels, but I've hooked quite a few fish on the Gold and 50/50 gold/Silver spoons . . . I'll probably get my stock of these replenished this year for Christmas.

I've also have experimented with tape on the back side of the spoons, and paint at the bottom of the spoons, and doing OK for how much fishing time I have given them.

 

I use a lot of BC Steels in 2/5 and 2/3 ounce. I use probably 60% electric brass and 40% Silver. In off-colored water or low-light conditions I like brass and in clearer water or sunlight I like silver. If you want to experiment with colors I'd recommend nail polish. It's easy to remove if you don't like it and easy to touch up when it chips off. I Start off with the 2/5 ounce, and if it doesn't hit bottom once in a while I bump up to 2/3.

I also use stee-lee-type spoons in silver and gold (available through the fisherman's shack) in 1/2 ounce. These work well also, but don't sink as fast as the BC Steels.

 

do a search for a post I did about spoon and spinner fishing allot of people had some great advice on that post. If I only had one spoon to fish it would be this.

[image]

[/image]

this is a great spoon for steelhead and coho! it is a 2/5 cleo.
:cheers:

 

so the 1/2 oz steelee teardrops aren't too big for steelhead? I have had success with them for steelhead in fast water but......they really do look like a salmon size spoon.

 

No way, 1/2 ounce Steel-Lees are the ticket for steelhead, especially in lower water situations. When the water is up and in the winter, I use heavier KO Wobbler spoons to get down closer to the bottom.