Spoon Feeding Bass

One of the most popular lures used for fishing is the spoon and at times they are highly effective for catching bass too. Spoons come in different shapes and sizes, each designed to mimic different prey, work for specific presentations, and trigger strikes under different fishing situations. 

Below we explore the different types of spoons used for bass fishing and how to present them effectively.

Open Water Casting Spoons

Casting spoons are the most common type of spoon and are used to cover large areas fairly quickly. These spoons are often shaped like a teardrop or an oval with a cupped face and come in various sizes, colors, and weights. 

The cupped face of the spoon creates a wobbling action as it moves through the water mimicking a fleeing baitfish. The weight and compact design of the spoon enables long-distance casting and helps it sink to the desired depth quickly. 

Casting spoons work best in open water or around scattered cover like docks, rocks, weed lines, and drop-offs. They are also effective when fishing for suspended fish at varying depths in the water column by using the countdown method to get the spoon to the desired depth.

When using a casting spoon to fish for bass, it's important to select a spoon that matches the size of the baitfish in the area. A good rule of thumb is to choose a spoon that is around the same size as the baitfish the bass are feeding on especially when small baitfish are prevalent during the summer and early fall.

Once you have selected a spoon for current conditions, cast it out into the water, let it sink to desired depth, and start retrieving. This will create a wobbling action in the water that will attract the attention of bass. Use a steady, rhythmic motion to start the retrieve, varying the speed and action (twitching, pause n go, yo-yo) to imitate the movement of a baitfish.

Popular casting spoon models include Eppinger's Daredevle, Blue Fox Classic, Thomas Bouyant and Mepps Little Wolf plus many more!

Weedless Spoons

Weedless spoons are designed to be fished in and around vegetation without getting snagged. They often have a single hook that is protected by a weed guard or a wire arm that extends out from the lure. Weedless spoons are effective in areas with heavy cover and can be used to target bass hiding in weed beds like lily pad patches or around woody cover.

When fishing with a weedless spoon, cast it out into the vegetation and retrieve it back slowly, making sure to bump it along the edges of the weeds. You can also try pausing the retrieve periodically to allow the spoon to flutter down into any openings in the weeds, which can entice nearby bass to strike.

Popular weedless spoon models include Eppinger's Weedless Daredevle, Northland's Jaw Breaker, Heddon Moss Boss, Mepps Timber Doodle and the Johnson Silver Minnow...

Jigging Spoons

Jigging spoons are designed to be fished vertically, directly below the angler's position. They are typically heavier than other types of spoons and are meant to be bounced off the bottom to imitate the movement of struggling or dying baitfish. Jigging spoons are often used in deep water and can be effective in catching suspended bass.

When fishing with a jigging spoon, drop it straight down to the bottom or depth of suspended bass and then quickly lift it up a few feet before letting it fall back down. Vary the length and speed of your lifts to imitate the movement of struggling forage. Watch for any signs of a strike, such as a sudden increase in line tension, loss of contact with the spoon, or a twitch in the line then set the hook quickly.

Popular jigging spoon models include War Eagle Jigging Spoon, Cordell's CC Spoon, Hopkins Shorty and the Strike King Mark Rose Lil Ledge Spoon...

Flutter or Structure Spoons

Flutter/structure spoons are designed to flutter and fall erratically through the water column, imitating the movement of injured baitfish. They are often used when fishing open water structures such as ledges, points, submerged rock spines, bluff walls and can be effective in catching bass that are feeding on baitfish relating to those structures.

When fishing with a flutter spoon, cast it out and let it fall to the desired depth. Then, use a series of sharp jerks to make the spoon flutter and fall back down. Vary the length and speed of your jerks to imitate the movement of baitfish. Watch for any signs of a strike, such as a sudden increase in weight, sudden stop during fall, or abnormal line movement and set the hook before the bass rejects the spoon.

Popular flutter spoon models include several Nichols Flutter Spoon models, Luhr Jensen Krocodile Spoon, Dixie Jet Gizzard Spoon and the Strike King Sexy Spoon...

Each type of spoon has a specific use and can be effective in different fishing conditions. By understanding how to use casting spoons, weedless spoons, jigging spoons, and flutter spoons, you'll be able to target bass effectively and increase your chances of landing a trophy fish.