Fishing With Spoons – Basic Presentations: Let It Fall Part 2
By: Phil Foo
Spoons are awesome versatile lures to use. Most people only cast them out and retrieve them back. Few know the effectiveness of allowing the spoon to drop. Many a fish has been caught while the spoon is dropping. In the last issue with look at some of the factors that affects the drop action of a spoon. In this issue we will continue further beginning with environmental factors.
[ But many a times fishes take spoons during the drop as it makes its way to the bottom… ]
Environmental Factors
For those not in the know, saltwater such as the sea, does affect spoons differently as compared to freshwater. Things tend to have better buoyancy out at sea due to saltwater being more condensed as compared to freshwater. Then there are also currents to consider (rivers and sea) but let us not get too hung up on all these.
There is a reason why spoons are shaped the way they are. They are not just designed to swim in a certain way. They are also designed to drop in a certain way; the way an injured fish drops.
So What Now?
With all that we have discussed thus far, my recommendation before you make that cast is to first not worry too much about what you have no control over. Second, drop the spoon in the water in front of you and see how it drops (action).
Take a mental note of its drop rate (speed). Drop the spoon about 3 feet from the tip, place the spoon on the water’s surface and drop your rod tip to about a feet from the water surface while you mentally count how long the spoon reaches the bottom (where you feel the weight of the spoon on your rod tip).
Next, drag the spoon left to right or vice versa at different speeds to see the different swim actions. This will give you an idea of how your spoon will swims during the retrieving process of which we will discuss in a future article.
When fishing with a spoon, let it drop.
Why Is The Fall Important?
Yes, I have fished with many anglers who cast out spoons and start retrieving right when the spoon hits the water. It is not wrong to do so. But many a times fishes take spoons during the drop as it makes its way to the bottom. As it drops it wobbles, flutters, glides, etc. and should there be a nearby fish, chances are it may hit your spoon.
Fishing Different Water Columns
Another reason is to allow your spoon to reach a certain depth (water columns) before cranking it back. Say for example, you see fishes hanging out at about 5 feet beneath the water’s surface and you want your spoon to swim close to them. What you will have to do is to wait for your spoon to drop till it reaches the said water column before you retrieve.
One thing you can do is to drop your spoon in an aquarium or a swimming pool and observe its falling action. Different spoon designs will have a different type of action.
Know Your Drop Rate
As mentioned earlier, I highly recommend that you test your setup and spoon’s drop rate. When you know your spoon’s drop rate you can do a mental count during the “wait,” somewhat like fishing with a countdown lure; for it to reach the wanted water column before you start retrieving.
When Not To Drop
There are times when allowing your spoon to drop to the bottom can be a risky affair and you may not want to take that risk. This is when you are casting to areas where hard snags like logs are present and you’re using treble hooks. Chances of snagging onto a log is really quite high and you thus you may decide not to risk it.
Do not allow your spoon to drop to the bottom if the bottom is filled with snags, such as rocks.
Personally I prefer to use single hooks as doing so reduces the risk of getting snagged and losing your spoon quite significantly. This allows me to fish along snags and catch fishes hiding amongst them. Do think about your setup as well such as rod power / action, line lb, etc. should you decide to cast towards snags.
Fishes such as this sebarau or Hampala barb, takes spoons on the drop.
Conclusion
To help you remember to allow your spoon to drop keep this in mind… Cast, Wait, Retrieve. When you are fishing in water such as lakes, dams, out at sea, etc. you have the option of allowing your spoon to drop to the bottom. Unless it is really snaggy and you cannot stomach the lost of your spoon, try allowing your spoon to drop.
