Fishing With Spoons – Basic Presentations: Let It Fall
By: The Angler
Spoons are so very versatile. There is no such thing as only one way to present a spoon unless of course you only know of one way to do so. I believe that we need not discuss casting as I believe all of you know how to cast. We’ll focus on “fall” also called “drop” action which is when the spoon breaks the water’s surface and falls to the bottom.
[ For those not in the know, saltwater such as the sea, does affect spoons differently as compared to freshwater. … ]
Factors To Note
There are certain general factors that we need to consider here and they are the size of the spoon, the weight of the spoon, and the design. For the purpose of this article I will refer to the teardrop designed spoon (being a very common spoon).
How these factors affect the spoon is in the way it falls or the fall action. Spoons of different weights and sizes have different fall actions. Generally larger spoons with larger surfaces will have wider flutter, wobble, glide, etc. as compared to smaller spoons.
The teardrop designed spoon such as the Abu Island drops with an attractive flutter that attracts fish.
Lighter spoons may not drop slower than larger heavier spoons as lighter spoons usually have smaller surface areas and thus may drop faster due to lower amounts of resistance from the water. Smaller spoons usually have narrower flutter and shorter glides. Spoons of different sizes also gives out different acoustics (noises) and bubble trails underwater.
Indirect Factors
The indirect factors include the weight of the hook used, hook type (single or treble hook), weight of accessories used such as swivels and snaps, as well as the buoyancy of the lines (leader and main) used.
The Abu Island Zebra, another attractive spoon on the drop.
Tank Tested Spoons
Most spoons(those that go through tank testing) are tested with the hook that it comes with. Most of the time we change these hooks to better hooks or hooks that we are comfortable with such as single hooks, and doing so may change the action of the spoon.
Balancing Issues
Changing the weight and size of the swivel and snap does affect the spoon’s action too. Using heavier or lighter swivels and snaps will shift the weight in either direction (towards the swivel and snap or away which is usually towards the hook).
Some lines float such as braided lines. Hence it is best to understand the characteristics of the lines that you are using.
Line Buoyancy
Leaders and mainlines used have a certain degree of buoyancy. Braided lines tend to float. Fused lines and monofilament lines will sink at various rates. The fastest sinking lines are fluorocarbon lines and certain new technological advanced fused lines. All lines have different sink rates. Line diameters too affect sink rate. These too effects the action of the spoon during the drop.
There are a few more factors to look at. For now let us stop here to allow things to be absorbed. In the next issue we will continue with the remainder factors that affects the movement of spoons as they drop. Meanwhile, feel free to take your spoons out and catch a few fish.
