How to fish with a spoon: the essential basics

base essentielle à la pêche à la cuillère

La spoon fishing is one of the most popular fishing techniques, in use for decades and still as effective and fun to use as ever.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced angler, you will find what you are looking for in our selection of peach spoon, however, it is essential to master the basics of this technique to increase your chances of success and maximise your enjoyment.

One of the greatest strengths of this lure is its ability to be used both in lake, that in river and so be able to target a large number of types of fish species.

In this article, we will guide you through the basic essentials of this very special type of fishing, and how to choose the right one for you spoon, a selection of the most effective spoons for each species of fish.

Whether you're looking to catch trout, pike, pike-perch or any other type of fish, you'll find the right fish for you fish, this article will give you the knowledge you need to become an excellent spoon fisherman ! !

The choice of spoon

poisson pêché à la cuiller

Undulating or rotating

cuiller ondulante ou tournante

Although they are both spoons, they have different characteristics that can influence their effectiveness in different fishing conditions.

The undulating are generally oval or "S"-shaped, with a zigzag swimming action swivel spoons have a rounder shape and rotate on their axis. Over the years, brands have created a wide range of paddles in different shapes, which may differ from the more general shapes we present here.

Their actions are not the same, for example undulating ones tend to produce more natural movements that mimic fleeing fish or prey, whereas spinning ones produce more aggressive flashes and vibrations that attract the attention of predator.

To sum up rippling and turning spoons have different shapes, actions and sizes, which makes them more or less suited to certain fishing conditions, but they are both suitable for tracking a wide range of fish species of fish.

Depending on your situation, it may be a good idea to have a variety of wobbling and spinning spoons in your box to maximise your chances of success and to be able to adapt to all situations.

Different sizes

The choice of size is an extremely important part of being effective on the water. The various brands offer a wide range of sizes to suit the species you are looking for, but also the environment in which you are fishing type of water in which you will evolve.

Here are a few tips to help you choose the right size for your peach spoon :

First of all, identify the size of fish you are looking for: if you are looking for trout, it is advisable to select small to medium sizes (N°00 to N°3), while for large fish such as pike, the medium to large spoons will be more effective (from N°2 upwards).

Take your fishing conditions and environment into account: if you're fishing in rough waters, heavier spoons with larger dimensions will be better suited to reaching the desired depth, while in calmer waters, lighter and smaller models can be used with great success and without too much trouble.

Try and practise with different sizes: if you're not sure which size is ideal for your needs, try different combinations to see which works best. You can also ask other anglers for advice experienced or contact us by e-mail or telephone, our advisers will be happy to recommend the perfect model for you.

To sum up, the choice of size depends on a number of factors, including the size of the target fish, fishing conditions and personal experience. We'd like to stress this last point, because it's essential to practise on your own spots to find out what will work best, as fishing is not an exact science and can vary greatly from one region to another.

By keeping these factors in mind, you'll be able to choose the right size to maximise your chances of success on your next outing.

Colours and patterns

Now that you know a little more about the dimensions of your next bait, you'll have to choose between several options colours. This aspect is just as important, and can help you make the difference.

You can start by analysing the food eaten by your target species. Knowing the the colour of their food will provide you with invaluable information. For example, for whitewater trout fishing, the spoon represents an insect rather than a fish, so a black colour could be extremely effective.

motif et coloris pour une cuiller de pêche

Silver and gold are classic colours that work well in most situations. In darker waters, fish may be more attracted to bright colours such as red or neon orange.

You should also take into account the clarity of the water: if the water is clear, it is advisable to use spoons with more discreet colours, such as silver, copper or white. On the other hand, if the water is murky, brighter colours such as yellow, orange or red may help to attract the attention of predators.

Finally, the conclusion is the same as for pruning: practice makes perfect! Try out all the possible combinations and find out what's best in the area you're going to fish - it's the most reliable source of information !

Spoon fishing techniques

La spoon fishing is very easy to use, making it particularly suitable for beginners who want to start fishing.

Be careful, however, not to underestimate this practice, as you run the risk of becoming bored and ineffective.

When we say that it is accessible to beginners, we mean that it is "sufficient" to practise with a single throw back. You throw, you grind and so on.

Where you need to make a difference is in your throwing accuracy and in the study of swimming depth ideal.

You'll also need to work on your job prospecting strategy to make sure you have every chance on your side.

Our selection of spoons

For trout

The spinner Smith AR-S Bicolour

Cuiller AR-S de chez Smith
The AR-S Bicolour Spinner from Smith, developed by Hiroyuki Motoyama, is specially designed for fishing small rivers.

As soon as it is immersed in the water, it starts to turn quickly thanks to the light sharpening of the blade. Its teardrop-shaped central weight with plenty of play reduces line tension, making it very attractive to small wild mountain trout.

However, its effectiveness is not limited to this situation alone, as a number of successful anglers have shown. Bicolours stand out for their bright colours, which attract trout from afar.

Available in three sizes (weight 2.1g - length 1cm, weight 3.5g - length 1.4cm, weight 4.5g - length 1.7cm), this spoon is an excellent choice for anglers looking for efficiency and ease of use.



The Aglia mepps spoon

cuiller aglia de chez mepps

The Aglia spoon from Mepps is a legendary lure whose exceptional performance has spanned generations. For over 80 years, the Aglia has been a benchmark for anglers the world over, offering the chance to catch trophy fish of all species. As soon as it is immersed in the water, this spoon springs into action thanks to an incredible precision mechanism that is suitable for a wide range of fishing situations.

The rotation cone of the Aglia's paddle constantly adjusts to the opposing force of the water, so you can make fast, slow retrieves or stops in rivers or lakes.

This spoon emits vibrations that are proportioned according to the circumstances, descending quietly with subtle vibrations during a slow recovery or rising rapidly in the event of a rapid recovery.

If you stop the recovery, it will automatically find its cadence and level against the current.

Suitable for all kinds of predators, from trout and perch to pike and black bass. Quite simply an essential lure in the tackle box of any angler looking for a high-performance, versatile solution.




The wobbling spoon Sico Lure

cuiller ondulante de chez sico lure

The wobbling spoon from the French brand Sico Lure, available in two classic and effective colours: Fario and Stickleback.

The brand has paid particular attention to the ripples on this lure. In fact, some models lack activity on slow or fast retrieves, and it's this little flaw that the young company has managed to erase in this version.

What's more, this spoon is fitted with a single barbless hook that will provide optimum protection for your catch.




For pike

The Worldwide Spoon from River2Sea

world wide spoon

River2sea presents a wobbling spoon with a familiar profile, but make no mistake: this lure is different. With the Worldwide Spoon, the brand has once again drawn on its experience and creativity to offer an innovative version of this type of lure.

The special feature of the Worldwide Spoon is its ability to move away from you on the descent, bringing it closer to the predator most of the time. This will increase your chances of hitting fish by using the reaction instinct of pike and other species. The lure is also fitted with an assist hook attached to the head which is easy to install and remove.

It's important to note that the Worldwide Spoon is a Slow Sinking lure, sinking slowly into the water for a more natural and realistic presentation.




The Nauvo wobbling spoon from Rapala

cuiller nauvo de chez Rapala

It's a classic that's been updated with a new, modern finish. But it still retains the iconic action that has made it such a success since the 90s.

With a regular retrieve, the Nauvo offers a realistic and ample stroke, but you can also animate it more quickly for an erratic effect that will provoke flashes. The pronounced fluttering and rolling on the way down increases its appeal.

The new modern finishes add a fresh touch to the colours that have already proved their effectiveness. This large size is perfect for fishing for the biggest predators. The spoon is made from weight-free metal with a unique shape and fitted with a treble hook VMC Black Nickel.




Abu Garcia Atom Pro spoon

atom Pro de chez abu garcia
The Atom Pro wobbling spoon from Abu Garcia is an excellent lure for pike fishing. It will be capable of targeting large pike, and benefits from a classic shape and action that has been tried and tested since 1949.

What's more, with modern printed and holographic colours, this wobbling spoon is just as effective at attracting educated fish.

It's easy to cast and can be animated in a variety of ways, making it ideal for trolling and casting.

Available in several sizes, the Atom Pro wobbling spoon can be used to fish for pike, perch or zander.


Other articles on spoon fishing: