by Ronnie Kovach, July 01, 2004

Metal spoons are some of the most versatile but under-rated lures in the southern California saltwater angler's tackle box. Spoons are an all-season lure. They will catch everything from pelagic species such as bonito, barracuda, yellowtail and even tuna, to bottom dwellers including almost every kind of rockfish, halibut and ling cod. Spoons are relatively simple to use once you understand their basic design and application.

Types of Saltwater Spoons.
Luhr Jensen manufacturers the most comprehensive line of saltwater spoons in the industry. These can be divided into two basic shapes: (1) wide-bodied wobblers, and (2) narrow, slab-shaped spoons.
Wide-Bodied Models - These spoons are larger versions of popular models often seen in western trout circles Krocodile Lure

The spoon most widely used for marine conditions is the ever-popular Luhr Jensen Krocodile®. Spoons of this design feature a fairly wide metal body which wobbles from side-to-side on the retrieve. This type also has terrific fluttering action, mimicking a wounded baitfish as it slowly sinks. Other wide-bodied spoons marketed by Luhr Jensen that are suitable for southern California saltwater fishing include the Flutter Spoon™, Diamond King™ and the Cast Champ®.

Cast Master Lure image
Cast Champ (Finish #0360 - Chrome/Flo Green "Prism-Lite"
Slab-Shaped Models - These spoons are characterized by their narrow bodies and sleek appearance. Models like the Crippled Herring® have little wind resistance and can be cast great distances. Crippled Herring Lure image
Slab-shaped spoons are designed to sink quickly and bounce off the bottom. However, they may also prove to be deadly as surface lures. Let's look at the major gamefish species found off the southern California coast and how to catch them using famous Luhr Jensen spoons.
TARGET GAMEFISH

Bass: Calico and sand bass comprise an integral component of the yearly catch for sportfishing fleets in southern California. Both of these saltwater species will readily attack a shiny spoon. In the colder months, both calicos and "sandies" will be situated near the bottom structure at 60- to 90-foot depths. One of the best ways to reach them is with a slab-shaped spoon vertically yo-yoed off the bottom. The trick is to make good bottom contact. Fish a Crippled Herring® spoon in one- to three-ounce models. Watch for sudden slack in the line, as bass suspended off the bottom may strike the spoon as it is sinking. Once on the bottom, use an exaggerated lift-and-drop sequence, raising and lowering your rod tip from the three to the 12 o'clock position. The object is to make the spoon literally "jump" off the bottom, then flutter back down imitating a dying squid, anchovy, mackerel or sardine.

For bass, use the Crippled Herring® series, the Nickel/Neon Blue Stripe and Nickel/Neon Green Stripe finishes are great for calico and sand bass. As water temperatures warm up, switch to a sub-surface cast-and-wind retrieve with a Krocodile® spoon. Depending on the size of the bass in the school, select from 5/8- to 2 1/4-oz. models. Remember however, "big spoons catch big fish!" Occasionally, pause during the retrieve to let the "Kroc" lazily flutter down a few feet. Always be prepared for a sudden jolt as a bigger "bull" calico or sand bass will literally "inhale" this lure on the sink. (Note: Browse our OnLine Store/Catalog for finishes)

Time-proven colors for this style of saltwater bassin' are Chrome, Chrome/Blue Mackerel, Chrome/Green Mackerel, and Chrome/Silver Prism-Lite®. The Krocodile® is available in all these finishes.

Barracuda: Veteran saltwater buffs in southern California have known for years that big 'cuda love a shiny spoon! Although a lot of smaller barracuda may be caught on live bait, the trophy seven- to 10-pound "logs" are frequently taken by accomplished spoon anglers. In the early spring, the barries canstack up on the bottom all the way down to 120 feet. These fish will be semi-lethargic, but they will eat if a lure is placed right in front of them. Here a heavier 1 1/2- to 3-ounce spoon yo-yoed off the bottom can be deadly. The Cast Champ® and Crippled Herring® are perfect for deep water 'cuda. Barracuda are notoriously fond of white and pearl finishes.

Similarly, fish a Crippled Herring® in the Fluorescent Blue Back/Pearl White Body. This particular pattern should always be a staple in the serious 'cuda fisherman's arsenal. When the barries are up near the surface, it's hard to find a lure better than the Krocodile®. The basic patterns used for saltwater bass are also perfect for barracuda. But 'cuda will also go crazy over other, more esoteric finishes in the series and these are worth adding to your spoon inventory. The Hammered Brass/Fire Stripe has long been a local favorite, along with the Chrome/Fire Stripe.

You may also want to switch to the Krocodile® with the optional single hook instead of the traditional treble hook. This spoon is a lot easier to remove from a toothy customer like the barracuda.

Bonito: These powerful little members of the tuna family are readily taken on shiny spoons. "Bonies" in deep water will jump on a Crippled Herring® yo-yoed off the bottom. This model in some variation of a chrome finish will perform admirably. Scale down in size, however, from 3/4 to 2 ounces with them. When bonito are on the surface feeding on schools of anchovies, start throwing those Krocodiles®. A 5/8- to 1 1/2-ounce Kroc thrown on a light baitcasting or spinning outfit makes a potent combination. Here again, almost any finish in the series will be effective as long as it has some trace of chrome on it.

Yellowtail: These fish are some of the most prized gamefish sought along the southern California and Baja coastlines. There are times, particularly when the "yellows" are feeding near the surface, that they will attack a spoon. With most specimens in the 12- to 25-pound range, don't hesitate to throw a larger 3 1/4- to 5-ounce Krocodile® on schools of boiling yellowtail. Be careful not to reel in too fast. A steady retrieve that keeps the spoon from spinning is best. The Chrome/Blue Mackerel, Chrome/Green Mackerel, Chrome/Silver Prism-Lite®, and Blue Mackerel finishes are favorites.

Furthermore, don't overlook slow-trolling these big spoons to locate schools of "breezing" yellows. Throttle down the boat speed to a few knots and slow-troll Krocs in yellowtail territory. The big spoons will look like errant mackerels or sardines -- prime morsels for hungry yellows!

Tuna: Yes, tuna will definitely nail a spoon on the outer banks! As the boat slides to a stop following an initial strike on the trolling lines, quickly fire off a cast with either a Krocodile® or Crippled Herring™ spoon. Lure color isn't overly critical in this situation when fishing "the slide". Any of these Luhr Jensen spoons in a variation of a chrome finish will work fine. As the spoon sinks away from the boat, charging yellowfin, bluefin or albacore tuna may intercept it. If you don't get a bite after the spoon has sunk to roughly 90 to 150 feet, start a steady retrieve back to the surface.

The offshore strike can be voracious on these lures with tuna in the 10 to 35 pound range. After you catch one on the slide, continue to free-cast the spoons, fishing them fairly deep for the schooling tuna. Some of the larger specimens caught on a tuna trip are invariably taken by an accomplished angeler fishing lures like these spoons on "the slide".

Bottom Fish: Halibut, ling cod, and the myriad of shallow water rockfish found off southern California are eager biters when it comes to the shiny spoon. As was mentioned with saltwater bass fishing, bottom contact will be essential when vertical spoonin' for these bottom dwellers.

The heavier 1 1/2- to 4-ounce models in the Luhr Jensen Cast Chamnp® or Crippled Herring® spoons are excellent for this type of bottom-bouncin'. The vertical lift-and-drop yo-yoing technique works best. As you fish these spoons below 120 foot depths, color becomes less important to the fish. The key again, is to make solid bottom contact, keeping the spoon in the deep strike zone. There's a special trick that's worth noting when it comes to deep-water spoonin' like this. It sometimes helps to pin a strip of cut mackerel or dead squid onto one of the points of the spoon's treble hook. This adds a lot of "flavor", giving the spoon a more life-like scent. At these greater depths, the fish rely more on smell than sight and color.

All Season Spoons!
As you can see, Luhr Jensen spoons are truly multi-specie, all-season lures. Carry an array of these various models in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors with you when fishing southern California's coastal waters. When other anglers are struggling with live bait, try these spoons! More fish and larger "jackpot" contenders are always a possibility when you start using them in the Southland.

SHARP HOOKS PAY OFF! One of the easiest things you can do to improve your fishing success, is to maintain super-sharp hooks on your lures at all times. A fine-toothed file such as Luhr Jensen's Sharp Hook File is the absolute best hook sharpening tool available.

Hold the file parallel to the hook point and with gentle, one-way strokes, remove a small amount of metal on at least two sides of the point to obtain a sticky-sharp point with a knife-like cutting edge. These top-quality, high-carbon steel, ultra-fine tooth files are available in two sizes (4 1/4" x 5/8" and 5 1/2" x 3/4") and four models (tang-end, thumb handle, unbreakable plastic handle and with a lanyard and snap ). Keep the file clean and dry and occasionally spray it with a non-corrosive lubricant such as WD-40 to prevent rust.