How to fish a spoon for trout?

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

**Spoons are a classic go-to for trout** because they flash, dive, and wiggle like a struggling minnow. Here’s a practical, field-friendly guide to dialing in spoon fishing, especially useful in the early winter bite when water is cooler and fish are finicky.

**1) Pick the right spoon**
- Sizes: use small to mid-sized spoons (1/8 oz to 1/4 oz for creeks; 1/4 oz to 1/2 oz for lakes). Adjust for depth and current.
- Colors/finish: chrome, gold, and rainbow finishes catch in clear and stained water. In colder, clearer water, subtle finishes can outperform flash; in murkier water, brighter mirrors and UV help.
- Shapes: classic teardrop and elongated spoons are versatile; some spoons float a bit on pause and dive when retrieved.

**2) Rigging basics**
- Line: light monofilament or fluorocarbon in the 4–8 lb class works well; lighter line is more sensitive.
- Knot/leader: tie directly or use a small snap swivel to reduce line twist. If you’re fishing clear water, a short fluorocarbon leader (2–6 inches) can help without scaring fish.
- Hook: most spoons come with a single hook; keep it sharp and be ready to pinch the barb for easier releases.

**3) Casting and depth control**
- In creeks/streams: cast upstream across current, let the spoon sink to the depth of the likely holding fish, then retrieve with short, sharp twitches followed by a slow, steady pull. Let it flutter on the pause. Cover water by widening your casts downstream.
- In lakes/ponds: parallel-cast along weed edges, drop-offs, and current seams. Begin with a slow, steady retrieve and mix in pulses of two to four quick twitches to trigger strikes.
- Depth tricks: if fish are near bottom, let the spoon sink longer (count 3–6 seconds) before starting the retrieves. For mid-water fish, keep your spoon just off the bottom with gentle twitches.

**4) Retrieve cadence and technique**
- Varied retrieves = better odds. Try: (a) slow roll with occasional twitches, (b) quick short jerks followed by a long pause, (c) a steady, moderate retrieve with bursts of speed every now and then.
- If you’re in stained water, faster retrieves with brighter finishes can help; in clear water, go slower and focus on natural pauses.

**5) Season and weather notes (early winter)**
- Water temps in early winter slow trout metabolism; they’ll retreat to structure, so fish along drop-offs, undercut banks, and shaded pockets.
- Use brighter or more reflective finishes if sun is low or water is stained. A mini-sonar approach can help you target depth quickly when you’re learning (see gear below).

**6) Common mistakes to avoid**
- Over-retrieving or ripping the spoon; let it flutter on the pause.
- Fishing too deep or too shallow for the water’s current depth; adjust depth after a few casts.
- Skipping the leader or using heavy line in clear water; optics matter for wary trout.

**7) Quick gear and video/resources**
- Videos that nail spoon fishing for trout: 
  - [COMPLETE Guide To Spoon Fishing For TROUT In Lakes & Ponds.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOq6Akfmo5Y) 
  - [SPOON Fishing for Rainbow & Brown TROUT (creek fishing).](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v2MQJegPME) 
  - [COMPLETE Guide To SUCCESS Spoon Fishing For TROUT In Creeks & Rivers.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE0bp_eNut8)
  - [TROUT MAGNET Trout Fishing Techniques & 10 Tips](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDbwKi9Zt5I)
- Gear to consider (fishing spoons):
  - [FREGITO 5pcs Fishing Spoons, Trout & Bass Lures](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0995K1WJ4?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - [THKFISH Fishing Lures Spoons for Trout, Pike, Bass (5pcs)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XTBFTCH?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - [10 Piece Fishing Spoon Kit – Trout & Panfish](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDJYV3HR?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- Helpful tackle gear: [MINI sonar flat shad](https://tackle.net/item/mini-sonar-flat-shad) (great for dialing depth in unfamiliar water).

**Pro-tip for early winter hunts**: map out structure around the deepest holes and weedlines, hit the edges first, and then fan out to verify depth. Practice casting accuracy on a calm day so you can reach those tight pockets when wind picks up.

You’ve got this—grab a few spoons, pick a spot with structure, and start probing with a mix of steady and twitching retrieves. The bite can be fast and dramatic if you stay patient and adjust depth and color with the conditions. Good luck, and reel ‘em in! 🐟💥

Trout Questions

More Questions

Can you fish from the shoreline of Lake Michigan up by Arcadia?

How to fish with live bunker for striped bass

What bait can I use to catch bass in Myrtle Beach lake if the fish aren't hungry?

What are some tips for trout fishing in a lake in Denmark?

Do fully cooked turkey breasts work as catfish bait?

What are the best waders to use for salmon fishing?

What lure should I use at Oak Mountain in Birmingham, Alabama today?

What is the biggest fish alive?

How to fish a spoon for trout?

Related Videos

Product Recommendations

FREGITO 5pcs Fishing Spoons, Trout & Bass Lures, Hard Metal Spinner Baits (Silver-A)

THKFISH Fishing Lures Fishing Spoons Lures Trout Lures for Trout Pike bass Crappie Walleye Color A 3.5g(1/8oz) 5pcs

FishingPepo 5pcs Fishing Lures Spoons Trout Lure Hard Metal Spinner Bass Baits 5 Sizes Casting Spoon Hooks for Salmon Bass in 1/5 1/4 3/8 1/2 3/4 oz

10 Piece Fishing Spoon Kit with Tackle Box – 5g Metal Trout & Panfish Lures – Treble Hook Micro Spoons for Trout, Crappie, Bass, Ice Fishing – Ultralight Casting & Jigging Lure Set

FREGITO Fishing Lures,Fishing Spoons, Colorful Casting Fishing Spinner Hard Baits Tackle Single Hook for Trout Bass Salmon Freshwater Saltwater with Metal Hooks (12pcs Multiple Colors)

WOLFUL Spoon Lures 20-Pack Fishing Spoons Lures for Bass Trout Pike Minnow Topmouth Culter, Snag-Resistant Single Hook Design, Slow Retrieve Action for Finicky Fish

QualyQualy Fishing Spoons - Hard Bait Trout & Salmon Bass Fishing Metal Lures 1/8oz to 3/10oz 30Pcs

QualyQualy Fishing Spoon Assortment, 30pcs Colorful Trout Lure Set Casting Metal Trolling Spoon Single Hook Tackle Kit

Fishing Spoons Metal Fishing Lures for Trout,12pcs Trout Lures Single Hook Casting Lure Mini Fishing Jigs Trolling Spoon Lure for Bass Crappie Char Walleye Perch

𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗦 Fishing Lures Casting Spoon Lure Fishing Spoons Lures Troutlure Bass Lure Crappielure Pikelure Walleyelure for Saltwater and Freshwater with Tackle Box 1/4oz

Tackle.net

Scratch/Dent MINI sonar (flat shad)

Community

Trout Questions

What is the best way to catch rainbow trout in a perch-dense lake during summer?

what is best way to catch rainbow trout in a perch dense lake?

Give me a fishing weather report for trout on Root River.

Lightning trout glide bait

How to fish a spoon for trout?

Related Videos

Product Recommendations

FREGITO 5pcs Fishing Spoons, Trout & Bass Lures, Hard Metal Spinner Baits (Silver-A)

THKFISH Fishing Lures Fishing Spoons Lures Trout Lures for Trout Pike bass Crappie Walleye Color A 3.5g(1/8oz) 5pcs

FishingPepo 5pcs Fishing Lures Spoons Trout Lure Hard Metal Spinner Bass Baits 5 Sizes Casting Spoon Hooks for Salmon Bass in 1/5 1/4 3/8 1/2 3/4 oz

10 Piece Fishing Spoon Kit with Tackle Box – 5g Metal Trout & Panfish Lures – Treble Hook Micro Spoons for Trout, Crappie, Bass, Ice Fishing – Ultralight Casting & Jigging Lure Set

FREGITO Fishing Lures,Fishing Spoons, Colorful Casting Fishing Spinner Hard Baits Tackle Single Hook for Trout Bass Salmon Freshwater Saltwater with Metal Hooks (12pcs Multiple Colors)

WOLFUL Spoon Lures 20-Pack Fishing Spoons Lures for Bass Trout Pike Minnow Topmouth Culter, Snag-Resistant Single Hook Design, Slow Retrieve Action for Finicky Fish

QualyQualy Fishing Spoons - Hard Bait Trout & Salmon Bass Fishing Metal Lures 1/8oz to 3/10oz 30Pcs

QualyQualy Fishing Spoon Assortment, 30pcs Colorful Trout Lure Set Casting Metal Trolling Spoon Single Hook Tackle Kit

Fishing Spoons Metal Fishing Lures for Trout,12pcs Trout Lures Single Hook Casting Lure Mini Fishing Jigs Trolling Spoon Lure for Bass Crappie Char Walleye Perch

𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗦 Fishing Lures Casting Spoon Lure Fishing Spoons Lures Troutlure Bass Lure Crappielure Pikelure Walleyelure for Saltwater and Freshwater with Tackle Box 1/4oz

Tackle.net

Scratch/Dent MINI sonar (flat shad)

Community

Can you fish from the shoreline of Lake Michigan up by Arcadia?

How to fish with live bunker for striped bass

What bait can I use to catch bass in Myrtle Beach lake if the fish aren't hungry?

What are some tips for trout fishing in a lake in Denmark?

Do fully cooked turkey breasts work as catfish bait?

What are the best waders to use for salmon fishing?

What lure should I use at Oak Mountain in Birmingham, Alabama today?

What is the biggest fish alive?

What is the best way to catch rainbow trout in a perch-dense lake during summer?

what is best way to catch rainbow trout in a perch dense lake?

Give me a fishing weather report for trout on Root River.

Lightning trout glide bait