Slender spoon fishing slays fish

If someone says they are fishing slender on the ice, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are on a diet. There is a very good chance that they are fishing with  Custom Jigs & Spins Slender Spoons. The question is, which one and with what technique? There are three Slender Spoons—regular, Pro and Pro-Glow. I prefer the Pro-Glow, but use whatever is working. Fishing Slender Spoons is not only easy, but also very effective, especially on larger fish. My two main species are crappies and largemouth bass. I’ve also heard of some catching white bass, and most definitely yellow perch. Ice fishing with spoons will help you find bigger fish!

Tips on tipping slender spoons

This is a lure that can be tipped with bait, or fished naked. Most of the time, I tip it. But, if the fish are in an aggressive mood, then nothing goes on the hook. Wax worms and Power Crappie Nibbles are my favorites for tipping. I always use an application of Kick’n Crappie, with or without bait. This scent stays on for a long time and disperses in the water. That creates an odor zone throughout the column of water below the hole.

Another tipping idea is to put some spikes or Gulp Waxies on all three of the treble hooks. Both the live bait and Gulp have produced results.

The two step technique

The fishing technique is easy. Just lift and let it fall. Many of the strikes come as the spoon falls, especially with crappies. When a bass hits, it’s usually on the lift, or immediately after the spoon falls to the end of the line.

A couple of other actions work for more aggressive fish. First is a rip-and-pause. Quickly jerk the rod tip upward, then let the spoon fall back, keeping the line straight without slack. The second is a hop. Give the spoon three to five quick jerks upward before letting it fall back through where the fish are holding.

While my Vexilar FLX is a must-have tool whenever I’m ice fishing, it is even more important with a Slender Spoon. This is because fish move so quickly in and out after this lure. If no fish move, it is time for you to move. This is definitely a lure for active fish.

Slender spoon, fat fish

I’ve also noticed is that it catches larger fish. If I’ve been fishing in a hole with a Demon, Ratfinkee, Ratso, ’Gill Pill or Diamond Jig and catching fish, a switch to the Slender Spoon often brings up the largest crappie. Sometimes I’ll be catching crappies and bluegills on the aforementioned lures, then switch to the spoon and hit a bass in the same hole.

I carry one Frabill Straight-Line rod-and-reel combo, just for the spoon, so it is always rigged and ready to go. If the fish aren’t hitting it, I put it away and use one of the other lures, going back to the spoon from time to time. If I get some hits from nice-size bass, then I’ll switch to the spoon. The next time you head out ice fishing, try fishing slender.

If you have further questions about this or any other fishing subject, drop Dan Galusha a line through the Dan’s Fish ‘N’ Tales Tales® website at dansfishntales.com, the Facebook page at facebook.com/dansfishntales or facebook.com/shootnplink.

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