Spoon Fishing for Bass: A Complete Guide

By: FishUSA Staff

March 24, 2025

Spoon fishing for bass is an often-overlooked but highly effective technique that can produce excellent results in both deep and shallow water. Spoons imitate injured baitfish and trigger reaction strikes from bass, making them a versatile lure choice. Whether you're targeting bass in cold water, deep structure, or schooling fish, spoons can be a game-changer. This guide covers how to fish a spoon for bass, the different types of spoons, the best techniques, and gear recommendations to help you master spoon fishing.

Why Use Spoons for Bass Fishing?

Types of Spoons for Bass Fishing

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Best Techniques for Spoon Fishing for Bass

Best Gear for Spoon Fishing for Bass

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Conclusion

Why Use Spoons for Bass Fishing?

Spoons have been used for decades to catch a variety of fish species, including largemouth and smallmouth bass. Here’s why spoons are effective for bass fishing:

Versatile Presentation: Mainly fished vertically, but can be fished a variety of ways.
Mimics Injured Baitfish: The flash and wobble of a spoon mimics injured baitfish very well.
Great for Deep Water: Spoons are a great choice for fishing bass holding in deep structure.
Reaction Strikes: Their erratic movement triggers instinctive bites from bass.

Types of Spoons for Bass Fishing

Different types of spoons serve different purposes, and knowing when to use each one is key to success.

1. Small - Mid-Sized Jigging Spoons

Jigging spoons are designed for vertical fishing and are highly effective for targeting suspended or deep bass. Small - Mid-Sized varieties such as the Bink’s Pro Series Spoon, Cotton Cordell CC Spoon, and the Queen Tackle LS Tungsten Scoping Spoon are excellent options for smallmouth and spotted bass, or fish feeding on a smaller average size baitfish.

Best For: Fishing in cold water, deep water, and targeting bass under bait schools.
How to Use: Drop the spoon to the bottom or just above marks on your sonar and use a sharp jigging motion to create fluttering action. A short pitch or a vertical drop both work well.

2. Large Jigging Spoons/Flutter Spoons

A ledge fishing staple on Tennessee River lakes and other popular southern bass fisheries, the extreme flash and vibration offered by a giant jigging spoon replicates a dying shad very well, triggering the biggest bass in a school to bite. Popular options include those from Nichols Lures and 6th Sense.

Best For: Targeting the biggest bass in a school while ledge fishing or looking for deep offshore fish, either relating to structure or in open water.

How to Use: Make a short pitch or a moderate length cast to the school of fish or structure that you’re fishing. Use a sharp jigging motion while keeping the spoon just above the fish or structure to trigger bites.

2. Casting Spoons

Casting spoons are heavier and designed to be thrown long distances and retrieved with a steady or erratic motion.

Best For: Targeting bass feeding on baitfish near the surface or along points.
How to Use: Cast the spoon past the target area and use a steady retrieve or erratic twitching motion.

4. Weedless Spoons

Weedless spoons are an old school ure that have a streamlined shape and often feature a built-in weed guard, making them great for fishing in vegetation.

Best For: Fishing in grass, lily pads, and weedy areas where bass ambush prey.
How to Use: Retrieve the spoon steadily over vegetation, occasionally twitching it to create flash.

Best Techniques for Spoon Fishing for Bass

1. Vertical Jigging

Vertical jigging is one of the most effective ways to catch bass holding in deep water or suspending under schools of baitfish.

How to Do It: Drop the jigging spoon to the desired depth and use short, quick jerks to make it flutter.
Best Conditions: Works well in cold water, deep reservoirs, or when bass are inactive.

Learn more about catching suspended bass!

2. Yo-Yo Retrieve

The yo-yo retrieve involves lifting and dropping the spoon in a rhythmic pattern to mimic a wounded baitfish.

How to Do It: Cast the spoon, let it sink, then use a slow lift-and-drop retrieve.
Best Conditions: Works well when bass are suspended or when targeting fish near drop-offs.

4. Burning a Spoon

This technique involves rapidly retrieving the spoon to trigger reaction strikes from aggressive bass.

How to Do It: Retrieve the spoon at high speed, occasionally pausing to let it flutter.
Best Conditions: Works well when bass are actively feeding on baitfish.

Best Gear for Spoon Fishing for Bass

Rod and Reel Setup

Medium-Heavy Baitcasting Rod (7’0” – 7’6”): Ideal for casting and jigging heavy spoons.
Spinning Rod (6’10” – 7’2”): Works well for lighter spoons and finesse presentations.

Fishing Line

Fluorocarbon (12-17 lb test): Great for jigging spoons due to its sensitivity.
Braided Line (20-50 lb test): Best for fishing in heavy cover or deep water.
Monofilament (10-15 lb test): Works well for topwater spoons due to its stretch.

Best Conditions for Spoon Fishing

Cold Water: Bass tend to chase baitfish schools in cold water, making a spoon an excellent choice to target them.
Suspended Fish: Spoons work great when bass are not relating to the bottom.
Deep Water: Jigging and flutter spoons excel in deep lakes and reservoirs.
Schooling Bass: Casting spoons shine when bass are schooled up or actively feeding on baitfish.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not Letting the Spoon Fall Naturally: The fluttering action on the fall is what makes spoons effective. Let it fall on a semi slack line.
Using the Wrong Line: Fluorocarbon or braid helps maintain sensitivity when fishing deep. Stay away from monofilament when spoon fishing.

Conclusion

Spoon fishing for bass is an underutilized but highly effective technique that can produce excellent results in deep water, open water, and even vegetation. By understanding the different types of spoons, the best techniques, and the right gear, you can catch more bass throughout the year. Whether you’re jigging deep structure, casting to schooling fish, or working a flutter spoon over a ledge, spoons are a valuable addition to your tackle box.

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