Any advice on using spoons for crappies or sunfish?

I recommend trying the smallest size pinhead minnow or jointed pinhead minnow. this is what I have had my best luck with this year so far.

Sometimes when fish are not actively feeding, it’s tough to convince them to bite. Spoons might be too aggressive for these fish.

One tactic is to get less aggressive – more moderate action baits, smaller size baits, and a less aggressive presentation.

I mentioned in another thread that the Acme Tungsten Pendu Jig (AKA Sling Blade) in the smaller 2 or 3 gram sizes has caught me fish when fish were approaching but wouldn’t bite. The VMC Tungsten Mongo jig with a Clam Silkie tipped with a spike or the VMC Tungsten Fly jig with a spike are pretty good at coaxing bites from less aggressive fish also.

You may find that early morning and late afternoon is a better time than mid day to try catching these same fish.

I will say it again. The Pinhead Mino has out fished any lure I’ve used in the last 5 years for big crappies and gills. I don’t know why, but it does. 1/16 oz is the one you want. Got me my first 10 inch full last season right here in the metro.

Attachments:

1. 

   8FC8E250-B7F4-47E4-AE3D-9652D7A559AE.png
   

Make sure you are using a swivel 12-18″ above the spoon. When you are working a spoon very slow and subtle, or when pausing to wait for the bite, the spoon will have a tendency to spin. When fish, especially big fussy bluegills are inspecting the bait up close, if its spinning in place down there, they are far less likely to commit.

mahtofire14 wrote:

I will say it again. The Pinhead Mino has out fished any lure I’ve used in the last 5 years for big crappies and gills. I don’t know why, but it does. 1/16 oz is the one you want. Got me my first 10 inch full last season right here in the metro.

Mahto, does the jointed version of the Pinhead Minnow works as well as the non-jointed?

I use the smallest spoon made, I like the forage minnow tipped with a minnow head and it catches lots of crappies. I find most times I will not go to the bottom as those are smaller and not biting fish. Keep the bait in the upper 5-10 ft and wait they will usually show up.

Just a few of the spoons in one of my boxes. When the bite slows, time to change up size, color, or body shape.

Attachments:

1. 

   20211215_093524-scaled.jpg
   

I still like the frostee spoons for panfish. Tippedwith waxies spikes or minnow head. Depending. They also work great with a lipped hook minnow still kicking alot.

mahtofire14 wrote:

I will say it again. The Pinhead Mino has out fished any lure I’ve used in the last 5 years for big crappies and gills. I don’t know why, but it does. 1/16 oz is the one you want. Got me my first 10 inch full last season right here in the metro.

I’m going to give in and grab a few of these for this winter.

Sometimes the fish just want something a little different. That’s why I carry a variety even though they have similar profiles. My go to has always been Northland Forage Minnow spoon and ACME Kastmaster spoon. If I think they want a more slim profile, the Swedish Pimple gets chosen or Gapen Flicker spoon. Sometimes I need a little bit more action then Northland Doodlebug spoon or Lindy Rattl’n Flyer spoon. Sometimes I need more fluttering, so Daredelve spoon or ACME Kamlooper spoon. Minnow shaped spoons like ACME Phoebe or Northland Moxie Minnow spoon.

Still can’t disregard the simple spinning blade, colorado or willow plus a hook and maybe a weight. Attached directly to a split ring and swivel or onto a clevis. Even when a make shift duo lock clip will work.

mojo wrote:

Sometimes when fish are not actively feeding, it’s tough to convince them to bite. Spoons might be too aggressive for these fish.

One tactic is to get less aggressive – more moderate action baits, smaller size baits, and a less aggressive presentation.

I mentioned in another thread that the Acme Tungsten Pendu Jig (AKA Sling Blade) in the smaller 2 or 3 gram sizes has caught me fish when fish were approaching but wouldn’t bite. The VMC Tungsten Mongo jig with a Clam Silkie tipped with a spike or the VMC Tungsten Fly jig with a spike are pretty good at coaxing bites from less aggressive fish also.

You may find that early morning and late afternoon is a better time than mid day to try catching these same fish.

I’m gonna try some of these.

mahtofire14 wrote:

I will say it again. The Pinhead Mino has out fished any lure I’ve used in the last 5 years for big crappies and gills. I don’t know why, but it does. 1/16 oz is the one you want. Got me my first 10 inch full last season right here in the metro.

Just bought some Pinhead and Jointed Pinhead Mino’s because of your post.

Have you tried the jointed ones yet?

John Rasmussen wrote:

I use the smallest spoon made, I like the forage minnow tipped with a minnow head and it catches lots of crappies. I find most times I will not go to the bottom as those are smaller and not biting fish. Keep the bait in the upper 5-10 ft and wait they will usually show up.

Single or Treble Forage Minnow?

Bearcat89 wrote:

I’m going to give in and grab a few of these for this winter.

I’ve had many people who aren’t the biggest Clam fans pick these up and can’t put them down. “Taking off my Clam hat” Full honesty, I really think these lures crush.

As for the jointed ones, I have a bunch, but the regular pinheads have worked so well, I haven’t taken them off. I even bought a bunch of the new 1/16 oz Tikka minnows this year because the tiny jiggin raps used to be my go to for big crappies, but to be honest the pinhead out fishes them.

ElySnoBearIceFishing wrote:

Make sure you are using a swivel 12-18″ above the spoon. When you are working a spoon very slow and subtle, or when pausing to wait for the bite, the spoon will have a tendency to spin. When fish, especially big fussy bluegills are inspecting the bait up close, if its spinning in place down there, they are far less likely to commit.

I completely agree, and this does not depend on what bait you are using. Aggressive fish may hit a spinning lure some, but not spinning is better. A reason I really like the In-line reels. I am not saying that you cannot get spin with these reels, but it is minimized. Changing line occasionally and using swivels with the appropriate baits will help to minimize line twist as afore mentioned also. Be safe folks and good luck!

Nice that Monti has his Clam shirt on when he recommends the Pinhead. Spoons are great because they tend to not spin as much as jigs, when rested. No brand of in line reel will promise less spinning because it does not work. The right angle from the line to jig creates the twist that releases as a spin regardless of the reel design, if you watch, a swivel does not help much either (you think it would right?) the swivel makes a nice connection from main line to leader though.
Spoons can also create a right angle but that narrow nose of the PH where it connects the the line would reduce this I think, May have to buy one!

mahtofire your gonna cost me more money making statements like that.I ended up with more silkies than most tackle stores have on hand.I hope they work.
Huntindave i see you got some classics there,rembrandts and rockers.I don’t see to many using the rembrandts or purists anymore.They still work though.

chuck100 wrote:

mahtofire your gonna cost me more money making statements like that.I ended up with more silkies than most tackle stores have on hand.I hope they work.
Huntindave i see you got some classics there,rembrandts and rockers.I don’t see to many using the rembrandts or purists anymore.They still work though.

Those silkies aren’t impossible to find because they don’t work….. I bought a bunch from the local Fleet Farm the other day. They’ve been so understaffed they’re still getting all their ice gear out. Had a whole rack of silkies to choose from. Like hitting the loto!

usmarine0352 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>John Rasmussen wrote:</div>
I use the smallest spoon made, I like the forage minnow tipped with a minnow head and it catches lots of crappies. I find most times I will not go to the bottom as those are smaller and not biting fish. Keep the bait in the upper 5-10 ft and wait they will usually show up.

Single or Treble Forage Minnow?

Treble, I have not seen them in a single

I have been doing very good on the PK tungsten spoons. Gets down fast has flash blade and a slight bend. also most glow. They are the smallest spoon I have found.

Single is a jig

I’m still only using tungsten ice flies. I will look into the pinhead though.

mahtofire14 wrote:

I will say it again. The Pinhead Mino has out fished any lure I’ve used in the last 5 years for big crappies and gills. I don’t know why, but it does. 1/16 oz is the one you want. Got me my first 10 inch full last season right here in the metro.

What size hook are you running on the 1/16 ounce ? Just ordered from Eight my Bait , why do i have so much tackle LOL

Just picked up some off these.

Attachments:

1. 

   3_c0e11b95-0cbc-4b77-8a03-b0de9f6e6a8c_800x.jpg
   

I can,t help myself

Attachments:

1. 

   image_4ea23a3a-4a38-48c6-88f1-cfb23c3ce786_295x.jpg
   

2. 

   BabyGill_295x.jpg
   

3. 

   Gobstopper_163d3816-efbb-4cf8-8b47-e9e1581704b9_295x.jpg
   

mrpike1973 wrote:

Been using Clam 1/32 flutter spoons and Northland 1/32 forage minnow spoons. Tipped with Euralarvae. When it gets slow the spoons seem to bring them in but nothing commits so I go back to regular lures any tips? better to just stay with jigs not having much luck with them or the very tiny Tikka minnows either.

Don’t forget to try small jigging raps. Sometimes a different action will get them revved up or set a dead stick and watch them come in for the aggressive baits and then hit the the plain hook and bait.

Bought 3 Pin Minnows was pretty impressed way better than the flutter spoons I think the blade is the trick.

Small jig raps can be ‘lights out” they tend to destroy them or ignore them. Try them at prime time.

mrpike1973 wrote:

Bought 3 Pin Minnows was pretty impressed way better than the flutter spoons I think the blade is the trick.

They have added a blade to the Clam Leech Flutter Spoons and call them Clam Ribbon Leech Flutter Spoons now.