In the vast expanse of fishing gear, the humble spoon might seem like an unassuming piece of metal.
But delve a little deeper, and you’ll discover a world where not all spoons are created equal.
Through countless trials and tests, five standout spoons have emerged as the favorites among pike anglers.
The best pike spoons are not just tools; they are the result of years of refinement, each with its unique characteristics and allure.
Spoons may all look the same. I mean it’s just a slab of metal right?
Well, it is true that all spoons serve basically the same purpose and have similar presentations, but some are certainly better than others.
I have tested out tons of spoons in my time, and these 5 are without a doubt by favorites.
Daredevle is the most classic and reliable brand for pike spoons. The timeless red and white spoon has been catching pike left and right for decades, and nothing has changed.
The Original Daredevle spoon has a wide wobble and swimming action paired with a high quality treble hook.
This spoon comes in tons of different sizes, but I like the 2/5 oz and the 3/4 oz sizes the best.
These sizes seem to maximize the lures effectiveness and put the most pike into the boat.
The Original Spoon comes in tons of colors, but the classic Red/White and Yellow/Red Diamond seem to work the best for whatever reason.
Patented in 1923, the Johnson Silver Minnow Spoon is the “Original Weedless Wonder.”
Built to deliver a precise thirty-five degree wobble with minimal line twists, the Johnson Silver Minnow Spoon executes a deadly back-and-forth flutter that entices a wide-range of species in both freshwater and saltwater.
Fitted with a single metal weedguard, the Johnson Silver Minnow Spoon is able to slide through heavily vegetated areas where other lures have a tendency to get hung-up.
Backed by a super-sharp welded hook, the Johnson Silver Minnow Spoon offers a tried and true vertical presentation that has become a staple among all anglers.
The Siver Minnow is hands down one of the best weedless lures for pike.
The LIVETARGET Erratic Shiner Flutter Spoon has bridged the tradition of old spoon craftsmanship with a new generation of tech-savvy production to create the first-ever anatomically precise flutter spoon.
Made using LIVETARGET’s Injected Core Technology, the LIVETARGET Erratic Shiner Flutter Spoon features a lifelike inner core that mimics a small fleeing baitfish, while an exo-skin gives it an erratic wide wobbling action that brings the core to life and triggers fish to strike.
The inner-core also produces a pulsating metallic flash that simply can’t be replicated by traditional style spoons to draw-in nearby fish.
Perfect for both vertical jigging and casting applications, the LIVETARGET Erratic Shiner Flutter Spoon imitates baitfish in ways that out perform other pike spoons in very clear water.
The realistic presentation is incredible in this high visibility water.
The Williams Wabler is the lure that founded the fishing tackle division of the Williams Company more than 100 years ago.
The most recognized and still today the most popular model in the Williams series, the Wabler has been a mainstay of anglers.
Originally popular as a lake trout spoon, the Wabler has proven itself as a fantastic pike spoon as well.
The Wabler, like all Williams lures, is stamped from premium polished brass.
A multi-step plating operation then applies the genuine Silver and/or 24K Gold finishes that Williams lures are renowned for.
These are not standard Silver and Gold finishes either.
The final step in the Williams plating process incorporates a further plated “electroclear” outer coat which is then baked on. This process does not dull the finish as a laquer would.
The Daredevle is one of my personal favorite pike spoons. It has the traditional profile and action of the Original Daredevle spoon, but it also has two extra spinner blades.
These blades just give the spoon some extra flash and multi-dimensional action.
The blades can move freely and flap around in contrast to the main body of the spoon.
This creates and awesome action that has caught be some of my biggest pike of all time. I especially like the extra flash and chaos of these blades when fishing for pike in the summer.
To be honest, I don’t really know why. And neither does anyone else.
They are super simple lures that aren’t as advanced as a pike swimbait or as noisy as a crankbait.
From the outside looking in, spoons shouldn’t be one of the best pike lures out there.
But if you ask any pike angler, they will tell you that spoons are one of, if not the best, northern pike lure that money can buy.
Maybe it is the simplicity that makes them great. Maybe all the advanced and noisy lures that are being made these days are just a little too advanced.
But whatever the reason is, spoon fishing for pike is a very hard technique to beat.
When it comes to retrieval, you can’t go wrong with a slow and steady retrieve.
Every few yards, speed up the spoon or pause it to try and trigger a bite from pike that might be trailing the spoon.
A simple cast and wind technique gives the spoon it’s awesome side-to-side fluttering action.
This makes spoons great for both expert and beginner pike fisherman because they are very easy to fish.
Spoons are primarily a baitfish imitation. Most of them are chrome or silver which mimics shad, minnows, or other small baitfish.
However, spoons also can imitate nothing.
What I mean by this is that spoons don’t looks super natural and some of them have bright red or yellow colors which certainly don’t mimic pike forage.
These spoons don’t really imitate any real bait, they just catch the pike’s attention and almost annoy them into biting.
These simple pieces of metal, with their erratic wobbles and flashing allure, have stood the test of time, proving themselves to be indispensable companions for anglers seeking the thrill of pike fishing.
Whether it’s the timeless classics like the Daredevle Original or the innovative designs of the Live Target, each spoon brings its own unique charm to the table.
So, the next time you’re out on the water, don’t overlook the power of the spoon – it just might be the key to unlocking your next trophy catch.
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