I am not new to steelhead fishing. I mainly am only good at drift fishing and float fishing, however. I would like to learn how to fish spoons effectively, but I'm not sure what kind of water to look for. Also, which spoons work best in any givin situations?

Any advice is very appreciated!

Spoon Fishing by Herzog is all you need

I love to fish spoons, and have one for every day of the decade, but they aren't nearly as productive for me as float/drift fishing.
I agree, buy that book if you serious about spoon fishing for sea-run rainbows.

Have Little Cleo Will Travel.

F&J,
Buy the Book.
But if you can't read or you're opposed to learning from a Sensai Master then just drift-fish the bloomin' thing on a SLACKLESS line kissing as many rocks as you can without getting hung up while pretending to flyfish as you let it swing down below you. Then sloooooowly reel it back in and repeat.
Who knows, maybe one of those rocks just might turn out to be a fish.
Got 3 "rock fish" in the smoker as we speak.
Yes spoons rock and they're alot of fun to fish too.

Try a chrome or chrome and orange little cleo right now in these low and clear conditions. Start with the 2/5 oz size, and swap out the treble for a siwash. Rig the hook with the point away from the round side of the spoon. This reduces snagging somewhat. Fish slow and deep.

GO BUY THE BOOK!

Bill H. Knows more about spoon fishing than most of us combined. The book will cost you about the price of the number of spoons you will lose each day until you learn a few of his tricks. I have fished with Bill lots of time and in addition to always kicking my butt (when we are spoon fishing) he loses about 1/4 as many as I do.

BUY THE BOOK.

Come to his seminar at Three Rivers marine and get it autographed.

Dave,

Thanks for the heads up about the seminar!

Just bought the book and told the wife I have a 7pm "meeting" in Woodinville on the 28th. Its a 1 3/4 hr. drive, but will be well worth it I am sure.

Mike

Thanks for the info Dave!

The spoon fishing is best in relatively clear conditions and with a light, tight line. I prefer spoons weighing at least 1/2 oz. in virtually all conditions to get them down to where the fish swim. Spoons with big wobble allows you to feel the lure better in the water and keeps your concentration up. Two of my favorites are B.C. Steel and Lil Cleo in silver and gold colors. And don't forget to use a quality swiver to reduce line twist.

If it wasnt for that Herzog book I probably wouldnt like fishing spoons as much as I do. In one years time I learned how to fish effectively with spoons and have out fished many friends and on many occasions caught fish with spoons where people had fished all day and had no luck, AHHH SPOONS. LIL CLEO 2/5oz shiny brass, hands down.

Mike B....the tail out of Blackman's drift is an awesome spoon hole...you live right there, you lucky dog.

Fun5..

Cool!

The only bad thing about that is I have absolutely no stinking idea where Blackman's Drift is!

Just moved up here in Oct, from Woodinville. Looks like a good local map is in the near future.

If your going to be out this way, drop me a note. Door's always open and the coffee's always hot.

Mike

For what it's worth, I like spoons for fishing broad runs of moderate depth. You can cast farther and cover more water than with drift fishing or float fishing. Do not apply enough tension that you feel the wobble easily...that will lift the spoon off the bottom. Use a little less tension (it will still attract fish) and pay attention to the taps as one may be a fish.

My largest summer run was a 16 pound hatchery fish that took a 1/2 ounce Stee-Lee. I think the more narrow spoons are better for winter conditions.

When you read the book pay close attention to the section on avoiding the push.