I've pondered many a time just how one is supposed to go about determining whether a spoon or spinner is gold, silver plated or just brass, nickel, chrome just by looking at the lure in the package. Based on what i've gathered from Jed Davis' book, the tips & techniques section here, past threads it would seem that there are very few widely available spoons and spinners that come in gold and silver finishes. Is it just me or are gold and brass hard to distinguish. Most of the time I couldn't tell silver apart from nickel. From what I have learned, Vibrax, Mepps are available in gold and silver finishes. Perhaps someone who fishes spoons often can tell me which ones are the ones to go for. I'm somewhat confident that when it comes to spoons the difference in price is a major distinguishing factor.

Good post - but I can't answer it and have had the same questions.

Rockhopper:

I am no where near as experienced as most of the guys here, but as far as brass vs. gold, silver vs. nickel, etc. I don't know of too many manufacturers that are making gold and silver plated spoons.

Mor Tac is one of the more common spoons that does come in gold or silver plating. From what my notes from the Herzog's seminar show the reflective index's at 5' depth are:

Plated (real) silver and gold will reflect 90% of the available light.

Plated brass and copper will reflect 60% of the available light.

Nickel reflects only 10% of the available light, and shows as black to the fish at 5' depth.

In water that is like "air" Zog suggested the nickel finish...and as more color is introduced go to the more reflective finishes.

Silver/gold silver/blue combinations work well also.

Get a nickel plated Little Cleo and compare the color/shine to the silver plated Mor Tac...the difference seems clear when they are side by side.

On Coho this year in the Skagit I hooked more fish on the brass and nickel spoons than on the silver or gold finishes. Why? Beats me...water clarity was "iffy" at times, but the chrome/nickel and red or blue combo's seemed to get the fish when others wouldn't.

IMO, any spoon that has actual gold or silver plating will be marked (stamped) as such. I have only found the Mor Tac's that are the "real deal", but I am sure there are more.

Hope that helps!

Mike B

I have recently gotten my hands on some sterling silverplated spoons for salmon. In the midwest that is what those fishermen demand. Go to this website:

www.bunyantown.com

C'mon.........the reference is solely one of color. Silver=Nickel Gold=Brass
If anyone is refering to the REAL DEAL, they have far too much money to be fishing, because the fish, I'm sure could give a hoot.

Brass dark days.......Silver bright days. Two-tone..........anytime the water is clear enough to warrent use of a spoon or spinner.