There are more largemouth bass lures on the market than you can shake a flipping stick at. Many are tailor-made for set conditions.
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| Flutter spoons, like this one, are great for targeting largemouth 20 to 30 feet deep. |
One bait that fits this bill is the flutter spoon. Relatively new on the scene, these heavy metal spoons are making bass take notice. And for catch-hungry anglers, that's a good thing.
What Are They?
The flutter spoon mimics the Great Lake salmon trolling spoon in shape, but when it comes to weight, this new breed is heavy. Weighing an average of 1/2 ounce in the 4-inch size and over 1 ounce for those measuring 5 inches, this increased heft is what gets them down to the strike zone fast. It also allows them to be cast a country mile.
Flutter spoons are designed to be worked horizontally, so weight is evenly proportionate throughout the length of the lure. The cupped backside is what produces their namesake action.
Where to Throw Them
Flutter spoons shine in deep water. Fifteen feet is a bare minimum. I prefer to target water 20 to 30 feet deep.
Toss spoons at any deep structure that may hold fish, including humps, shoals, ledges or breaklines. Look for hard-bottomed offshore structure. They excel when largemouth bass suspend.
Areas should be relatively free of vegetation or wood snags, and using your onboard electronics to both mark fish — and productive areas — is fundamental to success.
Technique is Key
Make long casts to your intended target and allow the spoon to fall to the bottom. Once there, you want to give it a long, steady pull (not jerk) then allow it to flutter downwards on a slack line. This natural fall is what triggers strikes.
Repeat this one-two punch until the spoon is back to the boat.
Most strikes will come as the spoon flutters downwards. Fish can short-strike by merely bumping the bait, but will often engulf it on the next lift and fall.
Flipping sticks upward of 8 feet in length get the nod, both for the power and reach they provide. Fluorocarbon line in either 15-pound or 20-pound test will get the job done.
I like to match my spoon to the size of prey fish are feeding on. It also makes sense to upsize spoons when chasing southern fish as opposed to their northern cousins.
Give flutter spoons a try this season. It is an exciting way to fish, and when working deep water, they may be one of the best lures to buy off the shelf.
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