April 26, 2024: this nice chinook salmon was caught near Victoria, BC, on a 3.25" Black Chrome trolling spoon, customized in a variation of the "Blueberry Muffin" pattern popular on the Great Lakes. One other fish was caught that day on a similar spoon. I can assemble for you almost any custom pattern/size/color of spoon you can dream of. If there is a spoon you used to like but got discontinued by the manufacturer, I can reproduce it or even improve it with high-visibility lure tape.
June 10, 2024: after several weeks of windy weather that seriously limited salmon fishing, the guides are out again and the salmon are falling victim to the Black Chrome spoons. Victoria, BC. Nickel-plated or silver spoons enhanced with green and chartreuse lure tape have also been producing numerous chinook salmon.
June 20: fish have developed a taste for the 2.5" spoons in the last few days, while the 3.25" spoons remain productive as well. Top-producing colors have been: Black Chrome with chartreuse stripe/pink dots, True Gold with silver stripe, nickel-plated with chartreuse/green stripe. True Gold Che'gegon spoon with green "glow in the dark" stripe has also done well.
July 19: 2.5" gold trolling spoon with chartreuse/green stripe has been effective for salmon:
July 28: some nice hatchery chinook caught on a heavy duty Black Chrome spoon with chartreuse stripe (Bumblebee spoon).
August 3: My friend Neil entered a derby and asked me to assemble just for him "the hottest spoon possible". Here it is: "Neil's Sardine", inspired by pictures of Pacific sardines. Available in "Blue Sardine", "Green Sardine", "Bronze Sardine", "Purple Sardine". The spoons are available in the size and thickness of your choice, on a gold, nickel, or black-based spoon. $16.00 to $18.00.
Aug, 7: Here is an order I just delivered to a client in Sooke. Someone is going to be catching some nice fish soon. "Rathead" spoon, Heavy Duty Black Chrome 50-50 green glow/red, Blueberry Muffin with dots on the back side, Bloody Herring.
Another order ready for a client in Colwood, who wants to try the "Sardine" and "Herring" spoon in a few of the many available colors and finishes: Green Herring on a True Gold spoon, Natural Blue Sardine, UV Peacock Sardine, Glo Purple Sardine on a Black Chrome spoon. Between the 2 pictures, a subtle change in ambient light at my workbench really changed the way these spoons are perceived by the human eye. You can imagine how much more dramatic that change is in the water, when light conditions change. This is what makes these spoons so effective. When I was commissioned to develop these spoons by a client last week, I must admit that I was skeptical. I usually prefer to "let the plating do the talking", and favor subtle color highlights. I like to develop spoons that catch fish, not fishermen. But testing over the weekend revealed the irrefutable effectiveness of the Sardine patterns during difficult fishing conditions. In the hands of experienced charter captains, these spoons outfished bait and other lures by the following ratios: 6 to 1 in Sidney, 3 to 0, 3 to 2 in Sooke. The "Natural" pattern looks especially lively, as it uses 3 colors of tape with the same coarse glitter texture that imitate fish scales well. The "Natural" pattern will perform best in the top 50 feet of water. In deeper water, UV or Glo patterns will be more visible. The UV reflection is provided by the chartreuse centerline shown on the 3rd (Peacock) spoon. "Glow in the dark" is provided by the Green Glo centerline shown on the 4th (Purple) spoon.
Coho Lover in 2 inch shown here in custom "Herring" patterns ($14.00). Regular production models are available for $10.00, with the color stripe(s) of your choice. These spoons are absolutely deadly on coho and chinook salmon.
August 15: Let's talk about spoon longevity. For trout fishing, there are no issues. Trout teeth are not sharp enough to cause significant damage. For salmon fishing I have often heard complaints about spoons from my competitors, from fishermen and charter captains (tape peeling off or spoons getting bent out of shape after only a few fish). I have designed my "regular production" spoons with durability in mind. I use only the finest quality of spoon blanks made in the USA. I position the lure tape near the top of the spoon as much as possible, away from fish teeth. "Regular production" spoons have been used for 4 months now, without any significant damage happening. That is, until August, when large numbers of large chinook salmon have appeared. On one spoon, after 50 fish, noticeable damage has been done to the stripe of chartreuse lure tape, but the spoon itself did not get bent, and is still catching fish at the same rate. Some scratches have been inflicted to the plating of one Black Chrome spoon, without affecting its fish-catching ability. Not one client has complained about durability of the spoons. For custom spoons that use complex designs of lure tape, I was concerned about long-term durability, after seeing a picture of a Sardine spoon with tape damage after only a few fish caught. But I am pleased to report that this spoon still looks the same after 50+ fish caught. So please do not be alarmed if a spoon shows tape damage after only a few fish caught. It seems that the damage gets done early on, and does not progress at the same rate afterwards. Fish-catching ability is still excellent even with damaged tape. In fact, let's start a fun challenge: I would appreciate it if my clients would send me pictures of their spoons after 100 fish caught, to see how the damage progresses over time. I will post the pictures here. Then we will do a 200 fish challenge, 300 fish, etc.
"Sardine" spoon after a few fish caught. I suggested that the client use a razor blade to cut the peeling tape, to prevent
further peeling.
A Black Chrome spoon (Bumblebee spoon) after 60+ fish caught. We can still see the reflection of the photographer's phone on the spoon. This means that the spoon still reflects light in the water.
.jpg)
The same spoon after 50+ fish caught in 2 weeks.
The same spoon after 100+ fish in 4 weeks. Clear coat and plating are heavily scratched, the spoon is still catching fish, and the tape has held up well. The hook had to be replaced at the 100 fish mark. Let's see if it will reach the 200 fish mark.
The Coho Lover Heavy Duty line of products: 2 inch, 3 inch, 4 inch. Shown here in "Natural Green Herring" custom pattern ($14.00 for 2 inch and 3 inch, $15.00 for 4 inch). Also available in "regular production" models with diagonal stripe(s) in the color(s) of your choice (for a limited time, special price of $10.00 for 2 inch and 3 inch, $11.00 for 4 inch).
August 24: someone was wondering why no manufacturer has developed a spoon to match the Betsy flasher. I found out why when I tried to assemble such a spoon. I could not find a yellow tape to match the centerline, so I was forced to improve the design by using a color-shifting yellow/pink tape for the centerline. The "Betty" spoon is built on a 3.25" nickel spoon. The "Gold Betty" spoon is built on a True 24k Gold spoon. I can also build "Black Betty" on a Black Chrome spoon. $14.00, $16.00 for Heavy Duty versions. As you can see in the pictures below, the color-shifting ability of "Betty" and "Gold Betty" is unparalleled. She blushes...
Update: the first gentleman to try the Gold Betty spoon released a 97 cm chinook (close to 30 lb) in less than 30 minutes, and caught a keeper chinook 45 minutes later.
September 1st: new color: "Blood Orange". It has a color-shifting pearl/orange/pink centerline, with glittery red, and glittery gold halves. Very effective for coho and chinook. The first charter captain testing it caught a 15 lb chinook in less than one hour.
September 7: new colors: "Copper/blue/yellow herring", "Polka Dots", "Halloween".
Sept. 11: New colors: Blue Pearl Coming soon: Copper UV Hornet (on True Gold or Black Chrome spoons), Silver Hornet (on True Gold or Black Chrome spoons), Yellow Hornet (on True Gold, Premium Nickel, or Black Chrome spoons).
Sept. 28: the discovery of a new opal lure tape that combines UV reflection and "glow in the dark" characteristics, has allowed me to greatly improve most of the custom spoons. A uv reflective eye also increases visibility of the lure in deep water.
New high-visibility spoon: built on a 3.25" Black Chrome spoon, with chartreuse fish scale UV reflective tape on one side, and green "glow in the dark" tape on the other side. A large UV reflective pink eye completes the design. $12.00
Sept. 30: this morning I made a few "Anchovy" spoons. They are available in 2", 2.2", 3", 3.6". These spoons combine a natural look with high visibility in the water, due to the UV reflective centerline and eye. The 3.6" version is a true silver plated spoon, not nickel. $14.00
3" Coho Lovers in blue/silver, red/silver, and green/silver. These spoons feature an opal UV reflective and "glow in the dark" centerline. The natural beauty of a bucktail fly, with the durability of a spoon. Should be very effective for fall coho. $14.00
Oct. 4: I have received a limited quantity of large UV reflective fish eyes, that allow me to offer "Frog" spoons at a very competitive price of $12.00 in standard duty configuration ($14.00 for heavy duty). Offered in premium nickel, Black Chrome, or True Gold. 3.25" is the standard length for a conventional trolling spoon, but 3.6", 3.75", 3", 2.5", 2.2", and 2" are also available. I can install dots only, or dots and stripes in the color of your choice. Most popular stripes are UV reflective chartreuse, or green "glow in the dark". Dots are available in UV reflective chartreuse, or pink. I will soon receive some "glow in the dark" large fish eyes, that will offer another choice of color. These spoons should be very effective for fall coho and winter chinook, due to their high visibility. I can also assemble these spoons for trout fishing, with smaller hooks.
Purple and blue are the last two colors to disappear from view when fishing deep. It makes sense to combine them on one spoon to test how the fish react to that combination.
Oct. 11: I have just received a small quantity of painted "glow in the dark" spoon blanks, that allow me to assemble some "classic" patterns at affordable prices. "Glow Cop Car" and "Glow Bloody Nose" are $10.00 each. These spoons have already proven their effectiveness for fall coho and winter chinook (please see Oct. 21 fishing report). We should not expect the same durability from painted spoons than from plated spoons, but so far the durability of these painted spoon blanks made in the USA seems far superior to the competition. Long-term durability testing is currently being done to see how many fish the painted spoons can catch before showing damage from fish teeth. I will report the results here once we have enough data. I can assemble many of our favorite spoon patterns on "glow in the dark" spoons. Just ask. I have already made some "Glow Sardine" spoons, that will combine the effectiveness of the intricate front pattern, with the visibility of a glow back side. Using "glow in the dark" blanks also reduces the price of the finished product to $14.00, as I do not need to add a centerline.
Glow Cop Car, prismatic black ($10.00)
Top: Glow Bloody Nose ($10.00)
Bottom: Glow Brushed Green Sardine ($14.00)
Glow Frog, Red Glow Frog spoons ($12.00)
Oct. 14: Below are a few examples of spoons assembled using the new True Green UV reflective lure tape.
Oct. 14: A custom spoon requested by a client in Sooke: I used a plain metallic emerald tape for the upper part, goldish yellow for centerline, distressed silver for the belly.
Oct. 18: in preparation for trout fishing season, I have assembled some "Mini-Sardine" spoons: built on a 2.5" True Gold spoon, available in many colors. Here we have Natural Green, UV Blue/Cracked Ice, Prismatic Black/Distressed Silver with UV opal centerline. $15.00
Nov. 22: In the last few months I have received a few requests for a "Purple Haze" trolling spoon. Unfortunately the Moon Jelly tapes from 4 different manufacturers were not durable, so I had to figure out the "next best" option. I found a Light Blue "Prism" tape that is durable. So the best I can offer at the moment is a "Blue Prism Purple Haze" spoon. Time will tell if this color will catch fish. None of the tapes are UV-reflective on that spoon ($14.00), but you can see that the prism tape is highly reflective to natural light. In the coming weeks I will experiment with dipping the spoon in a UV-reflective clear coat, and test for durability.
Dec. 11: an order for a new client in Comox: a nice assortment of the different finishes and styles available, to cover most fishing conditions. Blueberry Muffin spoon on a Black Chrome finish, Sardine spoons in Blue and Green on painted "glow in the dark" base, True Gold, Coho Lover in 3" and 2".
Dec. 21: an order for a client in Alberta, who fishes for rainbow trout and kokanee in Montana. We are optimistic about the two UV-reflective watermelon spoons, built on premium nickel light-duty blanks, for maximum fluttering action.
Jan. 10: an order of Sardine spoons shipped to Metchosin. The Sardine spoon can be customized according to your needs: here we have one Green Sardine built on a painted "glow in the dark" spoon blank for deep winter fishing, one Green Sardine with true gold back and a chartreuse UV-reflective centerline for summer fishing at 60 to 100 feet, and two Natural Blue Sardines with nickel back for summer fishing in the top 50 feet of water (no UV-reflection or glow in the dark characteristics),
Jan. 10: something a bit different. A new client in Castlegar wants to cast in strong current for trout and walleye. I suggested that we try a heavy duty 3.25" spoon, in Black Chrome. I also happened to have some heavy duty nickel-plated spoon blanks on clearance, which were used to assemble economical spoons ($7.00 each). I installed size 2/0 VMC "sacrificial" hooks, that will straighten out when snagged, allowing retrieval of the spoon. This is all experimental, and if successful will be added to the regular product line.
Jan. 12: an order for a client in Port Alberni. Two Blueberry Muffin spoons, two Bumblebee spoons (with and without fish eye), Natural Blue Sardine, Natural Green Sardine, Gold Betty spoon. It is a good practice to purchase spoons in pairs, so that if you lose one to a broken leader, you still have one to finish the day.
Jan. 20: a large order for a client in Alberta who also fishes ocean and lakes in B.C.
2" Coho Lover High Visibility
2.5" Tiny Spoon True Silver with green glow dots (currently unavailable)
Natural Green Sardine
Natural Blue Sardine
"Grape" pattern on a 3.25" True Gold spoon
Watermelon pattern on a 3.25" collectible True Gold Lil' Thumper
3.6" True Silver Pink Pearl
3.6" Copper/Orange
3.6" Black Chrome/Green
3.6" True Silver Prismatic Cop Car
3.25" True Gold/Green Glow
3" Coho Lover Blood Orange
3.6" Black Chrome Bumblebee
3.6" Black Chrome Red "Rat Head"
Model 88/Glow Pink
Model 71 5" Nickel/Chartreuse/Brass back
Model 72 Copper Orange/Black Chrome
Jan. 31: an order of custom spoons for a client in Vancouver.
1- Green Herring on True Gold spoon
2- Green Sardine on Painted Glow spoon (Limited Edition)
3- Blue Sardine on Painted Glow spoon (Limited Edition)
4- Purple Sardine on Painted Glow spoon (Limited Edition)
5- Purple Sardine with Glow centerline on Black Chrome spoon
1- Watermelon Sardine on True Gold spoon
2- Watermelon Sardine on Painted Glow spoon (Limited Edition)
3- Modified Watermelon Sardine on Painted Glow spoon (Limited Edition)
4- Modified Chartreuse Watermelon Sardine on Painted Glow spoon (Limited Edition)
The picture on the right was taken under a UV light, showing the very high UV reflective properties of the lure tapes used on these spoons.
Peacock Minnow: a color-shifting blue-green Peacock centerline, complements a silver belly and a prismatic black back. This should be a top producer when fishing for chinook and coho in the top 50 feet of water, or for trout. The pictures below are of the same spoon, photographed at a different angle.
Feb. 6: another order leaving for Calgary:
1- 3.25" painted "glow in the dark" spoon with "Frog" pattern in UV-reflective chartreuse
2- 3.6" coarse glitter medium green/pearl spoon
3- 3.6" prismatic dark green/pearl spoon
4- 3.6" prismatic light green /pearl spoon
5- 6" nickel-plated flutter spoon in "Army Watermelon" pattern
1- 3.6" honeycomb pattern True Gold spoon ($6.00)
2- 3.25" True Gold spoon with orange stripe ($10.00)
3- 3.25" True Gold spoon with hot pink stripe
4- 3.25" Black Chrome spoon with glow pink stripe
5- 3.25" Premium Nickel spoon/chartreuse stripe
6- 3.25" Premium Nickel spoon/prismatic black
7- 3.6" honeycomb pattern True Silver spoon ($6.00)
Feb. 6: an order for a client in Port Alberni:
1- 2" Coho Lover Blue/Opal
2- 2" Coho Lover High Visibility
3- 3.25" True Gold/Green Glow/Red Glitter
4- Natural Blue Sardine on nickel spoon
5- Green Sardine on painted glow spoon
6- Blue Sardine on painted glow spoon
7- High Visibility Sardine on nickel spoon
8- Reverse Purple Haze on painted glow spoon
I have received a handful of 2.5 inch narrow copper spoons. I will try them out soon (bottom of picture). I will also test a semi-transparent chartreuse tape applied to a 2.5" gold spoon, a transparent UV-reflective crinkle tape applied to a 3.25" antique spoon, and a prismatic burnt orange tape applied to a 3.25" spoon. Late in February I will be testing a variety of well-renowned "new old stock" collectible trout spoons in true gold, true silver, and copper. I was able to secure these spoons at a reasonable price, and I will pass on the savings to my clients. This is exciting news for trout fishermen seeking new models of "old-school" thin flutter spoons for early spring fishing. When the water is cold, we benefit from a slower trolling speed, and only thin flutter spoons produce good action at these slower speeds.
I have found a Moon Jelly (opal) tape, and a Pearl tape, that also double as long-lasting "glow in the dark" tapes. This inspired new models of spoons, including the new "Monster" spoons, that feature a Big Eye and colorful patterns. I can assemble the spoons with or without eye, dots, on a nickel, True Gold, or Black Chrome finish.
3.25" Moon Jelly Bloody Herring, nickel back. $14.00
Night view of the same spoon
3.25" Rainbow Trout spoon, Moon Jelly, nickel back. $16.00
Night view of the same spoon
3.25" Black Monster Moon Jelly spoon: color-shifting opal tape that also glows in the dark, Black Chrome back, UV-reflective Big Eye. $12.00
3.25" Black Monster Pearl Spoon. The color-shifting Pearl tape also glows in the dark. $12.00
3.25" Black Chrome, Glow Eye, Moon Jelly stripe on back. $10.00
3.25" Reverse Purple Haze with big eye. $14.00
Night view of the same spoon
3.25" Purple Haze spoon with dots. $$16.00
3.25" Triple Pearl Sardine, on nickel spoon ($16.00)
3.25" Distressed Purple Haze with big eye. $14.00
3.25" Double Brushed Green Spoon with dots. $16.00
3.25" Brushed Green Monster. $14.00
Feb. 21: I have received some famous collectible flutter spoons from the Great Lakes area. These spoons hold US and Canadian patents. One of the most promising is the 2.5" True Gold model. This spoon is narrow (.50" wide), which imitates a needlefish. Thickness is .025" with pronounced cupping and a reinforcing bend, so this spoon should not get bent when catching large salmon. Saltwater immersion test is in progress, results will be known in one week. Trout fishing tests are underway. Limited quantities. $8.00 for the spoon with no artwork, $12.00 with one color of lure tape. This is an opportunity to own a piece of fishing history.
New patterns requested by a client: "Whitefish" (semi-transparent chartreuse, Glow Pearl, UV reflective green). On a True Gold 3.25" spoon. $14.00. Pearl and Neon pink on nickel 3.25" spoon. $12.00
Gold Army Truck ($12.00), Monster spoon Glow Moon Jelly with chartreuse centerline ($12.00)
The same spoons under UV light
New prototypes: Moon Jelly Orange Rainbow, Moon Jelly Rainbow on Black Chrome spoon. Also available in gold, nickel, 3.25", 3.6". $14.00
The same spoons under UV light
Danger Zone on Black Chrome spoon. Also available in gold, nickel, 3.25", 3.6". $12.00
Danger Zone, Red Danger Zone on 3.25" True Gold. $12.00
The same spoon under UV light
The same spoons under UV light
Orange Haze, Pink Haze. Just like a Purple Haze, but with the added benefit of UV reflection on the centerline.
The same spoons under UV light
under UV light
Gold Super Monster: a hybrid of Purple Haze and Monster spoon, that gives you a lot of bang for your buck: for the same price as a classic Purple Haze ($14.00), you get the added contrast of black dots, and a gold reflective area on the front of the spoon. Also available in Black Chrome. You can pick the centerline color of your choice. I can replace the Glow Moon Jelly tape with Glow Pearl instead.
"Canadian Pizza": the spoon that has it all! I started with a painted UV-reflective white spoon with a nickel back, to which I added a glitter blue top, UV-reflective pink centerline and chartreuse Big Eye, and black dots on the belly. The top can be green or purple. Centerline can be orange, gold, red, silver. $14.00
Black Super Monster. Shown here with a small eye. $14.00
The new Super Monster model has generated some interest already, because it delivers good value, and looks great in almost any color combination. Here I have assembled for a client in Alberta a selection of light duty (.018" thick) flutter spoons to target lake trout ($14.00 each). I can assemble the Super Monster in standard duty (.025" thick) and even Heavy Duty (.050" thick) to target salmon.
1- nickel, glow pink, glow Moon Jelly
2- True Gold, dark green, glow Pearl
3- True Gold, neon orange, glow Moon Jelly
4- Black Chrome, silver cracked ice, glow Pearl
Super Monster Spoon, Danger Zone pattern, on Black Chrome. $14.00
Below you can see a picture of the new Danger Zone 2.75" model of spoon, under a 3.25" spoon for comparison. The 2.75" will be available late in March, in True Gold or Black Chrome. A few competitors offer spoons of that length, but they are .018" to .020" thick, making them vulnerable to getting bent out of shape by large salmon. I have selected a spoon that is .025" thick, for increased durability. The 2.75" model I have selected has a bend that is a bit more pronounced than my best-selling 3.25" models of spoons. This limits the number of tape colors that can be used on the long edge of the spoon. But any color of tape can be used if it is applied as a diagonal stripe across the spoon. I already have in my product line the Coho Lover 2", 2.2", and 3" spoons that are useful when the baitfish swimming in our waters are small. The Coho Lover spoons are .050" to .060" thick, making them indestructible. But it you prefer a lighter spoon with more of a "fluttering" action, the 2.75" in .025" thickness will probably be suitable for your needs.
Two new affordable Herring Spoons ($12.00 each): Blue Herring on nickel, Dark Green Herring on True Gold. These spoons are built on a rigid electroplated brass blank .025" thick, that will not bend when catching large salmon. I can assemble the spoons with almost any combination of color you would like, for the centerline and "top" part. Also available on a Black Chrome spoon.
High-Visibility Blue Herring Spoons: shown here with UV-reflective neon orange and neon pink centerline, on a nickel spoon. $12.00
Mini-Frog spoons, built on 2.5 inch narrow spoons. Available in Black Chrome, True Gold, True Silver, Stainless Steel, Copper. Also available in 2.5" wide, 3.25", 3.6". $10.00. This Frog pattern has "saved the day" for three fishermen last October, coho fishing.
Below are two new Pearl tapes in fine grit finish (UV-reflective White Pearl, Black Pearl). These could be economical alternatives to abalone, with better durability. This spoon is called Two-Tone Pearl Cop Car ($12.00).
The White Pearl tape reflects UV light
Mar. 10: new patterns requested by a client in Port Alberni: Lil' Fat Daddy (red glitter on Black Chrome - $8.00), Monster (metallic blue/neon orange on Black Chrome - $12.00)
More new patterns: Black Chrome/purple/neon pink dots ($12.00). Neon Orange Frog on Black Chrome ($12.00). If you would like higher visibility on these spoons, I can add a stripe of Glow Moon Jelly to the back side for $2.00 extra. That option is available on most spoons.
under UV light
under UV light
New Magnum models, that could be useful when fishing waters where the bait is large: 3.75" Blue Monster Moon Jelly Glow Sardine on nickel spoon ($16.00), 3.75" Green Glow Sardine on Honeycomb Stainless Steel Spoon ($16.00). I can add a stripe of glow tape on the back side for $2.00 extra. The spoon at the bottom is 3.25" in length, for comparison.
Triple Pearl Sardine on nickel spoon ($16.00): the video on the right shot under UV light shows the color-shifting ability of the Glow Pearl centerline, as well as the UV reflection of the White Pearl and Black Pearl tapes. A truly unique, spectacular spoon under any light conditions.
Mar. 12: an order of large/heavy duty spoons for a client who fishes near Hornby Island:
4.75" Green Herring/Glow Moon Jelly
3.75" Green Herring/Glow Moon Jelly ($14.00)
3.25" Heavy Duty Green Sardine/Glow Moon Jelly on Black Chrome spoon
4.75" Purple Herring/Glow Moon Jelly
3.75" Purple Herring/Glow Pearl ($14.00)
3.25" Heavy Duty Purple Sardine
4.75" Purple Herring/Glow Moon Jelly
4.75" Green Herring/UV Pearl
4.75" Green Herring/Glow Moon Jelly
Mar. 15: I found in my stash two exceptional lure tapes I had received as samples. These cannot be ordered anymore at a reasonable price. They are up for grabs, but due to very limited quantities I will not apply them to spoons before they are sold. I believe that these would look fabulous on Black Chrome spoons. The purple tape would look good on nickel spoons too. I have just enough tape to make 5 spoons with each color. The spoons would cost $10.00 if they include only the one tape, and a big eye. So one lucky fisherman could own 10 of these unique spoons for only $100.00.
Mar. 15: for my clients who already own most of the popular West Coast spoon patterns and are looking to try something different, I have assembled spoons after watching fishing reports from Lake Ontario. It will be interesting to see how well these patterns will produce in our local waters...
Chartreuse Frog, with Crinkle Glow tape, on True Gold spoon. $14.00
Monster Spoon in Shiny Minnow pattern: nickel spoon with Black Chrome tape on the top part, and Crinkle UV-reflective tape on the centerline. Can be assembled on a True Gold or Black Chrome spoon too, and with other colors for the top part (blue, bronze, purple, brushed green). $12.00
Frog under UV light
Frog in the dark
Monster Spoon Shiny Minnow on True Gold spoon: prismatic black top, crinkle centerline, silver glitter belly. $14.00
Monster Spoon Shiny Minnow Purple/Glow Crinkle/UV Crinkle on True Gold spoon. $14.00
Monster Spoon Shiny Minnow Blue/Glow Moon Jelly/UV Crinkle on True Gold spoon. $14.00
Mar. 23: a client in Alberta has requested some custom colors. Here are a few, more to follow:
3.25" Super Monster Shiny Minnow (chartreuse upper on nickel spoon)
3.25" Super Monster Shiny Minnow (UV Crinkle upper, gold fine glitter centerline on nickel spoon)
3.25" Super Monster Shiny Minnow (dark green upper, on Black Chrome spoon)
3.25" Super Monster Shiny Minnow (smooth purple upper, on Black Chrome spoon). Similar to the famous RV Raspberry Carbon pattern from the Great Lakes, but in a smaller format.
5" Coho Lover, Grape with UV Crinkle centerline
3.75" Purple Herring with Glow Pearl centerline, on Black Chrome honeycomb spoon. This spoon weighs only 8 grams, which is really light for its size, due to being only .022" thick and made of stainless steel. But it will not get bent by large fish, due to proper cupping and width. $16.00
3.75" Monster Spoon, Glow Pink/silver glitter, on Black Chrome honeycomb spoon. $14.00
3.25" Purple Monster Sardine spoon with UV Green belly and Glow Pearl centerline, on Black Chrome spoon.
3.25" Super Monster UV Green/copper/silver on Black Chrome spoon. An outstanding value at $12.00. Shown above under UV light.
3.25" Shiny Minnow, Black Chrome upper, on True Gold spoon. $12.00
Sometimes the simplest designs are effective too: "let the plating do the talking"
1- 3.75" True Gold honeycomb, neon pink
2- 3.75" True Gold honeycomb, neon orange
3- 3.75" Copper honeycomb, neon orange
These spoons are for freshwater use only. They weigh only 8 grams and excel at catching trophy trout. Available in stainless steel and Black Chrome too (suitable for saltwater). Very limited quantities. $12.00
I have watched 2 videos from the Great Lakes that showed High-Visibility spoons effective for coho salmon and steelhead. It will be interesting to see if they will perform well on West Coast coho and rainbow trout.
3.25" Monster lime green/neon orange $12.00
3.25" Monster orange/crinkle UV $12.00
3.25" Monster chartreuse/lime green on painted white UV spoon/nickel back $12.00
3.25" Monster neon orange on Black Chrome spoon (also called "Halloween") $12.00
3.25" Super Monster orange/black chrome tape, on True Gold spoon $12.00
Here is a spoon inspired by one of the most controversial Great Lakes color patterns: UV Carbon. $10.00
Chartreuse UV Carbon on Black Chrome spoon $12.00
3.25" Purple Trouble Limited Edition: purple/glow pearl/crinkle, on Black Chrome spoon. Very limited quantities. $14.00
3.25" Monster Green Envy: dark green/white/crinkle, on Black Chrome spoon.
3.25" Double Copper on Black Chrome spoon $12.00
3.25" Super Monster chartreuse/silver on Black Chrome spoon $12.00
A client requested a version of the Nasty Boy spoon, discontinued by its manufacturer. This one is built on a 3.25" painted UV-reflective spoon, with nickel back.
Coho Lover 5 inch. Available in various color patterns. Due to the sharp bend in that type of spoon, the choice of colors is more limited than with conventional trolling spoons. The sharp bend explains the erratic action of the 5 inch model, similar to a plug. Also available in 2, 3, 4 inch sizes.
A client requested a Peanut Butter spoon, that resembles the Peanut Butter hoochie. This spoon has a nickel back.
I also made nickel-back spoons that resemble the green splatterback hoochie. $12.00
under UV light
Purple Haze/Pearl: a combination of Glow Moon Jelly and Glow Pearl tape, around a distressed purple centerline. $14.00
Below are some new models, all built on a painted UV-reflective white spoon, with nickel back. Tiger Prawn, Ladybug, Slim Purple Haze, Slim Glow Muffin (same colors as a Blueberry Muffin, different pattern). Picture on the right is under UV light.
A new design for the best-selling Blueberry Muffin spoon. I added a glow eye, and the dots are UV-reflective neon pink, instead of glow pink. It is always possible to order the "classic" design too. $12.00
under UV light
Reverse Blueberry Muffin $12.00
A more affordable Sardine spoon ($14.00), available with a black upper only. I have used a 3.25" Black Chrome spoon for the following:
1- Natural Black Sardine
2- UV Black Sardine
3- Glow Black Sardine
Will soon be available in 2.75" version too. It is already available in 2.5", 3.6".
UV Diamond Pink Haze: same principle as a Purple Haze, but the pink centerline is diamond-shaped and UV-reflective. $14.00
I had been looking for a suitable "Medium Blue" tape for a long time, and finally found it today. This new color should produce even more than the dark blue we have used in the past year.
A client sent me a picture of this Peanut Butter plug. I assembled a 3.25" True Gold spoon in that pattern, which should be productive for coho salmon. If you have a favorite color of plug or hoochie that you would like reproduced on a spoon, feel free to send me a picture. I also specialize in reproducing discontinued fishing spoons. It does not have to be expensive. The Peanut Butter spoon sells for $14.00.
I found a new semi-transparent UV-reflective green tape, that will become important in the product line. This tape looks spectacular on a painted white spoon. The top two spoons are $10.00 each, and the spoons with dots are $12.00 each. Picture on the right is under UV light. Pictures below show the same tape applied to nickel, True Gold, and Black Chrome spoons. Even though the tape looks "ordinary" to our eye in ambient light, it looks striking under UV light, which is the environment in which the fish will see it. This type of semi-transparent tape sometimes shows small air bubbles trapped between the tape and the spoon's surface. This is unavoidable due to the nature of the material, and does not seem to affect performance or durability.
Original Medium Blue Sardine with Glow Pearl centerline. $16.00
Updated Medium Blue Sardine with UV Diamond Pink centerline. $16.00
Port Alberni Special: shown in 3.25" nickel spoon, soon available in 2.75" True Gold spoon. UV-reflective Diamond Pink centerline. The sides can be Glow Pearl, Matte Glow Pink, or UV Neon Pink. $14.00
3.25" Nickel/Medium Blue spoon. $10.00
3.6" Medium Blue "Carbon" spoon on Black Chrome. $12.00
Under UV light: 3.6" Raspberry "Carbon" spoon, on Black Chrome.
Under UV light: Diamond Green "Carbon" spoon
Under UV light: 3.6" Neon Green "Carbon" spoon
Green Haze: same principle as a Purple Haze, but with a UV-reflective Diamond Green centerline. $14.00
Green Haze spoon under UV light
A new UV-reflective semi-transparent green tape. $10.00
under UV light
I stumbled upon a tape that looks like glass, giving the spoon a three-dimensional aspect. I made one spoon in medium blue and crinkle, on nickel base. And one spoon in green and crinkle, on nickel base. $14.00 each. I can make a set of 7 spoons for $98.00, with the colors of your choice. I recommend dark blue or purple, on nickel or True Gold spoons. It will be mid-May before I receive more of this tape, if I do re-order. It is very expensive tape.
3.25" Glow Moon Jelly/Crinkle. $12.00
Frog with crinkle tape, on True Gold spoon. $14.00
Custom Purple centerline, brushed silver upper, crinkle belly. $14.00. Very limited quantities.
Custom purple centerline, green upper, silver belly. An unusual color combination that has been reported as effective for summer chinook. $14.00
Apr. 9: a new client in Sidney requested an assortment of 15 spoons for salmon fishing.
1- 3" Coho Lover nickel/glow green/red
2- 3" Coho Lover Blood Orange
3- 2.75" True Gold/glow green
4- 2.75" Bumblebee (Black Chrome/chartreuse)
5- 2.75" Blueberry Muffin
6- 3.25" Frog chartreuse/Black Chrome
7- 3.25" Shiny Minnow (Black Chrome/UV Green/UV Leopard)
8- 3.25" Painted Glow/Green/Black Prism
9- 3.25" Dark Blue Sardine/glow on nickel spoon
10- 3.25" Green Sardine/glow on True Gold spoon
11- 3.25" Gold Betty
12- 3.25" Silver Betty
13- 3.25" Super Frog chartreuse/UV crinkle on True Gold spoon
14- 3.25" Purple Haze
15- 3.25" Reverse Purple Haze
Below you can see that each spoon has at least one "glow in the dark" or UV-reflective feature.
I received another request to reproduce a spoon that was discontinued by its manufacturer. We do not know the name of that spoon. It was Pearl on front, with semi-transparent UV tape, and a nickel back. I used a painted glow spoon with nickel back, and a UV Crinkle tape to create a spoon that will probably be a top-producer, for only $10.00. "Port Alberni Sunrise"
Pink Salmon Special: 2.75" True Gold spoon, with neon pink/purple stripe. $14.00
Super Frog: 3.25" True Gold spoon, chartreuse/UV crinkle. $14.00
3.25"Super Frog, green glow/UV crinkle. $14.00
3.6" Green Pearl "Carbon" spoon, Black Chrome, with UV Crinkle. $12.00
3.25" Raspberry "Carbon" spoon, on Black Chrome. $12.00
3.25" Army Truck on painted glow spoon with nickel back. $12.00
A client in Alberta, who fishes for trout and salmon in BC, has made a significant investment in trolling spoons for these fisheries, ranging from 2.5" to 5". I am grateful to have been chosen to assemble his collection.
2.75" Orange "Carbon" spoon, on Black Chrome. $12.00
3.25" Pink Sunrise: Pink Pearl on painted glow spoon with nickel back. $10.00
3.25" Toxic Frog: a color pattern popular on the Great Lakes for steelhead, coho, and chinook salmon. Could be productive for West Coast coho as well. $14.00
Green/glow spoons have caught their share of salmon on the West Coast over the years. On the Great Lakes, the "Mongolian Beef" pattern has been equally successful. Here is my "modernized" version of these classic patterns: "Spicy Green", that incorporates UV-reflective dots and eye. The picture below is under UV light. $12.00, limited quantities.
3.25" Green Wave. $10.00
Also available in purple.
3.25" Silver Wave. $10.00
I have been wanting to post videos of spoons' action in the water for a long time. It is challenging to capture a good video because the slightest ripple on the water ruins the picture quality. Here are a few.
A conventional wobbling action demonstrated by a 3.25" Glow Moon Jelly/UV Crinkle on Black Chrome spoon. This conventional action is what we aim for when trolling at 1.8 to 2.5 MPH for salmon, and trout when they are active.
An unconventional "slow spin/side-to-side" action, demonstrated by a 2.75" Orange Carbon. This unconventional action can only be achieved with a custom bend, and is only suitable for inactive winter trout when we troll at 1.35 MPH.
2.75" Half-and-half Black Chrome/UV Crinkle.
2.75" Pink Special. This size of spoon has a feature I have never seen before: at regular trolling speeds it gives a conventional wobbling action, but if you slow down to 1.35 MPH it gives an unconventional action, without the need for a custom bend. So this spoon can be used for pink/coho/chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, summer trout, winter trout, as long as the hardware that comes with it is not disturbed. Every element is crucial to achieving the perfect balance. A hook equivalent to Siwash size 2/0 is required, so definitely not suitable for catch and release of trout, as it causes too much injury to the fish.
2.75" Black Chrome with UV Crinkle dots
3.25" Toxic Waste on Black Chrome spoon. $12.00
2.75" Chartreuse Prismatic on Black Chrome spoon. $12.00
"Pink Coffin": a line of spoons designed for the coming runs of sockeye and pink salmon. 2.5" corrosion-resistant stainless steel spoon with a good fluttering action, covered in UV-reflective tape, with a centerline color of your choice: Glow Moon Jelly, Glow Pearl, Black Chrome, Silver Glitter, Brushed Purple. $12.00. This unusual spoon shape has been a top producer all of last year, in freshwater and saltwater.
I have been looking for a good yellow lure tape for a long time. Maybe this is the one. UV-reflective.
2.75" Black Chrome spoon with UV-reflective yellow dots. $10.00
2.75" Brushed Burnt Orange on Black Chrome. A more subdued pattern, that looks burgundy under UV light. $10.00