Fishing with Steel

By Monty McGuffin

   When the waters on your favorite fishing hole begin to chill due to autumns cooler temperatures, fish become more active, start to move and feed.  Initially, fish will migrate to the shallows. If moving waters are available, in this case, a feeder creek, many fish can be found in relatively shallow waters from one to six feet deep. They are there feeding on bait fish which have been drawn to the influx of fresh, cooler water.

 

   I look forward to this time of year because of the excellent angling opportunities that await freshwater anglers. Typically the time frame I am referring to, on my pond in South Carolina, will be November through January. Initially, surface temperatures will range around 70 degrees, and as we get into the winter months, surface temperatures will continue a decent to the 50 degree mark. It’s this three month period that I refer to as the magical time on Lake Jocassee for “Fishing with Steel”.

 

   “Fishing with Steel”, or in some cases lead, I am referring to the use of jigging spoons. By far the jigging spoon is one of the most versatile and underutilized lures that will catch a variety of fish species. This lure is available in a variety of shapes, colors, and weights. Typically, spoons are made out of lead, brass, or steel. Spoons usually are made up of three components, the hook, body, and eye.

 

Spoon Anatomy

 

   Lead spoons are the most popular of choice, probably due to cost and the fact that the spoon can sometimes be bent to enhance the action. Lead spoons are normally painted, offering fisherman a variety of fish catching colors. Brass spoons are as the name implies, made of brass and retain the metal’s natural color. Steel spoons are made of steel and most often are chrome plated. Both brass and steel come with either a smooth or hammered finish. Spoons are available in many shapes, sizes and weights. Long, short, wide or narrow and thick or thin, the shapes of spoons are almost endless. The popular weights used in my area are 3/8, ½, ¾ and 1 ounce.

 

Technique

 

   Due to the weight and shape of a jigging spoon, these lures sink quickly and can be cast long distances, even into a strong head wind. If conditions allow or if I am targeting schooling fish on the surface, then making long cast beyond the school is my preference. Cast, allow the spoon to sink to the desired depth and retrieve with short intermittent jerks to entice a bite from the suspended feeding fish.

 

   Vertical fishing a spoon is by far the most used technique implemented by fisherman. Position the boat over the desired location, drop the spoon down to the fish and begin a yo-yo action with the rod. Lift the rod a few inches or a few feet then let the spoon drop back down, continually repeating the process till a fish bites. It is imperative to keep a tight line when dropping the spoon. A strike is detected by a tap felt through the rod or maybe seeing the line “move” or “not move”. The line may move to the side indicating that the fish is swimming with the spoon. If the line goes slack while dropping, this can indicate a strike or the spoon has rested on some type of cover. The most important thing to remember is that ALL strikes come when the spoon starts to drop, never when the spoon is lifted.

 

Location

 

   When spoon season arrives on Lake Jocassee, I am targeting the basses. Largemouth, smallmouth, redeye and spotted bass are prevalent, and on a given day an angler has the opportunity to experience the “Grand Slam” of bass fishing. The largemouth bass tend to associate with wood cover and drop-offs. The redeye likes the creek runs and sandy bottoms, and some current always helps. Those spotted bass can hoe, pick or plow. In other words you are subject to find them anywhere this time of year as long as bait is near by. The smallmouth bass on Jocassee will be found around the rock bluffs and points especially those with some amount of current.

 

  Then there are those special occasions when there’s a family reunion. They all get together for a feast. It may be in a creek run 45 foot deep or a deep rock ledge in open water 25 to 100 feet deep. All four species, all different sizes, and all hungry feeding on a large school of bait fish. If you are there you get to experience a bass’n bonanza and maybe complete your first “Grand Slam”.

 

Equipment  

 

   To be successful at spoon fishing, one needs only a hand full of items to aid in locating fish. A map and depth finder go hand in hand. Study the map and search selected areas with the sonar to eliminate unproductive water. Oh yea! Implementing an underwater camera can help eliminate unproductive cover and structure. For me, a good 7 foot medium heavy action rod and bait casting reel spooled with 14 pound line, and a spinning reel with 8 pound line on a 6 foot medium light action rod is my choice for spoon fishing. The heavier outfit is for fishing heavy spoons around thick cover and the spinning outfit is for lighter weighted spoons and in light cover.

 

   My preference on spoons is dictated mostly by the depth and cover fished. It is not uncommon for me to catch some fish on a ledge at 25 feet and move to another location and catch fish at 70 to as deep as 100 feet. Especially when the water temperature nears the 50 degree mark, the fish will go deep. I like fishing a ¼ to ½ ounce spoon on light line and spinning tackle. White and chartreuse are my favorite painted spoons, but sometimes that old hammered chrome plated steel spoon is hard to beat. Dress the hook with a little white hair and it‘s a killer cold water bait.

 

Bonuses

 

   When fishing on Jocassee you never count out the possibility of catching a bonus fish. Big brown and rainbow trout, huge 2 to 3 pound slab crappie, even some nice yellow perch can show up anytime you are presenting a spoon to the depths of this deep clear water impoundment. And remember, the colder the weather, the better spoon fishing can be. I fish the spoon year round but favor the cold weather months. Give “Fishing with Steel” a try; let me know how you do.

 

If you would like to experience Lake Jocassee and see all she has to offer, give me a call and we will fish together, then you will know Lake Jocassee and you will know me. Good fishing and God Bless.

 

Monty McGuffin

(864)647-7410

October 16, 2009   Posted in: Articles

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