Smith Pure Spoons
Pure, as in the pure form for a spoon, not pure metal (the spoons are not pure gold, pure silver spoons or pure copper). They have a traditional shape that has stood the test of time. They are equally at home in a lake or a mountain stream. Fish them slowly for best results.
Line twist caused by a spinnerI prefer spoons over spinners. The main reason for that is line twist. Many (although not all) spinners cause significant line twist. Although I have read that line twist is caused by closing the bail on a spinning reel, and that the solution is to cut off the bail and pick up the line with your finger as your begin your retrieve, I flat out don't believe it. That is the one idea espoused by Joe Robinson with which I completely disagree.
I am convinced the most line twist is caused by spinners themselves. For many spinners, it's not just the blade that spins. The whole spinner spins and as it does it twists the line. Using a swivel will reduce but does not eliminate line twist. Watch carefully. It is pretty easy to see the whole spinner spinning as you finish your retrieve.
The photo above shows twisted line caused by a spinner. It was a home made spinner, but I had similar results back when I used to fish Mepps spinners. I know for a fact it was not caused by the spinning reel bail because I was using a baitcaster. Baitcasters definitely do not twist the line!
Unlike spinners, for which the blade spins in one direction for the entire retrieve, spoons are designed to wobble rather than spin. They will not spin if you fish them as slowly as they should be fished. If you retrieve them too fast, they will spin. The wobble itself provides sufficient action. There is no need to retrieve them so fast that they spin.
Fished correctly, they do not twist your line, which I believe is the primary advantage of a spoon over a spinner. A second advantage is that they are more aerodynamic, and thus easier to cast. I find that to be particularly true with a baitcaster. A third advantage is that they cost less than spinners.
A silver spoon looks a l ot like an immature fallfish.The Smith Pure spoons come in a variety of colors - certainly more than you need. The two best spinner fishermen I know of fish a spinner with a gold blade and a body that is primarily gold. Both maintain that color doesn't matter. However, on one of the streams I fish there are a lot of immature fallfish, which are very silvery. At least on that stream a plain silver spoon worked noticeably better than other colors. The first time I tried a silver spoon there, I had the best day I'd ever had on that stream.
On that particular day I was fishing with my friend Coach, who was tenkara fishing, and who is not used to getting outfished on his home water. He said next time he'd bring spinning gear, too, muttering something about me luring him to the dark side.
Effective the dark side is.I was very impressed by the silver spoons. So was Coach, who after we quit fishing for the day bought almost all the silver spoons I had in stock.
Copper is good for bright days when a gold or silver spoon is a bit too flashy. Personally, I think gold, silver and copper are about all you need.
The spoons come with a single minibarb hook. The minibarb is sufficient to hold the wriggly little fish I just cannot keep on barbless hooks, and does minimal damage. If you prefer barbless, the minibarb is easy to bend down.
Length: 1 1/16" Width 7/16"
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Length: 1 1/4" Width 7/16"
If the button says Add to cart, the item is in stock.
Length: 1 3/8" Width 1/2"
If the button says Add to cart, the item is in stock.
I believe the Pure Spoons are made in Japan but the package doesn't say.
Shipping to US address - $5 via USPS Ground Advantage
Header photo: Tenryu Rayz RZ4102B-UL, Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFSHG ('17)
Warning:
The hooks are sharp.
The coffee's hot.
The fish are slippery when wet.
Whatever you do, do it with finesse!