Metal jigging spoons are a great way to probe the depths whether you're fishing the wrecks and reefs out of Indian River for black sea bass, or targeting golden tilefish at the edge of the Continental Shelf. But how you should rig the spoon varies dramatically depending on the jigging technique you’re using, the type of fish you’re targeting, and the nature of the bottom or structure you’re fishing over. Before we go too deep into detail, check out this short video on metal jigging spoons which our Editor, Lenny Rudow, produced for boats.com.

  1. Use a braid main line, and a monofilament (ideally fluorocarbon, which is the least visible type of monofilament,) leader. The braid main line eliminates stretch, which allows you to feel hits quickly and set the hook firmly. But braid is less abrasion-resistant than mono. So having monofilament near the jig itself, where the line is likely to rub against structure or the teeth of a fish, is ideal.
  2. Jigging spoons generally don’t spin like trolling spoons, so you don’t need to add a swivel or worry about line twist.
  3. Most wind-on leaders terminate in a loop, so using a loop-to-loop connection between the main line and the leader is usually the best way to go. In order to do that, you’ll need to tie a loop in the end of your main line. A good knot to use for this is the Spider Hitch. If you’re not sure how to tie a Spider Hitch, check out How to Tie a Spider Hitch.
  4. What about the connection between the leader and the spoon? A regular old Fisherman’s Knot (Improved Clinch) is an excellent choice. If this one isn’t already engrained in your brain, take a look at How to Tie a Fisherman's Knot.

Wait a sec—what about all those spoons you see rigged with two hooks swinging from the top? There’s little if any advantage to double-swinging hooks, and they increase the chances of a tangle. You don’t believe it? Then test the theory for yourself. Try fishing for an entire season with half of your spoons rigged with swinging singles, and half with doubles. Just for the record, that’s exactly what Rudow did… and he discovered that it made zero difference in the catch rate.

- By Staff