The Drone Spoon (rigging and fishing)

[James80]

I've done the search and although it's been discussed before we've never really had a dedicated spoon thread (if there is please don't shoot me). I'm most interested in everyones opinions on the best way to rig spoons for kings and spanish but all spoon information is welcome.

What size / colour for what species?
Do you use mono, flouro or wire?
Crimps or knots?
Haywires or spoon loops?
Also what length leaders?
Planners, down riggers?
Speed, placement?

The setup I've been using:

30lb main line to snap swivel snapped to trolling sinker (the sinker also has a snap swivel at the other end) then single strand with a spoon loop to a 2 1/2 drone spoon.

I'm not sure if the wire leader is long enough and also if I should change to a mono leader to increase the action.

So lets hear spoon tips, stories, thoughts etc.

[gottaflylee]

Welln not sure what you are fishing for in you area. Here on the NC coast, we use then for King Mackrel. # 4 Old Salty planer, 35 to 50' (don't go short) of 50 pound Mono tied to stand droon, no wire, color of your choice. All our Droons have a welded ring on then so no need to tie a loop knot...

[Capt. Lyndon]

I've got to agree with Lee. One thing though, I like to take 3 ft. of 150-200 lb. mono and crimp a snap swivel on one end and a ball bearing swivel on the other. Snap the snap swivel to your planer and tie your leader to the ball bearing swivel. This does two things: one, it helps prevent leader twist, two- it gives you more protection if a fish surges and the leader gets wrapped around the planer.

[Capt. Lyndon]

one other thing, we use #3 1/2 drones for kings. I prefer white with silver flash.

[reelreturn]

When fishing for Spanish, I use a 0 drone spoon, It seems to have a better action and I have better luck with it compared to a Clark spoon. Again - tie directly to the lure. Same applies if you are using a clark spoon. Use a # 1 planer when going for the Spanish or run the lure on the surface if the spanish are feeding on top. Drone spoons are very effective for either Kings or spanish. I have caught Mahi with them too.

[ice cream man]

What speed do you troll Drone spoons ????
Is there a better time of year to troll them ????
What else would you troll in the spread - hard baits - dead Cigar Minnows ????

Thanks......... ICM

[James80]

Interesting, keep it coming.

Couple of questions, are you running the planer from the rod?
If so isn't 50ft of leader a lot to deal with?
What lb main line?

[livin once]

I use a 3 1/2 spoon with 10ft 100lb leader using crimps attached to the mainline with a snap swivel. Use this with a #8 high speed planer tied off to a cleat, mainline attached via paper clip and rubber band to planer line. Spoon runs 40-50 ft behind planer. When fish hits, rubber band breaks and you are fighting the fish on rod and real separate from the planer. I like silver with a pink flash.

[92 feet down]

I use the 3.5 drone w/ 3' of #9 wire. A snap swivel attaches the mainline to the haywire loop. I send it down on a downrigger with a #24 Old Salty planer. I use the snap swivel & rubber band trick mentioned above. Troll 4-6kts for BFT, bluefish, & wahoo. I like silver w/ blue flash & silver w/ silver flash.

[gottaflylee]

Interesting, keep it coming.

Couple of questions, are you running the planer from the rod?
If so isn't 50ft of leader a lot to deal with?
What lb main line?

Yes the planer is run off the rod. I really am not bothered by it. As I leader the fish, I make sure the leader goes back into the water, this will help keep it from getting tangled. I find that I get more bits with it that far back and I also leave off all the snaps, swivels and heavy line that the others use. If the leader gets twisted, I replace it, as it gets frayed, and retied, once it gets down to 30', I replace it. At the end of the day, it is thrown away and a new one is in place the next day... Keep it simple...

colors...black and green...white and silver...pink and silver...blue and silver are my top 4

What speed do you troll Drone spoons ????
Is there a better time of year to troll them ????
What else would you troll in the spread - hard baits - dead Cigar Minnows ????

Thanks......... ICM

Billy, I run from 5 to 6.5 kts when king fishing, do not slow troll a drone, I keep 1 shallow and 1 deep off the corners. On top I run a spread of ballyhoo on seawitches, blue and white of pink and crystal.
ice cream manWhat speed do you troll Drone spoons ????
Is there a better time of year to troll them ????
What else would you troll in the spread - hard baits - dead Cigar Minnows ????

Thanks......... ICM