Author Topic: The swimming action of metal spoons (Read 10007 times)

PH · « **on:** July 19, 2011, 05:33:27 AM »

A spoon is a spoon , is a spoon, is a spoon.....NOT.
After many hours of observation of the swimming action in the Umtamvuna river the past week end of different designs of spoons I concluded the following:
The swimming action of almost all spoons can be reduced to 2 types of movement:
1 The tail end describes a semi-circular arc and at the same time
2 The spoon oscilates along its longitudinal axis.

PH · « **Reply #1 on:** July 19, 2011, 05:39:04 AM »

The spoons were rigged with a power swivel to the leader and were trolled at walking pace along the side of the kayak. (using a trolling motor)
The following shapes were observed.
1 Straight spoons - bullet as well as concave.
2 S-bent spoons - convex/convex as well as V-shaped in cross ection.
3 Banana shaped spoon - V-shaped
4 Clark spoon

PH · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2011, 05:48:14 AM »

In the following pics large arrows depict significant movement and small arrows little movement.
Straight spoons:
Bullet shaped
These spoon showed very little movement compared to other spoons. The action is regular (no change in the tempo of the movement) and is probanbly meant for a very fast retrieve.
Concave straight spoons.
Much more movement at the tail section

PH · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2011, 05:56:21 AM »

S-bent spoons - convex/convex.
Movement at the back much more prominent and lively but regular.
S-bent spoons - concave
Same as above but more eratic, ie. the tempo of movement at the tail end varies.

PH · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2011, 06:05:14 AM »

Banana shaped spoons
I don't recall having seen these spoons in the shops and was rather apprehensive about the shape in general..
What a pleasant surprise I had when I quite unexpectedly caught a Black Tip Kingfish on it.
This spoon has a very eratic movement at the back, changing direction and tempo of movement randomly. It also has a slight sideways swimming action as well as a vertical movement of about 200mm at the rate it was "retrieved" A very life-like action. Definately my favourite from now on.

PH · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2011, 06:10:43 AM »

Clark spoon
Surprisingly the Clark spoon has virtually no movement at the tail end and only oscilates almost entirely along its longitudinal axis at a regular rate. This produces regular vibrations and flashes which may account for its success rate and popularity.

PH · « **Reply #6 on:** July 19, 2011, 06:13:39 AM »

The spoons tested were all in the 20 - 50 gram range and variables such as weight to surface area ratio of the the same basic design may have an influence on the swimming action of these spoons.
By next week end I will try and have some vids on You-tube of the swimming action.

Fritz · « **Reply #7 on:** July 19, 2011, 06:22:35 AM »

Nice one PH. Was waiting for this post come up.Very nice work.

Half-Pint · « **Reply #8 on:** July 19, 2011, 07:04:15 AM »

Excellent thread PH cred to you!

Kumz · « **Reply #9 on:** July 19, 2011, 07:17:08 AM »

:shre: PH ...have some cred ...

nico · « **Reply #10 on:** July 19, 2011, 07:18:37 AM »

Very interesting stuff, +cred!

John F · « **Reply #11 on:** July 19, 2011, 07:39:05 AM »

Well done PH for taking the time and patience to test all these!

Great stuff!

+cred!

REEFMAN · « **Reply #12 on:** July 19, 2011, 08:02:43 AM »

Great work Pierre! Looking forward to the Vids!! ++cred

kraken · « **Reply #13 on:** July 19, 2011, 08:34:28 AM »

Interesting stuff! Down here in the Cape, we have quite a variety of spinners/spoons which are used in the pursuit of yellowtail/tuna/snoek/leervis and elf.

Keels, Flatbacks, double flatbacks, snakes, you name it! In fact, the old chap I buy my spinners from, has in excess of 1000 different moulds in his workshop!
These go back to the 50's and are the accumulated thoughts and designs of some of the legendary Cape yellowtail and tuna anglers.
The differences in pattern, some so slight and hardly noticable, all boil down to the individuals taste. And needless to say, each and every one of those anglers swore that his design was the best.
Sitting down and chatting with this old master is an education and looking at all the different patterns, is nothing short of astonishing!
Looking forward to your vids.

PH · « **Reply #14 on:** July 19, 2011, 08:44:57 AM »

Quote from: kraken on July 19, 2011, 08:34:28 AM

And needless to say, each and every one of those anglers swore that his design was the best.

That's fishermen for you. LOL
I would love to see your friend's collection. I think the old folk did not have the luxury of buying spoons etc. "ready-made" from the shelf that we have these days. They developed and made their spoons through experience and observation. I also am of the opinion that the spoons we buy are not necesseraly (?) the most productive, but rather the cheapest designs that can be massed produced at the lowest cost.

Homie · « **Reply #15 on:** July 19, 2011, 08:51:27 AM »

Great article Pierre !

+cred

Ziggy · « **Reply #16 on:** July 19, 2011, 09:05:09 AM »

Thanks PH - good timing...yesterday me and my fishing buddy were debating these things while spinning for shad, and your posting has certainly put the facts straight.....we decided that the best spoonfor shad (especailly in rougher water) was an S bend....mainly becasue that was working for us yesterday

PH · « **Reply #17 on:** July 19, 2011, 09:21:55 AM »

Quote from: Ziggy on July 19, 2011, 09:05:09 AM

Thanks PH - good timing...yesterday me and my fishing buddy were debating these things while spinning for shad, and your posting has certainly put the facts straight.....we decided that the best spoonfor shad (especailly in rougher water) was an S bend....mainly becasue that was working for us yesterday

Did you catch any decent sizes?

super_daav · « **Reply #18 on:** July 19, 2011, 09:26:30 AM »

PH thats an awesome post!! Cred to you!

kraken · « **Reply #19 on:** July 19, 2011, 09:53:18 AM »

Quote from: PH on July 19, 2011, 08:44:57 AM

That's fishermen for you. LOL
I would love to see your friend's collection. I think the old folk did not have the luxury of buying spoons etc. "ready-made" from the shelf that we have these days. They developed and made their spoons through experience and observation. I also am of the opinion that the spoons we buy are not necesseraly (?) the most productive, but rather the cheapest designs that can be massed produced at the lowest cost.

Correct! Many of those old patterns still consistently produce fish to this day. So much so that the guys that are regarded as experts on the local spinning scene rarely if ever will resort to the latest 'flavour of the day' in fancy packaging and endorsed by some TV personality! lol!
Its a something of an art to be able to make up a shape that works, test it, fine tune it and then make the mould and cast the spoon with the correct metal or alloy.
Each mould he has, has a history and the names of some of the legends of local spinning are associated with many of them.
In fact, one or two of the forum members who hail from Cape Town, may well have seen his spinners in the bigger tackle stores.
But then of course, we also have our 'special favourites' which he does'nt supply to the shops!