With large parts of the lakes becoming thick with moss, pads, and other surface weeds many of us start fishing frogs, toads, and rats during the hot summer months. These baits are loads of fun, and at certain times, can catch some good size bass. Another alternative to these baits are weedless surface spoons. Some of these spoons have been in production for so long a lot of novice bass fisherman may not even be aware of how deadly they can be on summer bass. I have three that I keep on hand. 1. Johnson Silver Minnow. 2. Heddon Moss Boss. 3. Johnny O Neil Weed Wing. The Silver Minnow has been mentioned several times here on BR. Add a skirt or chunk trailer. The Heddon Moss Boss has been around for decades also. A hard plastic spoon with a skirt attatched. This one rides over moss, pads, and weeds really well. The O Neil Weed Wing is shaped like the Silver Minnow, but with a small prop in the front. It works best over more sparse cover that won't foul the prop. Take a few minutes to sharpen the hook on these spoons. Most of them have a thick heavy hook, and can take a little time to get super sharp. I fish all these spoons on an older 8 power Fenwick casting rod, ABU 5500c reel, and Trilene Big Game monofilament line, usually 15lb. These days most guys would insist on braided line for this style of fishing, but I still like my mono the best. So far, in all the years I've thrown these spoons, I've yet to meet a fish I couldn't land. These weedless spoons can draw solid hard strikes, can cover a good amount of water on every cast, and can be a good alternative on those days when your favourite frog isn't producing over thick weeds. For a real classic, productive summer bass lure, rig the Johnson Silver Minnow with a pork rind trailer, get out there at sunup on a hot summer morning, fan cast the entire weed, pad, moss area with the spoon/ pork combo. Be prepared to get bit. It will happen. Are there any other fans of the weedless surface spoons? What models do you like. And, do you have any tips or advice you can share here about these baits?
