buckshot spoons, northlandtackle

Hey all, picking up a few buckshot spoons while im at work today for the weekend up at cooks. Just wondering if somebody could tell me what size/weight would be the best to try? Thanks guys.

Depends on the depth fishing and how aggressive the perch are. The larger spoons drop faster and in my experience get bigger fish to bite keeping off the dinks. If not aggressive downsize. I've used the buckshots in green & orange but prefer a slender bronze/copper spoon tipped with 1/2 of a pinhead minnow slowly bounced off bottom and then raised up to get them to chase and commit,

That makes sence, and thankyou for the colour tips aswell. Happy fishing!
Also, do you use split rings, or a snap swivel. Im thinking split rings as snapswivels can get to be a bit of a pain, can never find the perfect size. I always feel a little less confident when i have a snap on. I even rigged up split rings to my slab grabbers to get away from the swivels (dont get proper action/flutter with a direct tie) will see if they still/produce more with the split ring.

Try them all, than you tell us which one works best

FYI, this is copied from the McGathy site:

"All Jigs MUST be used
with a snap swivel in
order to work correctly.

Please do not tie them
direct to your line or
they will just spin in a
circle, not give you the
correct action, and cut
your line.
(We recommend a size 14 snap
swivel - color does not matter.)"

Wouldnt a split ring act the same way as a snap swivell, without the bulkyness? I know you can get them in small sizes, i just dont like them. They break fairly easily also. I have some that are "rated for 35lbs", yeah no way... Garbage. i read awhile back on a thread about clear swivels, but ive yet to come across any. When you buy williams ice jig spoons, they come equipped with a splitring, which is what gave me the initial thought to use them on other jigs. I figure il give the rings a go, if need be il take off and put my swivel back on. And i cant afford to try all of the buckshots:P not at $8 per, ctire doesnt pay that great

I admit finding quality small snap swivels can be a challenge. I lucked out and got some years ago. Sorry, I can't remember where or the make. When I bought my first Slab Grabbers a few years back I found it interesting that they were so emphatic about how to attach it. As for the split ring, I don't think it will give you the correct action but, I've not tried it. Let us know how it works for you.

I like to use a two way swivel (sometimes with a fly or small hook on mainline) then my lead and a duo lock. Much smaller than a snap swivel and much easier than a split ring...IMO

I found my duo locks at luremaking.com . They have great prices and u can get the sizes u want. Min 20$ orders I think.

As small of a snap that can move freely on the spoon and a tiny swivel a couple of feet up is what I do.
Both quality SS.

I do run a swivel a couple feet up the line to attach my floro leader to my braid for line twist, so ive got that part covered atleeast. Il try the rings for a bit and see what happens. Never know unless you try right? Will be sure to let you guys know how i do on saturday. Will be taking out the bigger hut as ive got a few tag alongs, bigfoot 6000xl. Stop in and say hi if you see me! Thanks again for the advice and feedback guys. Il pull the sled with the minnows this time, dont want a repeat of what happened at KBay last time lmao.

I have a couple of old Williams half and half and they used to come with a split ring and swivel. You would tie directly to the swivel. They ,in my opinion, work better than new spoons. I realize people like the convenience of a snap to change lures especially when it's cold but I find a Palomar is pretty quick to tie and it works or maybe it's just a cconfidance thing. Anyway, split ring and swivel for me and no problem finding a swivel small enough. Also, I've had snaps open up on me but no more since I tie direct.

I use small clips that are sold in fly shops. They're tiny, which is great. No need for split rings either. I usually also tie a tiny swivel in my line 2-3 feet up from the clip. Never had a clip give way under pressure. I was sick and tired of not being able to find small snaps, and the little clips did the trick. I believe that they're called no knot snaps, or something similar. Also, try separating the hook from the spoon with a FasTach snap. Makes it a little easier for the fish to inhale the hook. Sizes 0 and 1 are good for most perch spoons and smaller jigging raps. Also the FasTach snaps makes it super easy to thread a minnow head onto the treble hook. Bait tends to stay on the hook longer too because of it...

Hope that helps, tight lines!

Something else to try...add an extra split ring on the other end. I find the two split rings allow the fish to grab the hook when the bite is finicky without feeling the spoon. This gives them a chance to get the hook into their mouths a little easier.

ROSCO brand locking snap swivels excellent quality ...Made in U.S.A. ...available in small sizes and black finish...