Fishing lures can be as big and fancy as your budget allows, but sometimes simplicity comes with its own rewards. Fishing spoon lures have been used by anglers since the mid-1800s and they can be fashioned out of household objects. This video from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters’ TackleShare program shows how to easily make two DIY fishing spoon lures from—you guessed it—a typical teaspoon. Dig in!
How to Make DIY Fishing Spoons
Our host starts off by listing the necessary supplies:
- Stainless steel spoon, not large curvature
- Treble hooks
- Split rings
- Flat file
- Sandpaper
- Hacksaw
- Power drill
- Paint that will adhere to metal
She also lists a few extra items that are nice to have on hand:
- Split ring tool
- Hammer and nail
- Vise
- Piece of scrap wood for drilling
DIY Fishing Spoon Instructions
1 Cut the spoon
Start by marking a line on the spoon where the bowl meets the neck and place it in the vise to cut along the line. Use a hacksaw to cut the spoon.
Next, do the same for the handle end of the spoon, leaving you with two differently-shaped segments for lures and a small piece of throwaway metal from the spoon’s neck. Use a file to smooth off rough edges from the cuts.
2 Shape the lures
To decrease the curvature of your spoon, use a vise and/or hammer to carefully squeeze or flatten the bowl. A vise will provide more uniform curvature than a hammer.
You can also use a hammer or set of pliers to bend the lip of the spoon back for better action in the water.
3 Drill holes for split rings
Use a marker or a hammer and nail to set guides for drill holes through both ends of the lures. Center the holes exactly for smoother, more pleasing action. Work on the concave side of the spoon (the inside, or top, of the spoon) to keep your drill from wandering.
Wear eye protection while you drill and avoid contact with metal shavings. Use a file to smooth rough edges from the holes. Caution, metal may be warm after drilling or filing.
4 Paint the lures
Leave the concave side shiny and use sandpaper to roughen the convex surface (the outside, or bottom, of the spoon) prior to painting it.
Get creative with paint and glitter to get just the effect you want. This is a great opportunity for kids to help out.
5 Add hardware
Thread split rings through the holes in your lures (both ends) and attach a treble hook to one.
Before fishing, make sure you use a swivel to prevent the line from tangling around your spinning spoon.
