Sometimes adding a colored bead does it too.  Or add a feathered treble hook.  Or again, switch the treble hook to a single-hook design.

Most importantly, these switches allow the angler to experiment with color.  The spoon stays silver or gold, but the “focal color point” changes.  Or, keep the fundamental spoon color and plastic color the same and experiment with the shape of the softbait or plastic.

Meanwhile, spoons like the Williams Ice Jig offers predrilled holes that can be used to attach all kinds of accessories.  Remove the double hooks and add split rings to attach small blades or tie on flashaboo, tinsel, or a few rubber strands from a spinnerbait.

Droppers—In-Fisherman Editor In Chief Doug Stange has written extensively about using droppers since his early days at the magazine, starting in about 1980.  The first designs were simple home-made models with the treble hook removed from a spoon like the Acme Kastmaster, replaced by a short (approximately 2.5-inch) portion of line with either a small single hook or a small jighead.  This design allowed all the attracting and trigger features of a spoon coupled with the additional subtle triggering factors added by a tiny jig or single hook, usually tipped with maggots.

Meanwhile, in Europe, where ice fishing is popular in some regions, similar designs were being brought to life, many with small chains hanging below the spoon—again short lengths of chain to keep the combo from tangling.  These droppers remain as deadly an option today as before, with many companies joining the fray, offering a variety of droppers.  Check companies like Northland Tackle, Custom Jigs & Spins, and Nils Master USA.  Of course you can still make your own.

In the end, the most productive days of fishing often are the product of hard work.  It’s rare to drill a hole or two, sit there and have a big day. Most of the great ice anglers of our day move.  They search until they find, then fine tune in a variety of ways to get the fish to go; then fine tune some more to maximize the catch; then fine tune farther to maximize the catch of big fish.

This annual Ice Fishing Guide has long been a testament to the continuing search for efficiency on ice.  Tinkering and exploring each presentation option, including spoons, is just part of the process.

Expert ice angler Lonnie King lives in Ottawa, Ontario and works as a fishery scientist.