Striped Bass on Bunker Spoons
For trolling large bunker spoons, we recommend a conventional rod and reel combo consisting loaded with 40-50lb Monel wire line or 80-130lb braided lines. Braided line is easier to use, but will not have quite the same sink rate as wire.
It is critical to use a rod specifically designed for spoon fishing with wire line. Bunker spoon rods are typically 8ft or longer and fairly soft. The slow soft action allows the spoon to have the proper beating action.
The reel should is typically 4/0 size or larger. Levelwind reels are nice to have, but are not critical. The reel spool should be made of a material that will resist corrosion because the wire line accelerates that process. We spray all our reels frequently with a corrosion inhibitor.
The wire line should always be backed with monofilament and typically joined with an albright knot. A 10ft long 80lb fluorocarbon leader of should be attached directly to the wire using an Albright knot or an 100lb swivel. If a swivel is used, it should be small enough to easily pass through the guides.
A variety of 9 inch Secret Spoons in different colors are effective and these are the only spoons we recommend. Click here to learn more about using bunker spoons and the Secret Spoons! Watch the video below to learn how to select the most effective colors.
Bunker Spoon Color Selection
Striped Bass Tackle Checklist – Bunker Spoons
- 8ft wire line rod
- 4/0 reel or larger (levelwinds are acceptable)
- 40-50lb Monel wire or 80-130lb braid
- 10ft fluorocarbon leader
- Secret Spoons
Tackle Recommendations
 | Penn Special Senator Conventional star drag reel - Lightweight graphite frame - Machined/anodized aluminum spool - Multi-disk drag - 2 ball bearings - Convertible power handle - Heavy-duty clicker - suitable for wire Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Lear more and buy direct from Amazon |  |  |
 | Shimano Tekota Star drag conventional reel with levelwind rated for 12-40lb mono and 30-80lb braid - 3 ball bearings - 4.2:1 gear ratio Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy direct at Amazon | | |
 | Berkley Fireline Braid Braided line - virtually no stretch - moss green color - very thin line diameter - available 6 to 80lb test and 110, 300, and 1500 yard spools Learn more and buy at Berkley Learn more and buy at Amazon |  | |
 | Malin Monel Trolling Wire Monel trolling wire available in marked and un-marked spools in 30-40-50lb test Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Secret Spoons The original 1lb 9oz bunker spoon See all styles and buy at Secret Spoons |  |
 | Mustad Rolling Swivel 77900 - Black Rolling Swivel w/round eye - available sizes/rating: 4/144lb, 6/118lb, 8/104lb, 9/77lb, 10/70lb, 12/49lb, and 14/42lb |
 | Yo-Zuri Fluorocarbon Leader Fluorocarbon leader - invisible, durable, max knot/crimp strength - clear and disappearing pink colors - 4-200lb test and 30/100yd spools Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Yo-Zuri TopKnot Fluorocarbon Leader Fluorocarbon leader - additional abrassion resistance, lower diameter, invisible, durable, max knot/crimp strength - clear and disappearing pink colors - 8-200lb test and 30/100yd spools Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Berkley Prospec Leader Fluorocarbon leader - invisible, durable, max knot/crimp strength - clear, blue, pink, brown colors - 20-200lb test and 25/33/75/100yd coils Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
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