A frequent question I get via email from our readers is what color spoon works best for saltwater fishing.
The answer to this is clear and straightforward.
A spoon’s role is to mimic the looks and reflection that small baitfish emit when swimming. Therefore, the best spoon colors for saltwater fishing are silver, chrome, gold, and copper. Silver and chrome work better for dark or muddy waters, while gold and copper work better for clear, bright waters.
In this article, we dive deeper into this subject and discuss all the factors and variables to consider when selecting a color for saltwater spoons.
The two conditions that your spoon color should met
When entering a tackle shop to buy spoons, you will be faced with many color choices. The key thing to remember here is that all colors are effective as long as they meet the following two conditions.
1- Optimal brightness
Your spoon’s color should be bright enough to reflect ambient light. This reflection is what captures the attention of predatory fish, enticing them to strike.
However, note that too much reflection and flash are not ideal either as they can intimidate the fish and scare them away.
So you should seek an optimal balance here.
As a rule of thumb, the more light there is in the water, the less bright your spoon color should be.
On the flip side, low light conditions require a bright spoon color in order to reflect enough light to attract the fish.
This same rule applies to water clarity too. When fishing murky waters, you need a shiny, bright spoon. Whereas when the water is clear, opt for a dull, matte spoon.
2- Similarity to food
Besides brightness, your spoon color should also match the forage where you fish. In other words, your spoon should look similar to the food that your targeted fish are used to seeing.
Spoons, in general, are made to mimic the looks and behavior of small baitfish. Consequently, your spoon should look similar to the baitfish available in your area.
It’s therefore important to observe baitfish schools in your area and choose lures with colors that closely resemble what you see the most.
So, these were the two key criteria for selecting a good spoon color for saltwater fishing.
Note that you should meet both conditions for maximum rewards. A spoon that looks like local forage but does not generate an optimal amount of flash can still get you some bites, but that’s not the maximum you can get.
Worse yet, if your spoon generates the perfect amount of flash but does not look like your targeted species’ food, then your bite count will inevitably suffer.
So it’s crucial to seek both criteria.
So what is the best spoon color for saltwater fishing?
Most small baitfish that predators feed on in saltwater feature shades of the following colors:
- Gold
- Copper
- Blue
- Tortoise
- Green
- Chartreuse
- Grey
- White
- Silver
- Chrome
- Black
It’s therefore advisable for your spoon to be within this spectrum too.
Now which colors to choose precisely? As we said, it’s the one that generates enough flash to trigger the attention of fish.
As a rule of thumb, gold and silver are the perfect colors for this role.
Gold and silver spoons are naturally shiny, and when retrieved, they reflect light in a provocative manner. This entices fish to strike inducing a lot of bites.
That being said, you still need to consider the best choice for your fishing conditions.
The thing to know here is that silver spoons reflect more light than golden ones. As a result, they should be used carefully so as not to scare fish away.
In other words, silver works best in muddy or colorful waters and in overcast days. Using them in clear waters under a clear sky can generate too much flash and consequently intimidate the fish.
Gold on the other hand is less bright and therefore can be used in clear waters and on bright days.
I would also opt for silver spoons at night to maximize visibility and reflection. However, if there is a nearby light source or when fishing on a lighted pier or boat, I would choose gold spoons to minimize the glare.
Worth mentioning here that chrome acts similarly to silver but it’s even more reflective. Chrome can therefore yield better results in highly colored waters or in extreme darkness.
Likewise, copper is less bright than gold and therefore it’s a good choice for extremely clear waters and high-light conditions.
How do the other spoon colors perform for saltwater fishing?
The other choices are also good colors for saltwater spoons. However, be aware that they don’t create as much reflection as gold, copper, silver, and chrome. So I wouldn’t expect as much success with them.
On top of that, some of these colors can easily blend into the water color and, as a result, become less visible to fish.
For instance, using chartreuse/green spoons in greenish waters is not a good idea. There isn’t much contrast to be noticed here. Likewise, tortoise/blue spoons are generally a bad choice for bluish waters.
That’s why I recommend avoiding such colors because it’s uncertain how they may appear underwater and the level of contrast they can create.
Gold, silver, chrome, and copper are sure to stand out thanks to the level of flash they emit. In fact, when using them, you should be cautious not to create too much glare that might spook the fish.
So in a nutshell, the best spoon colors for saltwater fishing are silver, chrome, gold, and copper.
What about black and white spoons?
Generally speaking, black and white spoons work best when used at night.
Black yields the best results when there is no light source around because it allows for a strong contrast and sharp silhouettes that fish find easy to spot.
White, on the other hand, provides better results when fishing at night with a nearby light source, such as pier or boat lighting or the moonlight.
Such subtle light sources get reflected nicely by white spoons, even at night, which triggers the interest of fish and encourages them to approach.
A note about spoons materials
It’s important to know that different materials generate different levels of brightness and flash.
For instance, spoons with metallic surfaces are excellent at reflecting light. On the flip side, spoons made of plastic or wood are less reflective and generate less glare.
So color should not be your only factor when selecting a spoon for saltwater fishing. For instance, an orange spoon made of metal can reflect more light than a silver spoon made of wood or plastic.
Here, the orange spoon can attract more fish, hence yielding more bites.
Now, with this in mind, note that many wooden and plastic spoons are treated with paint coats or tapes to make them brighter and better at reflecting light.
Similarly, metal spoons can also be treated with some finishes to reduce their glare, making them dull or matte.
So the material of your spoon should not necessarily indicate how reflective it will be underwater. That’s why it’s important to check the manufacturer’s description and guidelines to get a complete idea of the spoon you plan to use.
Also, make sure to experiment with many spoon colors and materials and stick to the combination that produces the best results.
Here, it’s recommended to use a snap swivel to connect the lure instead of a knot. The swivel will make it easier for you to switch out spoons and try more combinations without losing too much time knotting lures.
We discussed more tips and insights like this in our ebook “101 tips for surf fishing”. This guide will answer all your questions about inshore saltwater fishing and spare you many years of research and experimentation. I encourage you to give it a look.
Other tips when considering spoon colors for saltwater fishing
1- Introduce red, orange, or pink
Spoons with small shades of red, orange, or pink, prove to be excellent choices for saltwater fishing.
There is something special about these colors that triggers fish and entices them to bite. You don’t necessarily need to understand the science behind it, just take advantage of it.
So if you come across a silver or gold spoon with a red, orange, or pink stain on it, be sure not to miss it.
2- Aim for baitfish-like patterns
No matter the color you choose, remember that spoons with even surfaces free of any kind of pattern are not the most effective choice.
Spoons with contrasting colors or patterns help mimic the appearance of saltwater baitfish, hence getting the attention of more predators.
For instance, spoons that feature small, overlapping plates on their surfaces are proven to be very rewarding. This is because such a pattern is very similar to the fish scales texture that many baitfish share.
The checkerboard pattern is also a prolific option for saltwater fishing because it emits a strong contrast that draws the attention of fish. Likewise, the backgammon pattern also proved to be very interesting for saltwater fish.
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