Went out with the Daiwa Presso AGS 54XUL-S area rod on northern NJ stocked trout stream. Started with my usual Trout Magnets and was pulling up small redbreasts and rock bass like crazy but what I really wanted was to start using spoons.
I hate losing lures to snags, which of course is where the fish are, so I bought a 20 pack of single hook, 1.8 g, 2.5 cm spoons from Aliexpress for about $10. Had low expectations for them but at least I'd be willing to take more chances and learn.
Much to my surprise, the spoons performed quite well. The hook is nice and fine, with a small barb, and small enough that sunfish had no problems hooking up. I went from catching redbreasts on the small size to nice chunkier ones. Same with the rock bass. Unlike spoons with trebles, these spoons came through most snags with ease. I also quartered them downstream and let them swing, producing a few stocker rainbows. The ever abundant pickerel liked them as well and none bit me off (miracle of miracles).
This section or river flows slowly, which was good as these spoons would rise too much on faster retrieves or flows. With a 2.5 g upper lure weight limit, it might be tough to find deeper fishing spoons for this rod. Suggestions?
I see now why so many people are gaga for spoons.