Thread: Spadefish

These plate-sized spadefish fight like crazy, they're easy to fillet and they're delicious. Here's another picture from yesterday, June 6, 2022. I caught a few like this.

What did you use to catch them?

I don’t know what Tom used but I’ve found small bits of shrimp or small squares of pink fish bites in shrimp flavor work. Spades have tiny mouths comparative to their body so small hooks are best. Most of the time I see them in schools up near the pilings so just lower down into the school and hang on.

Thank you. We are heading down Friday and will be staying at four seasons. Gonna try that pier , surf, and GSP. Like to hook up on some spade fish with the kiddos.

I use a small piece of fresh-dead shrimp on a hand-tied double drop rig with usually a 1/2 oz weight at the bottom. It's sometimes more weight, sometimes less, depending on the wind and the current. I've been using two size 2 Gamakatsu circle hooks, which have been working pretty well.

What # main you using on those dinner plates?
I've had them dinner plate sized ones pop 12# like it was nothing.
They are very strong fighters.

Originally Posted by ChileRelleno

What # main you using on those dinner plates?
I've had them dinner plate sized ones pop 12# like it was nothing.
They are very strong fighters.

They're not line-shy at all, so I use 20 pound test mono. Here's how I've started rigging for them:
I tie a UNI-KNOT, leaving about 8-10 inches tag line. So your hook is tied directly to the main line, not to a leader or a dropper. Pull the hook tight. At the end of the tag, tie your weight, which will end up being 5-6 inches below the hook. I think that this set-up offers the best opportunity to consistently bring in big fish. I've lost one fish total since I started rigging this way and that was only because I had caught a dozen or so nice ones without retying.
So that's the only other suggestion that I'd make, is to retie after you catch several.

@eym_sirius
Thanks, we're coming down this Saturday, first time in a long time.
Gonna target them Spades and Specks.
We'll be sure to say "Hi!" if we see ya.