If you've ever spent a frustrating afternoon watching fish on your sonar ignore every lure you throw, it's probably time to tie on some binks jigging spoons. These aren't just another piece of flashy metal meant to catch the fisherman's eye more than the fish's. They have a reputation among serious deep-water anglers for being the "get out of jail free card" when the bite turns tough. Whether you're chasing suspended bass, schooling stripers, or walleye tucked tight to the bottom, these lures have a way of triggering a reaction strike that most soft plastics just can't match.
I remember the first time I really gave them a fair shake. I was out on a deep highland reservoir in the middle of summer. The sun was baking everything, and the fish had moved out to the deep timber and humps. We could see them on the electronics—big, healthy arches stacked up—but they were lethargic. We tried dropshots, we tried deep-diving cranks, and we even tried live bait. Nothing. Then, my buddy dug into his bag and pulled out a plain silver Binks spoon. Within three drops, he had a four-pounder in the boat. That's the kind of day that changes your perspective on what a "simple" lure can do.
The Design That Sets Them Apart
What makes binks jigging spoons different from the hundreds of other spoons on the market? It really comes down to the balance and the shape. Most spoons are either stamped out of flat metal or molded in a way that makes them tumble uncontrollably. A Binks spoon is different. It's a "belly-weighted" design. This means that as it falls through the water column, it doesn't just nose-dive like a rock. Instead, it has this very specific, seductive flutter that mimics a dying shad or minnow.
The weight distribution is key because it allows the lure to stay horizontal for a split second longer at the top of your jigging stroke. When you snap the rod tip up and then let it slack, the spoon rolls over and flashes. To a predator fish, that flash looks exactly like the silver side of a baitfish that's about to give up the ghost. It's an instinctual trigger. They don't have time to inspect it; they just see the shimmer and react.
Vertical Jigging Like a Pro
The most common way to fish these is vertical jigging. It sounds easy—just drop it down and shake it, right? Well, sort of. There's a bit of an art to it if you want to maximize your hook-up ratio. You want to drop the spoon down to the depth where you're seeing fish. Once it hits that zone, you give the rod a sharp upward snap—maybe 12 to 18 inches—and then follow the lure back down with your rod tip.
The "follow" is the most important part. You don't want the line to be completely limp, or you'll miss the strike. Most fish hit a Binks spoon on the fall. You'll be lowering your rod, and suddenly the line will just stop, or you'll feel a slight "tick." That's the fish inhaling the spoon as it flutters down. If you have too much slack, you won't feel it until the fish has already spat it out. Keeping a semi-taut line is the secret sauce to becoming a spoon-fishing expert.
Versatility Across the Seasons
One thing I love about binks jigging spoons is that they aren't seasonal. A lot of guys think of spoons as a "winter only" bait because they're so effective when fish are grouped up in deep holes during the cold months. And don't get me wrong, they are incredible in the winter. When the water temperature drops and the baitfish start dying off due to the cold, a spoon is the most natural-looking thing you can put in front of a fish.
But they're just as deadly in the heat of the summer. When fish move out to deep ledges, brush piles, or submerged islands to find cooler, oxygen-rich water, they become very concentrated. If you can find them on your graph, you can put a spoon right in their face. It's a high-efficiency way to fish. Instead of casting and retrieving through fifty feet of empty water, you're spending 100% of your time with your lure in the "strike zone."
Targeting Different Species
While bass fishermen are probably the biggest fans of these lures, they are absolute magnets for almost anything that swims. If you're into striper or hybrid fishing, you probably already know that binks jigging spoons are a staple. Stripers are notorious for "schooling up" and chasing shad into deep water. When you find a school of stripers on your electronics, dropping a 1-ounce Binks spoon into the middle of them is about as close to a guaranteed catch as you can get in fishing.
Walleye hunters also swear by them. In the late fall, when walleyes are hugging the bottom on rocky points, a smaller Binks spoon (like the 1/4 or 1/2 ounce versions) can be hopped along the stones to trigger some massive hits. Even big panfish like crappie will nail the smaller sizes. It's honestly one of the most versatile pieces of lead you can own.
Picking the Right Size and Color
When it comes to choosing which binks jigging spoons to buy, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the options. They come in everything from tiny 1/8 ounce sizes up to heavy 1-ounce or 2-ounce behemoths. My rule of thumb is to use the lightest spoon you can get away with that still allows you to feel the bottom and keep your line vertical. If there's a lot of wind or current, you'll need to go heavier. If it's a dead calm day and the fish are shallow, go lighter.
As for colors, "Match the Hatch" is the golden rule. If the water is clear and the sun is out, it's hard to beat a plain Chrome or Silver finish. It provides that classic metallic flash that mimics a healthy shad. If the water is a bit stained or the sky is overcast, I usually switch to White or something with a bit of Chartreuse on it. The White Pro Series spoons have a matte finish that stands out really well in low-light conditions.
Gear Matters More Than You Think
You don't need a specialized "spoon rod" to fish these, but your setup will definitely impact your success. I prefer a medium-heavy casting rod with a fairly fast tip. You want that backbone to set the hook when you're fishing 40 feet deep, but you need a tip that's sensitive enough to feel that "thump" on the fall.
Line choice is another big one. A lot of guys use fluorocarbon because it sinks and is nearly invisible, which is great. However, if you're fishing around a lot of standing timber (where Binks spoons really shine), you might want to consider a high-quality braid with a fluorocarbon leader. The braid has zero stretch, meaning when you snap that rod tip, the spoon moves instantly. Plus, if you get snagged in a tree—and you will—braid gives you a better chance of pulling that spoon free without losing your lure.
Final Thoughts on the Binks Advantage
At the end of the day, fishing is a game of confidence. You're more likely to catch fish when you believe in what you're throwing. The reason binks jigging spoons have such a loyal following isn't because of fancy marketing or celebrity endorsements; it's because they simply catch fish when other baits fail.
They represent a back-to-basics approach that works. You don't need a thousand-dollar setup or a PhD in marine biology to master the spoon. You just need a little bit of patience, a good eye on your electronics, and the willingness to drop that piece of metal down into the dark. Next time the bite gets tough and the fish seem like they've gone on a hunger strike, tie one on. You might just find yourself having one of those "buddy with the silver spoon" days that changes the way you look at deep-water fishing forever.