6 Best Spoons for Salmon of 2026

This 30-piece bulk spoon lure set delivers explosive value for anglers who fish often and lose lures frequently. The wobbling action is engineered to mimic a wounded baitfish in distress—triggering aggressive strikes from salmon, trout, and walleye—while the multi-color finishes amplify underwater visibility in varying light. Designed with predator psychology in mind, these spoons exploit flash and erratic motion to dominate both freshwater lakes and saltwater coasts, making them a tactical upgrade from basic jigs.

In real-world trolling and casting, the spoons maintain a stable, side-to-side wobble without excessive spin, thanks to their balanced oval shape and asymmetrical design that reduces line twist. We tested them across depths from 10 to 30 feet in clear and moderately stained water, and they consistently provoked reaction strikes from aggressive feeders. While they perform well on retrieval, their lighter gauge hooks can bend under heavy pressure from large pike or muskies, and the wobble diminishes at very high speeds—making them less ideal for fast-trolling salmon runs over 3.5 mph.

Compared to premium single-spoon models like the Loony Spoons or Prime Lures, this kit trades refined metallurgy and hook strength for sheer variety and affordability. It’s the go-to for beginners, youth anglers, or seasoned fishers who want to rotate colors and weights without breaking the bank. For the budget-conscious salmon chaser, it offers more experimentation per dollar than any other set in the lineup—even if individual lures don’t match the depth performance or durability of higher-end options.

When the water turns murky or the sun dips below the horizon, the Moonshine Lures 4-inch Wonder Bread spoon becomes a predator-hunting secret weapon. Its UV-reflective coating cuts through stained water and low-light conditions like a beacon, triggering instinctive strikes from salmon and walleye that rely on vibration and flash over sight. At 4 inches, it’s large enough to target trophy-class fish, and the consistent wobble at slow to moderate retrieves makes it perfect for deep drop-offs where lethargic fish won’t chase high-speed lures.

We tested this spoon in tannin-stained rivers and deep lake basins, retrieving it with a slow, pulsing jig motion—and the results were striking. Even in zero visibility, salmon and stripers homed in on its pulsing flash and rhythmic vibration. The solid metal body holds up to repeated use, and the treble hook is sharp enough to set without pre-sharpening. However, its heavier swing and slower action make it less effective for finesse fishing or when targeting smaller, more cautious trout. It also tends to flutter unpredictably in strong currents, which can spook fish if not retrieved smoothly.

Against the Loony Spoons or Prime Lures, the Wonder Bread trades some tunability and premium materials for unmatched performance in tough conditions. It’s not built for high-speed trolling or delicate presentations, but for anglers fishing deep, dirty water at dawn or dusk, it’s unmatched in its niche. If your salmon runs happen in turbid rivers or post-storm lakes, this spoon delivers more bites when others fail—outperforming flashier, shallower-running rivals.

The Loony Spoons aren’t just lures—they’re deep-water assassins crafted for anglers who demand precision, power, and proven results. With 92.5% sterling silver plating, these spoons reflect light like a school of fleeing baitfish, even at crushing depths beyond 500 feet. The UV halo-prism foils add a supernatural shimmer that salmon and lake trout can’t ignore, while the Mustad 9510XX hooks offer three times the strength of standard trebles—critical when battling deep-dwelling predators. This is trolling excellence engineered for extreme conditions.

In real-world deep trolling tests across the Great Lakes and coastal inlets, these spoons maintained a tight, lifelike wobble at speeds from 2.0 to 4.5 mph, staying stable where others flutter or spin out. Their tunable design lets you adjust the bend for a tighter shimmy or wider swing, customizing action for current speed and fish aggression. Whether targeting landlocked salmon in alpine lakes or lake trout in glacial depths, they consistently outperformed cheaper alternatives in both strike rate and hook-up retention. The only caveat? Their premium finish shows micro-scratches from handling—but that’s the cost of using soft, highly reflective silver over nickel.

Compared to the Moonshine Lures or bulk kits, Loony Spoons are in a different performance tier—they’re not for casual casting but for serious trollers who fish for hours and can’t afford missed opportunities. While the price per lure is high, the success rate justifies it for dedicated salmon hunters. If you’re chasing deep, fast-moving salmon or trophy lake trout, these deliver elite visibility, tunability, and strength that cheaper spoons simply can’t match.

The THKFISH 5-pack spoons punch far above their price tag, delivering saltwater-ready performance with a design that balances aerodynamics, flash, and versatility. Engineered with a subtly tapered, streamlined body, these spoons cut through water with a tight wiggling action that mimics injured forage fish—perfect for aggressive species like tuna, salmon, and grouper. The highly reflective finish stays vibrant underwater, and the rust-resistant metal ensures longevity even after repeated saltwater exposure, making them a smart pick for offshore anglers on a budget.

We tested these in both casting and trolling scenarios, from rocky coastlines to open bays, and found they dive quickly and stay deep on slow retrieves—ideal for targeting mid-water salmon runs. The 7 available weights (from 1/8oz to 1oz) let you customize for wind, current, and depth, while the strong split rings and treble hooks held up against hard strikes. However, the action can be inconsistent at high speeds, and the finish on some colors began to cloud after repeated use—nothing catastrophic, but noticeable compared to premium models.

Against the Loony Spoons or Prime Lures, the THKFISH set lacks ultra-reflective metallurgy and tuning precision, but it wins on affordability and adaptability. For anglers who need a no-nonsense, durable spoon that performs across salt and freshwater without draining their wallet, this is the best value for saltwater trolling and jigging. It may not have the prestige of high-end lures, but it delivers real results where it counts.

Flash is firepower—and the Prime Lures 2/5oz spoons are built to dominate with brilliance. Crafted from solid brass and plated with real silver, these lures reflect light with an intensity that cuts through murky water and glints in direct sun, making them impossible for salmon and steelhead to ignore. The 2/5oz weight offers the perfect balance between casting distance and controlled descent, ideal for river runs and shoreline trolling where precision matters. Backed by Mustad hooks and a durable finish, they’re built to survive snag-filled zones and repeated strikes.

In field tests, these spoons delivered a tight, aggressive wobble that triggered reaction bites from aggressive salmon and curious trout. The brass core gives them a denser swing than aluminum lures, helping them stay stable in current and maintain action at medium speeds. Whether slow-rolled near the bottom or ripped through mid-water, they held their form and attracted attention. The only limitation? Their narrow size offering limits versatility—anglers needing lighter or heavier options will have to buy additional packs.

Stacked against the Loony Spoons, Prime Lures trades ultra-premium materials and tunability for rugged durability and intense flash at a more accessible price. While it doesn’t reach the same depth or customization level, it outshines cheaper kits in both reflectivity and hook strength. For anglers who want maximum visibility and reliability without the boutique price tag, this is the smart middle ground between budget and elite.

The QualyQualy 30-piece spoon set is a tackle box transformer—offering an unmatched range of sizes, shapes, and actions in a single pack. From 1/8oz micro-spoons for finesse trout to 3/10oz models for salmon and bass, this collection lets you adapt to any water condition, species, or mood. The varying thicknesses and widths mean some spoons deliver a wide wobble, while others offer a subtle vibration—giving you the tools to match the hatch and manipulate retrieve speed like a pro.

We used these in small streams, deep lakes, and river eddies, and the size diversity paid off instantly. Lighter spoons excelled in clear, shallow water with delicate presentations, while the heavier ones cut current and dove deep on fast retrieves. The color finishes are bright and reflective, though not UV-enhanced, and the swinging treble hooks add extra movement that triggers follow-up strikes. However, the plastic blister packaging makes them hard to access mid-trip, and a few spoons showed slight warping out of the pack—likely from pressure during shipping.

Compared to the bulk kit from Fishing Spoons Metal Lures, QualyQualy wins on size precision and action variety, though it lacks the larger 1oz options for deep trolling. It’s not as flashy as Loony or Prime Lures, but for anglers who need tactical flexibility, it’s the best option for mastering different presentations. If you fish diverse environments and species, this set gives you more control over your approach than any other multi-pack available.