GO OLD SCHOOL FOR BIG STRIPERS- BUNKER SPOONS

Trolling Bunker Spoons for Striped Bass: A Proven Big Bass Old School Tactic

Trolling bunker spoons is a time-tested, but not well known method for targeting large striped bass, particularly in areas where big fish are keying in on adult menhaden (also called bunker). These oversized metal lures mimic the wide, fluttering profile of a bunker, and when trolled correctly, they can be deadly for drawing strikes from trophy stripers. Here's how to make the most of this classic striped bass technique.

What Are Bunker Spoons?

Bunker spoons are large, curved metal lures—often 8 to 12 inches long—designed to imitate adult bunker. Their exaggerated size and wide wobble create a visual and vibrational presence that big striped bass find hard to ignore. These spoons typically have a single fixed hook and are meant to be trolled at slow speeds (2.5 to 3.5 knots).

Popular models include:

• Tony Maja Bunker Spoons

  
  

  Trolling Setup

Trolling bunker spoons requires a heavy-duty setup because of the drag the lures create and the deep water they often target.

Rod and Reel:Use a stout conventional rod, ideally a bunker spoon-specific rod around 7–8 feet with a slow taper. Pair it with a high-capacity conventional reel capable of handling wire line or lead-core. A level-wind reel helps with line management.

Line:Most anglers use 300 to 400 feet of wire line (usually 50 lb stainless) or heavy lead-core to reach the right depth. A 20- to 30-foot monofilament or fluorocarbon leader (50–80 lb test) is ideal to keep the spoon moving naturally.

Downriggers and Planers:In deeper water, many anglers incorporate downriggers or trolling weights (8–24 oz) to get spoons down 30+ feet where large stripers often hold during the summer.

Trolling Technique

Speed:Keep the trolling speed slow—2.5 to 3.5 knots. This ensures the spoon wobbles and flutters properly. If the rod tip is rhythmically pulsing, you’re in the right zone.

Depth and Structure:Focus on channels, ledges, rips, and bunker schools. Bunker spoons shine in 20–60 feet of water, especially when stripers are staging deep. Use sonar to find bait schools and mark fish near the bottom.

Rod Holder Use:Set the rod in a holder with the drag lightly set. Hits from striped bass on bunker spoons are often hard and unmistakable—the rod will buckle over violently when a fish strikes.

When to Troll Bunker Spoons

Spring Summer and Fall:Bunker spoons work best when adult menhaden are around in numbers. In the spring, large migratory stripers often feed on bunker schools before spawning. In the Summer, the Cape gets sporadic influxes of pogies... particularly on the Nantucket sound side. In the fall, bass bulk up for the migration and focus heavily on bunker, especially inshore and along coastal shelves.

Midday Advantage:Unlike some topwater methods that work best at dawn or dusk, bunker spoons produce well during midday when fish are deeper and feeding aggressively.

Pro Tips for Success

• Match the color to the water: White, chrome, and green are go-to colors in clear water; chartreuse shines in stained conditions.

• Vary your spread: Run multiple spoons at different depths and distances to locate the bite.

• Use a trolling brake or sea anchor: On windy days or in strong currents, this helps maintain proper trolling speed.

• Stay near the bunker: If you're seeing flipping bunker on the surface or bait balls on your sounder, you’re in the right neighborhood.

Trolling bunker spoons might seem old school, but it consistently produces big striped bass when other methods fall short. It takes some gear, patience, and attention to detail, but the payoff—a screaming drag and a 40+ inch striper—is well worth it. Whether you're working rips off Monomoy, trolling the deep channels of Cape Cod Bay, or chasing bunker schools in Nantucket Sound, bunker spoons remain a go-to technique for serious bass hunters.