6 Spoon Lures For Lake Trout That Trigger Strikes in Deep Water

The fish finder screen glows, marking a massive arch suspended 80 feet down over a deep-water hump. Getting a lure down there is one thing, but getting that lethargic lake trout to strike is the real challenge. In the cold, dark depths where lakers live, nothing triggers a predatory response quite like the flash and wobble of a well-presented spoon.

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Why Spoons Excel for Deep Water Lake Trout

Spoons are fundamentally simple yet profoundly effective tools for deep water. Their success hinges on mimicking the two things a big, opportunistic lake trout can’t resist: flash and vulnerability. In the low-light conditions of the abyss, the metallic flash of a spoon catches any available light, appearing like the glint off a baitfish’s scales from a great distance. This visual cue is often the first thing that draws a laker in for a closer look.

Once a trout’s interest is piqued, the spoon’s action closes the deal. The wobble, flutter, or kick of a spoon perfectly imitates a wounded or dying cisco, smelt, or sculpin. This erratic movement signals an easy meal, a low-energy-expenditure opportunity that a predator is programmed to exploit. Unlike other lures, spoons can be trolled at various speeds or jigged vertically, allowing an angler to present that irresistible wounded-prey signature right in the fish’s wheelhouse.

Their weight and density are also a major advantage. Heavier spoons slice through the water column, reaching target depths quickly and efficiently, which is crucial when you’re trying to stay on top of fish you’ve marked on your sonar. This ability to get down and stay down in the strike zone is what separates spoons from many other lure types when the fish are holding deep.

Williams Wabler: The Classic Deep Water Flasher

When you need to cover vast, deep basins with a slow, methodical presentation, the Williams Wabler is an icon for a reason. Its design is unmistakable, featuring a stabilizing ridge down the center that prevents it from spinning at trolling speeds. This ridge creates a unique, wide-sweeping wobble that sends out powerful vibrations and a mesmerizing flash.

The Wabler’s true magic lies in its precious metal finishes. Plated in genuine silver or 24k gold, these lures produce a flash that is unmatched in its ability to penetrate deep, dark water. Silver excels on bright, sunny days or in clear water, while gold provides a warmer, more visible flash in stained water or on overcast days. Trolling a large Wabler behind a downrigger or lead-core line allows you to present its signature thumping action right in the face of deep, suspended lakers.

This isn’t a lure for high-speed, aggressive tactics. The Wabler shines when trolled slowly, between 1.5 and 2.2 mph, allowing its rhythmic side-to-side action to work its magic. It’s the go-to choice for anglers who methodically comb deep structure, confident that its proven flash and wobble will eventually call a monster up from the depths.

Luhr-Jensen Krocodile for Versatile Trolling

Imagine you’re marking fish at various depths and need a lure that can handle different trolling speeds and even be cast toward surface-busting fish. The Luhr-Jensen Krocodile is a do-it-all workhorse. Its heavy, narrow body allows it to track true at faster trolling speeds without spinning out, making it ideal for covering water quickly to find active fish.

The Krocodile’s design provides a tighter, more aggressive kicking action compared to wider-bodied spoons. This can be a key trigger for neutral or negative fish, provoking a reaction strike when a slower wobble might be ignored. Its compact, baitfish profile is universally appealing, and it comes in a vast array of finishes, from classic chrome to realistic holographic patterns that mimic local forage.

While it excels at trolling, don’t overlook its casting and jigging potential. The Kroc’s weight-to-size ratio makes it an excellent casting spoon for targeting fish you see breaking the surface. If you mark a stack of fish directly below the boat, you can drop it down and jig it, where its fluttering fall will often get bit. This versatility makes it a lure you should always have tied on one rod.

Acme Kastmaster: Jigging Deep Ledges for Lakers

You’re positioned directly over a sharp underwater drop-off, and your sonar is lighting up with fish holding tight to the ledge. This is not the time for trolling; it’s time for precision vertical jigging. The Acme Kastmaster is purpose-built for this exact scenario. Machined from solid brass, its aerodynamic design cuts through the water with minimal resistance, getting to the bottom fast.

The Kastmaster’s genius is in its balance. It doesn’t have a manufactured wobble; its action is generated entirely by the angler. A sharp, upward rip of the rod tip sends it darting erratically, while the subsequent fall on a semi-slack line allows it to flutter and flash like a mortally wounded baitfish. This "rip-and-fall" technique is deadly on deep lakers hugging structure.

Because it’s a solid chunk of metal, it provides excellent feedback through the line, allowing you to feel the bottom and detect subtle bites on the drop. The key is to watch your line closely as the lure falls, as this is when most strikes occur. For the angler who loves a hands-on, active approach, the Kastmaster is the ultimate tool for surgical strikes in the deep.

Eppinger Huskie Devle for Trophy Lake Trout

When the goal isn’t just any lake trout, but the fish of a lifetime, you need a lure that speaks to giants. The Eppinger Huskie Devle is that lure. This is not a finesse spoon; it’s a heavy-gauge, oversized piece of hardware designed to move a lot of water and present a substantial meal that a trophy laker can’t ignore.

The Huskie Devle has a deep, cupped body that produces a powerful, rhythmic kicking action. This thumping motion sends out low-frequency vibrations that big, mature fish can detect from a long way off. It’s the equivalent of ringing a dinner bell in the deep. Its size alone weeds out smaller fish, ensuring that when you do get a strike, it’s likely to be the one you’re looking for.

This is primarily a trolling spoon, meant to be pulled behind a downrigger, Dipsy Diver, or lead core line to get it into the strike zone. Its durable construction can withstand vicious strikes and battles with powerful fish. If your strategy is to target the biggest predators in the system with a large, confidence-building profile, the Huskie Devle is the tool for the job.

Sutton Spoon 44: The Ultimate Flutter Action

Sometimes, lake trout get finicky. They might be pressured, or they might be keying in on slow-moving or dying bait. In these situations, a heavy spoon with an aggressive action can be too much. This is where the Sutton Spoon 44, and its ultralight brethren, truly shine.

Made from extremely thin, lightweight metal, Sutton Spoons are all about action, not weight. They have a delicate, tantalizing flutter that is unmatched by any heavier spoon. On the troll, they dance and glide with the slightest variation in boat speed or current. This subtle, lifelike presentation can be the secret to fooling wary, line-shy lakers in clear water.

The tradeoff for this incredible action is that these spoons have almost no weight of their own. They must be fished with a delivery system like a downrigger or lead-core line to achieve depth. They are a specialized tool for a specific job: presenting the most natural, slow-fluttering profile possible. When lakers are in a neutral mood, the seductive flutter of a Sutton Spoon is often the only thing that can convince them to open their mouths.

Bay De Noc Swedish Pimple for Vertical Jigging

An absolute classic born on the ice, the Bay De Noc Swedish Pimple is just as deadly in open water when jigged vertically. Its unique, narrow, and faceted design gives it an incredibly erratic action. When you lift and drop it, it doesn’t just flutter—it darts, slides, and tumbles, perfectly imitating a disoriented and panicking baitfish.

This lure is a master of pinpoint presentation. When you find a lone "hook" on your sonar suspended off a deep point, you can drop a Swedish Pimple right on its nose. The sharp, jigging motion often draws an aggressive reaction strike. It’s also highly effective for pounding the bottom in areas where lakers might be feeding on sculpin or crayfish.

The included "flipper"—a small, colored plastic piece on the hook or split ring—adds an extra bit of visual attraction and subtle vibration. It’s a small detail, but it can make a big difference. For anglers who rely on their electronics to find and target individual fish, the Swedish Pimple is an essential part of the deep-water arsenal.

Trolling and Jigging Spoons for Maximum Effect

Ultimately, having the right spoons is only half the battle; knowing how and when to use them is what fills the boat. The two primary methods, trolling and jigging, serve different purposes. Trolling is your search-and-destroy mission. It allows you to cover large expanses of water at a controlled depth, presenting your lure to as many fish as possible to locate active schools. Spoons like the Williams Wabler and Huskie Devle are prime trolling lures.

Jigging, on the other hand, is a precision tactic. It’s what you do after your electronics have pinpointed fish on a specific piece of structure, like a reef, ledge, or sunken hump. With lures like the Kastmaster and Swedish Pimple, you can drop your offering directly into the strike zone and work it vertically, enticing a bite from fish that may not be actively cruising.

The best approach often involves a combination of both. Use trolling to find fish, and once you get a strike or mark a concentration of them, switch to jigging to work the area over thoroughly. Always be willing to experiment with speed, color, and cadence. Some days they want a fast, aggressive retrieve; other days, only a slow, methodical flutter will do. Pay attention to what the fish are telling you, and you’ll find success in the deep.

Spoons are timeless because they work, tapping into the fundamental predatory instincts of deep-water lake trout. Don’t get lost in having every color and size; pick a few proven styles, learn their strengths, and get them in the water. The best spoon is the one that’s tied on your line, deep in the laker zone.