Striper Fishing for Dummies! Flutter Spoon Edition. Striped Bass Fishing.

[@billreddochoutdoors5968]

You have no idea how much these videos help me to keep a positive attitude and continue working out to recover from my stroke. Too many fish to be caught to give up and sit in the recliner! Team old school gives me a reason to keep pushing! Thanks Mike, God bless brother!

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Bill YOU have no idea how much your comment is helping me brother. Every year KZbin gets tougher and tougher to even cover expenses. I have to admit, there were countless times over the last two years that the math didn’t make a whole lot of sense to continue. One 20 minute video can sometimes take nearly 100 hours of editing because I use 6 camera angles with 60 hours of footage to wade thru. That’s not even counting the travel, time, and money spent fishing and shooting the video. Then I post it and it gets less than 5000 views before KZbin buries it. Paying out around $30. Don’t get me wrong, I have it SUPER easy compared to most people and I am very aware of how fortunate I am to be able to do this for a living. However we all have mortgages and families to support and that is paramount for most men. I can honestly say that if I didn’t get so many positive comments saying wonderful things one tenth as strong as yours, I would at the very least, be forced to dumb things down to one camera angle and only fish local. Then I read YOUR comment and I’m fired up like a tornado to get after it even harder. Thank you brother. So I kick it back to you and say “YOU have no idea how much your support helps me” I appreciate you Bill!! Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏😊

[@dbettis6477]

@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS you are Mike KZbin picks and chooses who channels they want to promote I hope you don’t quit I love your channel Also can you fish the Potomac River 1 day

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks brother!! I appreciate that! I’ll never quit.

[@aaronfofana9510]

This is therapy for me 😊

[@blindabinda1234]

Where are you from Bill? And I hope you recover fast

[@robertcarmansr.204]

I've been fishing all my 67 yrs a mate on 48' ocean for 5 years offshore is my passion and you guy's rock no matter what video you share i always have learned something. Thanks again guy's keep it up. Cape may NJ south jersey marina

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Wow! That’s incredible brother! I really appreciate that!🙏🙏 👍👍😁

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

2:40 How deep to jig the spoon 4:10 How we figured it out 10:30 Finding Bait- WHERE the spoon is most effective. 17:19 EXACTLY how to work the spoon. 23:00 Massive Bait Schools 24:00 WHY we use clickers 27:50 What FEEDING Stripers look like on sonar. 30:30 Ben’s body cam hookup. 34:00 The new Accurate Tern2 Reel. 44:40 The RIGHT BAIT! 45:15 RODS- REELS- LINE and KNOTS you will need.

[@catdogky]

The King of Spoons strikes again. Thank you for your willingness to teach all of us novices to catch Striped Bass. You realize not everyone is so willing!!

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks brother!! I agree. People are insanely protective and competitive about catching a fish and I’ll never understand it. I’ve seen countless honest people lie about fishing. I’ll never understand it. My fishing has never suffered once from sharing info. It’s only gotten better because I met new people that are now in my network. 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️. Thanks for the support brother!!!!👍👍👍

[@wsavinovich]

Another awesome video Mike. I have been in a hospital with my mother in law for over 6 months, every day. I didn't have time to fish this year, only made it out 4 times. She ultimately lost her battle right before Christmas. Things are slowly settling down and I hope to get back to somewhat normal this season. Look forward to getting out again in spring and implement your techniques. thanks for sharing, time to binge watch Team Old School and catch up on your videos.....

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Man, I’m sorry to hear that Will. That must have been incredibly difficult. Time on the water alone or with the family can be very therapeutic as you know. We’re all praying and thinking of you brother!!! Thanks so much for your continued support. It’s very important to me and I really appreciate you! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@wsavinovich]

@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS Thanks brother, I plan on doing some fishing in your area in the spring. Hopefully run into you in the water.

[@dalejohnson1577]

Every time you post a video, i learn something new. you do nothing but always help, show, explain how too. i love the fact you are a down to earth person. seing you giving people lures when they are out there with you and they ask what are you using. you give them what your using. and never ask for anything in return. i look foward to the day i can see you on the water. granted im a kayak fisherman. one day i will see you out there and say hi, and Thank you........ keeping it reel....

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thank you Dale!! I can’t tell you how much your comment really means brother. Now more than ever! I have a few buddies that fish kayaks a lot. Shoot me an email [e-mail] maybe we can do a group trip together. Get some great footage and have a chuckle too. Thanks brother. 🙏🙏🙏🙏👍👍😊😊

[@jamespha9896]

Love the information about using spoon for stripers Bass 💗💗💡💡👍👍😎😎

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

🙏🙏🙏🙏😁❤️

[@nickpane8468]

Cant wait to try these spoons for the striper run in the spring up on the Hudson!

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

They are deadly. especially there. 👍👍

[@ozarkfishingaddiction9749]

My favorite way to catch stripes on Beaver Lake Arkansas.

[@Ktagshizzy]

Have been looking at beaver lake, is this possible without a boat?

[@tonyhill3638]

More awesome stuff. Thumbs up!

[@jerrydobbs892]

Just found your video’s, they are so great, got me excited to go fishing this winter and summer, never used a spoon but going to learn, having a hard time finding spoons, I’m not sure I need a the 8 inch in smith mountain lake in Va but going to try, when I can find the spoons, found some but can’t find any copper color. Sharing your videos to all my friends, loved the one on how to read my electronics.can’t wait to start watching more!! Thank you again

[@jerrymarcin5343]

Grabbing two spoons for the pops and I to try in the bay this weekend.

[@willeypoboy5607]

"I wanna be like Mike" thanks for sharing...

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks brother!!!👍👍

[@swervomatic]

Appreciate all you knowledge Mike

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks for the support brother!!🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@_L_o_r_d_V_a_d_e_r]

Great video Mike, incredible production as well...there no words to describe how hard u work (I dont even know ya, i'm just a sub)....successful people solve problems and that's what separates the leaders from the rest of pack?! Cheers man

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Wow! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that brother!! Very kind of you to say. I’m glad you like it!!!🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😁😁👍👍

[@justinmolyneux6040]

Replacement arrived!By the way, I did forget to mention that the original lure did have a decent strike however as most anglers will attest you can get a hit kzbin.infoUgkxCbNOWAGmn6nfbCbJDmasvBq7J38KZNw2 and fish will hang on and release lure. I used the replacement lure yesterday and ran thru a Shimano Waxwing, Kastmaster, Bobber (set to sink). I found the does run deep (I casting on the flats 3.5'). Make sure you adjust your rate of retrieve and rod tip angle (up) to prevent getting snagged on bottom. Used it a couple of times and action was very lifelike (looked like local bait fish for trevally), craftsmanship very good....however eyeball fell out. I asked for replacement and it is on it's way! It was very easy to change out treble to single inline hook.

[@offgridwhitetails8768]

As always. Great video brother.

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks brother!! A few guys in my crew are big deer hunters. Shoot me an email. [e-mail]

[@offgridwhitetails8768]

Absolutely will do brother

[@1789ep]

Incredible video. Thanks for sharing this knowledge!!

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Glad you like it!! Thanks!🙏🙏👍

[@berjo77]

Newbie here, heading to the Charles River in a few weeks. Needed the help, thank you!

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

I’m glad you like it brother!! Catch em all!!! 👍👍👍😁😁

[@keithpiskorski2833]

Great video brother if you want to see a person laugh and smile put a fish on the end of your line. Keep up the good work. Thank you.

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks Keith!!!! 😁🙏🙏👍

[@Wills420913]

just picked up some spoons for the spring run. you guys are awesome! thank you so much for the effort you put into your videos. cant wait to catch some cows this season!

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks brother!! I really appreciate that!! Catch em all! 🙏🙏😁

[@joegrande4848]

Just be careful you don't get those spoons near grass or brush. I and I'm sure others can speak from experience. These spoons can be pricey so be careful. I lost 3 spoons. 1 spoon cost me $10.00+ dollars the acme kastmaster spoon.

[@mikemuller4019]

this was a great trip, really appreciate the gear breakdown you use. I'm gonna invest in some of those reels (tern), looks like rairitan bay is having a good season, fish look really healthy.

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Glad you like it brother. The new Tern 2 is out now as well. It’s the same as the first one but it has a centrifugal brake system that’s just killer. Great if you want to cast the spoons too 👍👍👍👍👍

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

That lure worked incredible ❤👏👏

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

It’s quite unusual actually. You have to see it in the water. The slightest twitch makes that sucker dart like nuts. It reminded me of the GitZit I used as a kid, but the tentacles on the GitZit kept it from darting like this.

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS I was thinking the same thing,it reminds me of the GitZit also 👍

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

yeah man. I emptied many ponds with those as a young hellion. 😆. The best way to describe the difference is picturing an arrow with no fletching. Tentacles on the GitZit act like feathers on an arrow. Keeping it stable and straight. The Hookups have no feathers so it is all over the place. It’s surprising to see. It’s a nutty bait.

[@seanpatun9875]

I bought a Ben Parker spoon about size yall are using, hopefully they'll work here at Alabama landlocked lakes?

[@ianharper1189]

this looks like to much fun, from a guy that shore fishes stripers on the hudson river north of the kingston bridge with mostly chunk herring

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks Ian!! I appreciate your comment 👍👍👍👍. I have some buddies that fish up there too. I MUST get up there in one spring or another. Looks like a great place to fish. 👍👍👍

[@OMOLMentoringinc]

Great tutorial waiting for the kids to play with big spoons. Coming up to Keyport to fish on Stripers, last trip tossing 8" 5oz shad. never knew could spoon pitch in 10-20' of water. i was told need to be 30-40'. Will start having kids watch this video

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Crazy right? Good work getting the kids out there! That’s VERY important brother!! 👍👍👍

[@paulhouston1865]

Man your a genius! I know you won't admit or agree with it but your willingness to adapt and overcome to figure it out is impressive. Thank you for sharing the knowledge and doing it so clearly. I got a new boat over the weekend and have been struggling to learn how to find fish......lake Allatoona in Georgia is my go to lake. However I'm close to 6 mile creek on Lanier. Would love some action over there. Maybe this spoon technique would work around that creek.

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks Paul!! I really appreciate that brother!! I have used these spoons on Lanier many times. It’s a Great Lake for them!! 🙏🙏👍.

[@choucha5230]

Thank you for sharing. Ive started fishing at Truman Lake and striper are down at the bottom. I tried everything and cant get anything to bite. I will give this a try.

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

The key for these is surrounding bait. If you mark bait schools close to fish they work great. If fish are sitting alone it can be tough to get a bite.

[@jovang3616]

Love the videos there very helpful keep it up ill keep watching thanku for all ur inout n knowledge but i was thinking not all of us have boats to chase striper around u should do a video from shore on how to find and catch striper from shore im sure theres many people on here that could use that video just a thought if u could thanku

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks brother!! You’re right. There are MANY bank fishermen. Good idea!

[@edwardfizette9854]

Parker spoon , i gotcha

[@willhackney59]

Mike, I have notice the multi-directional rod holders that fit into the boat’s existing rod holders on many of your videos. Can you tell me where those came from. I’m not finding anything like those on my internet searches. Those things are perfect. Thanks, Will

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Hey brother! I had them made by a welder. I had him make them for my followers that wanted them, but Unfortunately he doesn’t make them anymore. Its 1-1/4” aluminum pipe welded at 30degrees. 18”x18”.

[@edwardfizette9854]

is there a brand of spoon or does it matter, will this work in lake cumberland you think

[@MoviesSam]

What kind of reels do you like for Chesapeake Bay fishing - I'm trying to get into this.

[@RStout59]

Awesome video!

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thank you!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@roymyers8575]

Great video

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks Roy!

[@BmosOutdoor]

Love the content! Any suggestions on what type of spoons to use and size if I’m casting from shore?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

The 8” is the most used on MY boat. They cast awesome. A lot depends on the bait fish around. I would keep some 6” and some 8” so you can be able to match the bait they are eating. Water close to the banks is usually more stained so you can really use any color. In very stained water go brighter. Chartreuse is awesome as well as silver. Copper is a great all around color as well as gold 👍👍👍

[@BmosOutdoor]

@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS Appreciate the reply and wisdom! Tight lines

[@bigp6071]

Great tips! Do you believe these spoons would work fishing strippers in the middle Chesapeake bay?

[@dannycars13]

Mike awesome video, I’m in Jersey also and fish the raritan. Where are you guys going roughly when you in 9-10ft water?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Usually just up on a flat close to the channel. We are rarely more than 1/8th mile from deep water. We can mark fish and bait in the channel and they won’t bite. Move 1000 ft away up shallow and the fish there hit anything. They are hunting up there.

[@dannycars13]

@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS Thank you for responding, I really appreciate the videos you make. This species has always been overwhelming for me to find. It's a big ocean. Keep up the great work.

[@SleepingGaint]

Thanks for the great videos and tips. I’m in Rhode Island and would like to try these. Which one of these spoons would you recommended for us? Color and size? There’s so many to choose from. Targeting stripe bass in salt. Thank you

[@andrewbilotta6735]

Mike, I fish for stripers on the Delaware River from the shore in a lot of current below a wing dam. Can the spoons work? What tackle setup ?

[@skateallnighttt]

Sweet man

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

🙏🙏🙏🙏😁👍

[@ThorntonMelon-b2y]

Can you please tell me what rods you are using or what rods you suggest? Thanks

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

For jigging these spoons I prefer a slow pitch rod. You can use any brand slow pitch rod in 6’6” or less and I recommend a very light power. We use MedLight. It’s a short whippy rod, but it’s excellent for this style of jigging. You can get my signature jigging rod from Rich Coulson if you want something very high end. His info is in the description. Thanks!!!

[@Saltyskiangler]

What kind of bibs were you wearing in this video? Fantastic video by the way. Can’t wait to see you. Are the Raritan this year. Of course I’ll be on my JetSki.

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks brother!!! Aftco HYDRONAUT suits. They are really great. I think we are on year 6 with these. Very durable. They will serve you well on your ski. Be safe out there brother. Come by and say hi again!! I’ll have some spoons for you. 😁😁

[@Saltyskiangler]

@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS Thanks for the info Mike, much appreciated, will definitely say hi if I see you. have a fantastic spring season.

[@coreydelp8800]

Mike, I’ve been using copper bunker spoons which have been working well for big bass. I saw on the Nicholas web site for Ben Parker flutter that there are copper and smoke TOS spoons. Do the smoke work well? I often currently use gold broken glass. I fish out of Manasquan Inlet NJ up to north Jersey to Raritan Bay. What color and type of flutter spoon do you recommend?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Copper is a great all around CANT go wrong color. It’s great in stained and clear water. The smoke is excellent for cleaner water and shallower water. Like less then 25ft. We have had many days this fall where brighter patterns like chartreuse and chrome wouldn’t get bit because water was a lot clearer than normal. The flash was just way to strong. The Raritan is usually very stained but this fall it looked almost as clear as the Chesapeake. The smoke was killer in that clearer water and the gold was ok too. I would recommend the copper number 1. The gold/chrome 2 and smoke 3 in order of what I would choose for my arsenal in NJ. Copper is a great fail safe, but in clearer water the smoke is deadlier. Let me know how you like them. Keep me posted please. I’m always looking for feedback from the more hardcore guys like yourself. My email. [e-mail]. THANKS BROTHER!!

[@peterdaly3487]

Hey Mike love your videos grew up in jersey fished the raritan bay for years just retired now I’m on lake muarry sc what’s a good rod for flutter spoons and swim baits in the same price range as the strath rods

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Oh yes. I know that lake well. We use my signature slow pitch rods, but they are the highest end and are not in everyone’s budget. I would search online for “slow pitch jigging” rods and see if anyone is making a more affordable one. That’s what I would do, but there are tons of guys catching loads of fish on regular cheap too long and too stiff catfish rods so🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️. We stay with short limber rods because you won’t get tired in 30 minutes mainly. A 6’6’ light action ugly stick is also a decent compromise. 👍👍

[@RiverRat22]

It would be an honor to spend a day on the water with someone with so much passion and knowledge for the sport and these fish as you. The Chesapeake looks like a damn good time! On another note, if you were wanting to down line live bait and still have the option to jig spoons with the same rod would it be fine using that 50lb braid with a fairly long mono or florocarbon leader?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks Jeremy!! I appreciate it brother!! If I was gonna use one rig for both I would use a 20ft top shot of mono over my 50lb braid. I would use my slow pitch jigging rod that is soft as snot if I’m putting it in the rod holder or holding it so fish will hold bait long enough before feeling the rod tip. 👍👍👍

[@thebarcadas7850]

Hahahaha my job in the background

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

👍👍👍👍

[@JackMcGuigan-i4b]

What is the name of your 4 way rod holders

[@kevinmedeiros9281]

Are spoons mainly a daytime lure? Thank you

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

We had later starts this spring and fished well after dark several nights. As long as you’re marking bait they will bite the spoon. 👍👍👍

[@SethDunbar123]

Are bunker always that thick in Raritan?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Pretty much. Yep. Fall we get lots of different size bait, but spring is usually all big bait.

[@micahtron5000]

wtf the shot at 2:45. Never seen that before

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Awesome right? Adult Menhaden.

[@JC-ez9yx]

Mike what power do you use on your signature slo pitch casting rods for the 6.5-8" spoons? I spoke with Rich and he said the MH is rated for 1oz and the Heavy for 1.5". Would a medium be too light? Im fishing in water from 8-30'. Thanks!

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

We actually use ML and M. I want super light. I want a noodle.

[@KenHarville-iv5no]

What is the brand of the bibs that everyone was wearing?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Aftco HYDRONAUT. They are super duty brother!! Very comfortable too. 👍

[@joegrande4848]

Spoons can be tough to fish when there's a lot of grass. 🤪🤪🤪🙄🙄🙄. Sadly lost a nice acme casting spoon due to a lot of weeds

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Yep. Grass stinks. It can be a pain for sure.

[@CurrentJAM]

Hi Mike! I haven't gotten the chance to try it yet, but I wonder if these spoons work for Yellowtail & Tuna. Have you tried it?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

I haven’t, but anywhere fish are eating bait in the 6-10” range they will work. They hang in the strike zone longer that most spoons 👍👍

[@CurrentJAM]

@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS I'm in SD for a bit, i'll follow up if I get one with it.

[@CurrentJAM]

Nice! I would imagine a yellowtail might jump on that Ben Parker

[@Stripersniper17302]

I just received my first spoon and I was wondering if you switched out the key ring for a swivel at the hook is that correct?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Yep. Just add a heavy duty barrel swivel between the hook and spoon.

[@DanielVadner-mq7eo]

Are all your spoons metal or do you use any plastic ones? Thank you ❤

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

They are all brass. No plastic. 👍you can get the team old school copper color from the Nicholsluresinc website.

[@DanielVadner-mq7eo]

Thanks Mike I ordered three of those from Nicholas and I’m going to send the plastic one back to Amazon. I’m going out to the California Delta, and give those a whirl on Friday. I can’t thank you enough for all your help with the GREAT VIDEOS 🎣 Thanks, Dan

[@jasonshemnitz5886]

I just bought my first Ben Parker spoon for striper fishing in Boston harbor. In terms of power, do you like medium or medium light for the rods? I know you like the lighter power rods for livelining bunkers so you don't pull any hooks but curious what you like for the spoons

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Go as light as possible, but rod needs to be strong. Short limber rods are best. We use 6’6” slow pitch rods. You can get my signature Jigging rods from Rich Coulson in the description. If that’s out of your budget get a short ugly Stik. Under 7’. If you go too long and stiff you will move the spoon too far and it will kill your arms and back. 👍👍

[@rubiconfpv6175]

Are you left handed? I notice you have quite a mix of left / right retrieve reels. Just curious if you prefer to reel left handed or are in fact left handed. I've always used spinning reels and just recently started to learn bait casters and I'm mixed on which way I prefer to retrieve. I have to cast righty regardless. Great video as usual.

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Great question! I’m surprised I don’t get it more often. Everyone on my boat is righty including me. I feel that a righty should cast,jig, pop, and work the baits with your dominant hand and do the simpler work (cranking) with your weak hand. I have always felt better with lefty reels. I can use both but prefer lefty reels. Our baitfishing and trolling reels are all righty because you never WORK the rod, you just crank fish in. For jigging, nearly every righty person I’ve had out has agreed that it’s way easier to jig 8 hours with your right hand and crank with your left. The only people that did NOT agree with that ended up STILL jigging with their right and then flipping the rod over to the left to crank in a fish which I think is counter productive. They lose fish because they can’t crank right away when it’s a righty reel. 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️. Only one guy on my crew prefers a righty. The rest of us all use lefties. It’s a super weird thing to me that even pro bass fishermen cast with their right hand and then transfer the rod to the left. They JUST casted with the right. You are CLEARLY more comfortable with it in your right hand so why not keep it in the right? I’ve been like that since I was a kid. Of course you need to figure what’s best for you. You will likely be fine with both like me, but don’t be surprised if you prefer lefty reels. You’re already cranking lefty on spinning reels like all righty guys. Which is also strange if you think about it. If they like lefty spinners why not lefty baitcasters? 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

[@rubiconfpv6175]

@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS Yep, I agree. that was my thought process. My neighbor is/was a pro bass fisher. I even asked him why do you guys switch hands because it seems to me if you go left hand, both hands are already in place to do what they need to do. The only thing I don't like is to simply stand and hold a rod/reel in my left hand for any extended time. So yeah, it seems to me use your dominant hand for the most critical work. "There's no crying in baseball" but there's a lot of throwing so you don't put your glove on your dominant hand. Watching the video I would have thought you might be left handed. Then I thought well maybe the video got flipped in the gear demo section but figured you would surely notice that and you were demonstrating as a righty. At least I know I'm not the only one that thinks that way. Thanks for the reply. Look forward to seeing what you guys get into next. ... and ladies... I think was having more fun than anyone.

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

That’s a great analogy. The baseball glove analogy is perfect. So many things are done a certain way simply because it’s ALWAYS been done that way. I think that’s one for sure. It’s also great because I get great deals on lefty reels when they can’t sell them. They are everywhere. Thanks brother!!!

[@ManningTheOutdoors]

Great video again! What are those bibs your guys are wearing?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks brother!! Here the link. We beat the chocolate out of these and they are definitely the best made suits we’ve ever had! We are going on over 6 years on these👍👍amzn.to/3Z0yODy

[@ManningTheOutdoors]

@Mike Smedley Thanks bro, do you fish Lake Norman?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

@@ManningTheOutdoors i haven’t recently but used to during the NSBA tournament days. Early 2000’s. Cut bait in Stumpy creek in winter and spring used to win a lot of tournaments and put us in top 5 regularly. Is that your home lake?

[@scottmaccaferri]

Hey Capt, what do you recommend for storing those spoons on board?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Hey Scot. I used to use the old plastic pocket roll bags (envelope) that roll up, but the hooks hang out sometimes and get stuck in everything. I switched to these boxes. Just one of these holds over 25 8-9” spoons and it’s small. amzn.to/3y8REN3 👍👍

[@scottmaccaferri]

@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS thanks for replying Mike and thanks for the link. I’ve swapped out the split rings and added swivels to the hooks and noticed they scratched fairly easy and wondered how to store them so I appreciate the info. Good luck this season.

[@tm8747]

I PERSONALTY , dont buy junkie reels, for the satwater, my chose id the penn fathoms from 15 , 25n to 30 40 60 that covers the 20 to 80# braid . the rods are always calstar or seeker, nothing less .

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Some of my absolute favorite rods for live and cut bait were the Seeker 7020’s.

[@ryansmith9030]

This was an excellent video. Thanks for the excellent content! Which rod model is Tommy primarily using?(looks like an accurate valiant rod) And how would you compare it to your signature series rod? If that's too much for the KZbin comments I can email if you want.

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks brother and good eye. Yes sir, we rotated the rods a bit. The Valiant rods are great. I have several. My sig rod has a few more upgrades like the counter weighted butt system. It makes the tip feel super light so the balance is amazing. It feels like you’re only holding a reel. Also the grips are carbon fiber on the sig rod. It’s like you’re holding the rod blank directly it’s so sensitive. Both rods are around the same price. 👍👍👍. Thanks for the support brother!!!!

[@ryansmith9030]

​@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS I also noticed that you guys pump and seem to high stick with these rods which is pretty much opposite of what I've been told to do when using a SP rod. Are these a lot stronger than the carbon Jigging world rods that I've been using?

[@steveduarte3882]

25yrs ago I was catching stripers on spoons. People would say I was joking

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Yes sir!!

[@waynelimmer4853]

What set up is summer using?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

It’s a mid grade Penn combo. I think it’s a Battle.

[@SethDunbar123]

How recently have you switched to spoons? The Chesapeake guys are still throwing plastic although a few have spoons now and I bought about 20 BP spoons that I throw sometimes but haven’t found the magic.

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

We used them quite a bit in the lakes down south when the Ben Parker spoon was first released. I was lucky that my buddy Chip is always on the lookout and he showed them to me when we shot a video on Lake Lanier 8 or 9 years ago. It’s in my freshwater playlist if you want to give it a look. I played with them in the salt ever since then, but we didn’t incorporate them HEAVILY until around 4 years ago. It started when we kept marketing fish under the boat in less than 15 ft of water. Fish would follow the boat right under us. We caught them on live bait, but not straight down. I wanted to catch the fish right under us but it was shallow so I was limited in what would stay in the strike zone long enough. That slow dropping big spoon was the ticket. The guys like it so much so we keep it going. This video explains how we started using them more. I talk about it around the 3 or 4 minute mark. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIScnYeGoad8gKM

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

They are the most deadly when you mark big bait. That’s the key. Find those bait schools first. Then fish under them. Dropping them on isolated fish isn’t usually very productive.

[@SethDunbar123]

Related question - do you have any videos on how you store the Ben Parkers? I only have a dozen but don’t know how to keep them safe

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

I squeeze 25 spoons in these boxes 👍👍amzn.to/3li8vdr

[@coreydelp8800]

Do you recommend 8 or 9 inch spoons? I’ve been using 9 inch

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

We use 8” 90% of the time because we don’t fish very deep. Usually 10-25’ but 40’ max. If I was gonna fish deeper than 50’ I would use the 9”. There is very little available light that deep so the larger profile is more attractive. The 8” flutters down slower and sweeter than the 6” or the 9”. If water is super clear we will use the 6” as well or the 8” Smokey chrome TOS color.

[@todddavis4203]

Ive got beard envy...........

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

😆🤔😊

[@Bmw2473]

I tried these last year but didn’t have any luck I was on a spinning rod think my technique was wrong or the drift to fast. Problem was my line kept getting tangled in the spoon.

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

There are 2 reasons that usually happens. The most common is dropping the spoon a bit too fast. But I’m wondering if you used only braid tied to the spoon with no leader. Braids is softer than fluoro and mono. The hook finds that braid quick. With 25-30lb fluoro leader you should see nearly zero tangles. Let me know if that helps.

[@dougmcclure4760]

Where is this at?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Raritan Bay

[@stephenolha5177]

The title was Flutter Spoon fishing and he talked about everything BUT the spoon and setup!

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

The last 15 minutes covers everything about the setup in detail.

[@TheRoyal769sr]

Anyone ever win that Rod for funniest comment?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Yes sir. Casting CRUE won it. It’s pinned to the comments on the video. 👍

[@Mknitfit]

Can you fish these spoons from the beach? Or only vertical?