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Saltwater Fishing with your Viper Spoons: Informative Suggestions to Help you Catch More Fish

Hi folks, here are some points to consider when using your Viper Spoons for some saltwater fish. The information given may answer some questions that you may have about how to use your Viper Spoons regarding: rig set-up for certain species, baits and how to bait your Viper, fishing methods for certain species.

01-claudio-striper

Please note that where only 2 hooks are permitted in some locations, the last hook on the Viper Spoon containing a 3 hook harness may easily be snipped off and will not affect the lures’ action.

Viper Spoons will flutter nicely just by drifting from your boat provided that there is enough drift speed. As long as your Viper is rocking from side to side, it will have enough motion to provide reflection and reveal the color pattern that you need to attract fish.

While fishing, just hold the rod steady in your hand and watch the rod tip (or you may place it in a rod holder) - the Viper will do the rest as you relax and wait for a bite. You may want to try working one rod on the bottom using a 3-way set-up and a second rod to fish suspended by flat lining.

I have taken many fish using this tactic and I have also written an article on this. Folks fishing from kayaks can easily try this “double drift system” as well.

If the drift is slower for your larger Vipers and you don’t wish to troll, try a smaller size Viper as a back-up plan (will suspend better because it’s lighter but you’ll have to scale back on your bait size as well).

Fishing Methods

Fishing for a Particular Fish

Baiting and Maintaining Viper Spoons

3-WAY BOTTOM DRIFT METHOD

This method allows you to drift from your boat using only the wind or current to operate your Viper - the boat motor should be turned off.

  • For your set-up, you’ll need a 3-way swivel – 2 feet of drop line from the swivel to a fairly heavy sinker (say 3 oz. or more depending on conditions) - 24 to 30 inches of fluorocarbon leader from the swivel to a snap for your Viper (the snap may also be omitted if you prefer and will not affect the action of your Viper).
  • The heavy sinker on your 3-way set-up will allow the sinker to make constant contact with bottom - this is key to locate your bait within the strike zone at all times while drifting for fish that are located near the bottom (this puts you in control for effective bait placement).
  • Ensure that there is enough drift speed (enough wind, enough current) to keep your Viper actively moving and it should have great lure/bait action – check out the action of your Viper along the side of your boat in 1 foot of water first before sending it down.
  • Try to keep your main line as vertical as possible (within 45 degrees) to avoid your Viper from dragging bottom.

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FLAT LINING DRIFT METHOD

This method allows you to drift from your boat using only the wind or current to operate your Viper - the boat motor should be turned off.

  • For your set-up, all you need is to tie on a snap to your main line and attach your baited Viper - no sinker required - you may also tie your main line direct to your Viper if you prefer.
  • Ensure that there is enough drift speed (enough wind, enough current) to keep your Viper actively moving and it should have great lure/bait action – check out the action of your Viper along the side of your boat in 1 foot of water first before letting your line out.
  • The idea is to let out plenty of line to allow you to work your Viper far from your boat - your Viper will be fished suspended or near top water.
  • If too much line is let out , your Viper may risk dragging bottom and will lose its action.
  • Usually if your Viper is covered with debris, it’s probably a sign that it’s dragging bottom and you would have to let out less line.
  • Typically you may let out 30 to 50 yards of line – you may have to suit your condition though.

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TROLLING

This method requires your boat motor to provide speed to operate your Viper.

  • A 3-way rig may be used for trolling as well.
  • Down riggers, planer boards, divers may be used for your Vipers.
  • You may vary your speeds, depths and patterns to target certain species.

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OFFSHORE SPECIES

  • Recommend size SP5 Viper.
  • Silver, blue sardine, green mackerel, bleeding pearl chartreuse are effective colors.
  • Trolling or flat line method.
  • For baits, try ballyhoo, small whole menhaden, mullet, small mackerel, whole squid.
  • Watch for diving birds for bait fish location – larger fish will most likely be near the bait fish.

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FLUKE/FLOUNDER/ HALIBUT

  • Try sizes SP4 or SP5 Viper to target larger fish.
  • Bleeding pearl chartreuse, gold, silver are effective colors.
  • Use the 3-way bottom drift method - slow troll only if drift speed is to slow to operate your Viper.
  • Use whole squid or large cut-bait strips to target the doormats.
  • If you have a GPS, mark fish’s location when caught & make repeat drifts in that area to cover it thoroughly (it may be a preferred bottom).
  • Gold Vipers work great in stained water.
  • Watch your rod tip for even the slightest bite and set the hook if you suspect one (some fish will bite lightly and hold onto the bait while being drifted by your boat- you may not be aware that the fish is on).
  • Try to use pliers to carefully remove the hook from the fish, not only for your safety, but to not harm the throwbacks as well – you may even consider to pinch back the barbs on the hooks as this may save many fish.
  • Cut-bait with light colored skin produces more hits than darker skinned ones (attracts fish easier).
  • Where there is one, there’s usually more because it may be a preferred bottom to ambush prey.
  • Fluke/flounder/ halibut are not afraid of a sinker – it may even attract them.
  • Productive depths could be anywhere from 15 to 80 feet.
  • Some fish may prefer stained water to help camouflage them – don’t overlook stained water.
  • Some baits to try: whole squid or strips, mackerel fillet, herring strip, menhaden strip, course fish fillet or strip.
  • Remember… bigger baits produce bigger fish.

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STRIPED BASS

  • Try sizes SP4 or SP5 Vipers.
  • Effective colors are blue sardine, green mackerel, silver.
  • Try flat line method - for baits, try whole small mackerel, whole mackerel fillet , small whole menhaden, whole squid, small natural or artificial eel.
  • Cut small slits in natural eel skin to impale hooks (eel skin is hard to impale with hooks).
  • Fish your Viper suspended or even close to the surface while flat lining.
  • A good drift speed will work your Viper properly - slow troll only if the drift speed is too slow.
  • For casting, use artificial soft plastics with your Vipers (eel or fish shaped) - leave last hook un-baited if using a 3 hook Viper.
  • Cast and make quick short rips near top water when retrieving - try to make noisy top water splashes with your Viper.
  • Try shallow bays and points to locate fish.
  • Look for splashes on the surface; could be a sign of feeding fish.
  • Try evening, night, early morning & cloudy days for best bite.
  • Fish will hold for some time in certain areas – find one and there will probably be others - this will be a good opportunity for you to catch your limit before they move on.
  • To avoid getting cut off, your drag should not be set too tight for initial bites - bites come hard & fast when casting and retrieving.

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BLUEFISH

  • Try sizes SP4 & SP5 Vipers.
  • Effective Viper colors are blue sardine, green mackerel, silver, bleeding pearl chartreuse.
  • Effective methods are flatlining & trolling.
  • Try also trolling with a 3-way swivel & heavy sinker, but fish your Viper suspended.
  • Baits to try: whole small mackerel, mackerel fillet, whole ballyhoo (beak removed), menhaden strips, whole or strip squid.
  • Bigger baits usually catch bigger blues.
  • Cast & retrieve near top water using fish-shaped artificials - make noisy top water splashes with your Viper.
  • Keep your bait fresh.
  • Ease up on the drag for initial bite.
  • Look for diving gulls for baitfish location, bluefish may be present as well – look also for bluefish feeding frenzies on the surface.

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SNAPPER, SCUP, SHEEPS HEAD,

  • Try sizes SP1 Vipers.
  • Silver and gold Vipers work well.
  • Try 3-way bottom drifting or flat line close to bottom.
  • For bait, try small squid strips, small cut bait, small soft plastics.
  • Vipers should produce some larger fish.

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TOUTOG

  • Try size SP1 Viper.
  • Silver and gold Vipers work well.
  • Try the 3-way bottom drifting method – this method is effective in early spring.
  • Small clam strip & crab pieces are excellent baits.
  • Try rocky bottom areas.

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SEA TROUT, WEAKFISH

  • Try sizes SP2, SP3, SP4 Vipers.
  • Silver, gold, bleeding pearl chartreuse are effective colors.
  • Flat line or 3-way bottom drift.
  • Slow troll with 3-way set-up if drift speed is too slow.
  • Baits include long squid strips, fish or worm shaped plastics (light colored) with curlytail, thin cut-bait strips.
  • When hooked, reel-in fish slowly or fishes’ mouth may tear.
  • Oyster beds may hold fish – try also shallow water (15 feet or less)
  • Gold color is recommended for stained water.
  • Try casting suspended or near top water with Vipers baited with fish-shaped artificials – use slow retrieves.

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CLEARNOSE SKATE

  • Size SP1 Viper.
  • Silver, gold are effective colors.
  • 3-way bottom drifting method.
  • Try small squid strip or small cut-bait strip.
  • Skate wings make excellent soup, may also be fried or baked.
  • Remove skin by slitting skin all around wing and pull off with pliers (comes off very easily).

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SMALLER EDIBLE SHARKS

  • Recommend sizes SP4 or SP5 Vipers.
  • Silver, blue sardine, bleeding pearl chartreuse are effective colors.
  • Try large cut-bait strips with the skin on – use fresh bait.
  • Flat line or try 3-way bottom drifting.

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BLACK SEA BASS

  • Try sizes SP2, SP3, SP4 Vipers.
  • 3-way bottom drifting is very effective.
  • For baits try squid strips, cut-bait strips, soft artificials with curly tails.
  • Fish may be holding in 18 to 35 feet of water.
  • Vipers will generally produce larger fish.

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BLACK DRUM

  • Use sizes SP4, SP5 Vipers.
  • Try 3-way bottom drifting – drift over oyster beds.
  • Silver, gold are effective colors.
  • For bait, try clam strips, cut-bait strips, shrimp pieces, crab pieces.

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RED DRUM (red fish)

  • Try sizes SP2, SP3, SP4 Vipers.
  • Bleeding pearl chartreuse, silver, gold are good colors.
  • Try flat line method.
  • Fish hold in shallow water from 3 to 15 feet - try mud or silt bottoms – try channels.
  • Baits include squid strips, small whole bait fish, shrimp pieces, clam strip.
  • For casting, bait Vipers with artificials – atificials with curly tails (light colors) work well – keep last hook un-baited on 3 hook Vipers.

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SOUTHERN & NORTHERN KINGFISH

  • Use size SP1 Viper.
  • Silver and gold are effective colors.
  • 3-way bottom drifting method – try along sandy beaches in 8 to 15 feet of water.
  • Small squid strip is excellent bait.
  • These fish are excellent eating.

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VIPER SPOON BAITING TIPS

  • Whole squid (8 to 10 inches) will accommodate nicely on sizes SP4 or SP5 Vipers.
  • Rig squid with tail end impaled on the hook closest to the spoon for best lure action and a more natural appearance to the fish – impale all hooks.
  • Impale all hooks through natural baits.
  • Impale 2 hooks through artificial bait - leave the last hook free. (impale both hooks for 2-hook Vipers).
  • If fillet is slightly triangular shaped, impale narrower end (usually the tail end) of fillet through the hook closest to the spoon (Viper will work better - more streamlined) – impale the remaining hooks.
  • Streamlined baits provide better wobble action of your Viper as compared to bulky chunks.
  • Small whole baitfish can be side impaled through head in front of eyes with the hook closest to spoon - remaining hooks can be side impaled along the top of the fish just under the skin - fins may be clipped to improve action - leave the tail fin on.
  • Ballyhoo beaks should be removed.
  • Try to keep baits as straight as possible on harness for best lure action.
  • Expose all hook points.
  • Always try to use the freshest bait (natural bait) possible – change your bait often to retain scent.
  • Keep course fish when you catch them as they make great bait (whole, fillet or strips).
  • Keep the skin on your cut-bait as this will give color and will be an extra attractant.
  • Impale all hooks through the skin – this will ensure that your bait will stay on the harness.
  • Orient narrower end of strip bait closest to spoon for great lure action.
  • The bucktail on Vipers gives extra attractant and adds bulk to the bait.

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CARE OF YOUR VIPER SPOONS

  • Saltwater is harsh on any lure - rinse Vipers (and your rods and reels) with fresh water after use to remove oils, bait fragments, odors and salt.
  • Take a cloth and buff the silver and gold portions of the Vipers to keep them shiny and reflective.
  • Vipers should be dry before storing them.

If you have specific questions that you would like answered, just drop me a line on our web site as I am very happy to answer them.

Thanks & as always, good fishing!
Claudio