Fishing a Nichols Ben Parker spoon is a specialized yet highly effective technique designed to target large, suspended predatory fish—especially when they are feeding on big bait such as shad or herring. The lure itself is oversized, typically six to eight inches long, and its heavy weight allows it to reach deep structures quickly.
What makes it so powerful is the dramatic, fluttering fall that mimics a wounded baitfish spiraling downward. This combination of size, flash, and falling action triggers reaction strikes from trophy-caliber fish even when they are not actively feeding. Because of this, the Ben Parker spoon has become a staple for anglers pursuing big stripers and other deep-water predators, especially during summer and early fall when fish concentrate around ledges, humps, and bait-rich offshore structures.
To fish the spoon efficiently, anglers rely on strong, properly matched gear. A seven-and-a-half to eight-foot heavy or extra-heavy rod with a moderate-fast action helps manage the lure’s weight while also providing enough backbone to drive in the hooks when a fish strikes on the fall.
This is typically paired with a durable 3000-4000 size spinning reel or a 200-300 size baitcaster with a fast gear ratio and a main line of 20 to 30-pound braided line, connected to a fluorocarbon leader to ensure a natural presentation. Because large spoons create line twist, high-quality swivels and split rings are essential to keep the setup functioning smoothly.
The technique for working a Ben Parker spoon centers around vertical presentations. Anglers use sonar to find suspended fish, then drop the spoon directly into or slightly above the school. Once it reaches the desired depth, the lure is ripped upward with force before being allowed to flutter back down on semi-slack line. Most strikes come during this fall, often felt as a faint tick, a sudden heaviness, or unexplained slack.
Hooksets must be firm because the lure’s size gives fish leverage to throw it. In addition to vertical jigging, anglers can cast the spoon over structure, count it down to a specific depth, and retrieve it with a lift-and-fall motion, or use a burn-and-kill retrieve that alternates between rapid movement and sudden pauses—all of which imitate injured prey.
Although incredibly effective under the right circumstances, the Ben Parker spoon is not a universal tool. It shines when targeting big fish holding in deep water around schools of large bait. However, it is less useful when fish are spread out, feeding on tiny forage, or holding shallow. Yet when conditions align, few lures can match its ability to generate violent, trophy-level strikes. By combining precise electronics use, heavy gear, and deliberate presentation, anglers can turn this oversized spoon into one of the most productive big-fish tools in their arsenal.