Spoon Caddy

[Stormsearch]

I've always used a spinner bait box to hold my smaller walleye spoons. I have two boxes that had 4 dividers each in them. At the Flint Steelheader show up in Birch Run, I was able to take a closer look at the spoon caddy. I've seen these down at Happy Hooker, but at the show was able to experiment with more lures and styles. This is a 14" x 9" x 3 1/4" box with a white latex type of foam in the bottom. The foam has 60 pre-cut slits. Had to pick one up and try it out - $15. I've seen them advertised cheaper, but at the show, no tax and no shipping charges.

Well I just transferred all my smaller walleye spoons over into it and definitely like it better. I have 98 spoons in the box. Here is what I found:

advantages:
1 - I am now able to see every single color at once. No more turning spoons over, rotating the box, pulling them out of dividers to see what color they are etc. I organized them with copper in the back, colored backs in the middle and silvers in the front. The sponge material used to hold the spoons is white, the colors really stand out.

2 - Definitely prevents spoons from falling out. I dropped this box from a height of 3', 5 times in a row upside down and not one spoon came out. I am not sure if after time the slits will widen up. Will have to report on that over time. The lid of the box though does prevent the spoons from coming out if that might happen.

3 - Color organization. The same spoons go in the same slit. I was able to put up to 4 stingers in the same slit. I can now tell immediately how many spoons I have of that color.

4 - The latches and hinges work pretty good. Nothing special, but the latches are hinged so they won't break off as easily as some of the basic plano boxes.

Disadvantages:
1 - If you have split rings on your spoons, they really don't work well with the slits. I have some blanks that I picked up at Jann's Netcraft and they come with the split rings on them. You can insert the spoon into the slit, but it is more effort than it is worth. Don't know how these spoons will work with the rings removed, but have enough others that I'm not really worried about.

2 - None others really. The hooks of the spoons can still tangle up with the hooks of other spoons held in neighboring slits. You need to be a little careful pushing and pulling the spoons out, as a little slip and a treble will bite you. The slits hold the spoons pretty tight. It is not a waterproof box, but not sure if you want it. Replacing wet spoons back in the box requires some ventilation.

First disclaimer - I am not sponsored by this product. There is a name on the foam made by Maxedout Enterprises. Doing a quick google search and found:

http://maxedoutenterprises.com/index.html

I still have 10 slits available, it just doesn't look right partly empty, any new hot colors I should get?

[REW]

After looking at the Caddy, I can see your point about the split rings causing problem.

If I were using this caddy, I would simply make sure to take all of the split rings off all of the spoons.

Then, I would simply use a snap to attach the spoons to the line.
I doubt that there is much difference in spoon action if you use a snap or a split ring, that the line is tied to directly.

Much more convenient to use the clip any way.

Good product it would appear.

The size is the same size as a deep 3700 plano box.

So, if you wanted to make one for your self and if you had a 3700 box, you could pick up some stiff foam at your local shipping plant, or craft store, cut the foam to fit the box and cut slits in the foam and you would have your own box.

Take care
REW

[exexec]

I have two of em and I really like esp compared to any thing else.

[DP]

Maxed Out has the new Mega Caddy out now as well as a new T2 Harness holder; both were on sale in Niles, Ohio at the local show this past weekend. Holds the larger spoons as well as the smaller ones, only more. T2 holds wire harnesses quite nicely.

[gunrac]

A buddy bought 1 last summer. They have there advantages. If I needed a box, I would go for it. Would also be easy to make one up. My ol' MATE box works for me.


NEVER APOLOGIZE....
AS IT SHOWS SIGNS OF WEAKNESS
HAWG ON, SEA YA

[bob oh]

I use the caddies also and like them, haven't had a big mess since I started using them. I probably could make one but there are other chores that take priority so I'll buy mine.

rod bender bob

[K Gonefishin]

Best thing since sliced bread I have two of them and will be getting the new ones.

[perchjerker]

looks cool. But dont the hooks bounce around and scratch the paint? I would also be afraid I would stick myself with a hook grabbing a spoon in rough seas since they would be pointing up.

I like my special mate spoon box. But this does look like a good idea.

[fetUL]

PJ, the hooks will bounce and chip the paint or wear on it. I put a piece of soft foam in the lid. I just left it loose so the soft foam would tear instead of pulling the spoons out.

[Stormsearch]

If you place the spoons with the hooks folded over to the back of the spoon they tend to stay there. Even if I do get some scratches from hooks, I think it is better than the special mate boxes. In the special mate boxes the spoons ride on top of each other so the entire length of the spoons are in full contact and can easily move. Also, if you have more than a couple in each slit, then the hooks tend to stay in place and/or only scratch up the spoon in the front. I only had this thing for a few days so I'm totally speculating. I still have my special mate box, but only for larger spoons.

[perchjerker]

thanks guys.

I have never seen any damage from the spoons hitting eachother in my special mate box. I have seen it when I use a plano box from the hooks, since they are sharp they tend to scratch the paint easier.

thats my story anyway ;)

[bob oh]

I've had them a long time PJ and haven't noticed any problems but they don't get bounced around that much. I guess it could happen.

rod bender bob