A conversation about iconic fishing lures would be incomplete without mentioning the Dardevle. Even if you haven't heard of it, there's a good chance you've seen it. It's that classic spoon with the red and white vertical stripes that seems to show up in every old timers' tackle box, and for good reason.
This little red and white spoon has been sitting at the ends of angler's lines and in their tackle boxes for well over 100 years and counting. It's a tried-and-true, Bonafide, fish-catching dynamo of a lure. it's not flashy but it gets the job done. If you need further proof, check out this incredible underwater footage from YouTuber Fishing with Bryan Prokuski.
He pits the Dardevle up against live bait, and even then, the Dardevle proves more enticing to the native fish population than a live sucker.
The underwater footage is mesmerizing. Watch as multiple pikes come in to check out his spoon. He even has a largemouth bass and a pike at one point, both checking it out. We can see why the Dardevle is the industry standard for this style.
The beauty of the Dardevle is the simplicity of the design. Just a plain, old metal spoon with a bare treble hook and probably the most straightforward color scheme ever painted on any fishing lure. Yet, this lure performs year after year for generations. It's as if the motto 'it is not broken, don't fix it,' was written about this reliable lure.
Fishing with a Dardevle is simple and time-tested. Dangle it, give it a few bounces, reel it in at a consistent pace, and be ready when the fish strikes. The variety of sizes and colors available allow anglers to find success in all conditions and effectively target pike of all sizes.
Tip up fishing with a Dardevle with a minnow or sucker is not a bad idea. My dad always liked to tip them with Uncle Josh pork rinds to give a bit more action. It was often just what the lures needed to entice a strike out of the most stubborn fish. One of those might have drawn a few more hits in this situation.
Either way, watching these pike and that bass come in and react to the fishing lures was highly entertaining. It is a sight we do not often get to see, especially when ice fishing. Think of it as a learning opportunity the next time you are out on the water.
