Micro Spoon Fishing in South Africa
A Complete Guide to the Haibo INSECT, CATEYE, PURE and LEAF Spoon Series
Micro spoons are one of the most effective ultralight lures ever developed. Originally designed for Japanese trout fishing, these small metal lures imitate insects, small baitfish and aquatic organisms. When retrieved slowly they produce a subtle wobbling action that fish find irresistible.
The Haibo N.K.K. spoon range includes several designs — INSECT, CATEYE, PURE and LEAF — each with different shapes and sizes that create slightly different swimming actions. This variety allows anglers to cover different water depths, retrieve speeds and target species.
For anglers in South Africa, these spoons open up a very interesting style of fishing that works extremely well for species such as yellowfish, bass, trout and kurper.
The Haibo Spoon Range
The Haibo spoon range includes four main designs, each with a specific action and application.
INSECT Spoon
The INSECT spoon is designed to imitate insects that fall into the water. Its compact body and curved shape create a gentle wobble during retrieval.
Available weights include:
0.8 g
1.0 g
1.5 g
1.7 g
1.8 g
2.3 g
2.5 g
3.5 g
There is also an INSECT Mini version available in:
1.1 g
1.3 g
Best Uses
This spoon excels in shallow water and slow presentations where fish are feeding on insects.
Ideal for:
Yellowfish in rivers
Trout in dams
Kurper in shallow water
Small bass
CATEYE Spoon
The CATEYE spoon has a slightly longer shape with a more pronounced wobble. This design creates more flash and vibration, which helps attract fish from further away.
Available sizes include:
2.1 g
2.6 g
3.2 g
3.6 g
4.3 g
Best Uses
Because it is slightly heavier, the CATEYE spoon casts further and works well in slightly deeper water.
Ideal for:
Bass fishing in dams
Yellowfish in deeper pools
Trout in windy conditions
PURE Spoon
The PURE spoon has a wider body and produces a slower fluttering action as it sinks. This makes it extremely effective when fish are feeding deeper in the water column.
Available sizes include:
3.5 g
4.3 g
5 g
Best Uses
These spoons are excellent when fish are holding deeper.
Ideal for:
Bass near structure
Trout holding deeper in dams
Yellowfish in deep river runs
LEAF Spoon
The LEAF spoon features a double-curved design that produces a unique swimming motion. This design gives the lure a natural drifting action when retrieved slowly.
Available size:
3.5 g
Best Uses
This lure performs well when fish are cautious and require a subtle presentation.
Ideal for:
Clear water trout fishing
Yellowfish in calm rivers
Finicky bass
Choosing the Right Size
The different weights allow anglers to target different depths and fishing conditions.
Light Spoons (1 g – 2 g)
Best for:
Shallow water
Slow retrieves
Calm conditions
Ideal species:
Trout
Kurper
Small bass
Yellowfish in shallow runs
Medium Spoons (2 g – 3.5 g)
Best for:
General fishing situations
Moderate casting distance
Rivers and dams
Ideal species:
Bass
Yellowfish
Trout
Heavier Spoons (3.5 g – 5 g)
Best for:
Deeper water
Windy conditions
Long casts
Ideal species:
Bass
Trout
Larger yellowfish
Recommended Tackle Setup
Because these lures are lightweight, using the right tackle is important.
Rod
An ultralight rod works best.
Recommended specifications:
Length: 6–7 ft
Casting weight: 1–7 g
Fast or moderate-fast action
Reel
You can use either:
1000–2000 size spinning reel
BFS baitcasting reel
BFS reels are especially good for casting these light lures.
Line
Light line improves casting performance.
Recommended options:
PE braid 0.3–0.6
Monofilament 2–4 lb
Fluorocarbon 3–5 lb
Use a fluorocarbon leader of 0.16–0.22 mm.
How to Fish Micro Spoons
The key to fishing micro spoons is slow retrieval.
Slow Retrieve
Cast out and retrieve slowly so the lure wobbles naturally.
Stop-and-Drop
Pause occasionally and allow the lure to flutter downward.
Fish often strike during the fall.
Twitch Retrieve
Add occasional rod twitches to imitate injured prey.
Bottom Flutter
Let the lure sink and gently lift the rod before allowing it to fall again.
This works very well for yellowfish.
Best Fishing Locations
Micro spoons work best in areas where fish feed on insects or small baitfish.
Look for:
River runs
Dam edges
Areas with overhanging trees
Rocky structure
Weed edges
Target Species in South Africa
These spoons can catch a wide variety of fish.
Smallmouth Yellowfish
One of the best species for micro spoons, especially in rivers like the Vaal.
Largemouth Bass
Bass readily attack small flashing lures, especially along weed edges and structure.
Kurper (Tilapia)
Kurper will often strike small spoons when retrieved slowly near reeds.
Trout
These spoons work extremely well in trout dams where fish feed on small insects and baitfish.
Juvenile Tiger Fish
In places like Jozini Dam, smaller tiger fish will attack these spoons due to their flash and vibration.
Final Thoughts
Micro spoon fishing is still relatively underused in South Africa, but it has enormous potential. The Haibo INSECT, CATEYE, PURE and LEAF spoon series provide anglers with a complete ultralight lure system that can cover a wide range of fishing conditions.
By choosing the correct size and retrieving the lure slowly, anglers can target multiple species with a single type of lure.
For anglers who enjoy finesse fishing or ultralight tackle, these spoons can provide some of the most exciting fishing experiences available.