I believe that spoons may be the all round most effective steelhead lure there is, especially when fishing big water without well defined holding areas. That said, I also believe that spoon fishing takes a long time to master. I often fish with two of the best spoon fishermen out there. They always kick my butt because I fish the metal only occasionally. What I have learned is that they retrieve only when necessary to keep the spoon fluttering, they seldom touch bottom with their spoons and they are not afraid to cast upstream.

I think the type of spoon to use depends on the water to be fished. If you have heavy flows a long b= narrow spoon like a Crocodile is good. For more typical flows it’s hard to beat the Little Cleo, B.C. Steel or Mor Tac all in 2/5 and occasionally 3/5 ounce sizes.
For really sloe water you might be better off with a teardrop shaped spoon like the Steely (sp?)

Bill Herzog wrote the bible on spoon fishing. It is in most large tackle shops.