You pull up to Mountain Lakes Resort near Lytle Creek and it's hard not to get excited. The mountain air, trees hugging the shore, and that Upper Lake full of fresh stocked trout just waiting. It's a classic Southern California mountain spot where you can have a solid day without driving forever. Kriss Cachero headed up there with some Dancin Fish Baits spoons and showed exactly why they're becoming a favorite, pulling in trout like it was nothing.

Daniel Alaniz, an Inland Empire guy, started this whole thing because he got tired of the same old options at the big stores. He wanted spoons that had the right flash and action for local waters, so he began hand painting and powder coating his own. Each one gets that airbrushed touch and tough powder coating that holds up while giving them a dance that trout can't ignore, even in lakes where the fish see every lure under the sun.

These spoons are the underrated weapon we keep reaching for on California lake trips. They just work when you need something different. If you're gearing up for your next mountain adventure, it's worth adding a few to the box. You can see their full selection here.