Spook Fishing Questions 2025
benthinkin reply :
Hi all, this is my first post so go easy on me please. I fish Spring Lake in California it is relatively small, about 70 acres, but it fishes very large with many coves and places for dish to hide. I saw a guy really doing well with a spook. I picked one up and was just wondering if anyone had a specific style that they like to fish this lure. Thanks in advance.
Bluebasser86 reply :
Spooks are designed to "walk the dog". Use sharp, downward twitches of your rod to make the bait glide side to side on the retrieve. It takes a little practice but the original spook is probably the easiest bait there is to walk. You can mess with speed of the twitch and length of the glide, pause versus no pause also. They're a great bait for covering lots of water quickly and seem to excel in stained to clear water.
benthinkin reply :
Thanks for the tips. I will definately do that. I got the heddon super spook, is that the original?
riverbasser13 reply :
With the spook its all about the sideways glide, tying a rapala knot or loop knot really helps that sideways motion. Its kind of a tricky knot but it definitely helps free up the spook to get sideways. I'm pretty sure the super spook is the original, and if they want something smaller there is a spook Jr, which still casts pretty good. WAtch out, I know some anglers who are addicted to this style of fishing and it's almost all they throw.
smalljaw67 reply :
On 9/10/2014 at 7:05 PM, riverbasser13 said:With the spook its all about the sideways glide, tying a rapala knot or loop knot really helps that sideways motion. Its kind of a tricky knot but it definitely helps free up the spook to get sideways. I'm pretty sure the super spook is the original, and if they want something smaller there is a spook Jr, which still casts pretty good. WAtch out, I know some anglers who are addicted to this style of fishing and it's almost all they throw.
The super spook and super spook jr. don't need a loop knot as they are equipped with a split ring which allows the lure a free range of motion. The super spook isn't the original but it is an upgraded version and walks fine, as already mentioned it take practice to get the cadence down but once you do it becomes second nature. Remember to have a little slack in your line while twitching, it is called "controlled slack" because you reel as you twitch not to eliminate the slack but to keep the same amount. It sounds hard than it actually is but you'll notice that when you leave a little slack the lure will glide to the side easily, if you twitch on a tight line all you will do is pull the lure forward. Take your time and go slow and you'll get it and you may also get a big fish as they will often come up on a spook that is worked slow.
Sam reply :
Use mono when fishing a Spook as you will need the extra stretch when setting the hook and let the soft rod tip help fight the fish.
No slack in the line after you hook the bass. Remember your physics as a Spook and a Sammy can be thrown by a bass if you give them any slack and they can throw the bait while thrashing around and moving their head back and forth.
ALWAS HAVE NEEDLE NOSE PLIERS WITH YOU TO REMOVE TREBLE HOOKS SAFELY.
How about introducing yourself in the Introductions Section so you can tell us about your fishing experiences, your sports, how you like to fish, etc.
ClackerBuzz reply :
like smalljaw said it's all about the slack.
drop ur rod tip 12" and snap back 13".
that 1" uptake will jerk ur spook to the side.
as opposed to the mistake of dropping 12" slack and jerking back 20". you'll only drag the lure forward.
Mike L reply :
This thread should be a sticky...
Nothing else to add
Mike
shanksmare reply :
"The super spook and super spook jr. don't need a loop knot as they are equipped with a split ring which allows the lure a free range of motion"
Unless this is a very recent change, they don't have a split ring on the lure tie.
I use the Super Spook and Jr frequently for snook and small tarpon (occasionally redfish) as well as bass. I use a spinning rod for the saltwater applications and a baitcaster for bass fishing. When fishing in saltwater I use 15 or 20# braid with about a 24" heavy mono leader. For freshwater I use whatever outfit I'm using that day(bank fishing with one rod generally).
I always use a loop knot to connect the lure with heavy mono. I remove the middle hook from the Super Spook. I upgrade the hooks on both the Super Spook and Jr to Owner ST41 size 2 hooks. The key to getting the lure to walk is twitching it on slack line as has been stated. You twitch the rod tip away from the lure and bounce it back towards the lure to create slack so it will glide to the side.
Look for videos or articles by Charlie Campbell since he is the acknowledged guru of spook fishing.
smalljaw67 reply :
On 9/11/2014 at 1:40 AM, shanksmare said:"The super spook and super spook jr. don't need a loop knot as they are equipped with a split ring which allows the lure a free range of motion"
Unless this is a very recent change, they don't have a split ring on the lure tie.
The original spooks don't have a split ring anywhere but the super spook and the super spook jr. have split rings on the hooks as well as the line tie. I've purchased 4 of the Jr. mmodels at Cabelas and everyone had a split ring on the line tie, and I purchased 7 of the regular super spook size from Bass Pro Shops and everyone of those had a split ring on the line tie. The Cabelas purchase I made 2 years ago and the Bass Po was last year, I use these a lot and have most colors and I have yet to buy one without a split ring on the line tie.
annexation reply :
Every super spook jr. I've ever picked up has never come out of the box with a split ring on the line tie, just the hooks.
If yours doesn't have a split ring on the nose, then I recommend adding one as it helps the spook swing. Of course, I've never used a full bodied super spook, just the Jr. The bigger ones might walk easier and may not need a split ring.
shanksmare reply :
On 9/11/2014 at 5:12 AM, smalljaw67 said:The original spooks don't have a split ring anywhere but the super spook and the super spook jr. have split rings on the hooks as well as the line tie. I've purchased 4 of the Jr. mmodels at Cabelas and everyone had a split ring on the line tie, and I purchased 7 of the regular super spook size from Bass Pro Shops and everyone of those had a split ring on the line tie. The Cabelas purchase I made 2 years ago and the Bass Po was last year, I use these a lot and have most colors and I have yet to buy one without a split ring on the line tie.
When you get to be 70+ years old, 2 years is recent. The ones in my box (plus the many that decorate the mangroves) have/had no such split rings. Evidently this is a "new" improvement. I haven't bought any in quite a while but my supply is somewhat depleted (the mangrove thing).
Another tip that I remember for using the spook which originated with Charlie Campbell was to file a groove at the bottom of the line tie. Then affix the line with a clinch or uni knot. Move the knot down to the groove. The line pulls from the bottom of the line tie thus making the spook walk the dog easier and/or more erratically.
riverbasser13 reply :
Wow I just learned a whole lot about the spook,talk about about a classic lure.
benthinkin reply :
Wow thanks for all the help and tips. I didn't think I would get this much response. Thank you!
papajoe222 reply :
My favorite topwater. I'll add a couple of observations. First, though most don't consider a Spook as a target bait, it is an awesome producer when used as such. Just remember to cast past your target whenever possible and work the bait up to it. At that point, you can either pause it or speed it up. If your target is shoreline cover, pause the bait after it lands and only give it one or two twitches with a long pause before continuing your retrieve. I can't work a Spook very fast, but I've found that a slower retrieve produces more results in moving water than a faster one does. That includes under windy conditions when most anglers shy away from using one.
shanksmare reply :
On 9/11/2014 at 5:12 AM, smalljaw67 said:The original spooks don't have a split ring anywhere but the super spook and the super spook jr. have split rings on the hooks as well as the line tie. I've purchased 4 of the Jr. mmodels at Cabelas and everyone had a split ring on the line tie, and I purchased 7 of the regular super spook size from Bass Pro Shops and everyone of those had a split ring on the line tie. The Cabelas purchase I made 2 years ago and the Bass Po was last year, I use these a lot and have most colors and I have yet to buy one without a split ring on the line tie.
Not that it makes any difference, but I just returned from BPS in Estero. I check both the saltwater and freshwater sections for Super Spooks and Jrs. They had a pretty extensive selection. None of the Super Spooks, Jrs, originals, One knockers or Pups had split rings on the line ties. So maybe senility hasn't set in yet for me.
Slade House reply :
I watched my friend nail a 9-10lber monday afternoon, only to have 2 of the hooks bend and the fish got off. the hooks on those things need some imrpoving
shanksmare reply :
On 9/13/2014 at 2:22 PM, Slade House said:I watched my friend nail a 9-10lber monday afternoon, only to have 2 of the hooks bend and the fish got off. the hooks on those things need some imrpoving
I routinely remove the middle hook completely and replace the front and tail hooks with Owner ST41 #2 hooks. It doesn't seem to affect the action and I've landed snook over 15#s, tarpon up to 20 -25# and jacks over 15#s with no bending problems. The hooks are pretty expensive but they could save a trophy.
warpath58 reply :
No split rings on any of these.
If I don't want to tie a loop I use these instead 
They hold up very well and give the bait all the room it needs to do its thing.
I just noticed that the lower right does have a split ring so I guess some do some don't
desmobob reply :
I have four and they all have split rings on the line tie loop. Can't remember when I bought them though....
Walking the dog is fun (for awhile). Catching bass on surface lures is fun (all the time!).
Tight lines,
Bob
Texas Pride reply :
I have a spook were all the paint is comeing off can i repaint it and if so what kind of paint should i use
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 10/7/2014 at 4:42 AM, Texas Pride said:I have a spook were all the paint is comeing off can i repaint it and if so what kind of paint should i use
You can, I wouldn't, might mess up that mojo that beat up baits seem to have.
Lots of guys will custom paint baits for a minimal cost. I've used a rattle can and had good results.
Texas Pride reply :
Well my spook is bad i only used it once in the salt water and i dont know if that eat away the paint but the spook lost about %85 of its paint
kikstand454 reply :
^ I doubt it was the saltwater. I use a spook over 80% of the time I'm in the saltwater and I have had no finish issues- ever.
For that matter, I'm heading to the salt in my kayak this morning and the spook that's tied on is one I have had for about a year and a half. I go inshore fishing about 3-4 times a month. That's alot of salt.
And alot of reds and trout that thing has caught!
A-Jay reply :
Good Stuff here.
No doubt the original Zara Spook is a solid fish catching machine.
On a side note, some anglers have a hard time learning to work the bait correctly. The timing of the twitches and the getting the right amount of slack line can be a little tricky at first.
The Duo Realis Pencil is essentially an updated version of the original classic spook and very easy to work right from the start. It has a user-friendly action. There is a small, spherical bump located immediately below the line tie. As you twitch the rod, this bump causes the Duo Realis Pencil to pivot at the nose and forces the body to swish back-and-forth, creating an effortless, zig-zagging motion.
It has an excellent weight transfer system design resulting in serious long bomb casts.
This one quickly became my Go To walking bait. Check it out.
A-Jay
Texas Pride reply :
Well i wonder what could cause it to pill off
kikstand454 reply :
Jfr - I went out and threw a spook all day yesterday and caught multiple species of salt fish- lady fish, jack crevelle and my full limit of spotted sea trout including this over slot 25" sow. ... all on that bone spook Jr in the bottom of the pic.On 10/7/2014 at 6:09 PM, kikstand454 said:^ I doubt it was the saltwater. I use a spook over 80% of the time I'm in the saltwater and I have had no finish issues- ever.
For that matter, I'm heading to the salt in my kayak this morning and the spook that's tied on is one I have had for about a year and a half. I go inshore fishing about 3-4 times a month. That's alot of salt.
And alot of reds and trout that thing has caught!
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