Super Spook Jr. For Smallmouth

[Mumbly]

I think this year I want to go back to what I love and try to focus on more topwater for smallmouths. I have been tossing around the idea of picking up a couple of Zara Spooks and have been looking at the Super Spook Jr. Anyone using them for smallmouth and if so could you share your thoughts, success and or failures? Also which color work the best for you?

[Will Wetline]

Have a buddy who uses the Super Spook Jr a lot for smallies. I picked a few up in asst. colors over the winter but won't be throwing them until the water temp. tops 60.

 

Don't for a minute think that smallmouth won't hit the full sized Spook, however!

 

You might also pick up a 1/4 oz. popper.

[hooah212002]

Don't for a minute think that smallmouth won't hit the full sized Spook, however!

 

Full size spook was my go to last year at a nearby creek right as the sun was coming up for smallies. Granted, the bait was nearly as big as the fish, but that's fine with me.

[Gavin]

The Spook Jr. works well...but I usually fish a Sammy 100, Sexy Dawg Jr, LC Gunfish 95, or a Cultiva Zip n' Ziggy. Topwater works all day long when the rivers are low and clear...Fish fast, no pauses. Color...as long as its got a white belly...it works.. Full sized spooks work too. Good luck.

[Mumbly]

Thanks guys. I have plenty of different topwater baits but just none of the "walking" type so I wanted to try them this year. I looked at the full size spook as well but thought the Jr might be the sweet spot in regards to size.

 

Most of my poppers are Rebel pop-r's and the fish up here seem to prefer the bone color. I have also fished the Heddon torpedo's and have tried pretty much every color in those. The fish definately prefer the bullfrog color in those by a large margin. I know they make the fullsize spook in the bullfrog color so I think I will snag one of those as well. Leaning towards bone on the Super spook jr.

 

I have seen and read about the Sammy 100, Sexy Dawg Jr and Gunfish 95. Sadly, I haven't seen anyone up here selling any of the Lucky Craft or Strike King baits (aside from spinnerbaits for SK) so online is my only option for those. Do you think they are a better bait and perhaps easier to "walk"?

[OkobojiEagle]

Yes, the smallies will hit full sized spooks, but some nights a smaller bait will bring more bites.  Have a Zara Puppy in your tackle bag along with the larger Spooks.  I absolutely LOVE the Gunfish 95!

 

 

oe

[Gavin]

Its not hard to walk any of them with a bit of practice..The bass can be picky about size so have a selection...If your getting misses, go smaller...If its lights out with lots of small fish in the mix, go bigger to select fo larger flsh. Use a casting rod for the 1/2oz and up models...the smaller baits like the Zip n' Ziggy and Zara Puppy are better suited to spin tackle.

[smalljaw67]

The spook is one of my favorite topwater baits and I found the super spook jr. to be the perfect size, not too big to keep the quality 14"-16" fish away yet still big enough to bring on the big strikes. BTW my personal best smallie came on a full size Zara Spook, a few minutes after a friend told me there is no way a river smallie could hit it or even get hooked on it, the same friend always has a spook tied on now when the post spawn hits.

[Brick]

Spooks of any size are my favorite smallmouth bait hands down.  Some days they nail the fullsize, and others they prefer the Jr.  They absolutely crush em on the Potomac.  I too was told that I was using too big of a bait for river smallies by a friend.  After hooking about 8 fish to my friends 0, he was asking if I had any extra spooks.  lol.  I've attached a few photos from that day.  

[JayKumar]

The Jr. is my favorite size spook. For sure the Full Size or the Super could attract bigger fish, but just for fishing I'm going with the Jr. Casts well, walks easily, what's not to like. Try one! Don't know where you fish, but if clear water, would suggest chrome/blue back or anything with a white bottom. Dirty water a yellow or dark bottom.

 

[rvolkers]

i have been using a wounded spook - it does the job very nicely - no having to walk the dog! the props on the front and back make all the racket needed - kind like fishing a BIG torpedo - and we all know how much the smallies love them

[Bass Junkie]

They'll eat it. A lot of people have the misconception that smallmouth eat small baits. They do, but they also hammer larger baits, especially since many fisherman don't throw them. Try throwing it around rip-rap or a creek mouth in the morning, or on an overcast day. But never, NEVER try it in the middle of a sunny day.... Just a total waste of time....    

[Oregon Native]

Two choices for me....full size spook is awesome all around bait period.

I also like the puppy for tough days....it to gets all kinds of bites and fish.

Tight Lines

[NEjitterbugger]

Jitterbugs work good too..

[Crestliner2008]

Zara Puppy. Small, but deadly on big LM's or SM's. Love catching smallies on UL equipment. But as Wilbur says, big spooks (and especially the LC Sammy) are smallmouth lures when fished over deep water humps. They'll come a very long way to nail one.

[webertime]

Full sized spook in bone/orange belly.  I saw (was net boy for) a 20lb bag of smallies all on that spook.  They'll hit them. 

The weather was nasty (2-3' waves , gusty winds and sideways rain).

 

Look at the Jackall Boil-Trigger too.  Think of it as the love child of a Pop-R and a Jointed Rapala, it's loud, casts a mile, without being huge.

[38 Super Fan]

Thanks guys. I have plenty of different topwater baits but just none of the "walking" type so I wanted to try them this year. I looked at the full size spook as well but thought the Jr might be the sweet spot in regards to size.

 

Most of my poppers are Rebel pop-r's and the fish up here seem to prefer the bone color. I have also fished the Heddon torpedo's and have tried pretty much every color in those. The fish definately prefer the bullfrog color in those by a large margin. I know they make the fullsize spook in the bullfrog color so I think I will snag one of those as well. Leaning towards bone on the Super spook jr.

 

I have seen and read about the Sammy 100, Sexy Dawg Jr and Gunfish 95. Sadly, I haven't seen anyone up here selling any of the Lucky Craft or Strike King baits (aside from spinnerbaits for SK) so online is my only option for those. Do you think they are a better bait and perhaps easier to "walk"?

Sammys are great lures, they're not necessarily a lot easier to walk, but they are a better lure. Keep your eyes peeled for some Xcalibur Jimmys, they're essentially a Sammy knock off, but an extremely well done one. They can often be found very inexpensively compared to a Sammy too.

[Gavin]

The Bill Norman Top Dollar is an overlooked bait...Walks, Pops, Dives & Wiggles. Had one out for the first time last week, and it took my only two top waters smallies. Think its a keeper, needs better hooks though.

[flyfisher]

Definitely a good smallie bait.  The regular size spook will catch them too and one thing i have found on any of the sizes is to let it settle for a few seconds before beginning our retrieve.  It seems like when i start retrieving right away it spooks the fish where when i cast and let it set they come and check it out and when it just sits for a few seconds then moves, it triggers a hit.

[brgbassmaster]

I prefer the full sized spook.