Zara Spook Assistance

[Balshy Fishing]

What size do ya'll recommend with 10lb line on a MF spinning rod? I'm trying to get into spooks and I am getting the bone/white ones today but I need to have an idea on size. 

[fishballer06]

In my opinion, the original has the best action, and the casting distance is unreal. 

[kikstand454]

Every spook is awesome.

On that rig you may want to stick to a spook Jr or regular size. A super may be too much.

If you get a Jr with the chrome hooks, you may want to switch them out. ...

[smalljaw67]

10lb line with a M-F spinning rod I'd say go with the Zara Puppy.

[hatrix]

Super spook jr I like the 1 knockers

[JustinHarantFishing]

20lbs braid super spook jr.

[papajoe222]

In 30+ years of fishing Spooks, I can honestly say I never fished on using a spinning rod. I'm clueless, but if I may offer up a couple of suggestions? Attach an oval split ring to the line tie, it will make walking much easier to achieve and you won't need to concern yourself with your line slipping into the opening of a regular split ring. Vary the cadence of your retrieve. I will do that three or four times during one cast, but I'm always concentrating so I know what I was doing when a fish hit. Don't hesitate to pause the bait. The best results happen when you cast past a target, work the bait up to it and pause it. Lastly, don't set the hook when a fish blows up on your bait. Wait until you either feel the weight of the fish or your bait disappears from view. If she totally missed it, let it sit for awhile and then only move it a short distance.

[Balshy Fishing]

So I had a bite tonight at the river and it took it for a ride but long story short -- I had a missile coming back at me.

 

What kinda' hookset should I use? I went up and reeled and he took me for a little then spit it out. I was so depressed lol

[JGBassinAL]

I don't set the hook when I use spooks. I keep pressure and the line tight and I let the fish hook themselves.

[Balshy Fishing]

So you're recommending to just, reel -- tighten it and let the fish run with it?

[JGBassinAL]

So you're recommending to just, reel -- tighten it and let the fish run with it?

 

Right, if it's a big enough fish, it will hit the bait hard enough and hook itself. Or you could just count to two in your head once the fish takes it under and give a light sweep to the side with your rod. It's very easy to pull the trebles before the fish gets the bait. You shouldn't have a problem with just reeling and keeping the line tight though. Fish are good at hooking themselves when it comes to treble hooks.

[Bluebasser86]

So you're recommending to just, reel -- tighten it and let the fish run with it?

Reel into them until you feel weight and lean into them. This serves 2 purposes; it keeps you from dodging a treble hooked missile, and if the fish misses you don't pull it away from them and they will often come back and hit it again. 

[Will Wetline]

Note the Super Spook Jr. in the lip of this smallie. Gear was a 6' 6" MF rod, 10 lb. copolymer line.

 

Wait for the weight before you set - a couple of seconds.

 

[LApanic]

I don't set the hook when I use spooks. I keep pressure and the line tight and I let the fish hook themselves.

Good advice!

 

I throw the Super Spook Jrs w/ upgraded hooks...KVD triple grip on front and mustad feathered treble on back.  As far as R&R...I throw mine on 15# Mono or Flouro, with a 7:1 reel and 6'9" Veritas MH Microguide.  Here's a little tip, FOR THE BEST ACTION, use a loop knot, best case scenario, or a snap clip at the very least and don't tie directly to line tie

[Balshy Fishing]

yeah, I see everybody taking about swapping out the trebles.

if I were to do that, what does everyone suggest? I want to upgrade to the best and produces

[LApanic]

yeah, I see everybody taking about swapping out the trebles.

if I were to do that, what does everyone suggest? I want to upgrade to the best and produces

I like these in 4/0 on the front "Mustad KVD Elite Series Triple Grip Treble Hook" and "Mustad Triple Grip Feathered Treble Hook" (not the red version...not strong IMO) on the business end

 

Here is the basic setup, except these Mustad hooks aren't the triple grips....Plus, you can't find that pattern/color anymore...yellow belly FL bass...They kill it around me

[LApanic]

My 2nd choice especially in SE Alabama in October is the Sexy Dawg in Bone with white feathered treble.....during the shad movement/bass feed up...they can't stand it!  I can work the smaller Sexy Dawg faster to fire up the bass....but the "dog days" of summer, I think color and retrieve (slower sometimes with pause) is key

[smalljaw67]

yeah, I see everybody taking about swapping out the trebles.

if I were to do that, what does everyone suggest? I want to upgrade to the best and produces

 

Be careful when changing the hooks on a topwater bait, especially a spook. I normally use Mustad triple grips but on a Spook I like the VMC 1X round bend, a Gamakatsu round bend, and the Daiichi Death Trap round bend. The reason why is the way a fish hits the spook, the EWG style has the point facing in and the good thing is once you hook up they hold extremely well but you will miss a lot because of the points facing in and because the spook is a big wide bait you will often pull back and the hooks come right out without ever sticking the fish. Round bends on the other hand seem to stick every time but they don't hold as well on lightly hooked fish but you will get more hook ups. I love the Owner Stinger hooks but I found that you have to go with the ST-36 for topwaters and jerkbaits as the other hooks in the series add too much weight and it changes the action.

[Bluebasser86]

I like these in 4/0 on the front "Mustad KVD Elite Series Triple Grip Treble Hook" and "Mustad Triple Grip Feathered Treble Hook" (not the red version...not strong IMO) on the business end

 

Here is the basic setup, except these Mustad hooks aren't the triple grips....Plus, you can't find that pattern/color anymore...yellow belly FL bass...They kill it around me

I think you mean #4, a 4/0 treble hook is a monster!  

 

I use Owner ST36s in #4 on the front and back of my Super Spook Jr's and they work perfectly. 

[Balshy Fishing]

Do you guys order these or just go to BPS/Gander? 

[LApanic]

I think you mean #4, a 4/0 treble hook is a monster!

 

I use Owner ST36s in #4 on the front and back of my Super Spook Jr's and they work perfectly. 

Correct, #4, thanks for the proofing

[LApanic]

Do you guys order these or just go to BPS/Gander? 

Spooks?  You can get them at a lot of place just check on the colors you want

 

- Wally-mart | Bottom of the shelf selection most of the time

– Heddonlures.com | 6 color selections for Spook Jr. ($5.99)

– BassPro | 12 colors for Spook Jr. ($6.99**overpriced on all bard baits IMO)

- Tackle Warehouse | 3 colors for Spook Jr. ($5.99)

 

Just gotta poke around being it's a Pradco bait different place will have different varieties fesh and salt. And sure Gander has some too

[Balshy Fishing]

No no no, the replacement trebles. 

[LApanic]

No no no, the replacement trebles. 

Oh...Get them at most places....Walmart/Academy has the KVD Triple Grips but I mainly order from Tackle Warehouse.

 

Just checked out the Owner ST36s in #4, Bluebasser86 mentioned on TW and are nice!...7pk $5.99

 

Word of Advice...there maybe other baits you want to change or upgrade the hooks on so before you order check into that.  I personally change the hooks on my Lipless crank baits and most 1.5 type square bills, especially SK brand.

[fishguy613]

I change trebles on every hardbait I own unless I know for a fact they come equipped with owner, Mustad or Gama.

find them anywhere you can