Super User tcbass Posted July 23, 2015 Super User Posted July 23, 2015 The Heddon Zara 4.5" is an iconic walk the dog type topwater lure. I actually have a few in different sizes and models and they are very fair priced at about $4-$8 dollars. I have caught a few fish on them but never did great. Perhaps I didn't fish it enough. Well, when I got more into bass fishing I got a KVD Sexy Dawg 4.5" for $8 in perch color I believe and love it. I've caught so many bass on it. I like it more than *gasp* topwater frogs. Things hit the Sexy Dawg and it's a great topwater strike. I've caught a few northern on it too and there are a lot of musky in the lakes that I fish that I've had strike it. Luckily I've never lost it. If I do lose it do you think it's worth getting another KVD Sexy Dawg in perch or would a Zara Spook be an equal replacement in action and thus effectiveness at a lower cost? Quote
Drew03cmc Posted July 23, 2015 Posted July 23, 2015 They are different in action and their effectiveness depends on conditions. You will want them both! Quote
Super User gardnerjigman Posted July 23, 2015 Super User Posted July 23, 2015 I prefer the spook over the kvd bait. Just change out the hooks on the spook. Quote
Super User tcbass Posted July 23, 2015 Author Super User Posted July 23, 2015 I prefer the spook over the kvd bait. Just change out the hooks on the spook. Why? Action? Quote
Super User gardnerjigman Posted July 23, 2015 Super User Posted July 23, 2015 Why? Action? Basically yes. I prefer the action of the spook. It takes absolutely nothing to walk it, and you can make it take wide zig zags or make it go tight. Quote
Super User tcbass Posted July 23, 2015 Author Super User Posted July 23, 2015 Basically yes. I prefer the action of the spook. It takes absolutely nothing to walk it, and you can make it take wide zig zags or make it go tight. Weird. That's the reason I switched to the KVD. Because I had a hard time walking the spook. It was operator error though being new. I can now walk them both easily. Quote
Super User tcbass Posted July 23, 2015 Author Super User Posted July 23, 2015 They are different in action and their effectiveness depends on conditions. You will want them both! How are their actions different? Don't they both just walk the dog? Quote
Drew03cmc Posted July 23, 2015 Posted July 23, 2015 Yes and no. One sits more tail down than the other and one walks easier, IMO. I have both and fish both, but I prefer the Sexy Dawg Jr. Quote
sp09 Posted July 23, 2015 Posted July 23, 2015 The sexy dawg is my go to top water bait. I fish the green gizzard shad in clear water and it is a killer bait. To the point I sold most of my walk the dog top waters at our last tackle swap. I just find it the easiest top water bait to walk, and has a good hook up ratio. I used to like the old Jimmy Houston super spooks but they are getting harder to find. Chris. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted July 23, 2015 Super User Posted July 23, 2015 i prefer the zara spook as well but i have also become a fan of the megabass pop max which walks very well and also pops. It has been my go to topwater bait this year so far. I also like the rapala skitter walk. they all seem to work at different times and i will frequently change them all out just to see if they make difference. the skitter walk has a distinct noise that the others don't have. Quote
Super User the reel ess Posted July 23, 2015 Super User Posted July 23, 2015 First time I ever used a Spook, I caught 5 fat bass on 5 casts, then the 6th broke me off. I didn't take the time to retie. I didn't have another so I tied on a Pop R and managed one more bite. There is something about that action when they key in on it. Then...nothing for years. Now, in just the past week, I've caught 2 over 5# on a Chug'n Spook Jr in frog pattern. It's my new favorite lure. I still have 2 big ones and 2 juniors. I may go oiut one evening just before dark with all 4 tied on. If there's a better lure of this type I don't know of it. I know the Sammy was big a few years ago, but at $17 most people stuck with Spook. Everybody else is just a "me too" IMO. Quote
Super User smalljaw67 Posted July 23, 2015 Super User Posted July 23, 2015 I learned a long time ago that walking baits are like poppers and lipless cranks, sometimes a different action or sound is the difference between loading the boat and getting skunked. My favorite has to be the Super Spook Jr. as it has the right action and right size for both numbers and big fish. Not all walking baits have the same action, the big difference in them is the amount of roll and how far they walk from side to side. I've had days were my spook wasn't getting any interest but the Sammy was getting crushed and vice-versa. It is best to have a few different brands and sizes, and if one isn't working, before giving up on a topwater bite, give a different size or a completely different bait a try. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.