Fall topwater fishing

[Mobasser]

I'll be throwing a spook once the water temps cool this fall. I always start in the backs of creeks, and work my way over deeper water.Ive stuck with the basic model #9255, Heddon Zara Spook. In a clear quarry lake I fish, I've had fish blast a spook over water that's 15 ft deep. Best colors have been clear, frog, and on overcast days, black shore minnow. I sharpen the hooks, and add a split ring to the nose of this bait.Ive been using a 6ft casting rod with a shorter handle for years. Makes it easier to walk this lure for me, at any speed. There are many great spook fisherman out there, but two of my favorites are Ozark area fisherman Charlie Cambell, and topwater great Zell Rowland.I really don't see the need for braid or braid/leader setup, and stick with Trilene Big Game mono- usually 12 lb.Truly one of the greatest topwater lures of all time. It's a big lure, and can draw vicious strikes. When fish hit a spook, they mean business! Anyone else going to be casting a Zara Spook this fall?

[papajoe222]

A Spook is always at the top of my list. I also add a split ring to the nose and I'll change out the hooks and add split rings there also. My gear is similar to yours; 6ft. shorter handle rod, but I go a little heavier with the mono.  I've had bass (smallies) move 30ft. up to hammer them. I've also had fish miss on the initial strike and come back to get one.

Why wait? During the dog days of summer, I've caught my biggest fish on a Spook, so I wouldn't wait for the water temps. to cool 

[Derek1]

I’ve never thrown one, that sounds like a good time I think I’ll look into them. 

[Bluebasser86]

I fish one all summer long. Not a spook specifically, but a walking bait. A Paychecks bait Repo Man has been doing real well for me this year. I like to fish mine on braid so I can make long cast and still get a solid hookset by just reeling into them and sweeping the rod, keeps me from yanking the bait away from big explosions. 

[MichaelCopeland]

I haven't had any luck yet with my Spooks. Don't really give them enough opportunity though. However, instead of adding a split ring to the nose I use a snap. I believe it gives it more room than a split ring to make it walk a little better. Plus if it's not getting any attention I can always swap it out quickly for a Whopper Plopper, a Pop R, a frog, a crankbait or a chatterbait. Yes I use them with chatterbaits too. Saves alot time from having to retie and it doesn't hinder it's action. In fact it actually helps to keep the bass from getting leverage to come unhooked most of the time when it starts flopping around and/or jumping, in my opinion. I am gonna give the Spook more of a fair chance this fall. I do add split rings to the Spook on the hooks as well. I believe that will also help reduce the leverage a bass can get to shake the hook. I want to have confidence in a number of different baits to be able to catch a bass. That way if one fails I'll have several backup plans. I'm slowly but surely getting there! ?

[GReb]

I’ve caught more bass on a spook than all other top waters combined. My go to color is just plain white. I really like them around Cyprus knots. But only in calm waters 

[Todd2]

I've been trying poppers lately and some of them do walk but I do own one Spook that I've had for years. It's not been as productive as I'd hoped. I think my water is too stained here. How clear is the water for you guys that have a lot of success on spooks/topwater?

[looking45]

I haven't had much success with a spook. When i use a walking bait, I throwing an Evergreen SB. This is probably the easiest bait to walk. It also has a cupped mouth so it throws a lot of water. It's weight in the back so it sits in the water at an angle, increasing the hook up ratio. The weight lets you cast it a long way.

[the reel ess]

I'm throwing a Spook or similar bait from spring until the water is too cold. The Spook was good to me last year, but the Pop R and Chug Bug have been better this year. I just use a snap to attach because that's my lipless crank rod too.

[Brett's_daddy]

I think posts like this should be made a "sticky" by the mods. Not that I have a problem commenting on these "seasonal best lure" posts but it might be more convenient for users to have a sticky above for Best Lures for Spring, Best Lures for Summer etc., etc. and that way it might reduce some clutter in the regular message board. With that being said, Fall always means topwater season where I live. I like the Whopper Plopper, poppers, walking baits (spooks, pencils etc.) and also shallow crankbaits.

[GReb]

11 hours ago, Todd2 said:

I've been trying poppers lately and some of them do walk but I do own one Spook that I've had for years. It's not been as productive as I'd hoped. I think my water is too stained here. How clear is the water for you guys that have a lot of success on spooks/topwater?

Fairly stained. Probably about a foot of visabilty on average. 

[BigAngus752]

18 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I fish one all summer long

^^^this^^^

There just isn't a time that I don't try a Zara Spook.  Literally every single time I go out I walk a Spook for at least a little while regardless of season.  

[WRB]

My Heddon Zara Spooks have been retired and replace by wooden Sammy's and R2C Vixens. For smaller size Owner Cultiva Zip n Ziggy is my go walking lure.

Tom

[Topwaterdude]

Topwater best part of fishing watching a fish explode on your lure!!!Oh my?

[Black Hawk Basser]

I haven't ever used Spooks but I am partial to the Lucky Craft Sammy.  My PB was caught with one.  After that, I was definitely hooked.

 

Topwaters are my first choice in fall, unless it's really windy.

[ohboyitsrobby]

I also fish a walking bait from late April to Novemberish. I was catching them pretty good on an old Excaliber rattling spook jr then last weekend it got broke off on a 5+. I'm pretty fond of the storm topwalker also. 

[smithy97]

Way up north here I throw a chugn' spook jr in bone from opener (mid to late June) until the water gets down into the 60's (mid October) Hands down it's been my best lure ever. I've tried walking them slowly when the water cools down but don't seem to have much luck. Wacky worms, jerkbaits, and dragging t-rigs get the nod from me in the fall.   

[Bankbeater]

I really started using spooks this year.  I went out in March to practice walking the bait and was surprised when dinks started coming up after it.  I have been fishing a bone colored super spook jr. around lily pads and vegetation.  It has been my best topwater this year even in water where I usually do excellent with a popper.

[Derek1]

Picked up a spook jr today hopefully get to try it out tommorow. 

[ChrisD46]

Strike King Sexy Dog in Green Gizzard - Charlie Campbell is / was the greatest walking bait master that ever roamed water !

[FCPhil]

A topwater walking lure I made has been my most productive lure this season. By far my favorite technique. 

[scaleface]

I just went to Table Rock lake and forgot a pistol  grip   spook rod .  It was a pain it the butt trying to walk  the dog with a long handled rod .

[Mobasser]

11 minutes ago, scaleface said:

I just went to Table Rock lake and forgot a pistol  grip   spook rod .  It was a pain it the butt trying to walk  the dog with a long handled rod .

I agree! I don't like the long handle rods for spook fishing either! Charlie Cambell still uses a pistol grip med casting rod. He will always be one of the best at spook fishing.

[TnRiver46]

Love spooks but don't wait until fall!