Adding Hooks/Split Rings to Zara Spook?

[5-20]

Love fishing topwaters. 

 

One bait I’ve never really done well with is the regular Zara Spook with the pair of metal hook hangers screwed into the bait. 

 

I always cut off the hooks and add split rings to the metal hangers but that doesn’t allow the hooks to swing around or rotate very freely and I think that’s why I’ve never really done well with this bait. 

 

So my question is how do you upgrade and attach replacement  hooks?

 

Was thinking about possibly trying some of those new hooks that come with a braided loop of line. That looks like it could work. 

 

Appreciate any suggestions other than “just leave the stock hooks on and fish it as it came out of the package.”

 

Thanks. 

[Jrob78]

You could always add a second split ring, this would allow the hooks to hang a little lower and give them full range of motion.

[A-Jay]

The Zara Spook is no doubt an effective topwater bait.

One that's been getting big bites for years and will no doubt continue to do so.

However, IMO there are better options out there.

Baits that cast well, track true, are just as easy (or easier) to walk, 

have an effective hardware hanging system and fall right around the same price point. 

Strike King makes a couple of good ones. 

A-Jay

 

[WRB]

Heddon Super Spooks come with split rings.

Tom

[5-20]

Thanks, appreciate the comments.

I've got a whole bunch of different walk the dog style topwater lures.

 

Just wanted to ask about the original Zara spook.

 

Not the super spook. Not the jr. spook.

 

The original Zara spook.

 

Thanks. 

[WRB]

You can take off the hook hangers, place a dot with a sharpie in the center inbetween the screw holes and drill a hole the proper size for the screw eye hanger. Fill the original holes with gel type super glue.

Barlows Tackle sell screw eye hook hangers for lures.

Tom

[Bluebasser86]

The metal hangers have tiny screws that are easy to remove to add split rings or just a replacement hook if you want. Both the Rattling and One Knocker spooks have regular hook hangers on them if you're not against a rattling bait. I've done better with the One Knocker than the original personally.

[5-20]

Hmm yeah, thanks. Not really sure why I'm sort of caught on trying to figure out the regular spook. I think it's just that I really want to try to catch at least one good fish on it! One of those little personal challenges I've set for myself!  

 

No biggie. Yeah, there's so many great baits to choose from these days. But sometimes some of those $6-7 baits still are the real deal even compared to those $20+ baits.

 

[papajoe222]

I remove the hangars and the original hooks, add a bigger than normal split ring and replace the hangars adding a drop of gel super glue to the holes.  Now add a good quality treble and it'll swing freely.  I've done that to all my original Zara Spooks and haven't had an issue with hook-ups or lost fish.

I have switched to purchasing other walking baits, but I have a box full of Spooks and always reach for one of them first.

[GoneFishingLTN]

On 7/20/2020 at 12:13 PM, A-Jay said:

The Zara Spook is no doubt an effective topwater bait.

One that's been getting big bites for years and will no doubt continue to do so.

However, IMO there are better options out there.

Baits that cast well, track true, are just as easy (or easier) to walk, 

have an effective hardware hanging system and fall right around the same price point. 

Strike King makes a couple of good ones. 

A-Jay

 

Why do you choose the strike king over the rover and Megabass walking baits you have?

[A-Jay]

29 minutes ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

Why do you choose the strike king over the rover and Megabass walking baits you have?

When it comes to walking baits for me, once the castability and walking action boxes are checked, IT IS ALL ABOUT THE SOUND.  Baits that can and do successfully Call the big brown bass to them, get fished the most.

The size, profile, pattern and even on the surface action all come into play well after the sound does.  Those Megabass baits look, cast and walk great. They have a different more subtle sound that plays well under some conditions. The Rover is a solid producer.

A-Jay 

[GoneFishingLTN]

58 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

When it comes to walking baits for me, once the castability and walking action boxes are checked, IT IS ALL ABOUT THE SOUND.  Baits that can and do successfully Call the big brown bass to them, get fished the most.

The size, profile, pattern and even on the surface action all come into play well after the sound does.  Those Megabass baits look, cast and walk great. They have a different more subtle sound that plays well under some conditions. The Rover is a solid producer.

A-Jay 

Thank you just trying to learn as much as I can. The normal sexy dawg has more of a rattling trap sound can the other two when does that play? Also is the one knocker a different sound than the rover I’ve yet to buy any

[A-Jay]

10 minutes ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

Thank you just trying to learn as much as I can. The normal sexy dawg has more of a rattling trap sound can the other two when does that play? Also is the one knocker a different sound than the rover I’ve yet to buy any

Not to hijack this thread, but perhaps consider having the louder one knock style as well as a bait that presents something less. That may have you covered.

A-Jay 

[Festivus]

I have several of these original Heddon Zara Spooks that are silent and want to give them a chance but everytime I'm on the water I grab something with either a single knocker or a rattling topwater. How do these silent Zara Spooks produce compared to their noisier counterparts? I hope this isn't hijacking the thread as this was going in that direction regardless. 

 

These old time hook hangers on the Zara Spooks seem to keep the hooks from scratching up the paint job but can give the fish leverage enough to throw the hook. I've seen people add two split rings to fix the problem but those new hooks with the heavy duty braid look like the best overall fix to me. 

 

The Sexy Dawg has a rattle sound but their Hard Knock version has a very pronounced one knocker and is probably even a little louder than the Heddon One Knocker. Only thing is that the Sexy Dawg hooks are sharp but not as stout as I would like, especially the Jr. version. 

[Festivus]

Here are two videos that will show you how to make your own heavy braided line split rings. Seems like problem solved. I'm going to do this with some lures that have weak looking split rings. 

 

 

 

[mcipinkie]

If you are really in love with the original spooks, two mod's will make them much better:  I do these on all original Spooks. 

 

1.  Unscrew the hook keepers and add two split rings between the keeper and the hook of your choice.  Easy, peasy.  No brainer.

2.  Drill a hole in the back of the Spook, somewhere above the front hook.  Put a single, or two if you want, SS ball bearings in the body of the Spook and epoxy the hole closed.  I've done dozens this way.  Depending on the particular bait , and the size of the ball you insert, the Spook makes the most fantastic sound as you walk it.  You have to be cautious doing this.  You can ruin lots of lures.  I  have 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4 bearings.  I try whatever I feel like and tape the hole up and see how the lure sits in the water before I epoxy the hole.  Lots of trial and error since the old Spooks vary a lot. 

 

Or you could just use a Super Spook instead.  I usually do. 

[Elkins45]

Anyone with a decent pocket knife and a hardware store nearby can whittle a walking-type lure from dowels and buy a bag of screw eyes to attach the hooks. There’s no easier hard casting lure to make that a walking topwater.

 

You could make a whole box full of them for $20 plus some paint and hooks. If you have a belt sander you could really crank them out. Hmmmm....I’m smelling a project coming on.? Wonder what I could use to make a wooden plug rattle?