Lucky Craft "Sammy" vs. Zara Spook...no comparison

[jb_adams]

I finally bought my first Lucky Craft bait.

"For $16, it had better catch a ton of fish.  That's the most I've spent on one bait so far." That's what I told my partner as we were on our way to the launch.  After I tied it on and retrieved it for the first time, I was so "hooked" on the Sammy that I can't believe it took me so long.  I've seen imitation Sammy baits before and I have a few.  Nothing works as well as the Sammy as far as I know.

In comparison to the Zara Spook, Super Spook, Zara Puppy, etc., the action is so much more realistic and much more erratic.  The thing casts further too.  WAY further than the Spook.  The bait looks like it's trying to jump out of the water when you "walk the dog" and it seems to dart harder and more erratic.

I'd say the Spook is more of a finesse "walk the dog" than the Sammy because it has less action.  I think it was Raul who convenced me to buy one.  He made a statement in a post somewhere here that said something to the affect of the Sammy being superior than the Spook.  He's right!

[mattm]

There is no doubt about it.  I'm not a bait snob at all, and i must admit the sammy is hands down the best and easiest walk the dog type bait.  I can handle paying 15 buck for a topwater that is tough to lose.  The sway back spooks are much easier to walk than the regulars, but still can't compare to the sammy's.

[jb_adams]

The sway back spooks are much easier to walk than the regulars, but still can't compare to the sammy's.

Yep, got the swaybacks too.  You're right.  I still can't believe how much further these things cast.  I almost lost it on the first cast when I was making an "easy" cast.  It almost landed 30ft up the bank about 40 yards away till I grabbed the line and gave the rod a jerk.  The line was singing off my spinning reel.  It's easily big enough for a baitcaster.  I'm used to using my Spooks on spinning tackle.

[Guest avid]

NO doubt about it.

Sammy's are a killer bait.

I think it was the Sammy that put lucky craft on the map.

People were willing to pay a premium and look where we are now. :-/

[grimlin]

wow,i really regret picking up a spook instead of a sammy last weekend now.I was looking for the 80 model sammy's but all they had was the 65 and the 100's.65 looked too small and the 100s looked to big for me.

[Stringjam]

Lucky Craft tends to take a lot of flack.....but they have their "stuff" down if you ask me.   Extremely well designed lures......even though their finishes are pretty flimsy.  

I think I'm going to put a coat of Devcon 2 on my new Aurora Black BDS 2 to see if I can't remedy the problem a bit....

[T-rig]

wow,i really regret picking up a spook instead of a sammy last weekend now.I was looking for the 80 model sammy's but all they had was the 65 and the 100's.65 looked too small and the 100s looked to big for me.

I mostly use the 100 or 115. No such thing as too big!

I caught many 10" bass on the 128 this summer.

[Crestliner2008]

Does anyone ever replace the rear treble with a feathered one? Or would this hurt the action on a Sammy?

[MALTESE FALCON]

Sammy's are at the top of my list of baits to buy over the winter. I've heard so much about how easy they are to "walk the dog". What colors do you guys find most effective?

Falcon

[roadwarrior]

I prefer the 128 in Aurora Black (blue). This is by far, my #1 topwater lure.

[Guest avid]

The live sammy 128 has a feathered treble.

Alot of people dis the "live" series, but I have good luck with them.

I can tell you that the live Sammy is a big fish bait.

It will catch you nothing much of the time, but when you get bit, it's a hooter.

[MALTESE FALCON]

Thanks roadwarrior, that's one of the colors I was considering.

Falcon

[jb_adams]

Thanks roadwarrior, that's one of the colors I was considering.

Falcon

I prefer clear but that's because I know it produced REALLY well this summer with a Zara Puppy.  When I couldn't get a bite on anything at all, I could always count on a clear Zara Puppy.  My lake has really clear water too though so that is why I chose clear.

A buddy of mine asked, "have you tried a clear spook yet?" and I said no.  He said, "well there's your problem!"  I have several clear topwater baits and they all work.

I personally think the clear will work on stained water as well.  I missed a huge bass on a private pond with the Zara Puppy.  The clear plastic makes it harder for the bass to see and determine if it's real or fake.  They assume it's real and strike.  When they strike, you know it too!

[Chris at Tech]

Whatever floats your boat.

I do have a Sammy or two in my box, but when throw topwater, I always reach for the bone white Super Spook Jr. first.

[Raul]

I think it was Raul who convenced me to buy one. He made a statement in a post somewhere here that said something to the affect of the Sammy being superior than the Spook. He's right!

Yup, that would be me.  

It 's just a matter of being on the fish ketchin ' business for a loooong time ( man .... I 'm getting old    ) , the day I bought my first Sammy all my Spooks in all it 's sizes just went into the tacklebox of lures I no longer use.

[WhiteMike1018]

Sammy > Zara Spook for sure.

[jb_adams]

Whatever floats your boat.

I do have a Sammy or two in my box, but when throw topwater, I always reach for the bone white Super Spook Jr. first.

I'd say some in places, the Spook will work better because it has less action.  By less I mean it doesn't jump and dart as cast and erratic as the Sammy.  That subtle difference could mean a fish or several fish.

Bone is an excellent color too!

[MALTESE FALCON]

I'm convinced, I just got back from Dick's. I got a Sammy and tried it in my canal, WOW, what a difference. I can walk it with very little effort.

I should have listened long ago.

Falcon

[luckyinkentucky]

My personal opinion is that the BPS Pro Series Top Water baits have just about the same action as the LC Sammys.  I own a handful of both, and honestly can't tell the difference if I pick them up blindly not knowing which one I have.  

I've never owned a Zara Spook, so I can't compare to it.  

[Raul]

I'm convinced, I just got back from Dick's. I got a Sammy and tried it in my canal, WOW, what a difference. I can walk it with very little effort.

I should have listened long ago.

Falcon

That 's what happens when the only thing you see and you care about is ..... the price tag.

Ya 'll think that I 'm on LC, MB, GLoomis, Diawa, Shimano pay roll ? nope I ain 't, I don 't get a penny cut in half from any of them for recomending their products so if you buy it .... fine, if you don 't buy it .... fine, I don 't get anything. I recomend what I find to be good regardless of the price, but think about it a little bit, who wins, who looses ? I loose because it was me the one who spent the money, if it works I win, If it don 't I loose, but if I loose then who wins twice ? you because you didn 't put your own money into the test, and if it works you win because I made the investment before you did.

[FishTank]

The Sammy in American Shad was the first LC lure I purchased.  I was an LC addict after that.  For topwater fishing, I have yet to find its equal.  It is just a fun lure to fish regardless of the $15 price tag.

[jb_adams]

The Sammy in American Shad was the first LC lure I purchased. I was an LC addict after that. For topwater fishing, I have yet to find its equal. It is just a fun lure to fish regardless of the $15 price tag.

Yep, I've become a Rapala and LC addict now.  There's just something about throwing a Rapala.  I like my Norman and Cotton Cordell but I'm feeling the love from Rapala right now! ;D

I'll be throwing my new Sammy first thing tomorrow morning.  I'll think about you guys that are working will I'm fishing.  (not really)

[Tokyo Tony]

I've never owned a Zara Spook, so I can't compare to it.

BBVVWWWHHHAATTT??

Never owned a zara huh? Well I guess you're not missing out if you have Sammys, but I didn't think there was anyone who never owned a Zara.  

I also prefer sammies, but sometimes when my target fish are smaller than usual, I'll tie on a Zara Puppy (after replacing the hooks with Gammys - this is important) and have a blast.  

And I do have a live Sammy - the thing is amazing, and definitely a big fish bait.  Love it.

[jb_adams]

I've never owned a Zara Spook, so I can't compare to it.

I also prefer sammies, but sometimes when my target fish are smaller than usual, I'll tie on a Zara Puppy (after replacing the hooks with Gammys - this is important) and have a blast.

I too have learned replacing the hooks the hard way.  After you miss several fish and one big bass on a puppy, I finally learned to replace the hooks.  The barbs on the factory hooks are so small a fat brim could get loose.

[luckyinkentucky]

I've never owned a Zara Spook, so I can't compare to it.  

BBVVWWWHHHAATTT??

Never owned a zara huh? Well I guess you're not missing out if you have Sammys, but I didn't think there was anyone who never owned a Zara.  

I also prefer sammies, but sometimes when my target fish are smaller than usual, I'll tie on a Zara Puppy (after replacing the hooks with Gammys - this is important) and have a blast.  

And I do have a live Sammy - the thing is amazing, and definitely a big fish bait.  Love it.

Yep ... never owned a Zara Spook.  I grew up being tutored by a well known Kentucky Lake / Lake Barkley guide fisherman, and he never touched them.  So, naturally I didn't either.  He has always sworn by the Smithwick Devils Horse baits though.    We've pulled them out of the Kenlake marina area with Devil Horse baits almost every night I go down there.  

One thing to remember .... "If Biiig bass is what you're after .... think biiiiggg  baits!"     I'll never forget that.