Spook v Sammy

[fishinfiend]

Just looking for some input from fellow topwater junkies. The spook and spook jr are my two favorite lures and have helped me catch a lot of LM and spots this year. I always hear great things about the Sammy and I was just wondering how they compare to the spook. Is the motion the same, is one louder, or easier to "walk."

What color do you like best?

Thanks for your input.  

[Bassboss]

I have not used a spook or a sammy much for bass, salt water most. I like the spook better in salt water. Red head and white body.

[usctom]

I personally like the LC Gunfish better. Very easy to walk, I can cast a mile, and it spits water like a popper.

But as far as the sammy and spook. The sammy comes with better hooks and split rings.

[Red]

i use the sammy and spook jr.  i have caught tons of fish on the spook, not even one on the sammy.  speaking of that, i might try to get rid of it in the flea market.

Cliff

[senko_77]

I am gonna get roasted for this one, but IMO, the Spook is useless if the fish aren't in a 100% feeding mood. Before you go an say Senko is an idiot, hear me out.

The Spook has an extremely loud rattle with a unique clacking sound. But it's LOUD. I've noticed that it works best in clear water and with schooling fish. The reason is because it will call up fish from deeper water, and it also sounds different when your pulling it through a school of shad, therefor making the bass attack it.

Now, when they aren't very active, I really think that loud rattle turns them off a bit. I have no paint left on a few Sammy 100's and Spro Dawg 100's. I really think it's because it is alot more of a subdued rattle that won't intimidate the fish when they aren't in a super aggressive mood. I'm a big believer that when fish are a bit tuned down, a loud bait freaks them out. The only exception is using a loud bait extremely fast to trigger reaction strikes.

So to sum it up, I think that they both have there place. When they fish are looking for a meal, the spook is good, but when there not so aggressive, which is probably 75% of the time, then the Sammy/Spro Dawg is the better choice.

[Redlinerobert]

I prefer the Super Spook.  Better hooks, more detail.  The new Jackall Bowstick looks very impressive also, I just picked up a couple.

[bladeslinger]

I like the Spook for less heavily fished waters and the Sammy for pressured  or really clear lakes. Like the other poster the Gunfish has been killer for me, especially in wind.

[Tin]

I am gonna get roasted for this one, but IMO, the Spook is useless if the fish aren't in a 100% feeding mood. Before you go an say Senko is an idiot, hear me out.

The Spook has an extremely loud rattle with a unique clacking sound. But it's LOUD. I've noticed that it works best in clear water and with schooling fish. The reason is because it will call up fish from deeper water, and it also sounds different when your pulling it through a school of shad, therefor making the bass attack it.

Now, when they aren't very active, I really think that loud rattle turns them off a bit. I have no paint left on a few Sammy 100's and Spro Dawg 100's. I really think it's because it is alot more of a subdued rattle that won't intimidate the fish when they aren't in a super aggressive mood. I'm a big believer that when fish are a bit tuned down, a loud bait freaks them out. The only exception is using a loud bait extremely fast to trigger reaction strikes.

So to sum it up, I think that they both have there place. When they fish are looking for a meal, the spook is good, but when there not so aggressive, which is probably 75% of the time, then the Sammy/Spro Dawg is the better choice.

You have never used a Spook without a rattle? I agree they are best in clear water but even when fish are not feeding you can make them eat it....... :-X

[Sam]

Both are good baits and what Glenn said is true.

The problem I have with Sammy's is setting the hook.

The Sammy is so big that the fish can use them as leverage and throw them when they jump.

To reduce the risk of losing a bass on a Sammy, I swing my rod to the left or right and stick the tip into the water to stop them from jumping.

I now do this with all treble hook baits, even crankbaits.  It's easy to get paranoid after you lose a few when they jump.  ;D

So whatever you use, set the hook with a swinging motion and put that rod tip in the water.  This technique works for me.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

I agree with Senko 100%

I also like the Sammy in calm conditions.You can make it walk very smoothly without all the splashing and banging.

I break out the s spook jr. and super spook in choppy,windy,overcast conditions.

Yep, I know the original Zara has no rattles but I can't seem to catch a cold on it.

[Jake.]

I'm a big fan of the Sammy and Gunfish. They have produced a lot of nice fish for me.

[Bassboss]

As far as what I like better in fresh water;

What senko said is true, about them having a loud rattle, and the sammy has a quieter rattle, so when it comes to fishing in choppy water, the spook's better, and fishing clear calm water the sammy.  

[loomis spookwalker]

Duh ????

Chrome/Black Spook with Gamakatsu red hooks.

[J Francho]

It isn't Spook vs. Sammy in your tackle bag, its on the water.  Some days one will outproduce the other.  Other days, neither works very well.  That's why I have over 30 different topwater baits.  Senko summed up the differences pretty well, and his experience on the water mirrors mine.  Though one thing I don't get: NONE of my Zara Spooks rattle.

[Tokyo Tony]

Don't really use spooks for freshwater, but I do use the Sammy and Gunfish a lot. The Sammy is a great bait - very easy to walk the dog and manipulate. Especially when there's chop on the water, my favorite walk-the-dog bait is the Gunfish. It's really loud, spits a lot of water, and like the Sammy, casts ridiculously far, which is often a big advantage.

I know spooks are great baits, but you can't beat the quality of Lucky Craft - quality hooks, designs, and I love the oval split rings. When a fish hits the Sammy, she's hooked immediately - it's like the bait just sticks to fish.

[fishinfiend]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'm going to pick one of these up. I was looking at Norman's top dollar  lure the other day and those look pretty good too.

[Matt 825]

Super Spook is by far my #1 topwater bait and like Tin said you can almost always get them to eat it.  I start out with the full size one every time.  I will use the super spook Jr sometimes and a Zara Spook (without rattles) also.  I really do not like the Sammys at all.  They flat out suck for me.  My replacement for the Sammy is the Spro Dawg.  I love those Spro's almost as much as my Super Spooks

[bmadd]

Last Nov. on Guntersville, My partner was fishing chrome/blue/black super spook and I a gold/black Spro Dawg. We were fishing over submerged grass in about 8 to 10' of water with anywhere from 2' to a couple of inches between the top of the grass and surface. I bet I caught more fish 3:1.  

[mattm]

I can't believe so many people picked a spook.  I've had personal experience with both, and the Sammy is at least 374 times easier to walk.  Plus, I caught only one fish with the spook I had.  Being unable to get the spook to produce I broke down and bought a Sammy.  This thing is now beat to he11.  Teeth marks all over it.