I came home once, after Striper fishing in the Waltham River and told my wife I was quitting my job to become the next Kurt Howdy! Unfortunately, after being immobilized due to fractured spine and multiple back surgeries, I FINALLY went fishing for first time in years a couple weeks ago. And, I gotta' tell ya' your web page and videos are not only teaching me, they're also psyching me up to fish more! A thousand and one thanks! Keep it coming! --Fulton
Glenn- Great video, sometime no matter how many days a person fishes they need a video that brings back the positives of fishing a Zara spook keep up the great videos. thanks Dave.
I use the regular locking snap swivels on my c-rig and plastics. I use the ball bearing locking snap swivels on my topwater and Crankbaits because the ball bearing locking snap swivels give a smoother side to side movement. The only downfall using any snap swivels is to change them often they do wear out. Awesome educational video here.
Good video. I prefer mono/braid depending on the cover I'm fishing. There's a lot of ways to fish a spook that will produce strikes but this is a good basis to start with.
Just picked up a couple of Zara Spooks today and can't wait to try them out. Your video was the most helpful I have watched on this technique and setup!! Thanks for the pointer!!
Until now I never really tried top water baits. I found all your tips on this technique helpful from how to tie the lure to the actual mechanics of "walking the dog", but most useful for me was your advice on how to set the hook. I've been practicing walking the dog since my initial comment and finally got down a decent movement of the bait. It paid off with a nice size large mouth today. Thanks again Glenn!! Keep the videos coming!!
I am new to Bass Fishing and find this site very informative. I have a Heddon Torpedo for a top water lure. My friend just caught a Peacock Bass on a Zara Spook so I guess I have to get one of those also. I have been catching small bass on a Texas rigged 7.5 inch worm. On the full moon I have been night fishing using the top water lure and was amazed how nice they work at night. Awesome excitement when you cannot see the lure and the hit the lure.
I've also used the Zara Spook with great success fishing for Speckled Trout and Snook in the brackish waters such as the Little Blackwater Sound in the Florida Keys.
I have several ZARA SPOOKS in my box. I moved to North Texas from the Louisiana Gulf coast and have caught many speckled trout and redfish on my favorite bone colored spook. I'm healing up from too many surgeries and will be all over Fork and Tawakoni soon.
A spook is a great top water fall bait when the bass move back in the creeks. I like to use a snap instead of a loop knot, just a confidence thing for me.
Good video. Surprised about the medium powered rod. The big spook weighs almost and ounce and the spook jr weighs in at 1/2oz. I would think the medium powered rod would be underpowered for the bigger walking baits?
Andrew Bromfield there’s a difference between medium power and medium action. You gotta have a power that’s going throw a big spook but it’s still cute little trebles. So you gotta have a rod that’s going to Chuck the bait but still has enough bend to keep from pulling little trebles out straight.
My favorite is the Sami and then the Zara spook. I do prefer a white buck tail hook for the rear hook on the Sami. The narrator does a great job of instructing on the usage of both baits.
Probably my most favorite technique to use, but more so with a Super Spook. I will have to definitely pick up a Zara after deployment! Thanks for the info.
I'm new to lure fishing do these bass resource videos really help me know what to throw and when to do it. Looks like I'll have to get me a spook soon.
I have used a lot of top water lures & thought I knew how to work them. Doing it all wrong. No wonder I have caught very few on top lures .Good video. Now I know the best way to work them. Thanks
I have a Zara Spook, but thought of it only as a useful saltwater lure. Think I'll give it a try next time I'm on the lake with my barbel swivel and safety snap.
Awesome tips thanks i love using them baits you talked about i caught my biggest bass on Sammy the clear is what i was using 8/1/2 lbs large mouth it was a awesome strick coming across a point thank you for the awesome tips
Been using a spook since was a kid...I great thing about a Sammy. May need to give them a shot. Is there a time one excels more than the other. Like time of year, differences in action, or waves?
John Lutz It's best during the warmer months of the year, with nothing more than a light breeze. In fact, it's really hard to walk the dog in choppy water.
I use the locking ball bearing snap swivels . I can't tie knots as good as I once was. Plus I get more of a smoother hinge side to side action. Now the strike and a miss isn't actually a miss. I freeze when I get a strike and watch my line for movement. I notice sometimes a bass will slap a bait to stun it first. Then it turns to engulf it. So some bass may take it right away and some come back for it. Now I twitch it in a 1, 2, 3 pause pattern. Make all three twitches as even as you can movement wise. Make your pauses even time wise. I will make my pauses longer if nothing is happening. It's skill in fishing.
Great "How to" video. He covers so many points that many of us fail to recognise such as line tie. I fish from a kayak and being so close to the water makes this more difficult..I like to use 15# mono.because it floats so well. One could also put fly line dressing on the first 10 feet to help with bouyancy.
Zara Spook fishing is fun and easy to use . this is very awesome on how to tips and tricks .it how you what kind of rod an reel setup and line to use to walk the dog and other tricks.just an awesome video to watch and learn
thanks for the video like this. im a newbie to using lures. it really helps to see how to work the lures. please make more videos like this. itll be much appreciated.
I'm a newer subscriber, so catching up on these. Very nice tutorial & demo! Don't get why any looking to improve angler would give a thumbs down to any of these? Must need it R rated with rap background playin'?
+KFS 486 They weigh about a 1/2 oz, and I really don't pay attention to distance. I more about casting just past your target and bringing it over the top of your target.
I don't think there's a "bad" gear ratio for Spooks, but if I had a choice, I'd use a 6-to-1 ratio because the biggest mistake walking the dog is taking up too much slack.
I came home once, after Striper fishing in the Waltham River and told my wife I was quitting my job to become the next Kurt Howdy!
Unfortunately, after being immobilized due to fractured spine and multiple back surgeries, I FINALLY went fishing for first time in years a couple weeks ago.
And, I gotta' tell ya' your web page and videos are not only teaching me, they're also psyching me up to fish more!
A thousand and one thanks!
Keep it coming!
--Fulton
Fulton Gaylord That's awesome! Glad you're back into fishing. We're happy to help. Thanks for watching!
Nothing better in the world then a top water strike!!!!
Zara spook is the perfect lure to cast on a hot day!!!!!Thanks for the tips and great video!!
I just started fishing these this year, and I love them. Easy to walk, and you can get a great rhythmic walk going.
8 years ago dang
There's nothing better than catching them on a topwater! Great video!
Explaining how to not move the bait with the reel but with the pole was exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you!
Glenn- Great video, sometime no matter how many days a person fishes they need a video that brings back the positives of fishing a Zara spook keep up the great videos. thanks Dave.
Dave Norton Thank you so much! And thanks for watching!
I couldn't believe it but my first cast with a spook I was able to walk the dog. It really is easy. Thanks Glenn
Thanks for the video Glen. I never thought of using a snap to connect to the lure instead of directly tying to it.
I use the regular locking snap swivels on my c-rig and plastics. I use the ball bearing locking snap swivels on my topwater and Crankbaits because the ball bearing locking snap swivels give a smoother side to side movement. The only downfall using any snap swivels is to change them often they do wear out. Awesome educational video here.
Those are great tips as well. Thanks for sharing!
Just coming into the top water bite on the Susquehanna River. Smallmouth and Spooks are synonymous !!!
Good video. I prefer mono/braid depending on the cover I'm fishing. There's a lot of ways to fish a spook that will produce strikes but this is a good basis to start with.
You really need braid and mono because they float. If you use flouro it will hurt the walking motion.
Just picked up a couple of Zara Spooks today and can't wait to try them out. Your video was the most helpful I have watched on this technique and setup!! Thanks for the pointer!!
Mark Aston, glad I could help. Let me know which tips helped the most. Looking forward to hearing much more from you.
Until now I never really tried top water baits. I found all your tips on this technique helpful from how to tie the lure to the actual mechanics of "walking the dog", but most useful for me was your advice on how to set the hook. I've been practicing walking the dog since my initial comment and finally got down a decent movement of the bait. It paid off with a nice size large mouth today. Thanks again Glenn!! Keep the videos coming!!
Love me some spook fishing, almost always have one tied on, nothing beats that explosion when a fish kills it.
I am new to Bass Fishing and find this site very informative. I have a Heddon Torpedo for a top water lure. My friend just caught a Peacock Bass on a Zara Spook so I guess I have to get one of those also. I have been catching small bass on a Texas rigged 7.5 inch worm. On the full moon I have been night fishing using the top water lure and was amazed how nice they work at night. Awesome excitement when you cannot see the lure and the hit the lure.
I've also used the Zara Spook with great success fishing for Speckled Trout and Snook in the brackish waters such as the Little Blackwater Sound in the Florida Keys.
Awesome. Thanks for the feedback Eric Nadaoka!
I have several ZARA SPOOKS in my box. I moved to North Texas from the Louisiana Gulf coast and have caught many speckled trout and redfish on my favorite bone colored spook. I'm healing up from too many surgeries and will be all over Fork and Tawakoni soon.
Walking can be done with other baits, but that cadence is the part many folks can't reproduce - great word depictions of a difficult technique
Very good, detailed run down on top water walking baits. Nothing left to the imagination and all guesswork is removed. Thanks Glenn!
James F You're welcome!
A spook is a great top water fall bait when the bass move back in the creeks. I like to use a snap instead of a loop knot, just a confidence thing for me.
Good video. Surprised about the medium powered rod. The big spook weighs almost and ounce and the spook jr weighs in at 1/2oz. I would think the medium powered rod would be underpowered for the bigger walking baits?
Andrew Bromfield there’s a difference between medium power and medium action.
You gotta have a power that’s going throw a big spook but it’s still cute little trebles. So you gotta have a rod that’s going to Chuck the bait but still has enough bend to keep from pulling little trebles out straight.
I enjoy watching all of the Bass Resource video. I pick up tip from all,of them.
Just bought a spook yesterday, can't wait to use it after watching this video.
Another great video. You guys have the best bass fishing videos on UA-cam.
Glenn Tiffany Thank you so much! And thanks for watching!
I see why you put emphasis on letting it set till the ripples dissipate prior to walking ;) good stuff. This was very helpful
Joel Warner, glad I can help. Thanks for subscribing as well.
My favorite is the Sami and then the Zara spook. I do prefer a white buck tail hook for the rear hook on the Sami. The narrator does a great job of instructing on the usage of both baits.
Probably my most favorite technique to use, but more so with a Super Spook. I will have to definitely pick up a Zara after deployment! Thanks for the info.
One of my favorite lures especially in these Kansas summers! Thanks for the tips!
Ocular Sean You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
I'm new to lure fishing do these bass resource videos really help me know what to throw and when to do it. Looks like I'll have to get me a spook soon.
While watching this video we listened to the let the rings dissipate tip and a 16 in bass hit hard. Great advice
That's awesome! Thanks for watching.
I have used a lot of top water lures & thought I knew how to work them. Doing it all wrong. No wonder I have caught very few on top lures .Good video. Now I know the best way to work them. Thanks
jim casto You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
Love fishing with the spook. Nothing else is quite like it!
I cant wait to get out and practice walking the dog. Thanks for the tips.
Thanks Glenn, you always keep us thinking about better ways to fish more effectively!!!
tonymaxedon Thank you so much! And thanks for watching!
I just started going to the snap swivel. It gives great action on the lure.
Love cigars and the cigar type baits haha. Great video on how to really dial in fishing the spook.
what a comprehensive package, practical and real thanks for the tips will try them next trip
boniface matongo You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
Fav white bass, hybrid, stripper bait, calm lake dawn or sundown, can't beat it
Great video. I've had no luck with Spooks but some of the tips here will really help. Love your videos
***** Thanks for watching!
Thank you for your videos. They are a great help for us anglers, whether beginner or advanced. Thanks again
James Bayes You're welcome! And thanks for watching!
I love fishing with spooks! Thank you for the great video.
Very good tutorial and a nice refresher if you have not fished a Spook in some time. Keep up the good work.
I use heavy test mono for my top walkers...il for sure try a co poly and see if the action is better.
I have a Zara Spook, but thought of it only as a useful saltwater lure. Think I'll give it a try next time I'm on the lake with my barbel swivel and safety snap.
Great video as always Glenn. Thanks again for helping me better my fishing knowledge.
Daniel Phillips Thanks! I appreciate the kind words.
I fish the Zara spook a lot down here in Louisiana for Redfish. It's killer.
What lb line are you using for the leader and main?
+Panfish I don't use leaders for this. I use 15lb Seaguar Kanzen line because it floats, and doesn't stretch on the hookset.
+BassResource Thanks! I like 15 lb braid too. Especially on my Spinning combos. So I am basically already setup ha!
Thank you so much for the tips on how to fish weighted senkos. I will definitely use them next time I go out!
Glad I could help. Let me know which tips helped the most. Looking forward to hearing much more from you.
Very good article. My dad taught me how to fish the spook. Thanks for video. Very informative.
Zara Spook is my all time fav.
I've got several of these lures and have been practicing on walking the dog. Great video and tips!
Love a zara spook always have one hooked up!!!!
what kind of environment do you use it on? shore fishing
Appreciate the tips, I tie everything direct so the tip about the snap was useful.
Good tips. Almost like fishing with the Floating Rapalas. Sometimes this works when using frogs.
great video! You do some of the best how to videos. This is one technique I need to practice. My confidence in topwater is terrible.
have been taking split rings off for years on my baits and use Duo lock snaps get more action and less line braking off
I wish my local lake had water...Castaic, CA. I will throw a cigar bait tomorrow. Thanks for the tutorial.
First time walking this lure a pike bit the lure off ! I went staigh to the bait store and bought bought another Zara and the pup !
Awesome tips thanks i love using them baits you talked about i caught my biggest bass on Sammy the clear is what i was using 8/1/2 lbs large mouth it was a awesome strick coming across a point thank you for the awesome tips
Great videos, always enjoy watching them!
Been using a spook since was a kid...I great thing about a Sammy. May need to give them a shot. Is there a time one excels more than the other. Like time of year, differences in action, or waves?
John Lutz It's best during the warmer months of the year, with nothing more than a light breeze. In fact, it's really hard to walk the dog in choppy water.
Thanks
one of the best instructional videos I have seen. Great job.
William Shulak Thank you!
Do I spy an H2O Xpress lure you pulled out??
TexasRigged I saw that too, h20 is a pretty good brand for the money
I have a lot of these lures and never knew how to fish them now I have an idea! Thanks!
I use the locking ball bearing snap swivels . I can't tie knots as good as I once was. Plus I get more of a smoother hinge side to side action. Now the strike and a miss isn't actually a miss. I freeze when I get a strike and watch my line for movement. I notice sometimes a bass will slap a bait to stun it first. Then it turns to engulf it. So some bass may take it right away and some come back for it. Now I twitch it in a 1, 2, 3 pause pattern. Make all three twitches as even as you can movement wise. Make your pauses even time wise. I will make my pauses longer if nothing is happening. It's skill in fishing.
That’s a good tip as well. Thanks for sharing.
I have never fished with spook. Great information on techniques!!
Great "How to" video. He covers so many points that many of us fail to recognise such as line tie. I fish from a kayak and being so close to the water makes this more difficult..I like to use 15# mono.because it floats so well. One could also put fly line dressing on the first 10 feet to help with bouyancy.
Zara Spook fishing is fun and easy to use . this is very awesome on how to tips and tricks .it how you what kind of rod an reel setup and line to use to walk the dog and other tricks.just an awesome video to watch and learn
Chris Smith Thank you so much for the kind words. Makes it all worthwhile!
Great for Striped Bass in salt water too - need to swap the hardware or get saltwater specifics though.
Would like some info on the reels used.
Here's the rod and reel in the video: www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/review-pinnacle-rod-reel.html
thanks for the video like this. im a newbie to using lures. it really helps to see how to work the lures. please make more videos like this. itll be much appreciated.
Great! Let me know how you do!
Great stuff. I've never been good with a spook. Gonna give 'er another shot now. Thanks.
Never fished this spook. Nice advice for my first time.
is zara spook are just good for pike? tank you mister
Need to get out and practice now that I watched this.Thanks!
Love throwing the spook . Good video
Great video, very informative. Can you use a snap swivel to attach a spook?
Love the Zara Spook, I use it in fresh and saltwater. Thanks for the vid - great tips!
I really like this lure, great video!
do you use these in sun and lowlight or just lowlight?
As long as they'll keep biting it, which often means both!
I'm a newer subscriber, so catching up on these. Very nice tutorial & demo! Don't get why any looking to improve angler would give a thumbs down to any of these? Must need it R rated with rap background playin'?
DFW Bassin', glad I can help. Thanks for subscribing as well.
I like the camera quality. Do you know what kind of camera was used to film this video?
We use Sony professional broadcast equipment.
What's the weight of the lures? And how far are you casting it?
+KFS 486 They weigh about a 1/2 oz, and I really don't pay attention to distance. I more about casting just past your target and bringing it over the top of your target.
wta. did the movement affect if you change treble to single hook on walkthedog?
No, it doesn't.
Got to love the Spook in the fall! Kentucky lake bass love some spook for dinner lol
Just getting back into bass fishing after buying a boat. Great info.
Bass resource has great information that will work for you if you apply what they teach you great stuff
Kory Batts You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
What kind of water do you fish it please respond soon thanks
great video! dont fish the spook much but will give it a try now.
Do you only use in calm water ?
Thanks for the video. Never had anybody show me this before, learned a lot.
Great tips like always. Keep up the great work guys.
accuweather1 Thank you! We will!
Always wanted to fish a Zara Spook rite. Now I know. Great video
can i use these in dirty water and what color is best heddon spooks
Yup, you can use them in dirty water. Frog pattern is my favorite.
Haven't tried the Zara Spook yet, but plan to get one soon.
Very informative, enjoyed watching it with my grandson
Great video. Is there a better reel gear ratio to use with the zara spooks?
I don't think there's a "bad" gear ratio for Spooks, but if I had a choice, I'd use a 6-to-1 ratio because the biggest mistake walking the dog is taking up too much slack.
this video taught me soooo much I can't wait to go out a try my new spook
Baja Madness, glad I can help. Thanks for subscribing as well.
Late summer topwater tech for me is the Lucky Craft "Sammy"
Off to the store now to pick up myself a spook. I knew I was missing another decent top water lure!