A Complete Guide to Heddon Spook Selection

Walking topwater lures of various sorts are generically called “Spooks” for good reason. Heddon Lures put “walk the dog” topwater lures on the map more than 85 years ago with the original Zara Spook. Only Heddon Spooks are truly Spooks, though.

Because of the immense popularity and extreme effectiveness of the Zara Spook, Heddon has expanded the Spook family several times over the years to meet a much broader range of angler needs for walking baits. That trend continues, with the newest member of the Spook family, the Super Zara Spook, having been introduced late last year.

With so my Spook options, it would be easy to get overwhelmed and simply default to the one you are the most familiar with or that is handiest to grab. Every model exists for a reason, though, and each differs in some way from the rest. We’ll break down key differences and the impacts each have to help you select the best Heddon Spook for every situation.

Size is a critical factor for choosing the best Spook model, and Heddon covers a broad spectrum with its models. The difference between 3 inches and 5 inches doesn’t sound like much, but when you look at different models, side-by-side, it’s quite apparent they are designed for a very wide range of situations.

The most common Spook size, which includes the original, is 4 1/2 inches. That fits many freshwater and saltwater applications. Super Spook and Chug’n Spook models are larger, matching bigger forage making a larger overall impact as they move across the surface. Beyond sometimes appealing to bigger fish, bigger Spooks are sometimes a better option for windy conditions.

Junior version of Super Spooks and Chug’n Spooks match smaller forage and commonly coax strikes from fussier fish that won’t quite commit to a larger Spook. They are favorites for clear-water bass fishing and for speckled trout. The Super Spook Boyo takes that idea another step with its small size, while the Zara Puppy has an extra-narrow profile, which makes it even more of a finesse offering.

Some Spooks that look quite similar to one another have differences that only become apparent if you shake them in hand or put them to work on the water. Different Spooks make different sounds each time they shift from side to side.

Rattle systems vary in the size and number of rattles, the material the rattles are made from and the size of the chamber. Volume varies, as does the type of sound, and a couple of models are intentionally silent for those times when pressured fish are hearing a lot of rattles or when the fish are just a bit “spooky” overall.

No specific sound profile is necessarily best. It depends on conditions, the mood of the fish, and what other anglers are throwing. The important thing is to recognize that the specific sound a Spook emits can be a factor. Think first about what sound you think should work best and start there but be willing to experiment if the fish fail to respond the way you think they should.

Of course, the Chug’n Spook, Chug’n Spook Jr and Wounded Spook change the sound profile in a different way. These Spook hybrids create added sound by the way they splash as they come across the surface.

All Heddon Spook models come equipped with two or three sets of treble hooks, sized to match the bait size and the most common applications. Specific hooks on an individual model can be an important factor for selecting the best Spook for the job.

The most notably different hooks are on the Zara Puppy and on several models that have significant saltwater applications. Zara Puppy hooks, along with being naturally smaller to match the lure’s size, are made from fairly light wire. Small diameter equates to easier penetration, which is important for a bait that is most often fished on light spinning tackle and light line.

Looking the opposite way, several Spook models that get a lot of saltwater use come with stouter hooks that are also non-corrosive to withstand saltwater rigors. The Super Spook, Super Spook Jr, Chug’n Spook, Chug’n Spook Jr and One Knocker Spook all have saltwater colors that come equipped with saltwater grade hooks, which, in the case of the Super Spook and Chug’n Spook, are also one size larger than what is used for freshwater colors. Super Spook Boyos all come with saltwater grade hooks, and the Super Spook XT comes with two extra-large 3X saltwater-grade trebles and heavy-duty split rings.

A few Heddon Spook models come with a feather skirt on the rear treble. The feathers add visibility, create extra wag in the bait’s profile and dangles enticingly anytime the retrieve is paused, even for a moment.

Finally, Heddon offers a huge range of color options, and available colors vary substantially by model. Opaque. Translucent. Natural. Attractor. Bright. Muted. So many variables, and so many options. In truth, color selection is another discussion for another time. Again, start with what seems to fit, based on forage, water color, weather and other conditional factors, but be willing to adapt based on what the fish reveal.

• Super Zara Spook – The newest member of the Spook family, the Super Zara Spook, is silent, like the original Zara Spook. However, it has a feather tail and premium hooks and hook hangers and comes in modern premium-finish colors.
• Zara Spook – The original Zara Spook has been calling fish to the top since 1939 and put “walking the dog” on the map. It’s 4 1/2 inches long and silent and comes in traditional colors.
• Zara Puppy – The smallest Spook currently made, the Zara Puppy has a narrower profile and lighter wire hooks than other Spooks and is ideal for stream bass and for light tackle multi-species fishing.
• Super Spook – Moving from the smallest to the biggest, the Super Spook is 5 inches long and weighs 7/8 ounce. It’s armed with three sets of trebles, which are either No. 4 freshwater hooks or No. 2 saltwater hooks, depending on the color.
• Super Spook XT – Same size as other Super Spooks but armed with heavy-duty split rings, and two sets of larger, more rugged (No. 1 3X) treble hooks. Colors were designed for saltwater use, but also excel for inland striped bass.
• Super Spook Jr – Same features as a Super Spook but in a small size that matches a lot of baitfish and that fish often cannot resist. 3 1/2 inches long and available in a broad selection of freshwater and saltwater colors.
• Super Spook Boyo – The same length as the Puppy, the Super Spook Boyo is bite sized. However, it’s thicker than the Pup, has strong hooks and hardware to handle freshwater and saltwater predators and is engineered for casting even with baitcasting gear.
• One Knocker Spook – The single tungsten rattle in the One Knocker Spook creates a distinct, low-pitched knocking sound with every side-to side-movement. It’s 4 1/2 inches long, has two No. 2 trebles, and is available in freshwater and saltwater models.
• Rattlin’ Spook – the Rattlin’ Spook is the same size and weight at the One Knocker but has a chamber full of small tungsten beads to create a loud, higher pitched rattle that is completely different from the One Knocker’s sound.
• Feather Dressed Super Spook & Feather Dressed Super Spook Jr – Same sizes and hook configurations as the Super Spook and Super Spook Jr, respectively. The distinction is the feather tail, which adds attraction, especially when the bait is paused.
• Chug’n Spook – Shaped mostly like other Spooks but with a cupped face, the Chug’n Spook does double duty, walking the dog, like any Spook but creating extra splash and sound.
• Chug’n Spook Jr – Same story as the Chug’n Spook, but sized like the Super Spook Jr.
• Wounded Zara Spook – Another hybrid topwater lure, the Wounded Zara Spook has props on the front and back, which spin and splash. The walk is less pronounced than other Spooks, but it retains side-to-side movement while making its surface splash.