How to Fish a Spook Lure: Tips to Trigger Explosive Topwater Strikes

First fish of the trip (of many) on the Super Spook. #1 Top Water Favorite lure!

Popular opinion among anglers is that fish caught on topwater are more desirable than those caught subsurface. Slight bias? Absolutely! But every fisherman loves to see, hear, and feel their topwater bait get smashed.

In this post I’ll focus on the Heddon© Spook lure (Super Spook to be exact) – my favorite, hands down. The Heddon Spook is topwater lure designed to imitate a wounded baitfish. Since it has treble hooks dangling off the body, it is best retrieved in open water near cover or weedlines, but not in thick vegetation. It is a thrill to see the reaction strikes annihilating the bait. Anglers, including myself, find this lure addicting because of the suspense of “walking the dog” back to the boat, waiting for a topwater explosion at any moment.

What Makes the Spook Bait So Effective?

The Spook is one of the most iconic topwater fishing lures ever made. It has been fooling bass, stripers, and saltwater fish for decades. Its erratic, side-to-side action mimics an injured shad or baitfish, and that makes it irresistible to predators.

I learned from veteran tournament angler Lee Currier in Tennessee how to fish the Spook using the classic “walk-the-dog” technique. But the beauty of the Heddon Super Spook is its versatility — there are multiple retrieves that can trigger strikes depending on conditions.

How to Fish a Spook (Different Retrieve Styles)

On larger bodies of water, I’ve noticed that certain retrieves are more effective than others — sometimes changing hour by hour. Here are the main retrieves I rely on when working a Spook bait:

• Traditional Walk-the-Dog
  • Steady Retrieve with Pauses
  • Varying Speeds
  • Long Pauses (Dead-Sticking)
• Long “J” Stroke
• The “Dougie” (fast, aggressive evening retrieve)

My father working his bone-colored spook for good effect.

Walking the Dog: The Classic Zara Spook Technique

This is the most common retrieve, and the one every angler should master first. The trick is putting slack in your line after each twitch of the rod to create that side-to-side “dog walking” action.

Step-by-step:

• Cast and let the bait splash down.
• Reel and twitch (not too hard) at the same time.
• Allow slack after each twitch.
• Watch the bait dart sideways.
• Repeat the process — fast or slow depending on fish activity.

👉 Pro Tip: Always fish the Spook all the way back to the boat. Many strikes happen right at the end of the retrieve.

The Long J-Stroke Retrieve

Sometimes bass want something slightly different. The J-stroke retrieve pulls the bait in a short burst, creating a splashy thrashing sound as the treble hooks slash the water.

• Start with a slow pull of 2–3 feet.
• Let the Spook turn at the end of the stroke.
• Pause for 3–5 seconds.
• Repeat the pattern.

This technique often triggers strikes immediately after the bait makes its “J-turn.” The noise and flash can seal the deal when fish are active but missing your bait.

I discovered this technique in the Northwoods. Sometimes the fish just want something a little different. This is pretty simple but there’s some key things: 

1. Fish don’t seem to like it when the Spook dips underwater so keep it up on top
2. The hooks add to the ‘trashing’ sound as you pull the bait more quickly through the water. This sound is critical.
3. The end of the motion should have the Spook turn to the side just like a normal ‘walk-the-dog’

The “Dougie” Retrieve for Low Light Conditions

When dusk settles in, bass sometimes struggle to home in on a slower-moving Spook. That’s when I switch to the Dougie retrieve.

• It’s essentially a much faster walk-the-dog.
• The bait creates a jitterbug-like wake on the surface.
• The clear surface path helps fish zero in as light fades.

This is the most aggressive retrieve — you’ll be constantly reeling and twitching. Perfect for those last-light feeding windows.

Nothing beats a calm evening, fishing top water, feeling like you own the lake.

Conclusion: Why Spook Fishing is Addicting

Fishing a Spook lure — whether it’s the original Heddon Super Spook, a Super Spook Jr, or the saltwater versions — is one of the most thrilling ways to target fish. The explosive strikes, the suspense of each twitch, and the versatility of retrieves make this lure a must-have in every tackle box.

👉 If you enjoyed this breakdown of Spook fishing techniques, make sure to subscribe for more lure guides, gear reviews, and topwater fishing tips Future posts will cover what colors have been successful, and which ones haven’t. Don’t miss the next post — your next big blowup might be one tip away! 🎣🔥