History of the Heddon Zara Spook (Greatest TOPWATER lure of all time?)

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Is the Heddon Zara Spook the greatest topwater lure of all time?
It doesn’t look like much. A boring, almost uninspired shape. No bells, no whistles, no rattles, props, clackers, or blades. A simple design that looks as though someone was given a broken broom handle and told you have 30 minutes to carve a fishing lure…go!
But put this particular lure in the water, tied to the end of a baitcaster in the hands of a skilled angler, and everything changes. The lure comes alive.
It bobs, it weaves, it dances, it walks. You realize you have mistaken simplicity for precision. It doesn’t need bells or whistles; it IS the bells and whistles. Today on Retro Bassin’, we are going to dive into the history of perhaps the most iconic topwater lure ever designed, the Heddon Zara Spook.
Considering the Zara has been in production in some form or fashion for over 100 years, there is no way to fully cover the topic in a relatively short KZbin video. Fortunately, there was a wide swath of material to pull from for this video and I will link every source mentioned below in the video description. In particular, both the Dallas Morning News article on the origins of the Zara Spook and the In-Fisherman article on Charlie Campbell are worth a read, and the links to everything else are down below in the comments section.
JAMES HEDDON BASSFISHING HALL OF FAME
www.bassfishin...
IN-FISHERMAN CHARLIE CAMBELL ARTICLE
www.in-fisherm...
DALLAS MORNING NEWS ZARA SPOOK ARTICLE
www.dallasnews...
BASS FISHING ARCHIVES “WHAT IS A SPOOK” ARTICLE
bass-archives....
RANDY BLAUKAT CHARLIE CAMBELL VIDEO
• The Secret Charlie Cam...
HEDDON LURES N REELS COLLECTOR SITE
luresnreels.co...
OLD FISHING LURE HEDDON COLLECTOR SITE
www.oldfishingl...
HEDDONS ON LURENET
www.lurenet.co...
SOCIAL MEDIA
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[@TheRedneckPreppy]

I was fishing from the shore a few years ago and had a Zara Spook Jr tied on when someone came by and saw what I was using. He referred to it as a "grandpa lure". What he didn't see was how battered that lure was from the mountain of fish I had caught with it over the years.

[@RetroBassin]

Great tale!

[@danbeatty765]

Were is r intro❤

[@RetroBassin]

It'll be back, Dan! Just fixing the video clips...

[@bayouburner281]

Best topwater ever produced 🤙🏻❤️I always have some sort of spook tied up all year long because it catches

[@RetroBassin]

What's your favorite color?

[@bayouburner281]

@@RetroBassin Bone or some type of Shad pattern

[@robertstanisch3452]

For sure my #1 topwater confidence bait. I am certain 90% of all my largemouths have come on a wacky worm or the Zara Spook, they are just what I have always reached for. Even when Musky fishing I use a Zara copy (Musky sized, lol) from Poes called the Giant Jackpot. The action just drives the toothy critters crazy. Love this type of content! Can't wait for an eventual Mepps and Eppinger episode if the branding is a hint of things to come, both outstanding American icons as well!

[@RetroBassin]

A great one-two punch, Robert!

[@gibr22]

I call the spook the adrenaline rush. Great video

[@RetroBassin]

You know it!

[@brianowens9258]

One of your best videos to date. Very well put together, with a ton of good information. Been thoroughly enjoying the history of the lures that you have featured. Favorite old school top waters are the jitterbug and the Zara spook. Can’t pick just one!. Would love to see something on the history of the Arbogast Mudbug. My favorite old-school crank bait.

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks, ol’ pal! I am hearing Jitterbug a lot…that one may be next…

[@dannyjackson4661]

Great video as always very informative could put one together on the old DALTON Specials thanks again.

[@RetroBassin]

That one is in the works!

[@irench]

what about the jitterbug N hollapopR both Arbogast(sp) designs and should be hung next to a daredevil and Mepps but maybe that's just the great lakes fisherman in me.

[@ericbunksvintagesportsman6311]

LOVE THIS !! glad to see the old days are alive!!

[@RetroBassin]

Alive and well, good buddy!

[@brianwills4398]

I've always been a fan of Randy B I feel bad for him with all the hate he's been getting over the whole FFS thing. Respect to him for standing his ground.

[@thims1961]

OK Arbogast's Jitter Bug has been the best topwater of all time for 60yrs

[@RetroBassin]

I need to do a Jitterbug history!

[@jasonsmith2439]

@@RetroBassinYES PLEASE DO A JITTERBUG HISTORY VIDEO PLEASE!! I Love the jitterbug and the history behind it along with all the stories I have heard.

[@mattfleming86]

It is a great lure.. but when you look at the spook and it's NUMEROUS grandchildren in the stickbait category.. I think mr heddon wins. Probably 80% of bass boats have a walking bait tied on just about all the time. Except for maybe in the depths of winter after a cold front.

[@thims1961]

@@mattfleming86 Well up here after a cold front we have to cut through the ice to fish & there isn't any top water action ;) 😆🥶🤧🥶

[@mattfleming86]

@@thims1961 I'm lucky im that ice here is temporary and usually isolated to the shallowest of creeks.

[@Stumpjack]

Excellent video. Back in the Retro Lure History saddle. Fantastic! You covered all bases here. My opinion of the best topwater lure of all time says its the Jitterbug, but the Zara Spook certainly vies with Fred's creation for that spot. Your discussion of techinques to get the Spook to walk are excellent. Great job, Chris.

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks, Dave! This one was waaay overdue! Which "History Of" should be next???

[@Stumpjack]

@@RetroBassin You might do another Heddon lure. You could build on this video, with some of the history already taken care of. Or you could maybe pick another topwater lure, whichever seems to be the consensus best topwater lure other than the Zara Spook. That would make a nice bookend to this video, imo. Because you've got the perfect follow-up: "Lots of folks said such-and-such was their favorite topwater, so today we're going to look at that lure." Also, I neglected to mention earlier, I have that same tee-shirt. Love it! lol

[@samuelsellers3829]

I think that multiple casts in the same place help get fish mad and make them eat and also I have found that walking the spook around grass and shallow cover that technique works great

[@RetroBassin]

Great tip, Sam!

[@samuelsellers3829]

@@RetroBassin I have also found that if you know there is a fish or a school in a particular spot in a pond or area of a lake and they have been hit hard I take a Zara puppy and pick apart all the tiny good looking spots and not really cover water with it just really pick 6”-2’ areas apart with it and walking it around cover really helps especially with the small spots

[@joshuagibson2520]

Best top water ever is my Chuck Woolery moto chug and moto minnow. 😁😁😁

[@RetroBassin]

Don't tempt me, Josh!

[@jasonsmith2439]

I have a couple Chuck Woolery frogs in black and white and the feet wiggle when you give it a jerk. Would love to see a video about them

[@davidcornwell2896]

I have a large collection of spooks i have caught alot of big bass with them over the years it is a special bait

[@RetroBassin]

Have any wooden ones?

[@davidcornwell2896]

@@RetroBassin i think maybe two or three are wood most are 80s era

[@tedlincolnsfishinglife]

I think it is the GOAT over all. I still fish its copies on the daily as you know. Definitely bring those weedless versions out on our next trip 🎣

[@RetroBassin]

They are already packed, Ted!

[@Randy-j7q4s]

The jitterbug,if theirs a fish there, you caught it

[@RetroBassin]

A case could be made!

[@jasonsmith2439]

@@RetroBassinplease do a video on the jitterbug

[@blind_eye_fishing]

Best topwater lure of all time ehhh not really but it's one of the best for sure. The crazy crawler, jitterbug, pop r and most importantly the buzzbait all have claim to that best topwater list and all are still made. But three are the most popular. The spook, buzzbait and popper. Those three have the claim to best ever topwater designed.

[@blind_eye_fishing]

Oh and all three of the best imo are and can be used in multiple species plus salt and freshwater to catch fish lol

[@RetroBassin]

I shoulda mentioned the buzzbait...maybe need a full video!

[@ronaldowens5025]

You left out the Devil Horse. Grew up on ( my back yard) the St John's river. Wade fishing on the grass lines, around landing docks, and up among the cypress knees it was always my top lure of choice. The other lure if you can call it that I always had with me was a red headed feather jig.

[@blind_eye_fishing]

@@ronaldowens5025 the devils horse although a great toowater hasn't ever been as popular as the others I mentioned and isn't found as easy today as the others I mentioned. That's style but larger can be used in saltwater and for other species though. The devils horse and a few other prop style baits is what lead to the plopper design which is way more popular these days. It's a great lure I agree but i feel it's just not in the top for best topwater or best topwater of all time. As it's feel off so far in popularity after the plopper was introduced. Others and their style of lures are still widely used and popular.

[@stevefisher2121]

Great video!!!! Greatest of all time? Maybe, I’d put the jitterbug up there just because its ease of use. Great history lesson!!!

[@RetroBassin]

The Jitterbug is an all-time great, for sure!

[@LDQBBQ]

The Soft Classics Zara Puppy has been duplicated by DOA with the PT-7. They're getting some traction on the Texas coast but I have yet to throw one.

[@RetroBassin]

I didn’t know that!

[@RichardMckenzie-h2j]

Cool really enjoyed all of your videos. I guess in many ways I am an old school angler at heart. It would be cool to buy some of those old baits you run across about the country.

[@RetroBassin]

One day we all become old school!

[@ifitswims3498]

great vid! we would love to have you on the ifitswims podcast to chat.

[@michaelbyrne8860]

With out a doubt it's the # One Top Water Bait! A close second would be the Original Rapala Minnow! Fished as a jerk bait!

[@RetroBassin]

Good point, the Rapala could definitely be considered a topwater, depending how you fish it.

[@robinallen8773]

This is thee number one topwater lure of all time, period ! I’m glad you announced the cities name right in this video, so many people have butchered trying to pronounce it and have failed it miserably! lol! Great work on the video ! With elaztech plastic they could come back out with the weedless version again, hint hint! Talk to them about it! lol! It’s time for them to back as the powerhouse they. Once was!

[@RetroBassin]

I actually had to Google how to say Dowagiac! Hopefully I was close...

[@oldman0995]

Great video. Like the history and you showing the lures you have

[@RetroBassin]

Makes me realize I need more Spooks!

[@AlbertoLopezR79]

Glad to see the RayBans back! For me they’re part of the iconic retro character! ✌🏼🕶️✨

[@RetroBassin]

Haha, happy to not disappoint…there’s a sneaky reason I wear them for these videos!

[@blind_eye_fishing]

One more comment 😂. I never twitch the rod to make a spook style lure walk. I use a reel technique that o can change easily wiyhin a retrieve from slow methotical to fast fleeing minnow. Its all timing and reel bursts.

[@RetroBassin]

Great pointer, BlindEye!

[@jasonsmith2439]

Caught a lot of big bass on the bullfrog spook and when I was 12 I had to cut one out of my step dad’s back and I have never gotten that image out of my mind lol. Great video as always👍🎣

[@RetroBassin]

Who put it there!?

[@thims1961]

"If" I was to give the nod to Heddon I'd be pointing to the red head or scale of the River Runt & Vamp Spook's that dominated the market here in Canada (& I suspect North Eastern US)for over 50yrs. After that I'd go with the Creek Chub Pikie Wood Fishing Lures that turned up in tackle box's right next to the previous lure for over 50yrs In fact I never saw a Zara Spook till the Covid pandemic & started watching southern US fishing shows on KZbin during lock down.

[@RetroBassin]

The River Runt is a killer!

[@redtide941]

Geeat video. I really want to try those techniques now, especially tye deep water one

[@RetroBassin]

Me too, actually. Let us know how they work!

[@Demolitiondude]

Hold on to your dookie. It's about to get spooky.

[@RetroBassin]

Haha

[@BASSIN101tipsandtechniques]

Well done buddy 👏 😁

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks, Todd!

[@OldPoser85]

I'd say the FROG is the best top water lure ever

[@RetroBassin]

Which toad?

[@taichi8008]

My favorite lure is Heddon lure.

[@RetroBassin]

All of them!

[@dietwaffles5907]

I love the work you put into every video man, keep it up

[@RetroBassin]

This one took a little research...glad you enjoyed!

[@muskybites505]

The lure wall is looking strong💪

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks, good buddy! Need to thin it out a bit…

[@joshuagibson2520]

Its good, but I sure love my Pop'R too.

[@RetroBassin]

Me, too!

[@teijiosawa2230]

Zara spook is also popular in japan.

[@RetroBassin]

There are some great lure colors in Japan!

[@DsTackleBox]

Heddon's zara spook is the all time best topwater lure you can use, period. Can be fished in multiple ways and always a producer!! Tie one on and see for yourselves. ✌️🤠

[@RetroBassin]

You have enough of them to know, D!

[@DsTackleBox]

@RetroBassin just a lil bit! I did get to add another drop zara to the group!

[@keithhall4371]

Love it keep them coming

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks, good buddy!

[@johnm2617]

Nobody dose the History of Any old Fishing lure

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks for that, good buddy! So which lure is next???

[@johnm2617]

@@RetroBassin The Heddon Tiny Runt ! Or The old pre tied creame Worm

[@Motorcyclefisherman]

I love fishing a spook !

[@RetroBassin]

What's your favorite color?

[@raptorman6589]

A.C shiner

[@RetroBassin]

I see you!

[@thehedgeknightnc3681]

This brought back so many memories. Keep up the informative content. Everyone today seems to be focusing on the electronics side of fishing. These old lures still catch fish.

[@rawdawgandboofin2115]

I used to live in Dowagiac. It's nothing but a meth ran down town now. The Heddon Pond is a nice little spot still.

[@RetroBassin]

Does it still have fish? Would be epic to catch one on a Heddon there…

[@rawdawgandboofin2115]

@@RetroBassin yeah it's got fish. I throw the crack shad in it

[@OfftheHookOutdoors99]

Love the spook👍

[@RetroBassin]

What size do you throw?

[@OfftheHookOutdoors99]

@@RetroBassin I use the baby spook and the wounded spook.

[@Shreffzilla]

Not even a conversation to be had. Zara Spook is the best topwater lure ever.

[@jasonsmith2439]

It catches big bass for sure and it’s definitely a top 5 of all time if not top 3

[@RetroBassin]

Sounds like I need to do a Top 10 topwaters of all time…maybe via Bassin’ Bud poll!

[@txhuntsman]

Old school. Still works. Love the Zara Spook.

[@RetroBassin]

What’s your go-to color, Tex?

[@txhuntsman]

@@RetroBassin Simple colors for me. Whites and blacks.

[@wayned5872]

My favorite is a toss up between the Arbogast jitterbug in any model & Mann's -1 in any model

[@ernstcoetzer809]

The only lure allowed in heaven!!! The best lure of all time! Period!

[@barry4fish]

I have caught as many fish or more on the Torpedo and the Crazy Crawler, two other Heddon classics. And yes, the Jitterbug and Hula Popper, but really, the topwater bait that has probably outfished any of these in the last 30 years is the Rebel Pop-R, just because more fisherman using it over the older topwater designs. Doesn’t mean it’s really any better, they are all good at times.

[@gregchilders7643]

Have to agree with the spook as #1. I'm getting into bfs but I do have a eagle claw 4ft 10in pistol grip rod paired with a bps pro finnesse lite model PRL05HB with 6lb mono that use with the zarra puppy and tiny torpedo for 30 years now. Could you please do a video on the torpedo?

[@joshuamurphy8270]

I think the heddon propbait's come is second after not knowing that technique getting around cove with the Zara Spook that I now know thank to you. And thank you for that.

[@Cornelius798]

Love this, thanks 👍👊

[@mikewallis8999]

As always your podcast are top notch 👍🏻🎣

[@brentcarr8365]

Love it chris