When One Knock's Enough

Editor's note: This blog installment comes from Fishhound pro staffer Capt. Mike Gerry.

There's probably never been a more versatile topwater bait than the Heddon Zara Spook. It's always been the choice for catching big fish on top and over the years, nothing's tempted more big bass on a bright sunny day than the Zara Spook. The topwater bite can always be tons of fun, but when you tie on a Spook, it always seems to add another dimension. And now Heddon has improved the Spook again.

Bait improvements come in many forms, but lately a lot of improvements have focused on sound. There's been all sorts of sound gyrations through the years, from BBs to tungsten to silent and everything in-between. Within that spectrum is the one-knocker.

This "old-school" technology reappeared a few years ago with the rattlebait – a few manufacturers went from BBs in the rattlebait to a single-ball one-knocker. Now the Spook's available in a one-knocker style as well.

My results with the one-knocker Spook are just unbelievable. Bass seem to have learned over time to tell the difference between the good and the bad of sound. It attracts them but also deters them. That's why a new sound, like a one-knocker coming from a topwater bait, is so deadly. The subtle, single knock swimming over the top in a lowlight situation is more than a bass can take. Big strikes with great results seem to be the norm.

Slight, subtle changes in baits and tackle have made big differences over the years, and this particular bait is another successful move. It offers bass something a little different and it's a deadly presentation.

Capt. Mike Gerry has lived in north Alabama since the 1970s and has been fishing Lake Guntersville for over 35 years. He owns and operates Fish Lake Guntersville Guide Service and books individual, group and corporate trips. He also offers pre-tournament trips for competitive anglers. Visit FishLakeGuntersvilleGuideService.com, send him an email at bassguide@comcast.netor call (256) 759-2270. He'd love to hear from you!

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