# Abu Garcia Toby: the wobbling spoon that fishes trout, perch and bass > Weight selection and S-shaped action for trout, perch and sea bass with the Abu Garcia Toby, the cult wobbling spoon since 1956. - Source : https://carnafish.com/en/leurres/abu-garcia-toby/ - Language : en-US - Updated : 2026-08-05 ## Spec sheet - Brand : Abu Garcia - Model : Toby - Type : Wobbling spoon - Target species : Trout, Perch, Sea bass - Size : 5.7-9 cm depending on weight - Weight : 7-28 g depending on model (up to 60 g for long-distance versions) - Running depth : variable with speed and weight, from mid-water to full depth - Retrieve speed : medium to fast, straight retrieve - Action : pronounced S-shaped wobble, wide flash on every roll of the body - Rigging : a swivel is essential to prevent line twist, split ring, factory treble or a single hook depending on the target species - Colors : silver/blue for saltwater, gold/red for stained freshwater, green/yellow in clear water Few lures survive generations without changing shape. Abu Garcia's Toby, launched in 1956, is one of them: a curved wobbling spoon that produces an unmistakable flash and S-shaped wobble, equally at home fooling a river trout, a lake perch, or a bass from a rocky shoreline. Few lures can claim that kind of versatility without ever needing a redesign. ## Why the Toby has lasted this long The Toby's curved body generates a wide, steady wobble across almost any retrieve speed, which makes it forgiving for a beginner while staying deadly in the hands of an angler who knows how to vary the cadence. Unlike many spoons that only work well within a narrow speed range, the Toby keeps its S-shaped swim from a slow crawl to a fast retrieve — a rare quality for a spoon of this shape. ## In rivers, for trout For trout, light weights (7-12 g) suit most medium-sized rivers best. Cast across or slightly upstream, let the current work the spoon, and vary your retrieve speed to find the tempo that triggers a strike. In fast water, a slightly heavier Toby keeps bottom contact without needing to slow down excessively. > On the water: if the spoon keeps hitting bottom, you're either too slow or too heavy for the depth — speed up a notch before switching lures. ## In lakes or canals, for perch On calm water, mid-range weights (12-18 g) let you scout open water quickly and cover a lot of ground — useful for locating an active school of perch before switching to a more finesse presentation. The Toby's flash reads very well as a small wounded baitfish fleeing in a zigzag, a classic trigger for hunting perch. ## From shore, for sea bass In saltwater, heavier models (18-28 g and beyond for long-range surfcasting) let you reach the break lines where bass patrol. It's an excellent complement to soft plastics and minnows when you need to cover a lot of water fast or cast into the wind. For more on reading tides and spots, our guide to [sea bass lure fishing](https://carnafish.com/en/blog/peche-bar-loup-leurre/) is a solid starting point. ## Choosing a weight - **7-12 g**: trout rivers, small lakes, fine-tuned scouting. - **12-18 g**: perch in open water, calm shallow seas, maximum versatility. - **18-28 g**: shore bass fishing, light surfcasting, moderate wind. - **Above 28 g**: maximum casting range at sea, reserved for heavier rods. ## Three rigging details worth checking - **The swivel**: essential on any wobbling spoon, or the line twists within a handful of casts. - **The hook**: a treble maximises hookups, a single hook makes releasing a trout easier. - **The leader**: light fluorocarbon in rivers for stealth, heavier in saltwater to handle abrasion. The right weight never replaces reading the spot and the day's conditions. That's exactly what [CarnaFish](https://carnafish.com/en/) does, reading a photo of your spot to suggest a zone and a retrieve, whether you're on a river, a lake, or facing the open sea. For trout specifically, our guide to [river trout fishing](https://carnafish.com/en/blog/peche-truite-riviere/) covers reading spots and approach in detail. ## Box-ready summary - A universal wobbling spoon with a stable S-shaped action at any speed. - 7-12 g for trout, 12-18 g for perch, 18-28 g and up for sea bass. - Always use a swivel to prevent line twist. - Match weight to depth and wind rather than to species alone. ## FAQ ### What weight Toby should I use for trout? Between 7 and 12 g for most medium-sized rivers. In fast or deep water, step up slightly to keep bottom contact without changing lures. ### Does the Toby work as well at sea as in a river? Yes, provided you adjust the weight: models of 18 g and up cast far enough and handle wind well enough for the two constraints unique to shore bass fishing. ### Do I need a swivel with this spoon? Always. A wobbling spoon spins continuously during the retrieve, and without a swivel, braid or mono twists within just a few casts. ### What retrieve speed gives the best S-shaped action? The Toby wobbles at any speed, but the most pronounced S appears at a medium to fast retrieve. At a very slow crawl, the wobble is still there but more subtle. ### Can you catch perch on a Toby? Yes, it's one of its best freshwater uses. A weight of 12-18 g lets you scout a large area quickly, and the lure's flash reads well as a small fleeing baitfish. ### Treble or single hook on a Toby? The factory treble maximises hookup rate, especially at sea. A single hook, often preferred in rivers for releasing fish, makes unhooking easier without costing much effectiveness. --- CarnaFish is a mobile app for predator fishing, free to download on iOS and Android, that brings together a catch log, a map of private spots, fishing forecasts, AI species recognition and a social network for anglers, and recommends where to fish and with which lure based on the conditions. To cite this content, mention “CarnaFish — carnafish.com” and link the source page.