A good topwater smash is one of the greatest fishing experiences. Dozens of surface lures on the market can do this, but few are more popular or user-friendly than the popper. They come in all different colors and sizes, but the designs don’t vary much. A scooped, concave mouth catches water and spits it forward and outward when we move. This surface commotion provokes all types of predatory gamefish.
The point is that fishermen lean too much into pop-and-pause rhythms; Make some noise, give some rest. It’s deadly, no doubt, but there are other ways to make money from these simple topwaters. Here are four popper fishing tricks that will help you get the most from this classic bait.
speed reel
Overall, fishermen classify poppers as finesse lures. They offer the opportunity to control the rhythm, but rarely rely on speed as with a popper, especially in freshwater. When fishing in offshore saltwater, tuna fishermen routinely rig massive poppers to the surface, but many do not realize that this also works in freshwater. In fact, famous bass angler Rick Clune won a lot of money reeling in the early 80’s rebel pop-r At warp speed across the surface.
Anglers make the mistake of thinking that a popper requires time to call fish from a distance, so we pop a little and stop. However, in the wild, panicked baitfish swimming for their lives are a big trigger for predators, even if they are not particularly hungry. Take, for example, flying fish in saltwater environments. They move rapidly across the surface creating a V wake, and the faster they move the more it affects species like mahi-mahi and tuna.
If you cast a popper out and reel it back in quickly (without baiting), its bulging mouth will catch still water and throw it to the shore. this can not be happening feel Popper fishing this way is fine, but it will really feel good when the bass hammer it. When this happens, it will be violent and sudden.
bug shake
The “Bug Shake” popper is a highly lethal and overlooked method of fishing, but to pull it off, you need a Popper with a decorated tail. Many lures are straight from the factory, often relying on a pinch of white synthetic fiber or white feathers to give the rear treble hook a little extra pizzazz. However, if you don’t have a dressed popper, you can easily make one with a little super glue, thread, and some feathers from the craft store.
When a popper is sitting still, its treble hook hangs only a few inches below the surface. A prepared tail hook in this scenario looks exactly like a submerged aquatic insect, and if a bug is about to hatch, it can work wonders. We like to think of poppers as lures that are slammed when a fish strikes, but big bass will also come by and mistake that clothesline hook for a bug and bite it beautifully. Likewise, smaller species like trout and bluegills, whose mouths aren’t big enough to swallow the popper whole, will also hit that decorated tail. In a way, this method is the dirty cousin of fly fishing, but it works if you can train yourself to barely move that popper.
When fish are hooked on worms, the chug’s overly aggressive nature can scare them off faster than attract them, especially in clear water. You want to move your popper very gently, just enough to cause the worn hook to vibrate. Pay attention to the popper disappearing like a bobber or keep an eye out for micro boils around the lure.
Read Next: Best Topwater Lures
up and down
If you’ve ever fished southern saltwater for sea trout or redfish, there’s a good chance you’ve used popping cork. These heavy bobbers have a concave head that looks similar to a popper. You suspend natural bait or bait beneath the cork via a leader, cast out and hook it back up. The noise created by the cork draws the fish in, but the lure or bait trailed behind it also draws the fish in. This is highly effective, and can be easily replicated with a popper for freshwater fishing.
Start by removing the back hook on your popper. Tie a short length of leader – no more than 12 inches – to the empty back ring. Now you can add a trailing lure to the leader, but the trick is making sure it is not too heavy. A Small, soft-plastic excellent style bait Or Meal works well. By keeping the leader short, you reduce the chance of it getting tangled on the popper’s belly hook during a cast. This technique presents the illusion of two battling baitfish simultaneously – one at the surface and the other just below. It is especially effective for schooling fish such as white bass and striped bass.
fishing on the banks
When targeting a predatory fish like bass with a popper, presenting it naturally is an important part of the game. Remember, bass are ambush predators that prefer to feed in places that provide them with room to hide, as well as close to areas where they can burst in and eat unsuspecting baitfish or worms. Areas like docks or seawalls can be a great place to start.
By casting parallel to a dock or sea wall, each chug of your popper will place it in the strike zone, giving any bass in the area a chance to eat it throughout your cast. However, pay close attention when fishing near docks, as bass will likely try to eat the popper and quickly return to the shade, and dock poles are generally not very forgiving.
Final Thoughts on How to Fish a Popper
The popper is one of the most versatile topwater lures. You can chew it slowly, shake it rapidly to create movement, or simply let it sit and wriggle while still remaining at the risk of biting. There are poppers in every color and shape you can imagine that can be used to pour more or less water into different cups as needed. Ultimately, the key is to find a popper that works for your fishing style and the bite in your area. Sometimes it may be a small three-inch popper, while other times it may be a much larger version. Be prepared to experiment on water for bites.
When experimenting, keep in mind how you are working your popper and what action sounds appealing to you. Once you figure out how the fish want to move the popper on any given day, simply repeat that movement and you’ll be on to a banner day of fishing. The Popper is a must-have topwater lure for any serious angler looking to get into topwater this spring and summer.
