Poppers

[angler_for_life]

I really like catching bass on topwaters, especially poppers! But I don't really know when to use them.

Do you guys have any tips on when poppers work best, things like: what time of year, what depth, what size popper, etc... Lastly, if the lake I want to use them on is pretty murky without many weeds, is it worth while to even try a popper, or would other presentations work better on this lake.

[st.crioxfishin]

Time of year: Pretty much from spring untill fall poppers will produce. I like using these baits in the late postspawn/early summer stage the best. Lowlight conditions will be your best bet to try these baits, but there are always those days when the fish don't follow that fish behaviors book like their supposed to (maybe they should read it to make it easier on us )

Depth: 0-20ft and maybe even more depending on what the situation calls for. Smallmouth have been known to chase down baits from great lengths, largemouth on the other hand don't do so as much. I would say shallow is your best bet, anywhere from 0-10ft is where you will get most bites. However, I have caught schooling fish over 15ft of water on spooks this year out in the middle of the lake. Long tapering points and edges of deep weedlines in summer lowlight conditions can be good too.

What size: This all depends on what the fish want. Experiment with different sizes until you find out what they want. Most often I'll start out with a medium size bait and most times if the fish are active enough to hit a topwater they will hit most sizes, not always, but most times.

On murky lakes w/out much weeds I would say it would be worth giving it a shot, you never really know. If you can find shallow rocks I would try the popper there in lowlight conditions. Also try it around wood, docks, pads, reeds, cattails, anything really. I have found buzzbaits and any other topwater that gives off a lot of noise(spooks, frogs) to be good in murky water. If the fish are active chatterbaits and spinnerbaits could be an option as well...

[ocf1]

Poppers were invented to imitate baitfish jumping out of the water. I like to use 3 short bursts then pause for 4-10 seconds, Try around milfoil clumps or whereever bait fish are jumping.

[big musk411]

From my experience, very early or late in the day is best. Mid day not so much. Always experiment with the time between pops. In calm clear water this can make all the difference. Don't be scared to let it sit for 30 to 90 seconds between pops. Count one one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand. Often they will bite it when standing still. My general rule of thumb is dark water faster retrieve and clear water slower. As mentioned before Smallies in clear water will rise 20-30ft to hit a topwater bait. After you make a long cast to where you think the fish are, pause the bait half way as you real it back to the boat fast. You may be surprised.

Have a plastic bait, maybe a jig or a tube to throw right back at them if they miss.

Also try a Zaraspook or a floating Rap if the fish won't hit a popper when they should. Assuming you know where they are.

Hopefully RK will put his two cents in, I'd like to hear it!

[Slyster]

Poppers are fun! Caught some today with a white popper.. so easy to hook with the 2 treble hooks (although hard to take the fish off!).. I pop it probably every 3 seconds... with a 5+ second pause now and then... but what do I know?

But I remember seeing Vandam showing his technique and he would real it in pretty fast while popping it like 2 times per second! Never pausing.

I'll be interested in hearing others techniques and experiences.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I love them, too. Lots of good advice. I would add to never be afraid to try them. I seen them catch fish when I never thought they would.

Also, I have caught a number of fish when the bait has just been sitting there, like when helping someone else with a fish. The baits have just been sitting there for 1+ minutes, and bass have taken them.

I'm a big Rebel Pop-R fan, but the hooks on them suck, so I have replaced mine with Gamakatsu trebels.

[Flaco651]

When it comes to top water lures, Rebel Pop-R and the Storm rattlin' chug bug are a couple of my fav's

[Coach Dog]

You are right, those hooks do suck on the Pop-R's. I like the Rapala Skitter Pop the best, it is actually my favorite lure, in brown frog color. They cast much further than the Pop-R's, and to me they just feel better.

I like to cast mine and let it sit until the ripples subside, then give it the 2 or 3 twitch motion. As long as you get the lure to blurp and spit, and take a few long pauses, you should catch fish. Clear water is so much better for topwater. I fish a lake by Grand Rapids that is super clear (19 ft clarity) and this lure is awesome in the evening hours. I've had big bass in 15-18 feet of open water come up and absolutely slam these poppers. You just can't beat this type of fishing.

[RK]

Hiya -

Most of my popper fishing is for smallies, but looks like there's already some good suggestions for LMB. I don't fish them a lot - probably not as much as I should frankly - but it's sure a riot when they're working.

In lakes I use poppers early in the season when fish are up on the rocks, either pre-spawn, or early summer after post-spawn. Can work early and late in the day all summer. Not much that's more fun. Pitch it out, let it sit for a moment, give it one loud 'bloop,' then let it sit for about as long as you can stand. Then twitch it so it just chugs softly a couple times. Then twitch-twitch-twitch-pause until it's past whatever cover's around. With some poppers you can sort of walk the dog with them, which is great too. Watch for following fish. If you see one, stop the bait and dead stick it. They'll usually hit it eventually.

Poppers rock in rivers too, especially this time of year when the water's low and clear.

As to what kinds, Skitter Pops are great, Rebel Pop-Rs, Matzuo poppers - most of them work. I do prefer ones with dressed trailing trebles though. If they don't come with one, I replace the hook.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[angler_for_life]

Thanks for all the advice!!!

Now I really can't wait to get out and actually try them. Hopefully I can get a few hits.

[lookincalifornia]

i recall a day on a small pond when i got a couple on the twitch-twitch pause. and for some reason i gave a big single chug and pause. that turned out to be the prefered retieve that day. i can't believe the price difference in poppers. i still get most of my fish on my rebel popR. i can't see spending $22.99 for a popper. i want to impress the fish, not the fishermen.