Fishing popper

The popper is an effective and proven lure designed to move water using a concave or hollowed nose. Poppers aim to simulate any sort of distressed creature that might be moving or struggling on the surface of the water (baitfish, frogs, and insects are the most typical imitations). Originally this timeless lure was crafted from wood and painted or shaped to match the pattern of baitfish. This quickly evolved into more intricate patterns that mimicked a broader scope of the common prey of predatory fish. Along with different imitations, different materials and technologies have been integrated with this classic platform like rattles, soft bodies, and other synthetic body materials. This iconic pattern has been used to create topwater commotion for many decades, but has been most notable for its presence in bass fishing throughout America. Though this pattern is used for many other species of fish the bass is often tightly connected with topwater poppers. Another species often targeted with poppers is the giant trevally (GT). Catching GT on poppers is becoming more and more popular due to the GT's aggressive surface take. Used by fly and conventional anglers alike, this pattern has not failed fishermen since its creation around a century ago. While the popper has been used to catch fish since its arrival, there has been a universal technique on how to properly fish a popper lure. The goal is to get a reaction bite from the target species you are fishing for so therefor you must present the lure in a way that seems natural to the fish. First, you must pick out the correct looking popper or the type of fish you are going to be fishing for. This includes the type of material the popper is made out of, the color of the popper, and finally the locations of hooks on the popper. Secondly, you must tie the popper to your line properly using a proper fishing knot so that the lure will not slip off or be pulled off by a fish. Next, seek out a target area where you think the species of fish you are going for will be there. Cast your popper lure out and once it hits the water, let it sit for just a few seconds. The sound of the popper hitting the water alone is enough of a disturbance to draw a fish to the sound and then strike on the lure. That is why it is essential to leave your lure in the spot that you casted for a few seconds before you start to retrieve your line in. As you start to retrieve your line in, the best way to do so and what has been proven an effective way, is to pull the lure towards you creating sound and motion in the water and then stopping, letting the popper sit in the spot you stopped it at while you reel in the slack line. You will want to do this all the way until the popper lure is almost back to your rod and then re-cast the lure back out repeating the retrieval technique. Once a fish strikes the popper, the goal is to not immediately set the hook and yank your rod back. It is essential to let the fish take the popper lure under the water and then set the hook so that you do not pull the popper out of its mouth and ultimately increase your hook-up ratio.

See also

• Surface lure
• Jalapeño popper

References

https://www.heddonlures.com/ retrieved April 30, 2018 https://www.rebellures.com/heritage retrieved April 30, 2018 https://www.takemefishing.org/how-to-fish/fishing-with-lures/how-to-use-surface-poppers/ retrieved November 17, 2019