Tips-Hints for Poppers

[Codye23]

I was wondering if anyone would like to share some tips for poppers.

[wecker20]

Cast it, let it sit for 10-15 seconds. Vary your retrieve but pause in between you "pops". Most of my fish on a pop r hit when the bait isn't moving. You have to be patient w/ a top water but they will produce in any conditions.

[Frozenfish]

My tip would be to buy lots of them, they are great!!! I agree with the post above. Most of my top water fish has come with a faster retrieve. But you have to let it sit for at least 3-5 five seconds everytime you "pop". When you first cast it make sure that it sits for 10-15 seconds then go from there.

[Dawg]

For panfish I cast about 6' past my target, pop it once, stream it back quickly and then stop it in the target zone. Brighter colors (bodies and thread): white, orange, yellow, pink.

I'll cast closer to bass or pike they usually don't need much convincing. Larger sizes and darker colors: green, black and red bodies with dark thread.

Some of the best looking (to me) poppers aren't worth a dime. Some of my best ones don't have more than a speck of paint left on them - and they still produce.

[wecker20]

My favorite has a silver underside and black on the top. Have used the same bait for 4 years now. Have many others but this one is still my go to for top water.

[icefishermanmark]

Feather tails, and don't use flourocarbon line or the bait won't perform right.

[ESOX]

For bass,work the rod with the tip between 10 o'clock and 11. when you get a hit, drop the rod tip, count to 3, reel up the slack till you can feel the weight of the fish, then set the hook. This takes discipline, but will increase your hooking percentage a LOT. Same technique for muskie on topwaters, but I count to five if the line doesn't tighten on it's own.

[wecker20]

W/ a bait caster, I have the rod tip down when I'm "popping". Have much better control but w/ a spincaster set-up might be different. Haven't thrown top water w/o a baitcaster in years.