Pop R Vs Rico

[basscody]

     Without a shadow of a doubt a topwater popping style bait is an effective presentation around all kinds of cover. My first experiences with poppers came from the classic Rebel Pop-R. I think most people will agree when i say that the Pop-R is a great bait. The Pop-R has the ability to create an unresistable disturbance in the water, as do most topwater popping baits.

 

      When i first saw the rico  i was very dismissive of it. I didnt see much difference between a Pop-R and the Rico. As a matter of fact the only differences was that the Rico retails at $22.95 and the Pop-R at 4.99, and the Rico has holographic eyes , and Quality hooks.

It  was not until two weeks ago when i fished a the Virginia Federation Youth State Championship on the Chickahominy River did I have the oportunity to see the difference in action. The boat captain i drew was a very wise experienced river rat with 20+ years of experience on the james river and its tributaries including the chickahominy. When i met with him in the morning i told him my game plan and when i was finished he told me that he had something that he thought i would be happier with. Being a young cocky kid i opted out of his plan, but at the day one weigh in, two boats had gone to the spot my captain urged me to go to, and they where boasting 40+ plus fish a peice, on top of that they were fishing topwater all day. My boat captain looked at me and said "I told you so". so when i met with him the next morning i was humble and ready to listen. he said " do you have a topwater tied on?" i said "yeah, a Pop-R." that just wouldn't do and he handed me a beautiful Rico to tie on. First cast of the morning about a Two solid bass at the bait at the same time, one on the front hook and one on the back. I was amazed, I was able to put a limit together quickly, and uniquely to me each fish and choked it. The difference was clear.  After the tournament i went to give the rico back and my boat captain told me to keep it. This is where my experimentation with the Rico began. I wanted to truly know why bass reacted to violently to the Rico. Every fish i have caught on the rico has chocked it from the front, like bass do when the kill shad.  For one the Rico has a much louder dense rattle than the Pop-R. Secondly it dose not have a very deep concave face. lastly it emits a almost driping sound when fished fast, and darts in a "Z" motion. In my experience The Lobina Lures Rico outfishes the Pop-R, when fished fast, 10 to 1

[Jeff H]

That may very well be but I ain't blowing $23 on a popper.  How many more have you bought?

[ChrisD46]

Some folks have been known to sand the bottom lip of a Pop-R down just a wee bit so that it "spits" more than it pops or chugs .

Next add a small oval spilt ring to the Pop-R and tie on with 10 ~ 16lb Mono ...When you pop it quickly throw a little slack line back at the lure to get it to dance a little and then repeat ... While it may not equal a Rico - it's little mods like this that can make a subtle improvement from a stock Pop-R.

[basscody]

Some folks have been known to sand the bottom lip of a Pop-R down just a wee bit so that it "spits" more than it pops or chugs .

Next add a small oval spilt ring to the Pop-R and tie on with 10 ~ 16lb Mono ...When you pop it quickly throw a little slack line back at the lure to get it to dance a little and then repeat ... While it may not equal a Rico - it's little mods like this that can make a subtle improvement from a stock Pop-R.

I think your right, its not nessasarilly the nature of the rico, but just that side to side motion coupled with the loudness of the rattle. i was originally using the kvd splash jr and it  can deffinatly duplicate that side to side motion but it lacks the bb rattle system. i have never used one but supposedly  the don iovino splash-it is extreamly similar to the rico and only $13 it would be interesting to compare the two.

[basscody]

That may very well be but I ain't blowing $23 on a popper.  How many more have you bought?

i have bought 2 more since. i figured it would be a worthwhile investment since its a pattern i rely on. so far it really has paid off. i dont plan on buying more. i got a flat black, silver,  and the chartruse one i was given. so far it's all ive needed here locally.

[BadBassWV]

James River, You talking Small Mouth Bass??

[basscody]

James River, You talking Small Mouth Bass??

sometimes yes in the non tidal portion the james has produced huge smallies, but here im talking about the tidal portion and largemouth

[WRB]

Zell Roland is the Pop-R expert without question and was first to modify them to be fished fast.

Michael was the first Japanese Pop-R type lure, prior to Rico, more slender and a great lure. Don Iovino imports the Splash-It in a few sizes and is the lure of this type I use.

Tom

[iabass8]

Many people won't ever believe that higher end poppers can/will outfish the 4.99 pop-r until they witness it. Granted that doesn't always hold true and there are days where it doesn't matter but there are the days it certainly will make that much of a difference. I personally don't use ricos much. I use Yellow Magic's which seem to produce better in my area. 

[basscody]

Many people won't ever believe that higher end poppers can/will outfish the 4.99 pop-r until they witness it. Granted that doesn't always hold true and there are days where it doesn't matter but there are the days it certainly will make that much of a difference. I personally don't use ricos much. I use Yellow Magic's which seem to produce better in my area. 

hear so much about yellow magics, might be worth checking out.

[greentrout]

Each to his own but I use neither. Instead, my favorite is The Rattling Chug Bug by Storm. Especially, the little one at 1/4 of an once. Kills

big bass.

[crazyjoeclemens]

Im a big fan of the PopR's.  I'd have a hard time shelling out $20+ for a topwater, too.  That being said, has anyone compared the Rapala Skitter Pop to any of these baits?  Its a good looking design, and it seems to be priced intermediately...

[Jrob78]

I'm a big fan of the Yellow Magic.  I have a few Rico's but don't fish them much in favor of the YM.  I need to tie one on next time I am on a popper bite.  The Splash It's are really good too and a little cheaper.  I tie them with a loop knot most of the time.

[Jrob78]

Here's a bit of the history of the Rico. 

http://advancedangler.com/?p=3277

[ChrisD46]

Research will indicate that the Splash - It and Yellow Magic definately have their loyal following - excellent colors too !

[Bluebasser86]

The Xcaliber Zell Pop outfishes them all for me. I've had the Yellow Magics, Ricos, G splash, Pop Max, none of them catch fish for me like the Zell Pop. It's a very finesse popper it seems to me like and walks very well if you have the right rod and touch to do it, just drives them crazy. 

[Lund Explorer]

Choose your poison, but sooner or later almost everyone learns that it isn't the lure but the person fishing it that matters.  If you have confidence is a specific brand name you'll work it better.

[basscody]

Choose your poison, but sooner or later almost everyone learns that it isn't the lure but the person fishing it that matters.  If you have confidence is a specific brand name you'll work it better.

I think you've hit the nail on the head to a certain degree

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Just like someone thats great with a a pair of nunchukas will beat a man thats only so so with a baton ,,and vice versa .

[Lund Explorer]

I think you've hit the nail on the head to a certain degree

 

Not saying that an old dog like me couldn't tie on a Rico and get good results, but I have so much confidence in my slightly modified Pop-R that I can't see the need to change. 

 

FYI - My Pop-R is a Baby Bass with a slightly larger front hook (Excaliber Rotating Treble) and a hand tied tail hook sporting chicken feathers and a red slash.  The chicken feather thing was learned from Zell Roland.

 

Here's hoping you have just as much success with your Rico!

[Deleted account]

Not saying that an old dog like me couldn't tie on a Rico and get good results, but I have so much confidence in my slightly modified Pop-R that I can't see the need to change. 

 

FYI - My Pop-R is a Baby Bass with a slightly larger front hook (Excaliber Rotating Treble) and a hand tied tail hook sporting chicken feathers and a red slash.  The chicken feather thing was learned from Zell Roland.

 

Here's hoping you have just as much success with your Rico!

 

A properly modified Pop-R will catch as well as a Rico. Another thing to keep in mind, is that not all Ricos are created equal. I own about 30 Ricos, and about the same # of Yellow Magics, and they're all a little different. So I'm not above modifying them as well. I picked up some Xcalibur Zell Pops from DSG last winter ($2.99, couldn't help myself), and modified one, by shaving the lower lip, got rid of the trailing tinsle, and put on the right feathers, and its real good.