primetime Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 Its a popper, Zell Rowland used to sell the Rebel Pop'r under the Xcalibur brand and it was autographed and the Zell Pop was under the xcal Rebel line as well, both great baits, only real difference is finish and lip is modified to compliment the Rebel plus it comes with bigger hooks and for the price the Zell Pop, Rebel, and then the Skitter pop are probably all you need....I have Rico's, all the top brands since I like to collect topwater's but my favorite is the Heddon Pop'n image, Yo-zuri ZZ Pop, and the Rebel in all sizes, saltwater versions, and if heavy braid, Sebile Splasher and chug bug all day....Many are too light, the Cabela's popper is a winner for sure, comes from a good family tree, just didn't fall in the area where they mark it up 10,000% when picked...... Don't overthink poppers, you will lose some since they are for casting to targets and are great for shorelines and overhanging trees, Rebel walks, spits, does whatever you need, hooks are fine if using the line suggested with lure, 60 size should get 10-14lb test tops.... Quote
primetime Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 Zell Roland is given credit for modifying the Pop-R so it could be fished faster and spit water in lieu of gurgling or blooping sounds. Zell learned this from some local Texas anglers, so he didn't invent the more streamline Pop-R. The Japanese took this faster design in the early 80's to a new level with a lure named Micheals, the forerunner of all the other Japanese brands. The Micheal was very streamline and could fished fast scattering along the surface and spitting water like a frightened Shad. I use Iovino's Splash-It, good value and excellent action with chicken feathered Owner hooks. A rattling Chug Bug caught a 18+ lb bass 2 years ago at lake Perris, monster top water bass! Tom Hey Tom, was that fish caught on the larger Saltwater size Chug Bug? I am assuming it was, also how do you prefer to fish the bug? I figure you must have a few tricks to share with someone who loves the Chug Bug, I know you have some mods or tips buried away....Good info as alway's, My brother loves chicken Feathers as well, I need to get some sent...thx Quote
primetime Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 Rattlin' Chug Bugs have been relegated to saltwater which is sad because they will out fish those listed above. I think they market the new Mad Flash series to Freshwater, kind of like Rapala lures...I love the chug bug but can't get into the biggest size and think it is a confidence thing as I love the Chug bugs, walks like a spook, spits and chugs like a boss....New one's have some nice colors.... Quote
Super User WRB Posted May 28, 2015 Super User Posted May 28, 2015 Hey Tom, was that fish caught on the larger Saltwater size Chug Bug? I am assuming it was, also how do you prefer to fish the bug? I figure you must have a few tricks to share with someone who loves the Chug Bug, I know you have some mods or tips buried away....Good info as alway's, My brother loves chicken Feathers as well, I need to get some sent...thxDan Hoover from Hemet caught the 18.5 lb bass, April 2012. The article in WON didn't disclose what size or color the Chug Bug was? Giant bass on a top water, amazing.Tom 1 Quote
Super User MCS Posted May 28, 2015 Super User Posted May 28, 2015 loved pop-r's until I fished a megabass pop-x. worth it, try one 1 Quote
Super User WRB Posted May 28, 2015 Super User Posted May 28, 2015 Zell Roland is given credit for modifying the Pop-R so it could be fished faster and spit water in lieu of gurgling or blooping sounds. Zell learned this from some local Texas anglers, so he didn't invent the more streamline Pop-R. The Japanese took this faster design in the early 80's to a new level with a lure named Micheals, the forerunner of all the other Japanese brands. The Micheal was very streamline and could fished fast scattering along the surface and spitting water like a frightened Shad. I use Iovino's Splash-It, good value and excellent action with chicken feathered Owner hooks. A rattling Chug Bug caught a 18+ lb bass 2 years ago at lake Perris, monster top water bass! Tom I think you mean Rick Clunn, here's the article he wrote about it: http://www.***.com/all/rick-clunn-reviews-lobina-topwater-lures/#.VWcWOs9VhBc Rebels work OK. Like anything else though, if you want to spend more money you can buy a better product. Splash it's, yellow magic, lobina, etc. One hidden gem I've found is the Academy brand H2O poppers. They are superb for the price if you catch them on sale in early spring. Love those things, good hooks, great paint, split ring standard. I know the Rico is named after Rick Clunn, that isn't the article I recall, it was about Zell Roland, he is the angler who made the Pop-R popular. Will try to look up the article. Can't open the referenced link, will take a look at it, thanks.Tom Quote
Super User MCS Posted May 28, 2015 Super User Posted May 28, 2015 i used a PopX today from megabass for the first time today and was thoroughly impressed with the action and the hooks are strong and really sharp. Got one a few weeks back. I agree, thing just flat out catches fish and you can find them online around 13 bucks a lure which isn't too bad. 1 Quote
robster80 Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 Got one a few weeks back. I agree, thing just flat out catches fish and you can find them online around 13 bucks a lure which isn't too bad. where online can u get em at that price? i want one i meant to order one during the sale but forgot to. cheapest ive found is 18 plus shipping Quote
Super User MCS Posted May 28, 2015 Super User Posted May 28, 2015 where online can u get em at that price? i want one i meant to order one during the sale but forgot to. cheapest ive found is 18 plus shipping ebay or japanese tackle shops. 13 bucks and shipping will vary 6-12 bucks(I mean you pay 4-6 bucks for TW order). but IMO japan lure shop, ichiban or japan angler are better than ebay because the shipping is EMS and to my door in 5 days some of the auctions take a couple weeks to get to you. If you look at the top of the jpangler and japan lure shop pages there is a currency choice to get it in usd. ichiban is in usd and they have them as low as 11.95 Quote
jitterbug127 Posted May 29, 2015 Posted May 29, 2015 Great lure for sure. My first thing out if fishing early Quote
jcoffman55 Posted May 29, 2015 Posted May 29, 2015 I know the Rico is named after Rick Clunn, that isn't the article I recall, it was about Zell Roland, he is the angler who made the Pop-R popular. Will try to look up the article. Can't open the referenced link, will take a look at it, thanks. Tom Cool, I'd love to read it. It's interesting to learn about how little tweaks in lure design came about from these guys experiences isn't it. I could fish a lure for years and never notice a little feature then learn something about it by reading about it's development and then the light bulb comes on. Might not catch any more fish but it's cool lol. Thanks! Quote
Super User Catt Posted May 29, 2015 Super User Posted May 29, 2015 Read this, y'all will learn something http://www.yumbaits.com/blog/zell-and-back-first-tournament/ 1 Quote
Super User Catt Posted May 30, 2015 Super User Posted May 30, 2015 What y'all don't want to read the link? Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted May 30, 2015 Global Moderator Posted May 30, 2015 Got one a few weeks back. I agree, thing just flat out catches fish and you can find them online around 13 bucks a lure which isn't too bad. Check out the River2Sea Bubble Popper. Very similar to the Megabass and it's $10 without having to search for a deal. Quote
Super User scaleface Posted May 30, 2015 Super User Posted May 30, 2015 Poppers have come a long way. I still use a big black Pico Pop but its saved for special occasions. The Pico Pop doesnt walk but it spits water like mad. In the summer on sunny , windy days I throw it in standing timber and make as much noise with it as I can. This is a numbers technique . but will catch keepers around the right trees . 1 Quote
Super User scaleface Posted May 30, 2015 Super User Posted May 30, 2015 I just googled Pico Pop and see they are back in business . Quote
Super User Jeff H Posted May 30, 2015 Super User Posted May 30, 2015 What y'all don't want to read the link? I read it. Quote
Super User Catt Posted May 31, 2015 Super User Posted May 31, 2015 I read it. So outside of me how many knew Zell competed in his first B.A.S.S. tournament at the ripe ole age of 13 with a Rebel minnow? Quote
Super User whitwolf Posted May 31, 2015 Super User Posted May 31, 2015 So outside of me how many knew Zell competed in his first B.A.S.S. tournament at the ripe ole age of 13 with a Rebel minnow? I most assuredly did not know that. Thanks for sharing that link/article, Catt! Quote
Super User Bankbeater Posted May 31, 2015 Super User Posted May 31, 2015 A Pop - R in chrome / black is about the only popper I use anymore. Quote
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