Poppers

[RHuff]

 

This things sure are fun to fish, especially when the bite is on. I used to always fish them by going pop pop pause.....pop pop pop pause......pop pop pause.... and repeat....

 

I switched up to a different method and my strike ratio has really gone up. Pop (count one-one thousand two one-thousand) POP (one one-thousand two one-thousand three one-thousand) Pop.... Basically switching between a 2 second pause and a 3 second pause between every pop...... Seems a lot more finesse than aggressive. Caught a lot more bass that way. 

[j bab]

Interesting technique. It's crazy how just changing the cadence of your popping can catch you more or less fish. Thanks for sharing, I'll try this next time I can't get them to hit a popper!

[the reel ess]

The longer pauses keep the bait in the strike zone longer. 

[RHuff]

I've notice when a bass hits it during this type of retrieve they absolutely smash it. 

[timsford]

I catch them on all kinds of retrieves.  From small pops and large pauses to popping and walking the dog quickly. I've also noticed sometimes the fish want a loud pop like with a chug bug, sometimes a more subtle pop like a gunfish, and sometimes tiny pops and long pauses with a Rico or Zell pop. Jerkbaits are the same way for me. Sometimes they want a slow twitch and pause with a floater like an f11 rapala, sometimes very quick jerks with a pointer, sometimes long rips with a husky jerk, and sometimes small twitches and long pauses with a vision 110 or squad minnow

[Ratherbfishing]

I don't think it is particularly helpful to generalize about which retrieve is best-particularly from one lake to the next.  On ONE day they might like a long pause between "pops" and on another, almost none.  Let the bass tell you what they want.

[Wind Knot]

Similar principal when fishing jerkbaits.  Change the cadence once in a while if you aren't getting action.

[iiTzChunky]

I have a he'll of a time trying to get that pop action going all the time when I throw the couple poppers I have. I can just assume I'm doing it wrong. I'll try to change the cadence up next time I throw one. 

[RHuff]

3 hours ago, Ratherbfishing said:

I don't think it is particularly helpful to generalize about which retrieve is best-particularly from one lake to the next.  On ONE day they might like a long pause between "pops" and on another, almost none.  Let the bass tell you what they want.

 

 The intent was to share a different method to try if your not getting bit on the traditional retrieve most commonly associated with popping lures, regardless of the body of water your on. 

[J Francho]

It's a good suggestion, but one retrieve that works today, may not work tomorrow.  I vary the retrieve, starting with a steady walking, and slow down, if I don't get bit.  It depends on the day.  Some days, I never have to slow down.  Other days, I have to fish them painfully slow.

[flyfisher]

I always mix it up until i figure out what is working.  I have been throwing the Pop-x and Pop-Max and bot hare also able to be walked so i incorporate that motion into it as well at times.  It is kind of crazy how what seems to be a small difference in cadence can make a big difference in catching some fish.

[MassYak85]

I usually fish poppers kind of slow. To me it just seems like it is imitating something that is barely alive and just twitching there on the surface. 

[Onvacation]

After you go through thirty different cadences and find the right one, you can start to play with starting your action immediately when the bait hits the water or waiting until the rings subside.  Then play with colors for awhile and bait size. Don't forget silent vs. noisy.  Next change type of line followed by the line test.  Pay attention to the clouds in the sky, sun position, barometer, water color, and water temperature.

Once you find all of the correct answers, start it all over tomorrow because the bass are guaranteed to change their mind.  

[Hogsticker]

1 hour ago, Onvacation said:

After you go through thirty different cadences and find the right one, you can start to play with starting your action immediately when the bait hits the water or waiting until the rings subside.  Then play with colors for awhile and bait size. Don't forget silent vs. noisy.  Next change type of line followed by the line test.  Pay attention to the clouds in the sky, sun position, barometer, water color, and water temperature.

Once you find all of the correct answers, start it all over tomorrow because the bass are guaranteed to change their mind.  

Yeah, I like this. I've gone as far as to keep a written log pertaining to many things, but the fish don't seem to care. I will say that all of my bigger popper smallmouth have come on a long pause. They hit it and take it to the sky. Nice little adrenal rush. 

[Ratherbfishing]

22 hours ago, RHuff said:

 

 The intent was to share a different method to try if your not getting bit on the traditional retrieve most commonly associated with popping lures, regardless of the body of water your on. 

Ain't no big thing.  My comment wasn't meant to be critical and I think we are in agreement that, sometimes, we have to mix things up to give them what they want.