Topwater poppers

[Ksam1234]

So I love topwater and have never used a poper. I was at cabelas today and picked up a megabass Pop Max. These things look amazing .. yeah they caught the fisherman not the fish. Anyone ever use these? Or use poppers in general? Any advice for them

[scaleface]

Dont get stuck in a rut . Dont  be afraid to use poppers   as aggressively as you can . I try to spray water as far as possible .  

[Ksam1234]

4 minutes ago, scaleface said:

Dont get stuck in a rut . Dont  be afraid to use poppers   as aggressively as you can . I try to spray water as far as possible .  

How exactly do you work it? Never even seen one worked/used.  And what kind of brands do you normally throw.  I only have used whopper ploppers and buzzbaita for topwater so a walk the dog or "finesse sit and wait" I never used 

[roadwarrior]

Take it back and exchange it for a PopMax.

 

https://megabassusa.com/product/megabass-popmax-topwater/

 

[Ksam1234]

4 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

Take it back and exchange it for a PopMax.

 

https://megabassusa.com/product/megabass-popmax-topwater/

 

That's what I got , sorry I thought it said pop x.. I got a black pop max

[scaleface]

38 minutes ago, Ksam1234 said:

How exactly do you work it? Never even seen one worked/used.  And what kind of brands do you normally throw.  I only have used whopper ploppers and buzzbaita for topwater so a walk the dog or "finesse sit and wait" I never used 

Sometimes with subtle twitches  and sometimes with short but hard jerks trying  to move the lure as little as possible but throw water as far  as possible .

[RPreeb]

39 minutes ago, Ksam1234 said:

How exactly do you work it? Never even seen one worked/used.  And what kind of brands do you normally throw.  I only have used whopper ploppers and buzzbaita for topwater so a walk the dog or "finesse sit and wait" I never used 

Depending on the style of popper (note the 2 p's  ), you have several retrieve options.  Usually I let it sit for several seconds after the cast to let the ripples die away.  Then I will do anything from a pop, pop rest to what is almost a jerkbait retrieve, cranking and jerking at the same time - with some you can walk the dog as easily as with a spook.  I've caught fish on poppers with a retrieve that is almost painfully lethargic to one that is as fast as a spinnerbait - depends on the style of popper and the mood of the fish.  Use your imagination to make it imitate what you want it to represent to the bass.

[Comfortably Numb]

Pop Max are great topwater baits. I consider it a walking style popper. I Cast and let sit a couple seconds. Then very slight subtle pops in case something it just looking at it. Then slightly harder pops and then I walk it back to the boat.

 

I consider a Rebel Pop R or Rapala Skitter Pop to be more conventional poppers.

[Ksam1234]

2 hours ago, Comfortably Numb said:

Pop Max are great topwater baits. I consider it a walking style popper. I Cast and let sit a couple seconds. Then very slight subtle pops in case something it just looking at it. Then slightly harder pops and then I walk it back to the boat.

 

I consider a Rebel Pop R or Rapala Skitter Pop to be more conventional poppers.

 Hope I can get something off it. They look exciting to use!

[Angry John]

I catch the most walking it.  Sweet looking baits

[IndianaFinesse]

I do not have a pop max (yet!) but I do have it's little brother the pop x.  Same thing, different size.  I don't use it like a traditional popper, it is made to walk or spit not necessarily pop.  I will make it spit on occasion, but most of the time I'm walking it at various speeds.  The pop x caught most of the bass on the day I set my pb for bass numbers, right at 99 fish.

[Ksam1234]

1 hour ago, IndianaFinesse said:

I do not have a pop max (yet!) but I do have it's little brother the pop x.  Same thing, different size.  I don't use it like a traditional popper, it is made to walk or spit not necessarily pop.  I will make it spit on occasion, but most of the time I'm walking it at various speeds.  The pop x caught most of the bass on the day I set my pb for bass numbers, right at 99 fish.

That's insane man! I hope I have such luck... idk how to walk a bait so I guess it's time to learn.. might have to do some research but this popper sounds fun

[jonkevin]

I have 3 PopMax’s (Black Orochi, White Python, and Matte Frog). They are my favorite poppers and pretty much the only ones I throw now.  I like to either do a pop-pop-sit retrieve or walk it.  Both retrieve types have worked for me. 

[Ksam1234]

12 minutes ago, jonkevin said:

I have 3 PopMax’s (Black Orochi, White Python, and Matte Frog). They are my favorite poppers and pretty much the only ones I throw now.  I like to either do a pop-pop-sit retrieve or walk it.  Both retrieve types have worked for me. 

Yeah I got the black orochi for now, probbsly will try it out tomorrow.  

[Cak920]

I have the secret gill popmax. I like to cast and give two pops fairly quick then let it sit for about 30 seconds then a little twitch followed by a couple pops and walk it back

[primetime]

I know Bill Dance often gets a bad rap, however, I remember watching him do a show in a Florida lake, and he was using a Popper (Probably Rebel/Xcal) and he preached the 3 pops/pause while experimenting with how long to let it sit, cadence etc. When Bass are attacking a popper, it is one of the most exciting ways to fish & they catch big fish as well.

 

I am sure you can go on You Tube and find video of Bill Dance showing that technique. I Have seen guys catch fish using what I would think are "Over The Top Pulls" but I have been noticing that lots of people are working bigger poppers these days and working them harder than I am used to. Patrick Sebile used to have a series of videos where he would show underwater footage with his topwater lures, camera was in a pool & He did a great job of showing creative techniques.

 

I personally like more subtle pops, but the best thing about Topwater fishing is the fish will tell you what they want, sometimes they want it walked etc. so it is impossible to fish it wrong.

 

I guess that Slit in the mouth really works, I hear a decent amount of people talk about the Pop-X, and other brands and not sure I have heard anyone ever say a bad word about the Pop-X so throw it with confidence.

 

I am pretty sure that Zell Rowland is the best guy with a Popper. He is endorsed by Pradco and made his name as a guide fishing the Rebel and then modifying the lip with sand paper to create different actions. He created the Rebel Zell Pop which has been a classic for ages now, I would guess he probably has some great tips on working a popper and slight modifications you can make. I think Booyah has the Zell Pop Now, Lots of good poppers out there.

 

Its worth spending extra money on topwater lures since you rarely lose them, Plus confidence is a huge help, so knowing you have a proven lure is important. Good Luck, Nothing beats a good topwater day.

 

 

[Ksam1234]

48 minutes ago, primetime said:

I know Bill Dance often gets a bad rap, however, I remember watching him do a show in a Florida lake, and he was using a Popper (Probably Rebel/Xcal) and he preached the 3 pops/pause while experimenting with how long to let it sit, cadence etc. When Bass are attacking a popper, it is one of the most exciting ways to fish & they catch big fish as well.

 

I am sure you can go on You Tube and find video of Bill Dance showing that technique. I Have seen guys catch fish using what I would think are "Over The Top Pulls" but I have been noticing that lots of people are working bigger poppers these days and working them harder than I am used to. Patrick Sebile used to have a series of videos where he would show underwater footage with his topwater lures, camera was in a pool & He did a great job of showing creative techniques.

 

I personally like more subtle pops, but the best thing about Topwater fishing is the fish will tell you what they want, sometimes they want it walked etc. so it is impossible to fish it wrong.

 

I guess that Slit in the mouth really works, I hear a decent amount of people talk about the Pop-X, and other brands and not sure I have heard anyone ever say a bad word about the Pop-X so throw it with confidence.

 

I am pretty sure that Zell Rowland is the best guy with a Popper. He is endorsed by Pradco and made his name as a guide fishing the Rebel and then modifying the lip with sand paper to create different actions. He created the Rebel Zell Pop which has been a classic for ages now, I would guess he probably has some great tips on working a popper and slight modifications you can make. I think Booyah has the Zell Pop Now, Lots of good poppers out there.

 

Its worth spending extra money on topwater lures since you rarely lose them, Plus confidence is a huge help, so knowing you have a proven lure is important. Good Luck, Nothing beats a good topwater day.

 

 

Thank you , lots of good information there

[Catt]

Storm's Rattlin' Chug Bug® Bone Orange Belly

 

Rebel Magnum Pop-R Bone Orange Belly

[Bluebasser86]

I have quite a few poppers, and baits that hard hybrid poppers/walkers. The small sized Zell Pop is my overall favorite. River2Sea Bubble Walker 80 is my favorite larger popper. I hate to even mention it, but check out the Norman Top Dollar for bait that gets no love and catches fish like crazy.

 

I prefer softer twitches with my baits, more like a baitfish on the surface just giving it's last kicks before it expires. 

[scaleface]

My home lake is Mark  Twain and it has a lot of standing timber . . I cant take the heat now days  so dont get to use this pattern much anymore  . On hot bluebird summer days I target timber edges . The edge can be made  by a channel, road, or farm field ... It doesnt matter . The bass wait  here   for schools  of shad . I  cast large  poppers by these tress and make as much ruckus as I can . Quick , sharp snaps that spit water 6 foot or more while moving the lure very little  . A short pistol grip rod works best . I use larger baits that really get the fishes attention . 

 

The  lure on top is a typical Pop R for  comparison  . The bottom is a vintage Rebel and Pico Pop . Color does make a difference . Some days they prefer the chrome others the black . The Pico is  the noisier of the two .

 

One good thing about this pattern is I have never seen anyone else doing it . I had several 50 to 100 fish days 

 

[papajoe222]

In response to how to work it;

With your rod tip pointed down you can either work it on slack line (like a Spook) or with very little slack. The first will get it to walk with a little splash and the latter will get it to pop and spray water. Both are done more with the wrist than your arm. You can add a little arm movement to get it to spray more. As far as cadence or how subtle you work the bait, it's all experimentation. Sometimes a fast, walking retrieve works and sometimes loud pops that spray a lot of water will do the trick.  Other times, working it slow and subtle is the only way they'll want it.  I use the surface conditions as a guide to where to start. The more ripple there is the more aggressive I'll start out working it.  One trick I've found is to pick out a spot, work one cast aggressively and follow it up with a more subtle retrieve a minute or two later.  if there's a bass holding there and the topwater bite is going to work, one of those two is going to get her.

[Ksam1234]

3 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

In response to how to work it;

With your rod tip pointed down you can either work it on slack line (like a Spook) or with very little slack. The first will get it to walk with a little splash and the latter will get it to pop and spray water. Both are done more with the wrist than your arm. You can add a little arm movement to get it to spray more. As far as cadence or how subtle you work the bait, it's all experimentation. Sometimes a fast, walking retrieve works and sometimes loud pops that spray a lot of water will do the trick.  Other times, working it slow and subtle is the only way they'll want it.  I use the surface conditions as a guide to where to start. The more ripple there is the more aggressive I'll start out working it.  One trick I've found is to pick out a spot, work one cast aggressively and follow it up with a more subtle retrieve a minute or two later.  if there's a bass holding there and the topwater bite is going to work, one of those two is going to get her.

I tried it yesterday and I seemed to keep yanking the popper out of water .. or the treble hook would get caught around the line after a couple pops. Maybe I'm going to hard ?

[flatcreek]

Tie a Palomar and cinch the knot to the top of the line tie.This will throw up more spray and you can make the bait turn around backwards with slight twitches and pulls.

[papajoe222]

6 hours ago, Ksam1234 said:

I tried it yesterday and I seemed to keep yanking the popper out of water .. or the treble hook would get caught around the line after a couple pops. Maybe I'm going to hard ?

What kind and lb. test line are you using? 12lb.-20lb. mono is good for most of the bigger poppers. It floats, so it isn't pulling the nose down and it's stiff enough that it stays out of the way of the trebles. Fluoro will pull the nose down and hang on the hooks when you pause and the bait is still moving forward.  The same thing, minus pulling the nose down, will happen with braid. 

As for pulling it out of the water, you should be working it with the rod pointed down and jerking down using your wrist.  A little hard to describe, but check out a couple of youtube videos and you'll see how it's done.

[Ksam1234]

18 minutes ago, papajoe222 said:

What kind and lb. test line are you using? 12lb.-20lb. mono is good for most of the bigger poppers. It floats, so it isn't pulling the nose down and it's stiff enough that it stays out of the way of the trebles. Fluoro will pull the nose down and hang on the hooks when you pause and the bait is still moving forward.  The same thing, minus pulling the nose down, will happen with braid. 

As for pulling it out of the water, you should be working it with the rod pointed down and jerking down using your wrist.  A little hard to describe, but check out a couple of youtube videos and you'll see how it's done.

Yeah I was using 20 pound braid so that might be a problem