Poppers

[TBAG]

I just got a new topwater rod, and going to throw some poppers and 90 Whopper Ploppers with it. St. Croix Mojo Bass 68MXF. I'd rather not use braid, so what would be better 12 or 15 pound Big Game?  Or do you have another suggestion?

 

Also, great thread, thanks for the suggestions.

[NYWayfarer]

On ‎9‎/‎3‎/‎2018 at 2:16 PM, A-Jay said:

I am a a stout believer in the Megabass Pop Max ~ 

The perch pattern in particular which has accounted for quite a few 5 lb plus smallies for me. 

 I don't leave home with one (or three)  

A-Jay

 

 

 

The frugal fisherman inside me screamed no, but my topwater Smallmouth addiction screamed yes. I picked up one of these last night in Secret Gill color. It perfectly matches the redbreast and longear sunfish that inhabit my local rivers and lakes. Can't wait to try it this weekend.

 

2 minutes ago, TBAG said:

I just got a new topwater rod, and going to throw some poppers and 90 Whopper Ploppers with it. St. Croix Mojo Bass 68MXF. I'd rather not use braid, so what would be better 12 or 15 pound Big Game?  Or do you have another suggestion?

 

Also, great thread, thanks for the suggestions.

12 pound Big Game will be fine. I have been throwing my WP 90 on 10 pound Big Game with no issues. Don't forget to retie every so often.

[J Francho]

16 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

The frugal fisherman inside me screamed no, but my topwater Smallmouth addiction screamed yes.

Congrats.  Popmax has been my top producer for three seasons.

 

[islandbass]

On 9/3/2018 at 2:39 PM, NYWayfarer said:

 

Ahhhh the curse of the popper. Panfish love that feather covered rear treble for sure. I have tried the rebel, lunkerhunt and Rapala Skitter Pop and the results are the same. Sunfish hit that rear treble. Saved me from the Popper skunk many a time.

 

Nice!

 

I second the rapala skitter pop. It has accounted for some of the bigger bass I caught and it casts surprisingly well for being a light bait. Its popping sound is also intriguing and unique. 

[Todd2]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

Congrats.  Popmax has been my top producer for three seasons.

 

Interesting... I ended up grabbing some cheaper H20 Xpress Poppers that look pretty good but the selection on Poppers at Academy wasn't great.

 

These is probably no way to answer this but I wonder what makes the Popmax that much better. Can the fish even see anything other than the bottom? Maybe the bubbles from the gill openings?

[Deleted account]

1 hour ago, NYWayfarer said:

The frugal fisherman inside me screamed no, but my topwater Smallmouth addiction screamed yes. I picked up one of these last night in Secret Gill color. It perfectly matches the redbreast and longear sunfish that inhabit my local rivers and lakes. Can't wait to try it this weekend.

 

12 pound Big Game will be fine. I have been throwing my WP 90 on 10 pound Big Game with no issues. Don't forget to retie every so often.

12 BG will be fine, but I'd give the nod to 15 for a WP (were I ever to throw one)  

[NorthE97]

4 hours ago, J Francho said:

Congrats.  Popmax has been my top producer for three seasons.

 

Have you used the Pop X with any success? 

[J Francho]

12 minutes ago, NorthE97 said:

Have you used the Pop X with any success? 

I wouldn't really ever throw any popper that small, so no chance of success.

[NYWayfarer]

I couldn't wait till the weekend. After dinner last night it was still blazing hot out so I took a quick trip to the river. Cast the Popmax a few times in 2 different areas no bites. Moved to the third spot and on the second cast, first pop got this decent Smallmouth.

 

 

I can see why @A-Jay ,@J Francho and other recommend this lure. It is very versatile. You can pop it or you can walk the dog with it. I noticed it has a unique rolling action when walking the dog. The fact that I got a Smallmouth with it in this area instead of a Sunfish is very promising.

[J Francho]

Gotta love it!

[Todd2]

Will you guys stop, everytime you mention this thing my bait monkey wakes up?  He's close to winning this time, who am I kidding, he always wins. ? 

[bait__Monkey]

u by dem plop-maxers

 

u by dem now cuz i sed s0

[flyfisher]

On 9/5/2018 at 1:10 AM, Bluebasser86 said:

Yes, it's huge and I couldn't get it to work like I wanted it to. IMO, if you want a large profile popping bait, I'd go with a pencil popper style bait. 

I ordered a couple of the smaller ones that should be here tomorrow and hopefully if i can get out in between rain showers i can chuck it this weekend

On 9/5/2018 at 1:37 PM, NorthE97 said:

Have you used the Pop X with any success? 

I have, and caught some good sized smallies and largemouth on it.  Sometimes the smaller baits produce better for me for some reason.  I don't argue with success

[ChrisD46]

On ‎9‎/‎3‎/‎2018 at 3:56 PM, soflabasser said:

Thank you @A-Jay and others that suggested the Megabass Pop Max, I will consider getting it. Plan on going up north later this year for more smallies and muskies. It looks like it would be a good peacock bass lure which is a fish I love to catch on topwaters.

*Similar to Megabass Pop Max if you are cost sensitive - take a look at the River To Sea Bubble Walker 80 in Loon , Bluegill , Bone and I know It Colors (these colors would cover every situation - see them at TW) . Also check out the Yo-Zuri 3DB Popper in the opaque and translucent colors (similar to above) . 

[Big Rick]

On 9/5/2018 at 9:13 AM, Todd2 said:

Interesting... I ended up grabbing some cheaper H20 Xpress Poppers that look pretty good but the selection on Poppers at Academy wasn't great.

 

These is probably no way to answer this but I wonder what makes the Popmax that much better. Can the fish even see anything other than the bottom? Maybe the bubbles from the gill openings?

Until you actually hold one in your hand and see, hear, and feel the difference anything we say can't convince you enough. You truly have to fish it to believe it. But, to answer your question as best I can.....

 

The gill pattern causes water to exit the bait in such a way the no other can imitate. (sight and sound)

The rattles inside and the material it's constructed with are so unique. (sound) 

The shape and balance create an action that is so seductive. (sight)

 

And, YES, the fish can see the sides of THIS bait. When it is "walked" it has a severe roll side to side that flashes the colors to the fish.  It just flat out catches fish. Period. 

[Harold Scoggins]

On ‎9‎/‎6‎/‎2018 at 7:24 AM, J Francho said:

Gotta love it!

Here's one for you...

[J Francho]

Whoa!

[soflabasser]

On 9/8/2018 at 8:01 AM, ChrisD46 said:

*Similar to Megabass Pop Max if you are cost sensitive - take a look at the River To Sea Bubble Walker 80 in Loon , Bluegill , Bone and I know It Colors (these colors would cover every situation - see them at TW) . Also check out the Yo-Zuri 3DB Popper in the opaque and translucent colors (similar to above) . 

Thank you @ChrisD46, I will consider the River to Sea Bubble Walker as well. I am very fond of topwater fishing so I tend to buy lots of topwater lures, even if I don't use them all.

[Big Rick]

On 9/8/2018 at 7:01 AM, ChrisD46 said:

*Similar to Megabass Pop Max if you are cost sensitive - take a look at the River To Sea Bubble Walker 80 in Loon , Bluegill , Bone and I know It Colors (these colors would cover every situation - see them at TW) . Also check out the Yo-Zuri 3DB Popper in the opaque and translucent colors (similar to above) . 

These do favor the Megabass. However, there is one major difference.. Well, major difference for me anyway. And, please understand, I am not at all saying the Bubble Walker is inferior as I love River2Sea. Just pointing out a difference in the two products. The difference I've noticed is the thickness of the material. The Megabass is VERY thin and transmit sounds really clear and distinct. the River2Sea products are much thicker and the sounds are a bit muted. Again, not trying to say one is superior to the other..... just saying that the bass may hit one and not the other even though they favor because they certainly SOUND different. 

[ChrisD46]

6 hours ago, Big Rick said:

These do favor the Megabass. However, there is one major difference.. Well, major difference for me anyway. And, please understand, I am not at all saying the Bubble Walker is inferior as I love River2Sea. Just pointing out a difference in the two products. The difference I've noticed is the thickness of the material. The Megabass is VERY thin and transmit sounds really clear and distinct. the River2Sea products are much thicker and the sounds are a bit muted. Again, not trying to say one is superior to the other..... just saying that the bass may hit one and not the other even though they favor because they certainly SOUND different. 

*While I like the River to Sea Bubble Walker - I now believe the Megabass Pop Max to be worth it ... I'll look to add a couple next time TW (or similar) has a sale .

[Comfortably Numb]

On 9/3/2018 at 4:25 PM, Harold Scoggins said:

Listen to A-Jay. (top water box doesn't look this clean end of season)

I really like the Pop Max. Start out with pops and then walk it back to the boat.

 

You can also try some of the Pop Max KO's (knock offs) that guys custom paint. The ones with the gill slots are very close to the MB and work excellent.

 

 

I see Ima Roumbas in that box. Not a popper but my favorite Wake bait.

 

[looking45]

On September 3, 2018 at 11:16 AM, A-Jay said:

I am a a stout believer in the Megabass Pop Max ~ 

The perch pattern in particular which has accounted for quite a few 5 lb plus smallies for me. 

 I don't leave home with one (or three)  

A-Jay

 

 

 

This is the color that works for me on the smallies and spotted bass here on Lake Shasta in Ca. They both love bright colors

 

 

 

[soflabasser]

7 hours ago, looking45 said:

This is the color that works for me on the smallies and spotted bass here on Lake Shasta in Ca. They both love bright colors

 

 

 

Looks like a good color for peacock bass as well.

[YoTone]

I feel like a bass looking at a popmax. the longer i look some of the awesome colors  something inside of me makes me feel all antsy and makes me want to jump out of my chair and grab it.

[Harold Scoggins]

Chart Tiger