The topwater popper is a lure that has been around for a long time. I’m actually not even sure when these things started to be used and if you look into the history of it there doesn’t really seem to be a specific lure or date that it can be traced back to. I suppose one of the first lures that might be mentioned would be the Jitterbug, which was made back all the way back in 1926 by a guy named Fred Arbogast. Regardless of when it was first released, it is safe to say that people have been catching bass with this type of lure for a long time.
These days the most popular popper on the market seems to be Lobina Rico. I personally haven’t used that lure, and at $25 per lure it seems a bit expensive to me. In my case my current favorite lure in this category would be the Berkley Bullet Pop, and I specifically like the 70mm and 80mm models. I consider the 80mm model to be a standard popper due to the size and weight of the lure, and like the smaller version it comes in some great colors and costs less than half the price of a Rico which makes it a pretty good value in my personal opinion.
Most topwater lures do better in the warmer months, and this one is no exception. Having said that, this one really shines when you are targeting specific areas like a shadow or a spot with a laydown nearby, and there isn’t so much grass or cover around that the lure would get snagged in it. I also prefer to use it when the water is calm or maybe when there is a little chop on the water but wouldn’t necessarily recommend one if it’s really windy and the water surface is really choppy.
I usually find myself using a popper in ponds and smaller bodies of water, and for colors I like ghost bluegill if the visibility is high or the mf bluegill that Berkely also offers if the visibility is a little lower. Visibility is also something I consider when deciding on the size of the lure, and I usually go with the standard size if the visibility is a little lower since it can give the lure a little more drawing power.
In terms of gear you can throw one on casting or spinning gear, but I prefer to use spinning gear for most lures that weigh less than 1/2oz since it can be tough to cast lighter lures on a casting setup. On the other hand you can also throw them on a casting setup and for standard poppers that weigh at least 1/2oz I’ll usually do that with some 30lb braided line and a short copolymer leader. Yes the leader is another knot that you have to tie (and another point of failure), but I’ve found it can help keep the front hook from getting fouled on the braid, and it also makes the line a little less noticeable to the fish. I also swap out the treble hooks on these lures with single hooks and they normally ship with treble hooks.
Lure Summary – Popper
Suggested Rod Length: 6’10” – 7’2″
Suggested Rod Power: Medium Heavy
Suggested Rod Action: Moderate Fast
Suggested Reel Type: Casting Reel
Suggested Gear Ratio: 7.2:1
Lure Weight (est.): .5oz
Tackle Required
- 14lb Fluorocarbon Line
Suggested Baits
- 80mm Berkley Bullet Pop