ChrisD46

While I plan to buy a few of the poppers listed - yesterday I was digging through a clearance box at a local tackle store and found two Norman Pro Pop poppers : One was clear and the other was pearl colored ... I picked up both for less than $5.00 ... I had never heard of Norman lures before as I had never seen them in a store - apparently they have a cult following by top water experts in the know ?

Good on you - old school , pistol grip 5'6" rod and rebel poppers ...

I know "traditionally" poppers have been most popular on the smaller side (i.e. 2" to 2.5") but now you are hearing about the trend to go 3" + . I'm looking to try a few of the models mentioned in this thread . For starters , the Booyah Bass Pop in Bone Shad (smaller size) and either the Ghost (bronze ,clear, white) or maybe the *Bream color in the larger size. I figure you have shad spawning now so the smaller size in the Bone Shad color that spits would be a good option while the Ghost or Bream that is more of a chugger in the larger size would be a better bluegill imitator . Of course , I could have it backwards as well (lol) ! *Regarding the Bream color - surprised to read it's not as popular or doesn't get bit as much as other colors ? ... You would think it would be a good choice as most brands offer the Bream / Bluegill color ? Lastly for the wildcard - I was looking to see what poppers Academy had and noticed their house brand : H2O TWP poppers - Never seen a review but I have to say their colors have quite the detail , especially Baby Bass and Bream ... Of course , how they balance / sit in the water and chug / spit are key to the inherent quality of a popper and most of the time you get what you pay for.

Bass Pro and Cabela's have their own models in two piece - besides the brands mentioned above .

Not to beat this to death - but pick a couple of popper brands and colors you use to imitate shad and a couple of popper brands and colors you use to imitate bluegill ? * Both shad and bluegill are in play where I live - thanks !

You mention the smaller Boss Pop (I believe 2" and 1/4 oz.) was a bass magnet - curious why this one is a preference versus the 3" and 3/8oz larger version Boss Pop ? Is it more a match the hatch deal or is there an inherent better action or performance with the smaller Boss Pop ? My local store has both size Boss Pops ...

Thanks Tom - West Coast guys throw poppers too !

A newer popper talked about is the Storm Arashi Cover Pop (Jacob Wheeler) ... For it's size it's tail heavy and can be worked in the strike zone for quite a while - not sure what to make of it yet as it's almost it's own category (compared to other more traditional poppers).

Appreciate the expert viewpoints - most here have forgotten more about poppers then I will ever know ! ... Still , it's a fun technique / category that I look forward to exploring more . For starters , I plan to get two Boss Pops (Bone Shiner & Bream) , next will be Chug Bugs (not sure which colors ) as I can get both at a local Cabela's to start out with ... There is always TW , etc. to check out some of the other offerings mentioned in time .

Thanks for replies - I better understand what the small vs. larger poppers accomplish ... I'm willing to go up in price if the popper gets the job done - otherwise a few different ones (as Bluebasser86 noted) could be a benefit .

For the sake of argument - I'm interested in learning about poppers in say the under $10 range ... Two of the better ones I have read about are the : Booyah Boss Pop (former Zell Pop) and the SK KVD Splash . More often than not - it seems most who throw top water poppers like the smaller sizes (1/4oz. and 2.5" versus the larger 3/8th oz. to 1/2oz. and 3+" sizes) . I'm thinking you would would definitely want a bream colored popper and probably one other (such as bone or shad colored) ... *Any comments regarding the two brand poppers I named (KVD Splash & Booyah Boss Pop ? ... Also what else you look for in a popper (i.e. weight , size , colors , action , how it sits in the water , etc. ? Thanks in advance ... I need to add a popper to my top water game when the water is rougher and spooks are not the best choice .

I passed on the Trick Sticks for a few reasons : 1 ) Not much movement on the fall 2) The egg sack on the Trick Stick is kind of funky 3 ) The colors offered via my local Academy didn't do much for me ... I prefer Senkos , SK Ochos and Yum Dingers in stick baits .

The Morel head is very nice - use with confidence !!

*I use small 1/16th oz. lead round ball (no collar) jig heads with a #2 'Lil Nasty hook (e-bay) - I then put a drop of glue on the back of the round ball head to secure the 1/2 elaztec stick bait I normally use . You can also use the same round ball jig head with a collar - that will give you more of a glide action due to the different weight distribution (i.e. collar vs. no collar) ...

Thanks Team9nine - good to know I'm in the ball bark as I also have a spool of #12 BG to compare with as well ... I'm sure I'll have a need for #15 lb. BG for something even if I like #12 lb. BG better . J Francho : Thanks - never heard of the line by Tuf-Line but I am happy to look into it - always up for trying something new ! Probably will need to check someplace that carries Tuf-Line (Like TW , etc.)... In the meantime I'll experiment with straight braid and same + short leader.

+1 ...There are those that either love it or hate it - there is no middle ground !! The deciding factor for me to not use it is there are too many other lines that get more positive results for a hybrid FC / co-poly line or co-poly line with a breaking strength well above their line rating (i.e. Yo-Zuri , Spider Wire Ultimate Mono, C-X) . *Smalljaw67 and Team9nine coached me up - even debating the pros & cons of needing a FC coated or true FC line at all ?

Looking to run braid mainline (#30 lb. Power Pro) with a Mono Leader (either #15 Big Game .038" or #17lb. C-XX 0.41") with a 2ft. leader length for Spooks and Sexy Dawgs ... After research , I'm more concerned with the leader's ability to provide the stiffness to properly "push back" on the walking bait to improve the side to side walk as well as keep those treble hooks away from the braid . *For those that run braid for walk-the-dog top water baits , what is your braid + leader set up (if using a leader) ?

Anyone see the need to have a dark colored One Knocker Spook ? All I see are light colored , two toned and chrome colors ?

So , in clear calm water a downsized spook in clear / translucent is what to go to first ? If a little surface chop then probably a full size spook in clear/translucent would be what to move to ?

*Any theory on the reason for breakage ?

Not that it may matter but the new one knocker I bought is an off white / light tan with a 3D eye and orange under the lip ...Reading what I can find it appears Foxy Shad and the Pearl Melon translucent color have some followers - I'll probably add another color for different conditions later but not until I feel the bone color is a limitation .

I picked up my first Heddon One Knocker spook type walk-the-dog top water bait today - the more expensive one with the upgraded Mustad hooks ... I have not fished with one before but read where the single tungsten ball creates a different lower pitch sound . The store had a few different colors such as chrome foxy shad , a gold chrome , translucent pearl sexy shad and lastly a subdued bone color with a touch of orange under the lip (this is the color I picked up) ... *Any fans / users of the Heddon One Knocker as well as colors you recommend ? I fish clear to slightly off color water in lakes and reservoirs , so I went with the bone color ... Thanks in advance for replies !

+1 , where ever you can get the sizes you need - try to use the Eagle Claw 'Lil Nasty hooks versus the Matzuo if you are looking for a sickle hook . I only tend to use them in a size #4 , #2 and #1 for Mid West finesse jig heads .

3/8th oz. ~ 1/2 oz. arky or football jig ; 7' MH rod ; 6:3:1 to 7:3:1 bait cast reel ; #15 lb. FC line (#40 lb. braid to #15 lb. FC leader is also an option ) .

*Excellent topic - I'd add lightweight long sleeve shirt option as well . As a kid growing up in Texas running around barefoot and shirtless in shorts with no sun protection applied - I pay the price today eaten up with sun damage and per-cancerous skin abnormalities which now need to be continually removed by a dermatologist . Pants , shirts , buffs , hats , sun protection lotion , etc. could hopefully lead to a sticky one day .