Modifying Popper Lips ?

[ChrisD46]

Zell Rowland and other noted top water masters used to routinely modify (sand) the lips of top water poppers to get that "spitting" water action they wanted - have you ever experimented with doing the same OR have you found a popper that "spits" the same coming right out of the box as a modified popper ?

[Deleted account]

Yes, and yes.

[Smells like fish]

Just buy a Rio Rico and you’re set! Ask for moonshine color.

[Team9nine]

8 hours ago, Deleted account said:

Yes, and yes.

 

57 minutes ago, Smells like fish said:

Just buy a Rio Rico and you’re set! Ask for moonshine color.

This and this ^^ …also Splash-Its. But yes, if you have existing poppers you want to convert, sand the bottom of the lip (and possibly the sides). Also, tie direct, don’t use a snap or split ring, and pay attention to knot placement, even notching the eye if a bit OCD - lol

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, Team9nine said:

pay attention to knot placement, even notching the eye if a bit OCD - lol

 

X2

I might know a guy who secures a fat little knot with braid

right on the line tie to keep the mono connection knot 'in place'.

[Smells like fish]

I’d like to see or hear about the notch and the braid knot over the mono connection 

[Deleted account]

52 minutes ago, Smells like fish said:

I’d like to see or hear about the notch and the braid knot over the mono connection 

Easiest thing to do is tie a palomar with some heavy(ish) mono, snug it tight, slide it up the eye and clip both tags flush.

[Team9nine]

1 hour ago, Smells like fish said:

I’d like to see or hear about the notch and the braid knot over the mono connection 

“Notching” is an old technique where they’d take a file and file a small notch into the line tie eye that created a little depression so you could cinch your knot around it in the specific spot where you wanted it to be located without sliding around.

[WRB]

Modifying by shorting the lower lip of the original Pop-R goes back over 25 years before the Japanese improved the spitting design.

Unless you want to modify a Pop-R it’s easy to purchase spitting poppers with slimmed down sides today.

Filing a notch in the line tie eye is asking for trouble.

Use San Diego jam knot and clinch down tight until you hear the knot click. 

Must bass anglers don’t retrieve poppers fast enough to get the spitting action, like a surface jerk retrieve.

Tom

 

[Deleted account]

I can neither confirm nor deny...

[ChrisD46]

On 12/7/2022 at 7:26 PM, Deleted account said:

Easiest thing to do is tie a palomar with some heavy(ish) mono, snug it tight, slide it up the eye and clip both tags flush.

*Interesting how the popper action changes - depending on if the line knot is at the top , middle , or bottom of the popper line tie .

[Deleted account]

7 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

*Interesting how the popper action changes - depending on if the line knot is at the top , middle , or bottom of the popper line tie .

Oh yeah, it makes quite a difference, as does the attitude at rest and buoyancy. In a perfect world, I'd only fish a popper and a spinnerbait. 

[TnRiver46]

47 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

*Interesting how the popper action changes - depending on if the line knot is at the top , middle , or bottom of the popper line tie .

loop knot, smaller, the better

[Mike L]

The easiest and most accurate way to get the lip down and even on the sides is to just use a dremel tool. 
 

Once when Marshaling at an Elite event my pro used a pencil popper with uneven sides. 
He did that to make it walk much easier with a lot less effort. 
 

 

Mike

[Munkin]

Watched a video once on how to shave the lips just never tried it. The JDM poppers are already made this way so I don't mess with them. 'Picked up some Don Iovino Splash its to try this year after seeing the paint wore off a couple from a buddies Potomac trip.

 

Allen

[Deleted account]

18 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

loop knot, smaller, the better

I feel nauseous...

[rangerjockey]

They used to do that back in the day with the original P-70's. I personally wouldn't risk one when I can just buy a Yellow Magic or Rico. 

 

[ChrisD46]

On 12/28/2022 at 5:21 AM, rangerjockey said:

They used to do that back in the day with the original P-70's. I personally wouldn't risk one when I can just buy a Yellow Magic or Rico. 

 

The Yellow Magic and Rico definitely come out of the package ready to fish ! A top water lure is a category I worry less about spending money on as they are a lower risk category to lose (as far as snags are concerned)