I picked up a Hula Popper last year before fishing season started and gave it a try on various occasion. Only had one short strike on it the entire time I used is.

It is more than likely I was fishing this bait in the wrong places at the wrong times. I tried pitching it around docks and lily pads at all times of day and still no luck.

Does anyone here have experience with this lure? I would like to know how to retrieve it and where/when to cast it.

I like fishing hula poppers around weeds, wood and other structure during the summer.  The best times for me have been early am and right before dark.  I think the most important thing with them is to get as close to structure as possible so it is not too far away after a few pops.  I also have had more luck with the smaller sizes.

It is more than likely I was fishing this bait in the wrong places at the wrong times.

I agree 100%. If you're on fish and they're willing to come up, there's no reason they won't strike a Hula Popper. Just make sure to use them at the best times, like low light conditions. As to retrieve, just vary things. Like different lengths of time between twitches, or different number twitches before a pause, etc.

I caught two hogs on a hula ppper last season...one was at 7am in lilly pads and another was at 11:00pm while standing on our dock. When fishing at night I just pop it and wait.

I also get short strikes which is annoying but hearing and seeing a big bass hit these is a blast.

I have found that you should wait 30-90 sec between pops...pop it loud and let it sit.