How to Fish a Topwater Popper - Bass Fishing

A topwater popper is one of the classics. It can be a great tool when the bass aren't very aggressive. Here is how to fish it for the most success.
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Tackle used in this video -
Rod - Fate Chrome Cranking FTRMC73C - 7'3" Cranking - bit.ly/2zl9H75FMFateChCrank
Reel - 13 Fishing Concept E 7.3:1 - bit.ly/2qs1Z6rConceptE
Line - Seaguar Rippin Mono - bit.ly/2u93YeO
Lure provided by Lucky Tackle Box -www.luckytacklebox.com/
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Video equipment used in this video -
Camera - Cannon 80D, GoPro Hero 3 and 5
Camera stands - YoloTek Power Stick
Microphone - Sony UWPD 11/42
Editing Software - Adobe Premiere Pro
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釣り

[@tatuimmonen2986]

Bought my first popper today, watched this video by the stream from my mobile phone and two minutes later caught a nice perch! Thank you sir!

[@mrwhippn]

Got me hooked right from “what a great excuse to sit down and tell you guys everything that I know about a bait that’s stuck in my shirt” awesome video

[@raynman67]

Best thing about poppers is watching the water explode when a fish hits it. To me, poppers are the funnest lures to use.

[@grippinglipsfishing5671]

raynman67 Hello my name is GrippingLips and I am addicted to top water. I fish topwater when I know other techniques will produce better. I am ok with throwing topwater and getting 1 blow up on top water and not landing the fish than catching 10 bass on a plastic worm... unless 1 is a 6+ pounder.

[@Madmok128]

Used one today for the first time ever I just started fishing two weeks ago. Today I swear the largest fish ever jumped at mine and totally missed my hopper right at the rocky shore line

[@FrequencyORD]

Or frogs. Any hard bait is more fun that any soft plastic to fish.

[@Kitty-lj8vo]

I know Gene can't possibly read all the comments on all of his videos, but Gene, if you happen to see this one, I want you to know how much I appreciate these "how to fish" type videos. I can buy gear all day, but I can't fish worth a flip. I am getting so much out of these. Hopefully between the two of us, I can start to catch some fish! Thanks a million.

[@arizsoldier]

I've always had tremendous success tossing a popper. It's my go to topwater. Great vid, Gene.

[@MrCalamiteh]

Your drumming analogy is spot on. That was day 1 of basics for percussion and that's the idea I went into it with when I was learning to walk frogs and it really helped.

[@adamsilva2765]

I listen to these videos while I'm at work, the way you explain things and how you execute your videos are outstanding. I can picture everything perfectly as if i were on the kayak with you. Good work man!

[@Flukemaster]

Thanks Adam

[@colelakely6525]

Great video. Just like you used to make. Watched the entire thing. Thanks for making this Gene.

[@TryandCatch]

Great tips! My favorite top water lure. It works well in Arizona in September. Around that time I get it right at the bank and I give it a pop immediately after it hits the water. Up as close to the bank as possible in September and it gets huge reaction blow-ups.

[@jugslife3278]

I really appreciate the help videos on using a baitcaster... Im starting to get the hang of it a little bit and caught a bass on a baitcaster for the first time today... Thank you so much

[@jeremiahgiles3593]

This is great! I have everything from the regular pop-r to the Rico, yellow magic and megabass pop x. This helped a lot with learning how to fish them better

[@ctyakfishin1039]

Man, the amount of awesome knowledge you share with us is unbelievable. I think you should take a second and pat yourself on the back my friend. Thank you for everything you've taught us over the years and continue to today. My son out-fishes me ow that I've used your techniques etc. Again, thanks Gene.

[@rickeyd3867]

Great Video Man👍🏼 like hearing some of your Old school Rigs. It’s great the way you remember some of your Old tricks while out on the water.

[@bobcannon5217]

Good timing! Took my uncle out to a "secret" pond this morning and hit most of our bass on our poppers 😁

[@gregred78]

when I was down in Columbus Ga a couple of months ago, they weren't giving the time for the ripples to die down as soon as the bait hit the water they were blowing it up..... love those kind of days!!!!!

[@BrendanMillerFishing]

Great video!

[@Samuraiwanderer]

Love these types of videos! It's what got me started on your channel.

[@sethfoltz4811]

How to fish series?!! I dig it! Keep it up Gene, your the best!

[@JustinCaseSmith]

I was watching this video at the lake my first time using a popper and the second cast after reading your advice I caught a nice small mouth. Super stoked! Thanks.

[@Flukemaster]

That is awesome!

[@Mitchfl]

Great video Gene! This was perfect, I didn't know how to use it when I opened my LTB last month.

[@theoldbasser4645]

Great lesson sir. I've been trying a popper and not having any success. Your video taught me some things that I think will help.

[@PapaSmurfx93]

The Old BASSer confidence is key

[@drury2361]

Thanks for the video! Watched it and went out fishing with a popping frog. Caught the biggest fish of my life, a bowfin, with it!

[@kristinel6352]

Thank you for sharing these videos....they are so useful for learning!

[@johnhart9023]

What works great is when your popper lays down flat take the back hook off tie a 1 to 2 ft leader on the back were the hook was and tie a senko on the back of that it makes the popper pop and if the popper dont work the senko will

[@brandonarseneau5646]

Caught so many fish on the Arbogast hulla popper in my days I could never count that high. Never gets old watching them blow up on a top water bait!!

[@Kennison1958]

@flukemaster I really enjoy your videos brother keep up the awesome work.

[@user-qg4rf6jp4r]

You are real Mr. GA. The popper stuck in your shirt in the beginning. Cool Hand Fluke!

[@billhill3850]

Thanks for that tip about Alabama rigging a popper. I am definitely going to do that to a couple of my older poppers to try first.

[@xrayrobert1689]

This is a great video and great topic! Keep um coming. Thanks for what you do.

[@BigBearFishing]

Good tips Gene! Even though the rate of action is situational, nothing beats the twitch twitch pause most often!!

[@texasbassfreak3549]

Good stuff!!! Thanks for making and posting!!! 😁

[@FishingNewbTV]

Love your videos very informative and simple!

[@DyrewulfNV]

Finally, somebody who fishes near me! (Cobb County, GA)

[@Lqviolin2]

I have learned so much from you. Thank you.

[@karnagefails333]

Cool man. I got one of those Hula Poppers but haven't had any luck on it. Think I've been throwing too much water from the mouth of it. Thanks for the videos dude.

[@proteusxavier9477]

Cool tip about that alabama rig Gene. Now I know! And knowing is half the battle...

[@sunshyn21]

Thanks for the vid. Love your content

[@razrz8122]

Another great video Gene! Appreciate you always putting good content to us. Keep it up! Also great meeting you at Bass Pro Shops today in Orlando. Now my 6 yo son wants to watch your videos. Lol.

[@danluther1741]

Great vid!!

[@jamesfulwood5691]

12 pound FH on a Bagley's B O, Dalton Special has always been my favorite.

[@MrUberZombie]

awesome instructional. thanks man!

[@jeremiahgiles3593]

I originally learned to fish a popper from Bill dance. He was using a pop-r and his retrieve was a steady 3 pops following a short pause. Works pretty well

[@dgriffin6074]

Should you tie the popper directly to the line or can one use a swivel?

[@RGPFishing]

I've always used the lay flat style I think I'm going to pick up one to try it out

[@matthewj2492]

Great Job on this!

[@casey360360]

the Yo-Zuri 3DB popper in Prism Frog has replaced worms for me when shore fishing here south of Seattle. Definitely made me want to become more competent in the use of topwater poppers.

Amazing place Congratulations beautiful video Fisherman! *Hug.* 👍🎣🐠

[@xXKILLBOT27Xx]

Would it work to make up a mono leader and put it on a fluoro spool?

[@andybowlin]

Just tap it in- tap tap taparoo

[@dsluus]

Great video again. Would like to see some more video from the headcamera showing location and technique. thanks!

[@lisafritcher4024]

Could you show the lure as you demonstrate it? Sure would help visual learners better than just looking at your hands. 🤷‍♀️

[@tristanmidgley958]

lisa fritcher I agree I got no information on how to retrieve from this, all I got is when it’s good to use and where to use it, not how to use it

[@CarolinaMiC]

Dude put a camera on his head yet didn't bother to record with it.

[@parkerlangwell2187]

He did 5:45

[@L0rd0fTh3N3rdz]

@Stripes Hummus you're an idiot pretending to be smart. Have a nice day.

[@jeremyb.4638]

My best day with a popper was actually a bright sunny afternoon. 12 to 4 o'clock. Immediate post-spawn and they were still cruising the shallows. Catching 2-3 pounder left and right.

[@BlueCollarFishing]

I enjoy these old school type videos of yours. just you and the gopro on your boat. any thoughts about bringing the slams Back for the LTB guys? you vs nick maybe or Tyler or Alex etc?

[@nitewulf_2925]

Would this work if you are fishing a lake with heavy boat traffic if the water is choppy?

[@BassGeek]

Good old popper. Craig Powers showed me how good that bait and really be.

[@talltimber4577]

The drum stick example was pure genius!

[@nathanladuke1754]

what brand gopro extended battery is that? does it work well? thanks

[@BlueCollarFishing]

also is the thing in your shirt collar a wireless mic for a gopro? I'm having audio issues what do you reccomend?

[@TBassFactory]

The wireless systems can get very expensive, I believe Genes setup is a $500 Sony setup. A shotgun mic with what is called a deadcat or muff over it will kill out most wind for a camera on a tripod. If you have a chest mount a lavalier or lapel mic can be plugged in and be used like fluke is using just not wireless.

[@mrlamendola]

Just got my first largemouth on a bio-spawn red bug!! Come fish Wisconsin Fluke!!

[@rdchildress1514]

I used a popped this weekend on Lake Hartwell and had a couple of bass swipe at it. Then they lost interest. Was fun to see them swipe at it. Never really committed to it.

[@Singledadlife1986]

Man I love your videos! Really taught me alot! You should do some kind of bass fishing day trip with your self and a subscriber! Some kind of "giveway" that your just do some kind of random pick of a person, in your area lol or will travel to you. I'm just saying this cause I bet your a great fishing partner and have lots of fun! Lol thanks for sharing your knowledge my friend!

[@MrRourk]

What you where saying about tying on the feathered treble hook. Old fly fisherman showed me that trick. But he tied on a unweighted small nymph about 10 inches behind the bass poper fly. OMG! Did they hit that Lil nymph. Allways my mainstay bass trick. I might try it with a BFS UL Rig.

[@rodneysimon6418]

Thanks for the video. One question I didn’t see asked yet. What knot do you use to tie it on or do you use swivel? Thanks for all the videos.

[@Flukemaster]

The rapala knot

[@seansalas932]

Hi Gene, You are very fluid with the baitcaster. I can cast it off to my left or right but NOT OVERHEAD. It usually results in an overrun. What am I doing wrong?

[@TBassFactory]

Sounds like the setting on your reel are off. The adjustment on the opposite side of the reel handle is the magnetic brake and it sounds like you need to possibly turn it up. The magnetic brake is for the end of your cast. Also, the arc of your cast can cause a overrun. The bait hits its highest point and loses velocity and the reel lets line out faster causing that overrun. The brake being turned up will slow down the reel when the bait loses its velocity.

[@solesolace]

Is that an Inception? Did you switch the knobs out? Mine came with black.

[@abairgoodman8045]

That exact love target lure I caught my first 6+lb on and several others

[@SthlmSigge]

What software do you use to edit your videos?

[@dadnewsnation1531]

Some nice poppers in that box

[@waydebaker33]

They actually sale those 18" treble lines with feathers. I can't remember the brand but they're great. Use it to catch Alligator Gar too if you have a small enough treble.

[@flysubcompact]

I'm not a big fan of poppers, but you mentioned that drop hook spot rig. Logan Martin is my lake. Will give that a go. Thanks.

[@Flukemaster]

Be sure to take the front treble off of the popper or it will get hung up.

[@C0ffeeCowboy]

Was trying to just retrieve mine before watching this video. Hope to catch one next time

[@farstrider79]

Hhmmmm..... interesting tip for striped bass. Might have to try that on Lake Norman.

[@marvinmanson7923]

Great video....😎😎😎

[@acast23]

Wow lure top water heater 👍👍

[@anthonycooper6483]

So did you sign up with lucky tackle box this year

[@Alex-jo2oi]

My takeaway is to use the heaviest or biggest size option for a popper the brand offers. 1/4 OZ good?

[@Tja-oz8bj]

I noticed that,I used it on a medium heavy rod and it's light

[@account2292]

Ive found floro pulls the nise down a lil and create a bigger "bubble" plop. I catch more on floro 2 to 1 in my lake.

[@richarddeboer8934]

Good info Iam gonna use them on Pike this year looks what happen on shallow water we have here in the Netherlands ( the polderpikes lets you know soon. Hav fun lucky nr 13

[@jackbadabing]

Good stuff Thanks

[@jda3comics693]

I was always curious about using poppers

[@sameer745100]

i am using a abu garcia promax and 10# mono and have been having really bad backlash when throwing my poppers do you think its me or just reel settings?

[@TBassFactory]

That sounds like reel settings. Set your spool tension know where the bait is just starting to fall which is by the reel handle. Turn up the brake on the opposite side of the reel handle and play with it as you cast more and more by turning it down until you have it set where you feel like you have a smooth cast everytime.

[@rpb1961]

I thought you would be wearing Nines not Costas. I have a pair of Nines but I have wet amd, not sure if I should risk it.

[@grippinglipsfishing5671]

I prefer mono for the treble hook top water baits other than spook style baits. I like the stretch of mono to keep bass pinned when fishing poppers but I risk it when it comes to spook style baits because it walks so much better on braid. Just my 2 cents.

[@zachwalker3148]

You should use the head cam more. A third person perspective from your boat's front camera is great, but a first person perspective, especially if you can get a narrow angle view with both the rod action and how you're working it with your hands, would be great information to see.

[@AliexFolgueira]

hehe i needed this video :)

[@michaelfritz9645]

I fish allatoona every week and struggle with getting the schooling spots to bite sometimes. I am definitely going to try that set up.

[@nickwill632962]

Michael Fritz white kvd sexy dog hard to beat for schooling spots on the toona

[@landonwest4701]

Love poppers

[@SilkyXShadowX]

ok SO I have REALLY clear water where I live and I'm not sure what to use when its broad daylight and I feel like my line is always way to visable so what line should I fish... I tend to use fluorocarbon but idk what to use for mah topwaters

[@Flukemaster]

Use Izorline XXX Super CoPolymer. It sinks very very slowly but is still good for most topwater

[@josephacker5716]

What is the difference and what determines whether you would use a popper versus weedless topwater such as frog or floating worm? Wondering due to how heavy of cover its possible to use poppers.

[@TBassFactory]

You can fish weed edges and structure all day with a popper, but once you get it hung up in any kind of debris it kills the action just like if you were fishing a walking bait. I use a popper up until I am getting hung up too much and missing opportunities in the hotspots of where I would think a fish would be set up at. I then switch over to a weedles setup to maximize the opportunity. You have to play with it and figure out the limits of using the popper near cover.

[@RhinoVenturesOutdoors]

Thanks for the tips, Gene. You seem to work the popper pretty quickly. Do you ever just let it sit there for a few seconds?

[@Loompius]

RhinoFishing TV was wondering the same thing

[@RockyTopSplash]

+RhinoFishing TV +Jim TaylorGuys I will answer for you.. I agree I think he works it too fast. I like to throw it out, let it sit till ripples leave like he mentioned.. but then I pop my rod down 1 time and make that chug sound and let sit for about 2-3 seconds. Then I pop it again. I use this retrieve the entire cast. I been fishing a pop-r since I was a tiny man. Also I disagree about the medium action rod.. I use a 7' medium heavy, with 12-14lb mono.if you wanted to use braid I wouldn't go over 20 because youll bend the hooks out on these lures. I think the letting it sit there retrieve works better than any other because this gives that effect of an easy meal, working it very aggressive like Gene is here is only going to get those most aggressive fish already feeding. Allowing it to sit there will catch them all.

[@unicornsteaks6769]

On average, it works better for me worked quickly too. I try to give it shorter twitches so it walks a little without moving far.

[@bassbullytv5775]

What #line you useing for mono? And what # line u recommend for braid?

[@steventate1895]

10 pound braid -

[@davidlewis9572]

Great info , I like poppers but love a frog .......lol . Set the hook brother

[@xtrumpsmashx5642]

Some bit ones will blow up right off the bank for these. Nearly gives me a heart attack how hard they’ll hit it

[@solrac8885]

Cant wait to get that topwater action going! Jus got a concept z reel too. AWWW YEEEA!

[@reelfishingnw2372]

Clos 8885 How's it working for you? I've heard a lot of bad things about it losing its smoothness and making tons of noise after awhile, getting flimsy even if you tighten everything way down and just feeling cheap overall. I was going to buy one but after reading about all the problems I got the Daiwa Tatula SV TWS, I'm a Daiwa guy anyway though, I own a bunch of Zillions and Tatulas in different models. The only 13 Fishing stuff I own are 2 Concept KP's I got from TW for $250 each.

[@solrac8885]

ReelFishingNW so far I haven't had any issues with it. As long as you properly maintain it and clean it, it shouldn't make any noise or act up.

[@reelfishingnw2372]

Clos 8885 it shouldn’t but that’s the problem people are having, even if you maintain it, it gets noisy as hell and starts getting really loose no matter what you do, look it up. I have heard some good reviews too though, I don’t think it’s a problem with every single reel. I’ve heard a ton of bad though from very experienced fishermen.

[@reelfishingnw2372]

Clos 8885 a lot of the guys were saying it happens after just a few weeks of use, they tried cleaning and oil but it doesn’t help. These are guys that fish more than most though. They get a lot of use in 3 weeks lol

[@solrac8885]

ReelFishingNW yeah, I'm not sure then. I'll see how she holds up after a few weeks. But I haven't had any issues yet.

[@elstoned1]

funny, i just started to use and try poppers. and man, they just flat out work. sometimes they smash it as soon as it hits the water

[@jruizla]

When you're fishing topwater with braid, do you go straight braid? Or do you use a leader? Thanks!

[@TBassFactory]

You can actually do either, but you have to remember braid does not float. It can effect the action of the lure. I try to use a mono leader with all topwaters that pause because they float alot better, but a straight retrieve does not really matter having a leader of mono. A walking bait can be used with straight braid until you start getting into smaller walking baits and it really affects the walking action.

[@robertbrandywine]

@@TBassFactory Pretty sure braid floats.

[@FishingBullyTV]

Can u do a video on how to walk your bait?

[@G30vang]

You switched to ltb?

[@devinlindberg253]

The popper on the picture for the video what is it?

[@BeyondTheBoundsOutdoors]

See you at icast!!