Fishermen in our country are increasingly using surface lures in the fishing process. Previously, they were practically not used. But you should not underestimate the surface wobblers. Catching a popper is very exciting. All surface lures have a lot of positive qualities.
Since they are constantly near the surface, it is difficult to lose sight of them. This is also true for popper. It is floating, can overcome (like most surface varieties) dense thickets of grass.
This bait is more suitable for catching perch. In second place by the catchability of such a bait is pike. Both of these inhabitants of the ponds are almost never indifferent to the popper. Catching these predators is possible even in very small sections of the reservoir. This makes the process very exciting and productive.
What is a popper?
Popper fishing takes place on the surface. This bait makes a gurgling sound when moving, and also splashes water around. The fish sees worse than they hear. Therefore, it responds to sound faster.
Popper got its name from the English word rohr , which translates as "bull." Spinning fishing often involves the use of poppers.
The bait can weigh 4-17 g. It has a cutout or bevel on its head. It can have a very different tail. The bait is usually equipped with two triple hooks. Predatory fish are selective to poppers. Some fish rush to the bait immediately, while others may not show interest in it. But the popper is best suited for catching pike or perch.
Fishing conditions
Fishing for popper can take place in a variety of reservoirs. It is better if the river has dense thickets of algae. The presented variety of wobblers is applicable in shallow lakes, as well as in peat quarries. It is good to fish with the help of popper in bays, narrow channels. It allows the process to be carried out even in shallow water.
It is best to use a wobbler of this variety from May to October. During this period, frogs are active, and small fish often swim at the surface. It is good if the current is small or absent.
Main types
Poppers for perch or pike are most often floating. They stick to the surface. This is the most common variety.
However, there is another variety. Popper can be sinking (long-range). This variety has a clear advantage if casting distance is important. For example, when fishing in a pond with a uniform surface, you must first investigate the area. After all, it is not immediately clear where dense algae grows. In addition, at a great distance from the shore, a perch that keeps in packs can peck.
In this case, a sinking popper will be more effective than a floating one. But in other conditions, it is better to give preference to the classic options that are held on the surface. It is easier. For a drowning popper, the leash is very important, as is the style of movement of the bait in the water.
Dimensions
The standard sizes of popper begin with baits weighing 4 g and a length of 5 cm. It makes no less sense to use a similar wobbler. A popper of this size (used for spinning) becomes the prey of pike fry, perch. Therefore, depending on the place, the conditions of the reservoir, it is better to choose baits weighing more.
The maximum standard popper reaches a weight of 17 g. But there are cases when fishermen used wobblers up to 40 g. It is easier to make such a popper than to buy it.
Of course, the catch will not be so plentiful, but with the help of this gear you can fish very large individuals.
Many varieties of poppers are launched into serial production. Nevertheless, their standard sizes are preferable. Although, if you compare very small and large poppers, it’s better to still have big baits.
Popper color
Lures for perch or other predators produce a variety of colors. Which one is better is difficult to determine at first glance. But the answer to this question is quite simple. The fish sees a popper from below. Therefore, it contrasts with the bright sky. Plus, the fish is not very sharp vision. She sees the silhouette of the bait. Therefore, its color is not important for the inhabitants of water bodies.
This characteristic is relevant only to the fisherman. To clearly see the wobbler on the surface, it must be painted in front in red. If the head was of a different shade when buying, it is better to change it yourself. To do this, you can use red varnish. If fishing will be night, it is better to give preference to fluorescent varieties of paint. Before applying varnish, you should check whether it deforms the material of the bait.
Fishing technique
To properly apply poppers to perch, pike, you should study the wiring technique. It is best for this bait to do medium in sharpness of the movement with the tip of the spinning rod. They should be short. In pauses, the line is sipped a little. You can experiment with the amplitude and sharpness of pull-ups, as well as with intervals of pauses.
The main rule when using a popper is to take your time. Better sluggishly sip the bait than drive it too dynamically. Not every fish likes the quick movement of a popper.
You should experiment with sipping. In each pond, different predators respond differently to the leash. It happens that more catch can be obtained with very sluggish movements. The popper may not even accelerate to the level where a characteristic gurgling sound appears.
Fishermen's recommendations
When choosing bait for a perch, pike or other predator, one should consider their behavior and reaction to the popper. They have been used since May. Once the fish has laid eggs, it needs a lot of food in order to regain strength. Therefore, she throws herself at moving objects, like a fry. During this period, fishing is successful.
If within half an hour there was no reaction to the popper, experienced fishermen advise changing it to a wobbler, which runs 20-30 cm from the surface. In autumn, the fish begins to prepare for winter, so its hunger increases. In the period until October, she again catches prey indiscriminately. Therefore, at this time, poppers are very attractive to perch. This is the main species of fish for which this bait is used.
Buy or make a popper?
Today, the fishing tackle market offers a huge variety of poppers. There are both cheap and expensive items. Some fishing enthusiasts try to make a popper with their own hands. But professionals are still advised to purchase this tackle.
Home-made items often have a not very attractive appearance. But the problem is not even that. High-quality poppers, which are relatively expensive, have a well-balanced load-magnet system. Therefore, cheap or homemade baits may not make noise at all, it is sometimes difficult to throw them at the required distance.
Popper is rarely lost during fishing (surface tackle). It well bypasses water thickets. Therefore, catching them on the grass is quite difficult. Professionals advise buying 3-4 quality baits, than constantly changing cheap or homemade products.
Consumer Reviews
There are a huge number of varieties of the presented bait. Long-term experience of fishermen allows to highlight the best poppers. The first on this list is the Rapala product. Poppers of this brand are designed for surface fishing. It is far from abandoned, but this compensates for the working qualities. This is one of the best options. If you take into account the feedback of experienced fishermen, pike and perch are pecked at such a bait in almost any body of water.
Next up is the Yu-Zuri popper. It is called the Tiny Tip. The unique shape allows you to dive a little bait. The sound is ringing.
Dear, but very high-quality popper from "Owner" called Gobo. He sprays water well. The slice of the bait is made at a large angle. This gives it good performance.
Universal is another bait from Yu-Zuri - 3D Popper. According to reviews, it has good aerodynamic qualities and is easy to throw over long distances. The only drawback is that it requires individual adjustment. But these are trifles in comparison with the merits of this popper.
To perform long casts, you should give preference to a product of the same company Arms Popper 70. However, for stability, it should be cast in calm weather.
Among the inexpensive poppers from Aise should be distinguished. They gurgle not very loudly, but in some cases this is an advantage. The catch with them is really impressive.
Outwardly, there should be no defects on the product. The material must be strong to withstand the teeth of predatory fish.
A few more details
Popper fishing requires the use of appropriate gear. Spinning should be tough. His test should match the weight of the bait. It is better to use a wicker rather than a fishing line. For fishing perch, a leash is optional. But the situation is different with pike. Here you will need not just a leash, but high-quality tackle of this variety. The contact of the rod and the bait depends on this part.
If you plan to fish in a reservoir with dense aquatic vegetation, you can choose many models whose body is not confused in the thickets of algae. It is flatter. But for surface lures this is almost never required. They rarely touch algae with their hooks.
Having gathered in a pond where predatory fish is caught, it is worth trying to use the presented type of wobblers. Catching a popper is really exciting. Fishing with his participation will be productive and will leave a lot of positive memories about him, and catching no sin will boast to his relatives.