5 Reasons Why Popper Lures Are Essential for Your Tackle Box

5 Reasons Why Popper Lures Are Essential for Your Tackle Box

Two years ago, I was fishing a small private lake in northern Georgia on a perfectly calm June morning. The sun was just coming up, water temp already 70 degrees, and I could see bass swirling near the surface chasing shad. I'd been working the edges with a plastic worm for an hour without a single strike when I remembered I had a new yellow Popper Lures tied on the back of my rod. I made a long cast right next to a laydown tree in the middle of a pocket of open water among the lily pads, gave it one little pop, and – BOOM – a four and a half pound largemouth exploded all over it. My heart was racing, and that's when I remembered why I love topwater popper fishing so much – there's nothing quite like seeing a big bass blow up on your popper on a quiet morning.

If you don't keep at least a couple of quality popper lures in your tackle box, you're missing out on some of the most exciting fishing you'll ever experience. Let me share five reasons why every angler needs popper lures, and what to look for when you're buying.

1. They Catch Fish When Other Lures Won't

Popper lures are topwater lures with a concave face that creates noise and splash when you pop them. This commotion draws fish in from far away, even when they're not actively feeding. The combination of noise and movement triggers instinctive strikes that you just don't get with other lures.

On those slow days when the bass aren't biting anything you throw, a popper can often get you a bite when nothing else works. The commotion gets their attention even when they're not hungry.

2. They're Perfect for Fishing Heavy Cover

Popper lures are weedless enough that you can cast them right into the pockets in lily pads, around brush piles, and next to dock pilings where big bass hide. Unlike diving lures that get caught in the vegetation every other cast, a good popper walks right over the top of shallow cover and gets bit. I've caught more big bass out of thick lily pad fields on poppers than I have with any other lure.

3. The Excitement Can't Be Beat

With most lures, you feel the bite down low and you don't see anything. With poppers, you see the whole thing – the bass comes up through the surface, blows up on your lure, and you get to watch the whole thing happen. It's visual, it's exciting, and it gets your adrenaline going every single time. Even after 20 years of fishing, I still get that butterfly feeling in my stomach when I'm waiting for the bite after I pop a popper into a good looking spot. That excitement is what keeps me coming back.

4. They Work All Season Long

A lot of anglers think poppers only work in the middle of summer, but that's not true. They work from the time the water warms up in the spring all the way through late fall. Here's how I use them through the seasons:

• Spring: Fish poppers early in the morning around spawning areas – bass are shallow and they'll bite aggressively.
• Summer: Early morning and late evening are prime time – fish them in shallow cover when the water is cool.
• Fall: Bass are feeding heavily for the winter, and poppers draw aggressive strikes from fish that are putting on weight.

They even work on overcast cloudy days in the middle of summer – you can catch them on popper all day long when the sky is overcast.

5. They're Suitable for All Skill Levels

You don't need to be a tournament pro to fish poppers successfully. The basic retrieve is simple – cast it out, let it sit, pop it once or twice, pause, and repeat. Even beginners can catch fish on poppers pretty quickly. You don't need any special skills or fancy gear to be successful.

What to Look for When Buying Quality Popper Lures

Not all poppers are created equal. Here's what I look for when I'm adding new poppers to my tackle box:

Proper Weight Balance

A quality popper should sit correctly in the water with the concave face just below the surface. It shouldn't tip over or sink when you're not reeling. When you pop it, it should throw a good splash and make a nice gurgling sound. Quality manufacturers like LENPABY get the balance right from the factory.

Sharp Hooks

Because you're setting the hook when you see the strike, you need sharp hooks. Good poppers come with sharp hooks already installed so you can tie them on and start fishing right away. You shouldn't have to replace the hooks before you ever fish it.

Durable Paint and Construction

You're going to be casting into cover, so the paint needs to hold up to hitting rocks and stumps without chipping. The body should be made from durable materials that don't crack after a few fish. When you buy from a quality manufacturer, you get that durability built in.

What Anglers Are Saying About LENPABY Poppers

"I've been fishing poppers for 30 years, and the LENPABY poppers are just as good as any I've used from the big name brands for half the price. I caught a 7 pound largemouth last month on their yellow popping bug – it jumped three feet in the air when it hit. That's the biggest bass I've ever caught on topwater. Couldn't be happier."
– Richard P., Alabama USA

"I chase redfish on the Louisiana coast, and I use poppers all the time. The LENPABY saltwater poppers hold up great to the saltwater, the hooks don't rust, and I catch just as many redfish as I do with the more expensive brands. I've saved a ton of money buying factory direct. Highly recommend."
– Marcus T., Louisiana USA

Frequently Asked Questions About Popper Lures

Q: What's the best time of day to fish popper lures?

A: Early morning within an hour after sunrise and late evening within an hour before sunset are the best times. That's when bass are most active on the surface. You can also catch them all day on overcast cloudy days.

Q: Can popper lures catch species other than Bass Fishing?

A: Absolutely! Poppers work great for pike, musky, redfish, snook, tarpon, and even trout in small streams. Any predatory fish that feeds in shallow water will hit a popper.

Q: What color popper should I use?

A: Follow the same rule as most lures – bright colors like yellow and white for low light and stained water, more natural colors like bluegill patterns for clear water and bright sunny days. I keep one of each in my box so I'm ready for anything.

Q: Do I need a special rod for popper fishing?

A: A medium to medium-heavy fast action rod around 7 feet long works great for most popper fishing. You don't need anything special – the rod you already use for Crank Lures will work perfectly.

Q: Can you use popper lures in Saltwater Systems?

A: Yes, just make sure you get poppers that are designed for saltwater with corrosion-resistant stainless steel hardware. LENPABY makes both freshwater and saltwater poppers, so you can get what you need for where you fish.

Ready to Add Popper Lures to Your Tackle Box?

Popper lures give you exciting topwater action, they catch fish when other lures don't, they work in heavy cover where big bass hide, and they're easy to fish even for beginners. What more could you ask for?

When you buy factory direct from LENPABY, you get quality poppers with sharp hooks and durable construction, but you save up to 60% compared to buying from retail tackle stores. They've been making quality fishing lures since 2010, so you know you're getting a product that's designed to catch fish.

Start with a couple of basic colors – yellow for stained water and bluegill pattern for clear water – and head to your nearest lake with shallow lily pads. Make that first cast, give it a pop, and get ready for the explosion. I guarantee you'll get addicted to popper fishing just like I did. Good luck and have fun!