Poppin' in Fresh

• Using a freshwater popper, you will be fishing the top of the water column and for larger predator fish like bass. You will need a good quality monofilament leader with a barrel swivel.
  
  Poppers are suited for long casts and the retrieve should be slow, pausing every 10 to 15 seconds for a twitch of line. Keep in mind that you are imitating an injured prey and you want the lure to splash as if it were struggling. Surface-feeding fish respond best to popper lures in the early morning and evening hours when water is clear and calm.
  
  Popper lures work very well in shallow or moderate waters because the "noise" of the lure on the retrieve will bring fish to investigate a possible meal. Poppers rely on bright colors to bring the fish in as well. When fishing, keep these lures clean and avoid chipping the surface of the lure or dulling the colors.
  
  

Poppin' in Salt

• Saltwater popper lures are much larger than the freshwater versions. They are designed to emulate larger prey to lure the larger predator fish found in saltwater. These lures are used in the top of the water column. Given their size and weight, special attention should be paid to knots when putting this tackle together.
  
  The lure technique is different than in freshwater angling. Saltwater poppers require a fast retrieve with twitches every few seconds; you are still emulating injured prey. The angler is competing with the noise of wave action and the general ocean; the retrieve must be as "noisy" as possible. When working a saltwater popper, do not cast long.
  
  The lure requires some significant work from an angler and the retrieve from long casts can be exhausting over time. Casting a moderate distance will increase your presentation time to predators and be less tiring.
  
  These are colorful lures; some have sparkle coatings to increase the attraction to predators. Take the time to protect their appearance.