Fly Rod Poppers!

[bigjim5589]

Since our trout fishing trip to WVA didn't work out, my son & I are fishing here around home. We've dunked some bait for some catfish & spent some time tossing ultra light lures for panfish so far.  Since our cancelled trip had intended to be a fly fishing trip, I've also spent some time at night tying some flies for bass, and in particular poppers. These are made with foam bodies, some shaped & some just cylinders cut to length. I've used premium hooks on all of them, including Gamakatsu & Owner. Very light weight so can even be cast with lighter rods, such as a 6 wt so no need for using heavier.

The bodies & cylinders were all purchased, I didn't make any of them. They range in diameter from about 3/8" to 5/8". I have some bigger sizes, but haven't gotten to them yet.   

I've provided the body & total length dimensions for anyone who makes their own & may want to make similar size poppers. I'm using plastic worm hooks, both straight shank & offset. 

Hope you folks like them! 

Size 1 Gamakatsu hook, about 2 3/4 " total length. Body is 7/16" diameter X 11/16" length.


Size 2 Gamakatsu hook, 2 1/2" long. The body is 3/8" diameter X 5/8" length.




Size 1/0 Owner hook, 3 1/4" long. The body is about 1/2" diameter @ the large end, tapering to about 5/16" diameter X 7/8" length.




Size 1/0 Owner hook, 2 3/4" long. The body is about 1/2" diameter X 13/16" length.



1/0 Owner hook, and about 3 1/2" long. The body is about 5/8" diameter tapering to 5/16" diameter, X 1 1/16" length.


Another on a size 1/0 Owner hook. A little over 3". The body is 7/16" diameter X 7/8" length.


Size 1 Gamakatsu hook, just under 3". The body is 1/2" diameter X 13/16" length.


Size 2 Gamakatsu hook, and about 2 1/2" long. The cylinder body is 1/2" diameter X 11/16" length.


Another size 1 Gamakatsu, and a little over 2 1/2". This pre-painted body is 3/8" diameter X 9/16" length.

[Fickman]

One of my favorite things growing up, Jim. I used to walk a couple farm ponds in CT throwing them all summer. Those look suweet and the hooks look like they can do heavy damage! That was the one thing about the store boughts. The hooks were horrible.

Man I am loving the yellow/green and that last one, olive/brown! I did bring my fly rod this season with every intention of blowing everyone's mind out here. Just haven't gotten around to it yet!

Great job on those babies!

[Oldfart9999]

Very nice work Jim! You are very talented.
Rodney

[bigjim5589]

Thanks guys! They turned out real nice. 
Rodney, thank you! Not sure it's talent, maybe more just doing it a very long time. 

Fickman, as far as fly rodding for bass, fishing surface bugs is my favorite method too and I also did a lot of it growing up. I also enjoy it the most for chasing panfish. It's not always the most productive, but certainly the most fun, especially when you can see the fish. Flick that bug out there & watch them glide up, sometimes stopping to check it out, before finally lunging forward & grabbing it. Even when they turn away, it's fun, as they'll usually grab it on another cast. 

I don't get too wrapped up in colors, but do like to experiment and will try anything. One thing about using the foam bodies, there's all kinds of colors possible.

That last one is actually different shades of green, the feathers are an olive grizzly shade and the yellow/green has a chartreuse tail with a bit of fluorescent yellow. I'm sure computer screens cause them to appear slightly different colors. Olive, black, white, and chartreuse have been good colors for me over the years.

I generally make most with the black collar, as it works well with any other color, I like the contrast, and black has always been productive for me.

I know what you mean about hooks! I still have a bunch of those older style hooks. They're fine to keep the cost down, and will use some of them still, but they're not particularly sharp. I don't mind sharpening hooks, been doing that for a long time, but when I can use a better hook now, I'll do it.

I've progressed towards, and adopted higher quality hooks to use for my tying, especially for bass flies. I've lost too many fish over the years because the hooks didn't stay sharp. I'm always looking at the higher quality, premium plastic worm hooks just to see if they're something I can use for tying flies. Goes well with my desire to experiment and thinking outside the box! Of course, I use them for plastic baits too! About the only brand I haven't tried using for tying flies is Trokar, and I've given them a lot of thought! Heck, at this point in my life, I don't get concerned about the cost of hooks. With some lure cost being over $10 each, paying even $2 per hook to make a better fly is not outrageous, particularly since I'm making them myself.

[topwaterfanatic]

Nice poppers!

[Fickman]

I've gone back and looked at your work a bunch of times Jim, and you have really done an incredible job on them! I absolutely love how big you've made them and because of that I could see some large bass attacking them. I don't think I would chance the 6-WT though. I'd go 8-WT minimum with my large arbor reel, especially in the vegetation. I think they would have their fair share of wind resistance too, so the 8 would help out with that. I've had too many big flies and bugs rip the back of my head and neck!

You may have triggered me to break out the fly rod now! Just what I needed! Thanks A LOT!!! LOL!

Have you ever thought of selling them?

[flowerjohn]

Thanks guys! They turned out real nice. 
Rodney, thank you! Not sure it's talent, maybe more just doing it a very long time. 

Fickman, as far as fly rodding for bass, fishing surface bugs is my favorite method too and I also did a lot of it growing up. I also enjoy it the most for chasing panfish. It's not always the most productive, but certainly the most fun, especially when you can see the fish. Flick that bug out there & watch them glide up, sometimes stopping to check it out, before finally lunging forward & grabbing it. Even when they turn away, it's fun, as they'll usually grab it on another cast. 

I don't get too wrapped up in colors, but do like to experiment and will try anything. One thing about using the foam bodies, there's all kinds of colors possible.

That last one is actually different shades of green, the feathers are an olive grizzly shade and the yellow/green has a chartreuse tail with a bit of fluorescent yellow. I'm sure computer screens cause them to appear slightly different colors. Olive, black, white, and chartreuse have been good colors for me over the years.

I generally make most with the black collar, as it works well with any other color, I like the contrast, and black has always been productive for me.

I know what you mean about hooks! I still have a bunch of those older style hooks. They're fine to keep the cost down, and will use some of them still, but they're not particularly sharp. I don't mind sharpening hooks, been doing that for a long time, but when I can use a better hook now, I'll do it.

I've progressed towards, and adopted higher quality hooks to use for my tying, especially for bass flies. I've lost too many fish over the years because the hooks didn't stay sharp. I'm always looking at the higher quality, premium plastic worm hooks just to see if they're something I can use for tying flies. Goes well with my desire to experiment and thinking outside the box! Of course, I use them for plastic baits too! About the only brand I haven't tried using for tying flies is Trokar, and I've given them a lot of thought! Heck, at this point in my life, I don't get concerned about the cost of hooks. With some lure cost being over $10 each, paying even $2 per hook to make a better fly is not outrageous, particularly since I'm making them myself.

Joe. That is top notch work right there! It is a pleasure looking at your work. Cheers. J.

[bigjim5589]

Thanks topwaterfanatic! 

Thanks again to you too Fickman! 

I tied flies commercially from about 1989 to 2003. It was a side business, and I enjoyed it. Worked full time too at a regular job. I made & sold lead lures, plus some tying supplies.

I've caught a lot of bass & even Stripers on a 6 wt, and these would work fine with that lighter rod. It would certainly depend on the conditions & situation, and I agree an 8 wt is a more practical choice. I make poppers & other bass flies a lot bigger than these, because I'm a firm believer in big flies for bigger fish. It's never a guarantee, because we never know what the bass will take, but I like the chances with the bigger stuff. 

I have heavier rods too, 8, 9 & 10 wt's, so in the nasty stuff, I'll even go up to the 10 with 20 lb test tippets. IMO, no different than using a heavy casting rod with heavy braid for tossing jigs in the snags. These poppers are more for open water situations, as I didn't put weed guards on them.

Here's a popper I made several years ago when I was tying commercially. I made a bunch of them for a fellow who was going to S. America targeting Peacock Bass. I also sold some of them to some fellows who wanted something big to target Striped Bass in the Chesapeake Bay. These are 10 wt or heavier type poppers, but I wouldn't hesitate to throw them for bass in the right situation or waters.

It's got a foam body that's 1" diameter & made on a 7/0 Gamakatsu heavy wire jig hook. There's also 2 plastic worm rattles inserted in the head.  The face is cupped, as the foil extends past the foam & the while thing is covered in epoxy.

[flowerjohn]

Joe. That is top notch work right there! It is a pleasure looking at your work. Cheers. J.

Sorry. Jim!! Dang sausage fingers I got !!

[Fickman]

I've done a bunch of striper and salmon fishing with a 6-wt back in CT but the 8 just gives me a little more confidence. I'd have to horse around even a small bass fishing here, to keep them out of the slop.

Again, they look great, and thanks for the memories!

[bigjim5589]

John, no problem! I have problems with the auto correct when I'm using my Ipad, and I can't type worth a darn otherwise. 

Fickman, yep, got to use what's best for your fishing & the waters. Confidence in your gear is certainly important! You're welcome too! Just don't give up on that fly rod just yet! 

[flowerjohn]

John, no problem! I have problems with the auto correct when I'm using my Ipad, and I can't type worth a darn otherwise. 

Fickman, yep, got to use what's best for your fishing & the waters. Confidence in your gear is certainly important! You're welcome too! Just don't give up on that fly rod just yet! 

Hi Jim. I'm looking at your mighty fine poppers and I see that you use feathers and flash to dress them. Can buck tail or fur be used? Also I'm wondering how well the feather holds up in terms of durability for the poppers. Thanks for showing those. Thanks to you all I'm looking for a 10wt fly rod now and thinking about making poppers. I appreciate any comments you may have. Cheers. J.

[bigjim5589]

John, yes, bucktail & other hair/fur can certainly be used. The feathers are fairly durable for bass or panfish. I make some for saltwater use with feathers, but also use bucktail.

Generally, I'll use a minimum of 3 pairs of feathers, so even if they start to get torn off, the popper will last for several more fish. Back when I was selling them, I had one fellow tell me he had caught over 100 bass on one, and the feathers were still intact.

Unless I loose the whole thing, a few times I've stripped the old feathers & re-tied them. The heads don't usually get messed up fishing for bass. 

[flowerjohn]

John, yes, bucktail & other hair/fur can certainly be used. The feathers are fairly durable for bass or panfish. I make some for saltwater use with feathers, but also use bucktail.

Generally, I'll use a minimum of 3 pairs of feathers, so even if they start to get torn off, the popper will last for several more fish. Back when I was selling them, I had one fellow tell me he had caught over 100 bass on one, and the feathers were still intact.

Unless I loose the whole thing, a few times I've stripped the old feathers & re-tied them. The heads don't usually get messed up fishing for bass. 

Thank you for that info there sir. Much appreciated. I think I will take a run at making up some of those.

[bigjim5589]

John, you're welcome! Post some pics once you get them done! 

[topwaterfanatic]

That golden popper you made will get bit down here for sure!

[bigjim5589]

That golden popper you made will get bit down here for sure!

Thanks! One thing about poppers is they'll work anywhere for bass. Not always the best choice for the conditions, but when they want them, can't beat them!