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Buckeye Hunter Hub
Popper Fly
Flies

Popper Fly

All lures

Surface bug for bluegill and bass.

Technique

Pop and pause

Depth

Surface

Water Clarity

Clear to stained

Best Conditions

Summer ponds, low light

Spring Summer Fall

About This Lure

A foam or cork-bodied fly that pops on the surface, a warmwater fly-rod favorite.

How To Fish It

Cast the popper near structure, lily pads, or overhanging brush and allow the rings to dissipate before initiating movement. Twitch the rod tip sharply to create a distinct 'pop' and displacement of water, then let the fly sit motionless for several seconds. Most strikes occur during this prolonged pause, so keep your line taut and be ready to set the hook.

Retrieve Cadence

Pop-pause-pause-twitch-pause.

Best Colors

Chartreuse/White— Stained water or overcast days.
Black— Low light, dawn, or dusk.
Yellow/Red— Clear water and high sun conditions.

Sizes & When To Use

Size 8-10Targeting Bluegill and panfish in shallow water.
Size 2-4Targeting Largemouth Bass in heavy vegetation.

Commonly Rigged On

Floating fly leaderDirect to tippet

Recommended Gear

5-weight to 7-weight fly rod with a moderate-fast action, large arbor reel with a strong drag, and a weight-forward floating fly line with a 3x to 6lb fluorocarbon leader.

Pro Tips

  • Trim the rubber legs slightly if short strikes occur, as fish often nip at the tail.
  • Keep your rod tip low to the water surface to minimize slack and ensure a direct hook set.
  • Do not pull the fly out of the strike zone; move it only a few inches at a time to maximize surface disturbance.
  • Apply floatant to the fly body regularly to maintain a high profile on the surface.

Species This Lure Catches

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

The ultimate American freshwater predator, the Largemouth Bass is the king of shallow-water structure and aggressive strikes.

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Bluegill

Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

The ultimate panfish prize, famous for its aggressive strikes and incredible pound-for-pound fighting ability.

View guide →
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