Question? Tuna Poppers

[JHJ32883]

A deckhand on a trip let me use a tuna popper last summer. I tried two different methods of using the popper. First I was just ripping it across the surface and it got hit a bunch of times, but never hooked up. The deckhand told me to jerk the popper and then wind, instead of just ripping it across the surface. It didn't even get hit. So, I was wondering what's the best way to fish a popper.

[fishnfool]

The best way is whatever way the fish want to see it. Sounds like the day you tried it they wanted it fast. It is inevitable that there will be a lot of misses but the hookups will come. Some days they like a pop,pop,pop, pause method. I may have tried it slower like the deckhand advised but if I wasn't getting a hit after slowing it down I would have went right back to ripping it. Keep trying...let the fish dictate the presentation and hang on. There aint nothin like a tuna hitting the surface plug. Even when they miss you get a great show. Try skipping a jig, (Salas7x, Candybar, Tady 45, etc), this will also produce for you...sometimes better than the poppers. Good luck.

p.s. 2004 I think...Captain Curt, Saluki, and myself. We caught a lot of these on the surface poppers and skipjig this particular day. Pulled up on a paddy in the grey and never left it. Don't know how many we released that day. Four hours straight until our arms felt like they were gonna fall off, and we didn't want to pull on anymore. Lots more to this story but you get the point.

[Marcus]

It really varies on the fish and what type of popper.

For a cup faced popper I like to jerk it, reel up the slack and then jerk it again. Sometimes I do a continuous retrieve while using the rod to impart the action so that it pops during the retrieve.

For a pencil popper I like two retrieves, a slower "walking the dog" retrieve and then just ripping it in.

When you are moving the popper fast the fish will bust on it and you will sometimes miss the strike, that is part of popper fishing. The fish boiling on the popper is what makes it so much fun to fish.

[yellowklr]

IN Pv last week they liked the straight fast retrieve......

[JHJ32883]

I was just wondering what you guys thought about using a spinning out for poppers. I just think it would be easier to use than a conventional when you're using the jerk/reel method because of the slack in the line. You would have to use tension while you're stacking line.

Thanks

[mrkrabs]

I was also wondering about tuna poppers and where is a good place to get those? I saw a show the other day where a guy was using a spinner and poppers so I was wondering what lb. test line would you use?And what type of spinner? I have a bait caster and think that would work good.Thanks, mrkrabs

[sdangler]

Originally Posted by mrkrabs

I was also wondering about tuna poppers and where is a good place to get those? I saw a show the other day where a guy was using a spinner and poppers so I was wondering what lb. test line would you use?And what type of spinner? I have a bait caster and think that would work good.Thanks, mrkrabs

Line doesn't matter since it's a reaction strike... I use 40# minimum as you never know what size fishy is going to eat it.

Lots of good info above. Sometimes it's pop and stop other times you just have to rip it in. Skip jig is fun too and I like the blue/chrome for that application.

[Marcus]

I prefer to use a spinning reel for popping but a conventional does work.

Some tackle stores will have poppers but most don't carry them. Online is your best bet.

[JHJ32883]

Can you guys suggest some spinning reels and rods that would work well for this?

[BuonaForTuna]

I use spin combos for my poppers I use Black Steel Seeker rods with Shimano Stradics and Saragosas completely spooled with Spectra except for about 30' of Flouro topshot. I make all different kinds of popper lures and agree that there are different ways to fish different ones also sometimes the techniques will change according to the water conditions. Same basic technique cast and with the rod tip swinging down jerk it towards the water and reel in that pattern till fully retrieved. If you are going to use conventional I would say a Calcutta is your best bet for offshore applications. Check out the home made lure posts that some of us have put up there are tons of popper lures there that we make.

[strikepro]

This may answer some of your questions. I wrote this article for an upcoming issue of the "Let's Talk Hook Up" newsletter. We have been popping for tuna for the last 10 years in the Gulf of Mexico.

Popping for Tuna – Turn Up the Excitement When Targeting Yellowfins


As anglers, the thrill of fishing is much more than just catching fish. For most of us, the presentation, the strike, and the fight of a tuna adds to the total fishing experience. One method of fishing for tuna that really gets the blood pumping is the excitement of watching a Yellowfin Tuna crash a top water popper. I have seen Yellowfin that hit a popper with such speed and viciousness that they went airborne out of the water. No other fishing method compares when it comes to sheer fun.

Popper fishing for saltwater gamefish originated many years ago in the South Pacific for Giant Trevally and on the East Coast of the United States for Striped Bass, but it wasn’t until approximately 10 years ago that anglers targeted larger gamefish with poppers. Along the Gulf Coast of the U.S., anglers began experimenting with poppers for Yellowfins around oil production platforms. They saw huge schools of tuna up to 180 pounds crashing flying fish on the surface around these platforms and the idea was born that a topwater presentation was needed to target these fish. Presently, popper fishing is one of the preferred methods of anglers targeting Yellowfin Tuna along the Gulf Coast.

It wasn’t long until anglers in other parts of the world heard about using poppers for tuna. In Panama, popper fishing is gaining popularity for not only Yellowfin Tuna, but other species such as Cubera Snapper, Dorado, and Roosterfish. I have heard reports from Panama of Yellowfin Tuna up to 250 pounds being caught on poppers. In the Northeast U.S., anglers are now using poppers for Bluefin Tuna up to 150 pounds. In South Africa, poppers are catching Yellowfin as well as other species of tuna. Popper fishing for tuna has truly gone global.


The first poppers used were those designed for Giant Trevally fishing, but it wasn’t long before anglers realized that a heavier, more robust popper was needed for targeting these hard pulling tuna. Lure manufacturers responded to the demand and now there are a number of brands of quality poppers available. When choosing a popper, there are some key features to look for. First, it is critical that the popper contain a through wire harness that connects the hooks to the line connection. The heavier the wire, the better. Second, saltwater resistant treble hooks that are a minimum 4X strong in a 4/0 or 5/0 size and connected with split rings that are a minimum 200 pound rated. Again, heavier is better. There has been debate among popper fishermen regarding hook selection. Some believe that a stronger J style hook is better due to the strength of the tuna, but in my experience using this style hook will result in many missed strikes. A popper is floating on the surface and is subjected to wave action, therefore sometimes the tuna just misses getting the popper down into its mouth where a J hook can get a good hook up. Treble hooks reduce this margin of error, creating a better hook up ratio. Third, look for a popper with a solid body, preferably a hard wood. I have seen hollow plastic poppers that were crushed by the jaws of a big tuna, then they fill with water and don’t float. The final characteristic to look for in a tuna popper is weight. At a minimum, the popper should weigh 3.5 ounces, but 4 to 5 ounces is preferable. A long cast, possibly in windy conditions, is necessary on many occasions when a school of tuna are surface feeding. The heavier lure will allow you to make a long cast with a stiff rod.

For rod and reel selection, a lot of personal preference is involved, but basically, any heavy action conventional or spinning setup will work. Many popper fishermen prefer a spinning setup for casting distance and lack of backlashes. The worst feeling is to get a backlash on a hot popper bite only to have a tuna grab your popper and snap your line. Today’s high quality spinning reels filled with braided line are a formidable combination that can generate up to 50 or more pounds of drag. If using a spinner is not your thing, any quality conventional reel 4/0 or larger will work, the key is you have to feel comfortable casting it and working a popper with it. For rod selection, most anglers prefer a 6.5 to 7 foot heavy action rod that is castable yet heavy enough to put maximum pressure on the fish.


The technique used for popper fishing is pretty straight forward. Cast your popper out to surface feeding tuna, pull back on the rod in a quick motion to allow the cupped mouth of the popper to push a spray of water in front of the lure. Sometimes a very aggressive popping action will generate a strike while other times less popping action will work, it just depends on the mood of the tuna. Try different actions until you are successful. There are a couple of things to keep in mind about popper fishing that are different from other methods of tuna fishing. Unlike jig fishing, live bait fishing, or chunking where the fish are generally hooked in the lip or jaw, in popper fishing, most of the time the tuna has the lure in its mouth. Many times the treble hooks will embed in both the top and the bottom of the mouth, holding the mouth shut. During the fight, water is blocked from reaching the gills and the fish will tire faster. Many anglers that normally fish with circle hooks or jigs are amazed at how fast a tuna can be subdued with a popper.


In my opinion, popper fishing is the most exciting and fun method to catch tuna, dorado, yellowtail, or wahoo. If you are looking to spice up your next fishing trip or for a new angling challenge, try tossing a popper. You won’t be disappointed.

[FLLR1]

Here is one to consider.

Angler's Pro Shop

Mine should arrive in the next week or so.

Here is one that might still be available.

FS: NEW Shimano Kaibutsu Caranx Pencil Instrument - Jigging and Popping Forum


Match it with a Saragosa or better reel and off you go.

LT