What Makes a Popper?

Tail
A dressing of feathers and tinsel gives a popper more action, whether you're popping or pausing it. A rubber skirt imparts even more action, especially when the lure is at rest, and makes the bait look bulkier to hungry bass.

Rattle
In stained water, the added sound of an internal rattle helps bass find your popper.

Color
Silvery shad patterns best imitate what the bass are feeding on now. You can experiment, but at the very least, the belly should be white.

Body
Light, slender poppers dance realistically on the surface and entice shallow-water bass without spooking them. For longer, more accurate casts, you need a heavy, fat popper, which presents a bigger profile to pull bass from cover. Long, narrow versions work with a side-to-side, dog-walking action that draws them up from deeper structure.

Cup
A shallow cup pushes a small spray of water when you pop the lure, making a subtle spitting noise. A wide, deep cup throws off more water and makes a loud plunk.