Topwater Poppers 2025
Jake. reply :
Which is your favorite and why?
Do you use different types for different conditions?
Just looking for opinions, expert or not. 
Alpster reply :
Hoola Popper, Skitter Pop
Ronnie
John J. reply :
I personally like the skitter-pop and the rebel pop-r. I generally fish them in summer mornings around vegetation, over a point or sunken flat. I also sometimes use them to draw bass from deep water.
RobbyZ5001 reply :
I use the 65 Gsplash for light wind conditions. I would use the 80 Gsplash if there is a chop on the water. I do awesome with this lure walking the dog.
Infidel. reply :
I've tried Ricos, Splash-its, G-splashs, TD poppers, Yo-Zuris,
Gobo Poppers, and my most productive are the same as John J.'s.
The Pop-R and the Skitter Pop. Just need to replace the hooks.
AKFerzy7 reply :
ricos
jdw174 reply :
I'll have to go with the SkitterPop and the Pop-R. Honorable mention goes to the ChugBug.
Pencil Pusher reply :
Pop-R's and Skitter Pop unless I'm on Lake Fork then it is Yellow Magic.
MaxDal reply :
Ricos, ChugBug, Yellow Magic Popper, GYCB Sugoi Splash & Sugoi Splash II, LC S8,
and for fast popping without many stops I'll go with a LC G-Splash 65 !
My favorite is the GYCB Sugoi Splash II, in Shad color .... followed by the LC S8 in Frog ....
Usually fish my popper tight to cover and pretty slow...long pause !
I will use them fast on fish chasing in open water (mostly the G-splash) and in that case I ususally end up switching to either a sammy or a spoon .....those fish are always too far away :-?
Raul reply :
My favorite is the Megabass Pop Max.
Why ? you kidding me ?!? if you 've ever seen one in the flesh you will see why it 's my favorite.
But I have to admit, pricewise is not for everyone, performance wise it 's not "better" than other ones available, just another tool in the box, I still pop with those over 2 decades old Hula Poppers ( which only proves that bass don 't change much over the years ).
Skitter pops are also good, ( the kool thing is that there are bigger saltwater versions vailable ).
Chug bugs are good, more discrete and stealthy when bass are loud popper shy.
In other words, all of them are different, all are good.
It 's not the wand but the magician.
Sam reply :
RICO.
Good size and great pop. Easy to work and it catches fish.
Shad color is favorite with white feather tail.
Give 'em a try.
BassinWill301 reply :
I mainly use pop-rs for my poppers. I fish them on grass edges and in submerged laydowns.
Popeye reply :
Hula Poppers. I've always had success with them AND I'm OLD and kinda "set in my ways") Yep, I like them JitterBugs too!!
When I start Fly Fishing for bass, I am going to probably tie my own poppers:o)
BassFishingMachine reply :
I particularly like Skitterpops, and Chugbugs. But I've also done fairly well with Excalibur Pop-Rs, I think there called..
Alpster reply :
QuoteHula Poppers. I've always had success with them AND I'm OLD and kinda "set in my ways") Yep, I like them JitterBugs too!!
When I start Fly Fishing for bass, I am going to probably tie my own poppers:o)
Popeye,
Arborgast makes a Hoola Popper for the fly rod. My PB on a fly rod was caught on one.
Ronnie
=Matt 5.0= reply :
Kerplop!
Bassin_Fin@tic reply :
QuoteI particularly like Skitterpops, and Chugbugs. But I've also done fairly well with Excalibur Pop-Rs, I think there called..
excalibur zel pop? One of my favs.A very subtle "spitting" bait.
Bass n Bows reply :
Rebel Pop-R. Can't even imagine how many bass I have caught on that popper. I have had the same bass colored popper for many years and the lure never ceases to amaze me.
Popeye reply :
Yep, and thanks Ronnie for the info. I gotta get me a few of those flyrod sized HPs:o)
tfisherman reply :
For me it was all started with the Pop-R! You wouldn't believe the action the 80's models have the 90's+ don't! My dad had some in his box and the ones I brought didn't compare. I'd say I'm a Zell Pop man now because I think Zell is the top water king hands down. It's a improved version of the Pop-R.
I never liked the chug bug. I remember when it first came out they were using it during a Buggs Island tourney and I saw one on a Pro's rod. I brought a couple and didn't like the action compared to a Pop-R. Aspook has it's place and the bigs one like it, but pound for pound I use a buzzbait and a Pop-R.
SPAZ reply :
What size poppers are you guys using? Should I stick with the 1/4 oz size or upgrade?
bass wrangler569 reply :
Rebel Pop-Rs and skitterpops. They both are fantastic poppers. I also like the xps z-pops after the hooks are replaced.
bmadd reply :
A Heddon Tiny Lucky 13 got me hooked on bass fishing about 6 years ago. That lure now holds a special place in my room in a shadow box. Now I just use Pop-Rs that I tweak a little before using...
iceintheveins reply :
No popper works like the skitter pop. It walks the dog better than any other popper, and does a subtle blip or a nice "bloop" better than any other popper.
Strike King's Spittin' King is also good, as is the gobo popper from Cultiva. But really, the best popper is a skitter pop. Don't need to buy any others. I just wish they had better color selection.
gabes reply :
RICO. ultra sharp hooks, great finish, chicken feather tail on back hook. They spit water much better than other poppers I have used. Only drawback is the price.
flippin reply :
ricos spittin image
RoLo reply :
In my view, the brand of popper is least important, while the function is most important.
The popper I'd choose for "murky water" during a "heavy ripple"
bears no resemblance to what I'd use in "clear water" with a "flat surface".
The same is true of poppers used in open water versus poppers used in a weedy situation,
where I wouldn't hesitate to use a T-rigged weedless popper like the sizmic pop'n toad.
Roger
Bassin_Fin@tic reply :
QuoteIn my view, the brand of popper is least important, while the function is most important.
The popper I'd choose for "murky water" during a "heavy ripple"
bears no resemblance to what I'd use in "clear water" with a "flat surface".
The same is true of poppers used in open water versus poppers used in a weedy situation,
where I wouldn't hesitate to use a T-rigged weedless popper like the sizmic pop'n toad.
Roger
In murky water I normally use Heddon Pop N Image, in the large size, or Hula Popper.
Clear(not much of it around here) I have come to like the Zel Pop.
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