Popper
Topwater technique
A popper has a cupped face that spits water and pops when twitched, letting you work one spot with a subtle surface commotion. It excels on calm mornings, around cover, and for schooling fish that want a bait worked slowly in the strike zone.
Why: Spit, pause, get bit.
Evidence: Verified knowledge from Bryan Cotter, 26+ years guiding all 16 Central Texas lakes.
Related: Popper · All bass techniques
Verified Answered by Bryan Cotter, Texas Hawgs guide · Updated Jul 12, 2026
A short floating plug with a concave face, twitched to spit and pop, with pauses.
Popper at a glance
- Category
- Topwater
- Skill level
- ●●○○○
- Bryan's confidence
- ●●●○○
- Target depth
- 0-2 ft
Best for: Largemouth Bass, Guadalupe Bass, White Bass
Gear
- Rod
- 6'10" M (moderate-fast)
- Reel
- Baitcast 6.3:1
- Line
- mono — 12-15 lb mono
How to fish the Popper
- Cast to cover, a point, or schooling fish.
- Let the rings settle, then give a sharp twitch to pop it.
- Pause and let it sit, then pop again.
- Vary the cadence — sometimes a hard spit, sometimes a subtle pop.
- Set on the pull.
Retrieve: Twitch-pause cadence, keeping it in the strike zone; longer pauses on calm, pressured water.
Where it shines
Cover: open, wood, grass; structure: points, laydowns, bait schools; clarity: clear, stained.
When to use it
Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Best conditions: Calm / Slick Conditions, Cloud Cover
When Bryan reaches for it: Calm mornings and around cover when fish want a bait worked slowly in one spot.
Lures to throw
Common mistakes
- Working it too fast and covering water instead of teasing fish
- Not pausing long enough
- Setting on the splash
Pro tips
- A feathered rear treble adds a subtle draw on the pause
- Let the pause do the work in calm conditions
Keep exploring
All bass fishing techniques · Walking Topwater · All bass lures · Central Texas bass fishing guide
Want to learn the Popper on the water? I'll put it in your hands on a guided trip. See rates and book or call 512-762-0190.