Tying and Fishing Popper Flies

Materials You’ll Need to Tie Popper Flies for Bass

Creating your own popper flies for bass fishing is a highly rewarding experience, and with the right materials, you can craft effective, custom lures that will attract the attention of aggressive bass. Here’s a comprehensive list of materials you’ll need to get started:

Hook

• Mustad 33903 Kinked Hook: Ideal for popper flies, this hook is available in sizes ranging from 10 to 2, perfect for targeting bass.
• Mustad 37187 Stinger Hook: Another great option for poppers, particularly when you need extra hooking power with a size range similar to the 33903.

Thread

• 3-0 Thread: The 3-0 is a strong, medium thickness thread that is well-suited for tying poppers. It helps secure materials firmly without being too bulky.
• Waxed 140 Thread: This thread has an added wax coating for increased grip, which is essential for holding all of the popper components in place. It’s perfect for adding durability to the fly.

Tail Material

• Bucktail: A traditional and popular material for the tail of popper flies. Bucktail is both lightweight and durable, making it ideal for creating an effective tail that moves attractively in the water.
• Calf Tail: Similar to bucktail, calf tail offers a finer, more refined texture that provides a smoother action in the water.
• Fishar: A synthetic alternative to natural bucktail and calf tail. Fishar offers an even, sleek texture and a consistent finish.
• Flashabou or Crystal Flash: These materials are great for adding an extra sparkle and flash to your popper, making it even more enticing to bass. They are typically tied in over the natural tail material.
• Hackle Feathers: Two feathers can be used for a bit more movement and texture in the tail. They can be tied in on each side for a more balanced look.

Body Material

• Cactus Chenille: This is a fantastic option for creating the body of the popper, offering durability and a smooth finish that helps maintain the shape of the fly. The chenille also has a great “bump” effect when wrapped.
• Wrapped Hackle: For an alternative to cactus chenille, a wrapped hackle can be used to give your popper a natural, buggy texture that bass can’t resist.

Head

• Perfect Popper Head: These pre-formed foam popper heads are available in various sizes and shapes, making them a convenient choice for tying poppers.
• Foam Popper Head: If you want to customize the shape of the head, foam sheets can be cut to your desired size and shape. These are also excellent for achieving the perfect popper profile.
• Cor (Cork) Head: A traditional option, cor or cork is an excellent material for creating popper heads, providing a more subtle floating action and a natural look in the water.

Eyes

• Stick-On Eyes: These are quick and easy to apply, offering a realistic look without the need for gluing.
• Glue-On Eyes: For a more permanent and durable solution, glue-on eyes are an excellent choice. They’re perfect for tying poppers that will undergo a lot of wear and tear in the water.

Accessories

• Zap A Gap: A high-quality, fast-drying adhesive that is essential for gluing popper heads to hooks. This adhesive helps to ensure the body stays firmly attached to the hook during the fishing process.
• Paint: Optional for customizing the appearance of your popper, creating different patterns and colors. Use waterproof paint or colored Sharpies to add detailing to your popper’s body.
• Paintbrush or Applicator: If you plan to paint your poppers, a fine brush or applicator is ideal for applying color or details to the popper head and body.

How to Tie a Popper Lure

Now that you have all the materials you need, let’s walk through the steps to tie your popper fly:

1. Choose Your Popper Size and Style:
   • Select the size and style of the popper you want to tie. Match the hook size to the popper body to ensure a balanced presentation.
2. Prepare the Hook:
   • Start by securing the hook in your vise. For Mustad 33903 Kinked Hooks, skip the base-building step (the hook is already set for tying). If you’re using another hook, start your thread just behind the eye and build a solid base for the body.
3. Prepare the Popper Body:
   • Most popper bodies come pre-cut to accept the hook. If not, you’ll need to carefully cut the bottom of the popper using a razor knife or small saw blade, making a cut about one-third up from the bottom of the popper and running it the length of the body.
4. Attach the Popper Head:
   • Apply a small amount of Zap A Gap to the hook, and then slide the popper body over the hook, ensuring the popper is centered on the hook. Let it dry completely. If you’re tying multiple poppers, it’s efficient to glue the bodies onto all the hooks before moving to the next step.
5. Start the Thread:
   • Begin your thread just behind the popper head, leaving about ¼ inch of space toward the hook’s bend.
6. Tie the Tail:
   • Take a small amount of bucktail, calf tail, or your preferred synthetic material, and tie it in at the back of the popper. Make sure the tail is not too long—if the bass are striking but not hooking up, consider shortening the tail length.
7. Add the Flash:
   • Tie in Flashabou or Crystal Flash on top of the tail material. This adds a bit of extra sparkle that attracts fish.
8. Add Hackle Feathers:
   • Tie in one hackle feather on each side of the tail for added movement and texture. These feathers give the popper an added “swimming” effect in the water.
9. Create the Body:
   • Tie in Cactus Chenille (or wrapped hackle) and wrap it 3 or 4 times around the hook shank, covering the tail and attaching it to the body. This step helps give your popper a fuller look and aids in adding to the lifelike action in the water.
10. Attach the Eyes:
    • Use stick-on or glue-on eyes to finish the popper. Position them on the front of the popper body for a realistic and attractive look.
11. Final Touches:
    • You can now paint the popper if desired, using waterproof paints or markers. Use your creativity to add color patterns or realistic markings. Let the paint dry before proceeding.
12. Final Whip Finish:
    • Once everything is in place and secure, complete your fly by finishing the whip knot behind the eyes, ensuring everything is tightly bound together.

Original Article By Brad Berlin

About The Author

Brad Berlin has been tying popper flies for bass and fishing many of the local streams in the northeast, especially central Pennsylvania, for over 20 years.  He guides on area streams and the Susquehanna River. Brad teaches classes in fly tying and casting. He enjoys fishing the tributaries of Lake Ontario in the fall.