How to Make Popper Lures for Bass

How to Make Popper Lures for Bass

Ask just about anyone who enjoys fishing for largemouth bass about one of their most thrilling moments, and you will mostly likely get top water as a response. Fishing for bass using top water lures, such as poppers is fun, challenging and exciting. A bass trails the chugging popper as it moves across the water and then strikes from beneath the lure to capture its prey. Making poppers is a great way to customize and fine-tune lures to match your specific fishing situation.

1. Shape a wine bottle cork with a knife. Use a sharp knife to remove the cork and make a rough shape for your popper. Keep in mind that the front of the popper will make more noise in the water if the front is flat.
2. Sand the cork popper with medium sand paper and then use fine sand paper. Continue shaping the popper with progressively finer sandpaper until the shape is achieved and the surface is smooth.
3. Cut the popper with a hacksaw blade. Use the hacksaw blade to make a 1/4-inch-deep cut from the front to the rear of the popper. The cut should be about 1/4 inch deep and run the length of the cork.
4. Place a 2/0 long shank hook in the cut along the length of the cork. The long section or shank should rest in the cut with the eye extending just past the flat front of the popper. Use sandpaper to make adjustments to the cork so that it does not extend past the bend of the hook.
5. Glue the hook in place with quick-dry glue. Position the hook so that the bend and barb extend directly down from the cork popper body. Allow the glue to dry and the hook to thoroughly set before continuing.
6. Go over the cork popper with fine sandpaper to smooth any rough areas from the gluing process. Apply nail polish to the popper in solid colors schemes or use different colors to simulate a frog or toad. Allow the paint to dry before using the popper.

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