Poppin in Southern Jersey

[StealthMode]

I wanted to start a forum in regards to what is the best popper for the southern jersey waters. I only consider there is two times two use this special lure....during the sunrise and sunset....

So I have 2 QUESTIONS?

1. What is the best popper for the sunrise?
2. What is the best popper for the sunset?

Please be specific as possible(including the company and color)...




SM:cool:

p.s. I would pick a chartruese 'smack-it jr.' for both occasions, and also like the redhead/whitetail smack-it jr for the sunset....there is my two sense...please feel free to join the forum!!!

[striper2278]

Black and Black!

Backwater...Smack-it jr

Surf... Gibbs

[fishpoint]

OUt of many different brands, I lean towards the Storm Popper, with the milar bucktail on the back hook. different colors at different times.

[FLUKENEWSTY]

We caught about 12 bass in 2 hours or so last night. My go to is a 3" red head white body chug bug, my buddy was using a mag popper with good success as well. They were rolling on the bait pretty good and just crushing the poppers, probably missed 6 fish as they cartwheeled over the plugs.:D

[Fly Ty R]

There aren't just two times a day to use a popper. You can use them with success 24 hours a day. I have caught bass at dead noon low tide with poppers, and after midnight with poppers. Don't give up because the sun is too low or high.... ;) After dark, fish them much more slowly, almost bubbling along the surface. During the daylight, fish them like you normally would, up against deep sod banks and in the darker spots.

A small freshwater clear Storm Chug Bug works wonders in mid day.
Small Rebel Pop-R's and Atoms work well too at all times.
Leave the big stuff (Polaris, Creek Chubs, etc) for out front.

[ReadyJettyGo]

We caught about 12 bass in 2 hours or so last night. My go to is a 3" red head white body chug bug, my buddy was using a mag popper with good success as well. They were rolling on the bait pretty good and just crushing the poppers, probably missed 6 fish as they cartwheeled over the plugs.:D

God thats great to read.:)

[Steve-o]

It doesn't matter when you use them but smack-it jrs. have always been the best in blue, black, and green/chart. Like Fly Ty R said, you can catch them at any time of the day, just have to be in a good spot:)

[always fishing]

There aren't just two times a day to use a popper. You can use them with success 24 hours a day. I have caught bass at dead noon low tide with poppers, and after midnight with poppers. Don't give up because the sun is too low or high.... ;) After dark, fish them much more slowly, almost bubbling along the surface. During the daylight, fish them like you normally would, up against deep sod banks and in the darker spots.

A small freshwater clear Storm Chug Bug works wonders in mid day.
Small Rebel Pop-R's and Atoms work well too at all times.
Leave the big stuff (Polaris, Creek Chubs, etc) for out front.

Agreed! Smack-it in the back Hydro Tiger for the surf.

[Even Steven]

I have a few of the Smack-Its and the trebles are rusting. Of all my plastics, these are the only ones I had not replaced the trebles on. Where can I find replacement rear trebles with the bucktail like they come with?

Steve

[StealthMode]

There aren't just two times a day to use a popper. You can use them with success 24 hours a day. I have caught bass at dead noon low tide with poppers, and after midnight with poppers. Don't give up because the sun is too low or high.... ;) After dark, fish them much more slowly, almost bubbling along the surface. During the daylight, fish them like you normally would, up against deep sod banks and in the darker spots.

A small freshwater clear Storm Chug Bug works wonders in mid day.
Small Rebel Pop-R's and Atoms work well too at all times.
Leave the big stuff (Polaris, Creek Chubs, etc) for out front.

Much Appreciated. I only consider those two times of the day due to the all of the boat traffic during most of the day(because of my location). But thanks for the reply. Are you not a 'smack-it' fan? I hear a lot about chug bugs, so I might go out and have to try the freshwater clear chug bug you mentioned above.... keep the reply's coming everyone...any advice on why clear would work in that situation?

I have been told to match the color of the lure with light in the day and dark at night, but that doesnt always seems true...

barners...please keep on giving good advice...I know everyone appreciates a tip here and there

SM:cool:

[Fly Ty R]

Sure thing. Yes, normally boat traffic will put the fish down. Just find areas in back creeks and lagoon that aren't heavily travelled, and you can get fish all day (and night) long. That is getting tougher to do with all the jetskis out there, but keep looking.

As for Chug Bugs, that is just what I use because they are cheap, and they rattle. I really don't have a preference for popper brands. There are basically two types in my book, floating and sinking. I have a few of each for different situations. Brand I don't care about. They all the do same thing, right??? :D

Also, about the clear, I don't know why it works, but it does. Maybe it imitates the clear spearing better? Who knows. All I know is the long thin shape of the Chug Bug clear works wonders in SJ, especially in the sunlight. It's #87 on this pic:

http://img148.exs.cx/img148/1104/chugbugcolorchart19xx.jpg


They don't throw a lot of water, but that's exactly the point. Work them sloooooooowly, walking the dog if you can.

Just watch the hooks on them, as they are just made for freshwater. If you want, swap out all the trebles for a large single Siwash hook in the rear. It will make the back end tip down in the water, which helps too.

[StealthMode]

cant get my hands on those clear bugs....Im lookin

[JerseyBrian]

#140 and #144 are nice :) I may have to try that #87 out too :D

Smack-it Jrs, Storm Chug Bugs, Small Mag Darters, small Rapala X-raps, Rapala skitter pops, Mirrolures and Yozuri crystal minnows will be my plug arsenal!!

[Fly Ty R]

Can't beat the Mirro's and Yozuris. :D

Stealth:
I never said finding the clear would be easy, now did I? ;) I rarely can find them on the store shelves. But they sure do work in the right places. :cool:

[JerseyBrian]

Can't beat the Mirro's and Yozuris. :D

Stealth:
I never said finding the clear would be easy, now did I? ;) I rarely can find them on the store shelves. But they sure do work in the right places. :cool:

Can't forget Black Knuckheads either! Some swear by Super Spooks as well.

The crystal clear one is hard to find! I found a bleeding pearl and Phantom patterns, but neither are as clear as the one Dave posted. Dave, I dunno where the hell you got that photo from, but that color doesn't even seem to be listed on the storm website you shady bastard! ;) I found one place that had them on their site, but they're sold out!! I think that's some pretty positive feedback :p

If I can sell 2 of my 5inch Mag Darters, I'm gonna pick up a Sebile lure and see how it does :) It's either gonna be a Bonga minnow or Flatt shad from the posessed series. The oil/glitter affect looks so cool, but man are they expensive!!

Remember guys, all you need to do is change out some of these freshwater lure hooks to bigger and strong (and saltwater resistant doesn't hurt) ones and they can be killer in the back. I've caught over 20 something blues on my 3/8oz. Rapala Skitter pop that's designed for freshwatter. It also doesn't hurt to rinse out your lures after a day of fishing just like you do for your rods and reels.

Brian

[Flynn-S.]

I have far more success at high tide than low tide. Is it just me?

[zar2754]

ive caught 1 fish at low tide last summer, close to 100 during high tide.

[Fly Ty R]

No, you're not dreaming. High tide tends to be better, but not everywhere. I know a few places in SJ where low tide is much better. ;)

Brian,
I just got that pic off Google. I didn't know they were so hard to find. I know they are not very available, but in no way impossible to find... :D

[always fishing]

My low tide popping spots are on flats, and points that start a new channel.

[StealthMode]

I have far more success at high tide than low tide. Is it just me?


oh yeah...

couldn't agree more...got 2 stripers friday night(high tide) in an hour of fishing(730-830pm)....none over 28'', but...Im always looking for a nice high tide around sunset...those are my ideal conditions for catchin stripers on poppers....

SM:cool:

[JerseyBrian]

Brian,
I just got that pic off Google. I didn't know they were so hard to find. I know they are not very available, but in no way impossible to find... :D

Dude, I found one for sale. $23!!! Shiiiiit

[RI Popper]

Ohhhh just scrap all those plastic poppers and get some good wood!!!!!

For first light My most productive is parrot color and at dusk I like to go with purple or Eel color.

Tight Lines

Armand

[Fly Ty R]

$23..... :eek:

Dude, last time I saw one in the store it was like $2. Where are you looking, Southeby's Auction House??? :D

RI:
Does your wood have rattles in it? For some reason wood doesn't work well down this way, at least not in the back bays. I don't know why, logically it shouldn't matter, but for some reason that is the case. Plastic plugs/poppers work better down here. Not kidding.

[RI Popper]

FLY TY R, I'm not trying to sell any wook here. I'm not a sponsor. But Shallow back bay waters are excellent for wood. Especially the wood with the large mouths that make big splash. I'm not sold on rattles being much help on poppers because they make enough noise on their own. But back bay flat water using floating wood with large popping mouth works great up here and I can't see why there would be much difference down there in God's country. ;)

[JerseyBrian]

I'm either buying a Sebile lure or a R.M. Smith lure for that price! Not a $2.99 Chug Bug :p You gotta PM me on that "other site" where you can find'em! ;)

[Fly Ty R]

RI,
I wasn't implying that you were trying to sell anything. ;) By "your wood" I just meant the poppers that you use. Sorry for the misunderstanding. It's just for some reason plastic works better in SJ, especially south of LBI. Yes, wood works down here in a pinch (yes, I have used some wooden poppers in the backwaters) , but for some reason plastic works much better. Like I said before, I have NO idea why, it just does. :o Don't just ask me, ask anyone who fishes down here. Same goes for wooden versus plastic plugs. I know theoretically it shouldn't make any difference whatsoever, but it sure seems to in the real world of fishing. RI and SJ have a lot of similarities, but on the same token have a lot of differences too. Stripers in particular act differently down here than up there. Heck, stripers act differently in the backwaters of Ocean City than they do in Barnegat Bay, and that's only like 30 water miles difference.

Also, I never thought rattles in poppers made a difference until I actually looked into it. People that use poppers with rattles seem to catch more fish down this way versus people who use poppers with no rattles. Again, I don't know why it makes a difference, and I'm not saying it's universal all over the striper kingdom, but for SJ fish, it does seem to make the difference. If I could just think like a striper and figure out why in the world rattles were more enticing than no rattles...... :D


Brian,
I don't have a site where I find them. I just buy them in the local chain stores and tackle shops. I can't believe you can't find them! :confused:

[JerseyBrian]

more searching this weekend! :)

Also, I love rattles! :D I think lures are better with them, than without.

[StealthMode]

I wanted to start a forum in regards to what is the best popper for the southern jersey waters. I only consider there is two times two use this special lure....during the sunrise and sunset....

So I have 2 QUESTIONS?

1. What is the best popper for the sunrise?
2. What is the best popper for the sunset?

Please be specific as possible(including the company and color)...




SM:cool:

p.s. I would pick a chartruese 'smack-it jr.' for both occasions, and also like the redhead/whitetail smack-it jr for the sunset....there is my two sense...please feel free to join the forum!!!




anyone out there there still gettin any action on poppers?

I thought they were depleting for the summer....until last night. I was out around sunset for an hour and picked up three. no lunkers...but still a blast...Im gonna try and send some pics

SM:cool:

[Fly Ty R]

Poppers will work all season long until about mid-November, then the water gets too cold. Fish the low light times for best results.

[insomniac]

I have far more success at high tide than low tide. Is it just me?


High tide is pretty much the standard. _____ Some areas can be dynamite on very low water. Sometimes it's easier fishing the low water. Just watch for tails and head wakes when the fish are up shallow.

[RI Popper]

Not sure about down there if you have many out-flows. But up here we have a few that are extremely productive at night on the ebb tides with poppers.

Armand

[Fly Ty R]

You mean creeks entering larger bays? We are loaded with them. :D

[RI Popper]

Well yes that and also large salt-ponds and estuaries. As they empty out especially at night I've done terrific with poppers. Blurple and a color I call midnight black.

Armand

[bobabouy]

MY 2 FAV ARE the TB pull popper as he calls it,and the TB pencil in either yellow or white

[Fly Ty R]

We don't have too many bona fide salt ponds like you guys have up north. Where we fish in SJ it's mostly sod bank, back bay fishing with tons of channels and creeks meandering around everywhere, or open surf along the beach.

Looks like this:

http://photos.imageevent.com/striperfly/davespictures/huge/GoogleEarth_Image.jpg

[JerseyBrian]

^Yea Baby!! :D

[SeafoodCharters]

Your best bet is to use a dark color in low light situations (Cloudy, sunset, sunrise) and brighter colors during high sun. But usually, strpers will go down deeper during the day, so I would change to a jig. Good Luck!

[dances with fish]

I like the large rapala skitter pops ,mullet color , cast real well ,and makes alot of splash! DWF

[StealthMode]

I like the large rapala skitter pops ,mullet color , cast real well ,and makes alot of splash! DWF

:cool: Awesome....thank you barners for the input...there are still some to catch...got 3 on Monday

SM:cool:

[zar2754]

:cool: Awesome....thank you barners for the input...there are still some to catch...got 3 on Monday

SM:cool:

you'll be catching them alll summer. dont worry. im heading out @ 5.am in the yak for some top water action.

[egghead]

Love the yozuri hydrotiger 1oz redhead. Surprisingly to me, the big ugly creek chub sinking poppers also work in the shallows of our bays in the daylight.

You can use knuckleheads but keep 'em small for the bay.

FYI, for last year's Cuttyhunk excursion the BIG knuckleheads were my #1 producer.

[egghead]

Flytyer that is an amazing pic. Is that AC/Brigantine and where can I find them?

[fishanuk]

I have had better luck when it is cloudy at mid day, sometimes real good luck when cloudy out. Only caught one striper with the sun out at mid day. Otherwise, sun up and sun down are the ticket to success.

[Fly Ty R]

Flytyer that is an amazing pic. Is that AC/Brigantine and where can I find them?

Nothing special, nothing fancy. Just a Google Earth image, tilted and re-oriented to give more north to south perspective. Very easy to do, takes about 1 minute when you know what to do. ;)

Yes, in the foreground is Brig/Forsythe, and in the back is Margate. Just a good sampling of SJ bay.

[TheBayStalker]

How bout ya Stealth....you think you'll be able to catch the bite tonight or think your girl will have you out shopping? By the way...lets try for another double header on the way back from the bar again this weekend. Anytime you can hook up a double header in the back and produce 35" + is a great time...especially on boozer! Good times great fish...see ya down there in a few hours!!

[StealthMode]

How bout ya Stealth....you think you'll be able to catch the bite tonight or think your girl will have you out shopping? By the way...lets try for another double header on the way back from the bar again this weekend. Anytime you can hook up a double header in the back and produce 35" + is a great time...especially on boozer! Good times great fish...see ya down there in a few hours!!

STALK,

You keep on putting me on the tuna train and I ill bring you double-headers on the bay all summer. And by the way Stalk...we dont bring up ladyfriends or wives on bassbarn.....and for your sake...your fioncee:)

Remember Stalk, I tail wrap big tuna's because I only like doing things the hard way.

SM:cool: