The Big Fly Rod Popper Build (Step By Step)

[Lancer09]

I've got one from many many years ago from FS that looks like that flat front one with the dressed treble off the back. 

Caught my biggest bass on the fly on it, right at 4 pounds off the end of a dock walk way. 

I got it stuck in my back shortly after that.

Real love hate relationship with that popper. Still have it but haven't fished it in a few years. 

 

[Flysmallie]

On 8/21/2025 at 12:09 PM, Lancer09 said:

Real love hate relationship with that popper. Still have it but haven't fished it in a few years. 

I was just thinking about those the other day and wondering why I haven’t made any in a while. And then I remembered. It’s Russian roulette with those things. 

[tjm]

Try a constant tension oval cast like I used to use with spoons and crappie jigs. I also used to carry a couple yards of line with a heavy lure in a constant tension circle overhead like a bola or a lasso and then taking the cast out of that circle. Neither cast is elegant or pretty but I never had one of those heavy things hit me or the rod.