Pop The Top for Explosive Fun
There’s a lot of ways to have fun during the fall run of stripers and blues, but few anglers would argue that anything can beat popping the surface to draw explosive strikes. Whether fishing shallow waters in the back bays, ripping currents at the inlet or your favorite point, or a roiled surf on a blustery late-October day, there’s just something about surface lures making a commotion to draw explosive strikes that awakens the soul and imprints memories for days, years and even decades to come.
While it’s possible to generate surface strikes throughout the summer and spring seasons, the urgency of fall seems to really agitate our local predator species. Anxious to put on weight for their southward migration, fired-up by a literal living chum-slick of baitfish draining out of tidal creeks, river mouths and inlets, and super-competitive thanks to the density of their own schools, the urgency of the moment brings forth an intensity that throws caution to the wind as they crash on anything moving above their heads. At other times of the season eliciting surface strikes can take a fair degree of skill and the ability to tease trophy-class beasts to rise up and smash your offerings, but from mid-October through November it’s first-come, first-served in terms of getting your lure out in front of surface-feeding predators.
Do be careful when tossing poppers. In all the excitement of unhooking your catch, things can go awry. Always use a pair of pliers when removing hooks from large fish.
No matter where you fish, being ready to take advantage of surfacing or blitzing bass and blues should help you make the best of the bite. With the bass particularly, fish will often surface in a spot for a few minutes, which makes every cast critical. Whether boating or driving the beach, keep a spinning setup rigged and ready to throw your favorite popper at a moment’s notice in areas prone to surface action to stay ahead of the game.
Keeping your eyes peeled for signs of surface-feeding fish is another way to cash in early when the surface starts to erupt. If possible, carry a pair of binoculars on each trip so you can easily spot birds in the distance. Be aware, too, that terns and ‘gulls frequently provide a tip-off to potential action as they squawk, fight and dive while attempting to scoop-up pieces of baitfish left behind in surface-feedings frays. Be aware, too, that flat-out surface riots often occur at the mouths of inlets, rivers and creek mouths, along channel edges paralleling flats adjacent to the back of inlets, and in more open waters at the head of significant rips, off prominent points and just beyond the surf line breakers.
More quiet but surprisingly reliable surface action can also be found in back bay areas. Start your searches in four- to six-foot depths while keeping an eye on nearby flats. In this situation, you may spot the backs of bass feeding or the tail tips of gorilla blues extending slightly above the surface in as little as a foot of water as they root for crabs, sea worms, and even shrimp.
The Tsunami Talkin’ popper has a solid following at the shop. Photo courtesy of Tsunami Fishing Tackle.
Which poppers do you need to stuff in your surf bag or tackle box? That’s a great question, and it’s really a matter of personal preference at this time of the year. We stock over two-dozen different models at the shop and most have a dedicated following – but during a fall blitz almost any popper can draw some strikes. Among our most popular choices are the time-tested 1.5- to 2.25-ounce Super Strike Little Neck Popper, which has been getting things done since most of our staff were fishing with bobbers for snappers. This is a great shallow-water and school bass option, and its single-point rear hook makes releasing your catch a breeze. The Tsunami Talkin’ Poppers in 5- to 6-inch sizes are also solid bets. These pop, splash and scoot across the surface and often draw reaction strikes from fish you don’t even know were feeding beneath the surface.
Two poppers, one fish! This bad boy just couldn’t get enough. OutdoorTom.com photo.
Of course, you’ll want to add a pencil popper or two to your collection for fishing in rough and tumbled water both in the ocean surf and on Long Island Sound. These cast a mile, offer a big-bait profile, and are easy to keep in sight even in wind-blown waves. Consider the Cotton Cordell Pencil Popper, NorthBar Tackle Flying Squid Pencil Popper, for these applications.
As for those moments when you sense there’s a chance bragging-sized cows might crush your offerings, Doc Spook Lures have really made a splash in recent years. These were originally designed to catch muskies and were a lips-sealed favorite of local sharpies for years before the cat got out of the bag. The 7-inch Doc in yellow, white or alewife color scheme is great for working inside the bays. Step up to the 9-inch version in bone when you head outside the inlets, hit the ocean beaches, or probe the open waters of eastern Long Island Sound. Cast ‘em out, retrieve with an exaggerated walk-the-dog motion and hold on tight because that next strike might knock your boots off. The Yo-Zuri 3D Inshore Pencil (which is actually a spook) is a nice 5 inch sized spook for catching your average bass from schoolies to cows.
- Bryce Poyer
